The shoulder season in Madrid begins in March when the temperatures are comfortable and the city flaunts its Spring bloom. Madrid is less crowded in March as compared to the summer months and is one of the best times to visit and explore the city dodging the heavy touristy crowds.
March marks the beginning of the spring season in Madrid. The weather is fairly pleasant throughout the month with temperatures ranging from 6.2 ℃ to 16.3 ℃. The skies often remain cloudy in March with just about 6.9 hours of sunshine on average every day and only about four days of light rains throughout the month.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the unoccupied yet official residence of the Spanish royal family. The Royal Armoury, the Painting Gallery, and the Royal Kitchen at the Palace are open to the public throughout the week. Visitors can also enjoy great views of the neighboring gardens from the Mirador de la Cornisa observation deck, amidst the fewer crowds in March.
March Timings:
Mon to Sat: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Changing of the Guard takes place every Wednesday & Saturday
The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is a neoclassical church, roofed by the largest dome in Spain, and filled with paintings and marble sculptures from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can take a closer look at the works of renowned artists such as Goya, Zurbarán, Gaspar Crayer, and many others when visiting the Palace in March.
March Timings:
Church - Mon to Sat: 8 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Sun: 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. & 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Museum - Tue to Sat: 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Liria Palace Is the residence of the Dukes of Alba, who have opened the doors to their private art collections to the public. The 18th-century neo-classical palace showcases sculptures, tapestries, furniture, and historic documents, across the Palace Library and 14 other rooms. The Palace sees fewer crowds in March when you can easily find a slot for the guided tour.
March Timings:
Tue to Fri: 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.)
Sat, Sun, & Public Holidays: 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.)
Mon: 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (last entry at 12:30 p.m.)
Free entry on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
from €15
Wanda Metropolitano is the home stadium of Madrid’s very own football club Atlético Madrid. The stadium welcomes visitors to see the pitch, the changing rooms, the benches, the press room, the mixed area, and the Territorio Atleti Museum which depicts the club’s journey so far. If you fancy watching a live match in March, you can buy tickets here.
March Timings:
Mon to Sun - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.)
Faunia Madrid is home to over 5000 animals and plants from 700 different species. The zoo is designed with 15 unique natural habitats that depict different ecosystems such as the Polar Regions, the Amazon Jungles, the African Rainforests, and the Mediterranean Woodlands. The pleasant weather in March is perfect for experiencing the open tours, live shows, and animal feedings at Faunia.
March Timings:
Opens daily at 11 a.m. Closing time varies. (TBA)
This Warner Brothers-themed park comprises five different zones: Hollywood Boulevard, Cartoon Village, Old West Territory, DC Super Heroes World, and Movie World Studios. These zones feature over 30 rides, street performances, stunt shows, character meet and greet sessions, and many other attractions suitable for visitors of all ages. Enjoy them with shorter waiting times when visiting in March.
March Timings:
Opens daily at noon Closing time varies. (TBA)
The richest collection of Spanish, Italian, and French artworks in the world can be found at the Prado Museum in Madrid. The Museum houses over 7500 paintings, 8000 drawings, 4800 prints, 1000 sculptures, and numerous historical documents. You can see some of the celebrated artworks of Caravaggio, Hieronymus Bosch, Diego Velazquez, and Goya, up-close amidst the fewer crowds in March.
March Timings:
Mon to Sat: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Free entry from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., last entry at 7:15 p.m.)
Sun & Public Holidays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Free entry from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., last entry at 6:15 p.m.)
Visit the Madrid Aquarium Zoo to see more than 6000 animals from over 500 species including insects, mammals, amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, and more. The zoo boasts of almost 20 hectares of pseudo habitats housing these creatures from all parts of the earth. The zoo also promotes the education and conservation of wildlife through a range of fun activities. So do remember to check out their March calendar before visiting.
March Timings:
Mon to Fri: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat & Sun: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parque de Atracciones features a number of exciting rides for visitors of all age groups, spread across four different themed zones: the Machinery zone, the Tranquility zone, the Nature zone, and Nickelodeon Land - where young guests can meet and greet characters from Nickelodeon. You can skip the long queues if visiting the park in March.
March Timings:
Mon to Thu: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat & Sun: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum takes its visitors on a historic journey of European paintings from the 13th century to the 20th century. The museum boasts a curated collection of almost 1000 paintings by renowned artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, Dali, and many more. March is one of the least crowded months to visit this museum.
March Timings:
Tue to Sun: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free entry on Mondays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The cultural city of Toledo is one of the best day-trip destinations when vacationing in Madrid. The climate in March is perfect to comfortably explore its vernacular architecture, historic monuments, and religious houses. A must-see attraction in the city is the exotic ‘El Sueño de Toledo’ (The Dream of Toledo) stage show that brings together art, culture, and visual brilliance.
from €52The largest stadium in the city, Santiago Bernabeu, is the home ground of the famous European football club, Real Madrid. Football fans from around the world come here to grasp the panoramic views of the stadium, visit the Real Madrid F. C. Museum, and shop at the Real Madrid Official Store on the premises. You may also buy tickets for live matches happening at the stadium in March.
March timings:
Mon to Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sun & Public Holidays: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Date: 19th March 2023
Venue: Various venues across Madrid
The 19th of March is celebrated every year as Saint Joseph’s Day and Father’s Day (El Dia del Padre) in Madrid and many other cities in Spain. Special sermons are conducted at churches across the city on Fallas de San José to honor St. Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary. Some museums, tourist attractions, and restaurants in Madrid offer discounts for parents and children on this day.
Book nowDate: March 2023 (To Be Announced)
Venue: IFEMA - Feria de Madrid
The first season of the 76th edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid (MBFWM) will be happening in March 2023. This bi-annual fashion festival features some of the most sought-after and contemporary creations by renowned, established, as well as upcoming fashion designers. It is one of the biggest fashion events in Spain that bring together fashion models, designers, celebrities, influencers, photographers, and the elite, chic crowd from around the globe.
Book nowDate: 26th March 2023
Venue: Paseo del Prado and all across Madrid
The 22nd edition of the Madrid Half Marathon will take place on the 26th of March, 2023. The 21.097 Km run is the largest one of its kind in the country with more than 20,000 participants every year. The race starts and finishes at the Paseo del Prado, which goes through some of the most iconic buildings across the city. Registration for the marathon is already open.
Know moreDate: 14th March 2023
Venue: WiZink Center, Madrid
Classic Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu will be holding a live concert in Madrid in March. The founder of the world-renowned Johann Strauss Orchestra is often referred to as the ‘King of the Waltz’ for his contributions to taking Waltz music around the globe. He will be performing live along with his 60-piece orchestra and a string of international soloists at the event.
Know moreDate: 23rd - 26th March 2023
Venue: IFEMA - Feria de Madrid
Cinegética is an annual fair with an apt tagline that reads ‘Passionate about hunting and the outdoors. The fair is an amalgamation of two other hunting fairs - Venatoria and FICAAR, making it a promising one-stop solution for hunters, fishermen, and all visitors interested in any kind of outdoor adventure. The fair has on display almost everything related to hunting, from hunting tools and sporting gear to safari vehicles and insurance.
Know moreTime Zone: Till the 26th of March, 2023: Central European Time (CET) / GMT+01:00
From the 26th of March, 2023: Central European Summer Time (CEST) / GMT+02:00
Currency: Euros - EUR - €
Country Code: +34
Emergency Numbers: Integrated Emergency System - 112, Ambulance - 061, Fire brigade - 080, National police - 091, Local police - 092
Travel GuideBy Bus: Madrid’s bus network consists of over 2000 buses running between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. along 200 lines. 26 of these bus routes operate at night from 11:55 p.m. to 5:50 a.m. A single one-way ticket can be purchased on board the bus and all other types of tickets are available for purchase at the station.
By Metro: Madrid has a well-connected metro network that passes through more than 300 stations along 13 lines. The metro trains operate from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. every day and use a multi-top-up card system for ticketing. These tickets can be bought at the station, at authorized retailers, and through red machines.
By Train: Trains are available in Madrid on weekdays from 5 or 6 a.m. until midnight. Tickets for Cercania trains can be purchased from the station.
By Cab: If you are traveling at night or with a lot of luggage in Madrid, the most convenient means of transport would be a cab. You can spot an available cab on the streets by noticing the green-lit roof sign.
Madrid offers tourists a great variety of options when it comes to accommodation. Apartments, hostel beds, dormitory bunks, hotel rooms, and villas at resorts are all available at different price ranges to cater to any budget.
Budget Hotels: Mola! Hostel, Hotel Acta Madfo, Eco Alcalá Suites
Mid-Range Hotels: Palacio Tirso de Molina - THE ARC COLLECTION, Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid, Hotel Mirador de Chamartín
Luxury Hotels: Torre de Madrid Plaza by Madflats Collection, Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid, Relais & Châteaux Heritage Hotel
Madrid is a Spanish culinary melting pot serving authentic food from all regions of the country. Here are some of the dishes you must try while in Madrid in March.
Bocadillo de Calamares: Bocadillo de Calamares is a fried squid sandwich made by layering deep-fried squid rings on a fresh loaf of special Spanish bread, with a topping of tomato sauce, paprika, or garlic mayonnaise.
Tortilla de Patatas: Tortilla de Patatas or Potato Omelet is a type of omelet dish made with potatoes and often topped with onions, mushrooms, sausages, or peppers. A variety of this dish called Pincho de Tortilla is a popular street food served as small squares of tortilla with toppings.
Croquetas: Croquettes are a household dish of breadcrumbed and fried rolls of food leftovers, shredded and made into a paste, usually bound with mashed potatoes. In Spain, however, they are made tastier and creamier by adding bechamel sauce to the mix.
The shoulder season in Madrid begins in March when the temperatures are comfortable and the city flaunts its Spring bloom. Madrid is less crowded in March as compared to the summer months and is one of the best times to visit and explore the city dodging the heavy touristy crowds.
Some of the best things to do in Madrid include visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid and Liria Palace and admiring the art at the Prado Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. Football enthusiasts can also visit the stadiums and museums at Wanda Metropolitano and Santiago Bernabeu or even watch a live match there.
Madrid is not very cold in March. The average low temperature for the month is 6.2 ℃, with temperatures hardly dropping below 2 ℃. However, the strong winds may make the evenings feel a little chilly.
It is generally pleasant in Madrid in March with the average maximum temperature going up to 16.3 ℃.
Madrid is a land-locked city with only a few rivers as swimming options. In March, the average temperature of these waters is around 9.2 ℃ which may be too cold for a swim. If you do fancy a swim while in Madrid in March, you could try finding indoor heated swimming pools.
Madrid is generally cloudy in March with an average of around 6.9 hours of sunshine and 12 hours of daylight every day.
It is best to wear full pants or long dresses and full sleeves while in Madrid in March as the climate is just switching from winter to spring. It is advised to wear scarves and ear muffs while stepping out in the evenings as it may be a little windy and chilly.
You can expect light rains and drizzles for just about four days in March in Madrid. The average accumulated rainfall for the month is 25 mm.
Madrid is generally affordable to visit throughout the year. March is the first month after the low season in Madrid. Therefore, you may still be lucky to get great bargains on airfare and hotel tariffs from the low-season sale. Moreover, public transport is comparatively much cheaper in Madrid than in other European countries.
Madrid is a generally safe city for tourists. In case of any emergency, you may dial 112 and the Integrated Emergency System will direct you to the required department.
Madrid in March is pleasant for both indoor as well as outdoor activities. With fewer crowds, you can comfortably visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Liria Palace, the Prado Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. The stadiums and museums at Wanda Metropolitano and Santiago Bernabeu are a must-see for football enthusiasts.
Apart from the usual musical concerts and live shows, Madrid’s social calendar is filled with conferences and trade shows all through March. Some of the major events are the half marathon Movistar Medio Maratón de Madrid, the Cinegética hunting fair, and Dutch violinist André Rieu’s Live Performance.
The average temperature in Madrid in March ranges from 6.2 ℃ to 16.3 ℃.
The biggest festival celebrated in Madrid in March is St. Joseph’s Day on the 19th. This day is also celebrated as Father’s day with a lot of family festivities and discounts. Spain’s biggest fashion festival, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid (MBFWM), also takes place in Madrid in March.