Weather in Nice in March

How March compares

March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Nice and ranks 103rd of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within France it is 1st of 2 (France in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Nice is 4.1°C warmer by day and 3.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Nice peaks at 14.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 17.7°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 6.9°C; one night in ten drops to 3.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 23.6°C (2015-03-31) and the coldest night -4.1°C (2001-03-01).

Rain in March

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 63 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2013 with 238 mm, the driest 2019 with 5 mm. Humidity averages 74%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 13.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 12.9°C to 13.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:43 and sets about 18:37 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 48%.

Is March a good time to visit Nice?

March is not the strongest month here: cool days. The best months for Nice on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Milder than London, but keep your coat

Nice is noticeably milder than London in March, with average daytime highs 4.1°C higher. That makes it a reasonable choice if you want gentler weather without a long flight, but it still calls for spring layers rather than a summer wardrobe. The warmer days reach around 18°C or more, while the coldest nights drop to around 4°C or below. Pack a jumper and a coat you will be comfortable wearing after dark. With about 6.1 hours of sunshine within 11.7 hours of daylight, there is scope for outdoor plans, but sunshine is not an all-day promise. Keep the warmer part of the day for lingering outside.

Plan around showers, not around swimming

Rain is enough of a possibility to shape your plans, without making March an obvious month to avoid. Expect about 8 rainy days across the month, so pack a waterproof layer and leave room to move outdoor plans around. That does not mean every wet day is a washout, but a short stay could still catch an unsettled spell. The bigger limitation for a beach-focused trip is the sea: at 13.4°C, it is firmly cold rather than merely bracing. Time beside the water is a more realistic aim than casual swimming. March suits travellers happy to keep moving outdoors and add layers when they stop.