Visiting Barcelona in March
Spring arrives, so pop open the Cava and make the most of the weather…
By Jessica Bowler 
March is a decadent month in Barcelona: you can enjoy free sweets at the Festa de Sant Medir, hop on a walking food tour or imbibe the region’s delicious sparkling wine, Cava. Meanwhile spring sunshine makes for great conditions for jumping on a bike and exploring!
Why March?
Thinking about visiting Barcelona in March? Wondering what’s on in the city during the month? This time of year still isn’t the high tourist season, so you’ll get a chance to see a more local side of city life, but there’s certainly plenty of spark and bustle as Barcelona warms up, both figuratively and literally, for the year ahead. All in all, it’s a great time to visit, with plenty of daylight for sightseeing and just a tiny promise of summer in the air.
There’s plenty of spark and bustle as Barcelona warms up, both figuratively and literally, for the year ahead.
We’ve made a list of all of our favourite things to do during March, which includes everything from traditional local festivities to cutting-edge professional events.
What’s the Weather Like in March?
March is also the month when Barcelona starts to gradually shake off its winter coat, but as the old saying goes: it can come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. If you’re visiting near the beginning of the month, expect it to still be chilly. The average high is 17 ºC (62 ºF), with the average low at 11 ºC (52 ºF). There are usually around 6 rainy days a month in March, although it also gets plenty of lovely sunny days, especially towards the end of the month.
In other words, pack layers in your bag, but also plan on having a lot of fun – because there’s loads going on in the city this time of year, such as…
Festivals & Things To Do
Here’s our list of recommended activities this spring…
1. Saddle Up for a Bike Tour!
Why not enjoy the early springtime weather by exploring the city’s best sights by bike? Barcelona is a relatively flat city with plenty of bike lanes, which makes it great for cycling. It’s also not a huge city, so you can cover a lot of ground in just a few of hours. What might not be so easy is choosing a bike tour, as there are hundreds to pick from. But don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work and have selected the cream of the crop, such as Steel Donkey Bike Tours (named after the national animal of Catalonia) who do a fantastic job of getting you off the beaten track. Head to our feature article on bicycle tours for all your options.
2. Create Your Own Cava
A glass of Cava or two is a must on any trip to Barcelona, but have you ever thought of making your own? This activity takes you to a charming, family-run vineyard in the famous Penedès wine region, where you’ll learn from the experts how to make the perfect bottle of Cava. First, you’ll try lots of the sparkling white wine to get a taste for it, and then you’ll help bottle and create your very own blend. After stay for a feast of rustic Catalan food. Keep reading to find out more, and be sure to book ahead, because this tour fills up fast.
3. Enjoy A Sweet Celebration (early March)
Sweet exchange. (Photo by Sant Medir Federation).
In early March the bohemian neighbourhood of Gracia puts on a special celebration: Sant Medir. Horse-drawn parade floats make their way through the streets, with the people sitting on top throwing out sweets to the local kids. The secret to getting away with the lion’s share of the candy? Bring an umbrella, open it up and turn it upside down to catch the sweets as they’re thrown. (Then book your appointment at the dentist!). The festival takes place on the 3rd March each year (unless the 3rd falls on a Sunday, in which case the fiesta moves to the 4th).
4. Don’t Miss La Sagrada Familia!
The weather might be gradually warming up in March, but the city is still well before peak tourist season. While it’s unlikely that you’ll ever visit the Sagrada Familia when it’s truly empty, you will be able to enjoy Gaudi’s masterpiece with far fewer crowds in March than many other times of the year. Still, it’s essential to book your tickets online ahead of time so you can skip the line. Get Your Guide offer a number of ticket and tour options.
PRO TIP: Entry to La Sagrada Familia is free with certain tourist passes, such as the Barcelona Pass, which also includes tickets to the gorgeous Park Guell. For a full comparison of city passes read our article, and find out how to save money while sightseeing.
5. Take a Walking Tapas Tour
A brilliant mix of history, culture, wining, dining and socialising, this walking tour with tapas and wine introduces curious travellers to four fantastic venues in the medieval Gothic Quarter. At each restaurant or wine bar you’ll sample classic Spanish and Catalan dishes, like patatas bravas, jamon iberico and pimientos del Padron, accompanied by regional wines, Cavas and vermouths. You can even try drinking them from a porron, a traditional Spanish drinking vessel you hold above your head! The knowledgeable guides who run this tour will also point out historic landmarks as you walk the cobbled back streets of this charming district. Reserve online via Get Your Guide.
6. Learn How To Cook Paella!
You can’t leave Spain without feasting on at least one delicious plate of paella! But for the love of dios don’t buy the tourist, reheated rice sold on Las Ramblas. Instead, learn how to make this mouthwatering dish yourself during a fun, social class led by a Spanish chef. After picking up the ingredients on a market tour of La Boqueria, you’ll get chopping in the kitchen and sizzle up supper in a specialist pan (they need to be plenty wide, and just a fraction deep!). You can choose to make either seafood or a vegetarian option. Read more here, or book on Get Your Guide.
7. Barcelona Beer Festival
Every season is beer drinking season in our humble opinion, but spring in Catalonia provides an extra treat for hop lovers… the city’s very own fiesta de cervezas! Barcelona Beer Festival is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe and over three days scores of breweries will exhibit hundreds of beers to thirsty attendees. A day ticket is just €5 and includes your tasting glass and cashless bracelet. After that you can go and sample from the 7,000 square metres of stands, paying for the beers with your bracelet. The dates for 2024 are 22nd, 23rd and 24th March.
barcelonabeerfestival.com
8. Visit The Spanish Village
Poble Espanyol (literally “the Spanish village’) is a curious attraction on the edges of Montjuïc hillside. It features life-size representations of some of the most beautiful architecture from all around Spain. Step into a white-walled Andalusian patio, see a traditional house from Don Quixote’s turf of Castilla La Mancha or enjoy a concert at a typical Spanish Plaza Mayor – all without leaving Barcelona. Inside the buildings, you can find craftsmen’s workshops, art galleries, and little shops to peruse. Opening times, tickets and more info here. There are also activities for kids and families, so make sure to check out the schedule to see what’s on.
9. Visit The Dalí Museum
Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí’s birthplace of Figueres sits just about 90 minutes away from Barcelona, by train or car. But it’s more than just his hometown; it’s also the place that houses his bizarre Theatre-Museum. The artist himself created it from what used to be the town’s theatre, and turned it into a museum that celebrates his works. You can see his larger-than-life art and zany experiments here, and even the crypt where he’s buried. Check out our article on the best day trips from Barcelona for more info on getting to Figueres. You could make your way there independently, or sign up for this highly-rated tour on Get Your Guide which also takes you to his house museum in Port Ligat.
10. Experience the World of Banksy
This roving exhibition is now a permanent fixture in Barcelona, in the centrally-located Espai Trafalgar just above the Born district. Street art lovers can check out 130 pieces by the enigmatic Bristol-born artist, whose true identity remains something of a mystery, and see the world through his eyes. Tickets cost just €12 and are available via Tiqets.com.
11. Visit Gaudi’s Colonia Güell
You may have heard the name “Güell” before (as in the park), but what you may not have heard of previously is the Colonia Güell, a curious company town (a “colonia” in Spanish) located near Barcelona. Like the park, this too features architect Antoni Gaudí’s creative work at play. Designed as a place where factory employees would live, work, go to church and relax, the complex has everything you’d need to never leave the company grounds again. Brilliant idea or too Big Brother? See it for yourself and decide. The colony’s crypt has been declared a UNESCO heritage site, and you can buy tickets via Get Your Guide.
12. Maria Canals Music Competition
The Maria Canals International Music Competition is back for another edition this March. Every year, you can see the competition take place at the Palau de la Música, with the final stages being held in its spectacular main concert hall. The competition will also run an OFF Maria Canals Barcelona Competition, which includes over 800 activities and will add 150 grand pianos all over the city to celebrate. Check their website for full details.
13. Festa de Sant Josep Oriol (23rd March)
This festival, held on the 23rd March each year, is on honour of the 17th century saint and the square named after him is point zero for the celebrations. The high point is a parade featuring gegants (giants) and capgrossos (big-heads, a costume you wear on your shoulder, giving the illusion of having a, well, big head). There are also activities for kids and families to enjoy together throughout the day. More info on the Barcelona City website (Spanish or Catalan only).
14. Celebrate Easter and Holy Week
Although Barcelona isn’t home to massive Easter celebrations like in other parts of Spain, you can still see glimpses of the traditions in action, if you know where to look. A few parades take place throughout the city, generally in the historic city centre. The Raval has La Burreta procession on Palm Sunday (commemorating Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey) and another procession on Good Friday. The Gothic Quarter also has one on the Friday. If you’re not interested in the religious side of the holiday, you might be interested in the culinary side. Bakeries do a roaring trade around Easter and sell treats like chocolate eggs, the “mona de Pascua” cakes with their elaborate decorations, and buñuelos de Cuaresma (literally “Lent fritters”, which are fried balls of dough sometimes filled with cream or chocolate). Lots of shops will be closed around Easter Sunday, so make sure to make your shopping plans accordingly! They also tend to close both on Good Friday and the Monday after Easter.
15. Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
OK, so this one might not be a very Catalan tradition, but it’s still a lot of fun. Barcelona’s Irish pubs get decked out green and orange, and of course, there’s plenty of Guinness on tap and great craic. Your best bets for a good time on the 17th? Try Flaherty’s, the George Payne, or the Old Irish Pub. Read more about the best pubs in town here.
16. Party Like a VIP!
Running every year from March to October, this is the first chance of the year to jump on Barcelona’s VIP Nightlife Tour, a whirlwind trip through some of the city’s best bars and clubs. For just €55 you get four drinks and two club entries, including VIP entry into none other than Opium, the city’s premium nightclub on the beach. A great way to meet people and experience the city’s nightlife all in one. Email us on info@barcelona-life.com to reserve.
Further Reading
That wraps up our list of suggestions for things happening in March! If you’re coming earlier in the year, why not read our guides to January events and what to do in February? Arriving later in Spring, our April guide is live!
About the Author
Jessica was born in England and grew up in California before moving to Seville to study Spanish. She now lives here in Barcelona, where she works in communications, studies for her masters and still finds time to update her award-winning blog Barcelona Blonde – as well as being a regular contributor to Barcelona Life!