Updated Apr 06 2023
There are many activities and fiestas organised in March in Barcelona, so if you happen to be visiting at this time of year, we’re sure that your stay will coincide with something that takes your fancy. It’s also possible that the Easter celebrations will take place, depending on the year, and although it might not be marked with as much enthusiasm as in other Spanish cities, it’s still likely that you’ll appreciate some of the events that are going on.
Barcelona Pass for your holidays in March
| WHAT INCLUDES? |
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| PARK GÜELL VISIT (skip the line) |
| SAGRADA FAMILIA VISIT (skip the line) |
| HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS BARCELONA |
| 10% DISCOUNT on other attractions |
| APP AUDIO GUIDE BARCELONA +100 attractions |
It’s important for you to note that the clocks go forward on the night of the Saturday to Sunday of the last weekend in March (at 02:00 the clocks go forward to 03:00). So make sure you change your clocks and set your alarms accordingly if you have a visit or activity planned, or more importantly if you have a train or flight to catch.
Which fiestas, activities and events take place in Barcelona in March?
Sant Medir Festival in Barcelona
This fiesta consists of a pilgrimage (a trip to a shrine) on horseback, which is embarked upon by various “colles” (groups of people) from the areas of Gràcia and Sant Gervasi de Cassoles in Barcelona, to the hermitage of Sant Medir in the neighbouring town of Sant Cugat del Vallès, to be blessed by the Saint. Throughout the journey they throw thousands of kilos of sweets into the streets, that the children (and indeed the not so young!) fight to catch.
If you’re in the city on this day with children, you might like to head up to the Gràcia neighborhood so that your little ones can catch some of the offerings that are thrown out from the carriages, and when they have passed you can continue with your sightseeing.
Sant Medir is celebrated on March 3rd.
Through the streets of Gràcia, Sarrià – Sant Gervasi, La Bordeta and the hermitage of Sant Medir.
€ Free of charge.
St Patrick’s Day in Barcelona
In spite of the fact that St Patrick’s Day of course originates in Ireland, thanks to globalization and the fact that there are many Irish pubs in Barcelona, the tradition has grown annually in our city.
Many Irish pubs therefore organize all sorts of activities, and the pubs are decorated for the occasion. Since 2003 the St Patrick’s Day festival has been organised in the Pedralbes area. If you join the celebrations, don’t forget to wear something green, so that you don’t look out of place!
17th March 2024.
Pedralbes and various pubs throughout the city.
Tickets Online
Travel cardsFestes de Sant Josep Oriol
Throughout the weekend that’s closest to 23rd March, the day on which the death of Sant Josep Oriol is marked, the fiestas of the Barri del Pi, in the Gothic Quarter, take place. The vast majority of celebratory events (“Ball de gegants”, “Cercaviles” and the falconry display) take place in the Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol (square) and in the Plaça del Pi (square).
To be confirmed.
The “Pi” Quarter.
€ Free of charge.
Easter Week in Barcelona
Depending on the year, Easter (called Semana Santa in Spain) falls in March or April. If your stay in Barcelona coincides with the Easter holidays we recommend that you look up how Easter is celebrated in Barcelona, and how it might affect your trip, because some of the shops and businesses close on certain days and the opening hours of some museums and churches might also be affected.
Rally Barcelona – Sitges
The mythical Sitges Rally is an event in which classic cars dating back to pre-1924 are driven between Barcelona and Sitges (a coastal town not far from Barcelona). The rally usually leaves from the Plaça Sant Jaume, going via La Rambla and the Plaça Catalunya before leaving the city and heading towards Sitges.
To be confirmed.
Plaça Sant Jaume and various streets throughout the city.
€ Free of charge.
In Museu Barcelona
to be confirmed.
Various museums.
€ Free of charge.
The end of the Sales
Many shops and businesses keep their sales going right up until the last week of March, and it’s at this time that you might find huge discounts on last season’s clothing. It’s therefore possible that you will still arrive in time to pick yourself up a bargain.
First week of March.
Shops throughout the city.
Hotels and other accommodation in March in Barcelona
Transport and tourist cards
Online Discount
Weather and temperature in March in Barcelona
The arrival of spring around the 21st – 22nd of March is something that is quite evident in Barcelona, as at the end of March the cooler temperatures are left behind and the pleasant warmer temperatures arrive.
In spite of this, you still can’t quite rely on the weather, as especially at the beginning of the month, first thing in the morning and last thing at night, it can still get quite chilly. As a little anecdote, the city has even seen snow in March, the last example of this being the great snowfall on 8th March 2010.
Climate statistics for March
Average maximum temperature: 15.9ºC.
Average minimum temperature: 6.8ºC.
Average overall temperature: 11.5ºC.
Average rainfall: 42mm.
Sunrise: 07:26 (1st March) – 07:36 (31st March).
Sunset: 18:42 (1st March) – 20:15 (31st March).
Advice, advantages and drawbacks
We think that March is a very good month in which to visit the city, but if possible we do recommend waiting until April or May, when the temperatures rise considerably and more fiestas and interesting events take place.
A good plan: A good plan for a relaxing and fun couple of hours, which could even be quite romantic if you’re with a loved one, is to buy some takeaway food from one of the bars in El Born and wander up to the Parc de la Ciutadella for a picnic. After eating you can relax on one of the many lawns in the park, and perhaps go on a boat trip in the little lake within the park. You can of course do this at any time of year, but in March the temperatures are perfect for it, and unless you’re there on a Sunday you shouldn’t encounter too many people there.
Prices: Many hotels and apartments, as well as airlines, offer special deals through March, with the exception of course of Easter Week, when prices are always considerably higher.
The city is quieter: you will be able to wander through the city’s streets in peace and quiet, without the hustle and bustle of other months, which we think is a real joy.
Not being able to enjoy a dip in the sea: We couldn’t really find any disadvantages in visiting the city in March, but just as with the earlier months in the year, it’s unlikely that you will be able to swim in the sea next to one of Barcelona’s ten beaches, unless you are very brave indeed!
