Portugal Weather in March: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Spring weather arrives in March, and the weather turns milder and drier, and the flowers and vegetation spring up welcoming the sunshine. The weather is generally good for nature hikes, visiting the natural and historical highlights, and experiencing the urban culture.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

Portugal in March: Weather and Travel

Averages:

• Temperature range: 11–19°C (52–66°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 10
• Sunshine hours/day: 7 hours

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March Climate Comparison (Averages) for Portugal's Top Tourism Areas

March's weather is warm or mild at the low elevations, and because there are 7 hours of sunshine a day on average, it usually feels warm during the day at the tourist highlights. You could get out into nature for extended hikes, visit Portugal's historical and urban attractions, and enjoy walking in the streets.

Northern Portugal: The region experiences an Atlantic oceanic climate, which means more storms and rain and cooler temperatures. Daily average highs reach a pleasant 17°C (63°F) with 6 hours of sunshine. The almond trees and other flowers bloom.

Central and southern Portugal: The central region around Lisbon and the south generally experiences Mediterranean-like weather. It is milder, sunnier, and drier. There is good weather for sightseeing, hiking, and touring.

Madeira Island: See below.

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The Best Places to Visit in Portugal in March

You would probably enjoy some sunny weather in Portugal in March. Portugal is one of the sunniest places in Europe, sunnier than even sunny Greece. You could have pleasant warm spring walks in the sunshine visiting historical places and ancient ruins. Algarve and Madeira are excellent places to hike.

Lisbon — Tour the Highlights

Lisbon is the sunniest capital city in Europe with 7 hours of sunshine a day in March. Since the humidity is 75%, the average 19°C (66°F) daily highs actually feel warm in the sun, so you can take pleasant walks. There are about 13 days of low rainfall in March.

The main square, Praca do Comercio, is an interesting and entertaining place to walk in. It is a picturesque and historical area and one of the largest squares in Europe with monuments, statues of famous people, artwork, street artists, and musicians. Shops and cafés are nearby.

The Alfama is an old part of town and might be your favorite. It is a menagerie of narrow streets leading to staircases leading to street art mixed with street food stands. Street musicians mix their rhythms and beats, and for a quiet break, you can step into a café or pastelaria.

Festivities: If Lent begins in March you can see the celebrations in the squares and main streets.

2. Évora — Walk among Ancient Megaliths, Roman Ruins, and Historical Buildings in the Spring

Évora is good for a spring day trip since you can see the beauty of nature and countryside untainted by urbanization. It is packed with an amazing range of buildings and monuments spanning an estimated 8,000 years! It is about 90 minutes from Lisbon by vehicle.

March is one of the best months for walking and hiking around Evora. The Alentejo countryside is beautiful with flowers blooming in spring, hundreds of groves of olives and cork trees, vineyards, and converging rivers and streams. There are only about 6 days with rainfall and 7 hours of sunshine is the norm!

The thought-to-be 6,000-or-7,000-year-old megaliths of the Almendres Cromlech have a trail you can walk along through an olive grove. In town, you could walk around the Roman Temple, the Roman bath, the cathedral, and the Praça do Giraldo — the main square. The daily highs average 19°C (66°F).

3. Madeira — Relaxed Resort Stays, Beaches, Hikes at the "Hawaii of Europe"

Madeira is the warmest of the Portuguese islands with high temperatures of about 20°C (68°F) and sunshine about 7 hours a day. You could recreate and relax for longer or more affordably when prices are low during low tourism season. It is called the "Floating Flower Pot", and the early spring rains bring out the blooms.

Many think the low tourist crowds, the spring flowers and vegetation, the abundant sunshine, and the whales and dolphins make March and April the best months to visit Madeira. The sea temperature is 18°C (64°F) and too cold to swim. There are about 9 days of low rainfall.

Hikers love hiking the trails around the 1,861 m (6,106 feet) tall volcano and other nature preserves. There are also luxury resorts, gourmet restaurants, and a city of about 110,000. Flights to Funchal's airport take about two hours from Lisbon.

4. Albufeira — Visit the Most Popular Tourist Town in the Algarve

March is a good time to visit Albufeira because the tourist crowds are small, prices for flights and daily expenses are lower, and resorts, hotels, and restaurants open and gear up for the larger tourist numbers that arrive in April and May. It is the most popular resort town in the Algarve.

In March, you can enjoy 8 hours of sunshine per day. Since the high temperature is 17°C (63°F), with the 73% humidity it feels warmer, and you could venture to sunbathe on Algarve's best beaches near Albufeira.

The town has 40% foreign residents, and English is commonly spoken. Luxury is afforded, but it is also suitable for a middle-budget tour. The sea temperature is 16°C (61°F) and too cold for swimming. There are only about 8 rainy days in March. The international airport at Faro is 30 minutes away.

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Low Tourism Season: Touring Advice for March

Portugal turns beautiful and sunny in March. Portugal's hotels have low occupancy, and you might find rooms for 50% of the summer high season prices. Flights are also less expensive. However, some resorts might still be closed, and museum and historical places have shorter open hours.

You can use the quiet time to visit the galleries and museums, see the castles and ruins, and enjoy the cuisine and entertainment

Public holidays in March:

• March 29, 2024 is Good Friday, a national holiday. Businesses and government offices close.
• March 31, 2024 is Easter Sunday, and there will be more locals at the sights during the Easter holiday weekend.

Festivals: If Lent begins in March, then, in the first several days of it, there are parades, processions, entertainment and special food and treats in the cities and big towns.

What to Wear in March

You will need a warm jacket and sweaters, and to dress in layers to be comfortable as the temperature changes through the days. Winter clothing is needed for mountainous areas. Have an umbrella or rain jacket handy for rainy days especially if you are going to the north or mountains.

Shoes: Sturdy shoes with good traction would help you walk on the smooth cobbled stone streets and historical sites and help to prevent slips and fall. The historical cities and old towns have lots of old cobble-stone streets.

Wetsuits: The average sea temperature is about 16°C (61°F) or lower at most of Portugal's beach highlights in March, so it is too cold for swimming comfortably without a wetsuit.

Recommended Tours for Portugal in March

We at Global Highlights specialize in hosting bespoke tailor-made tours, considering your travel goals and working with the weather and local culture to make your dream trip a reality. Enjoy private touring with an expert guide and a private driver. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Portugal

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