When to go · Portugal
Portugal in March
Good month. Warming up; good for cities and walking the Alentejo.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- Portugal
- Prices
- Medium
- Portugal
Verdict
Warming up; good for cities and walking the Alentejo.
Weather in March
- Lisbon and the centre · Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos, Coimbrafine
Mild winters with rainy spells; hot, dry summers cooled by Atlantic wind. Sintra is often foggy and 5 °C cooler.
- Porto and the north · Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Douro Valley, Peneda-Gerêsrainy
The wettest region; green and mild. The Douro Valley bakes in summer and harvest is late September.
- Alentejo · Évora, Monsaraz, Alentejo coastbest weather
The interior plain reaches 40 °C+ in summer; spring wildflowers are the high point.
- Algarve · Faro, Lagos, Tavira, Sagresfine
Most sunshine in the country; the sea stays cool (18–22 °C). August is packed and pricey.
- Madeira · Funchal and the islandbest weather
Spring-like all year on the south coast; the north and mountains are wetter. Levadas can close after storms.
- Azores · São Miguel, Pico, Faial, Terceirarainy
Mild and changeable — four seasons in a day. Whale watching best April–October; winter storms cancel inter-island flights.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Carnaval
Carnival (Feb/Mar)
Not an official holiday, but many take it off; parades in Loulé, Ovar, Torres Vedras, Funchal.
Easter
Good Friday and Easter (26–28 Mar 2027)
Processions in Braga; domestic travel peak.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Portugal
- Medium
- Prices · Portugal
- Medium
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in March
Rated best or good this month
Alentejo
Best weather of the year (Évora, Monsaraz, Alentejo coast)
Madeira
Best weather of the year (Funchal and the island)
Spring light; some showers.