Weather in Portugal in March

March climate overview

Daytime highs across Portugal in March run from 16.3°C (Porto) to 18.9°C (Albufeira). Even in Albufeira only 3% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 11.2°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Porto fall to 5°C or below.

Rainfall in March

Expect around 8 rainy days (1 mm or more) in March, with Faro the driest (7 days) and Porto the wettest (11 days). The wettest March at Albufeira between 1991 and 2020 was 2018 with 203 mm; the driest was 1997 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 15.5°C around Portugal in March - warmest at Madeira (18.0°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 11.7 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

March against the rest of the year in Portugal

March is the 9th warmest month of the twelve in Portugal. It is 1.9°C warmer than February and 1.3°C warmer in April. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (15°C).

Which part of Portugal in March?

• Most sunshine: Faro, 6.7 h a day.
• Driest: Faro, about 7 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Madeira, 18°C.
• Hottest: Albufeira, 19°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Porto, 16°C.

What to pack for Portugal in March

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 18°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 11°C; a rain jacket - roughly 8 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in March

Within 1.5°C of Portugal's March daytime average: Lanzarote (19°C, sea 18°C), Costa de la Luz (19°C, sea 16°C), Bermuda (19°C, sea 20°C), Valencia (19°C, sea 14°C), Limassol (18°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for March.

The Algarve is the stronger choice for mainland warmth

Albufeira and Ferragudo have the warmest daytime averages here at 19°C, making them sensible choices if warmth is your priority. Much of the Algarve sits close behind at 18°C, so there is little reason to choose between these places on temperature alone. Quarteira and Vale do Lobo average 7 rainy days, compared with 8 in Albufeira, Ferragudo and several nearby destinations. That is a small difference, not a promise of dry weather. Porto is cooler at 16°C by day, so it is less suited to a trip built around warmth. For the Algarve, plan outdoor time when conditions are pleasant, but keep your plans flexible enough to work around rain.

Madeira trades more rain for milder evenings and sea

Madeira and Funchal average 18°C by day, so they offer no daytime temperature advantage over much of the Algarve. Their appeal is the smaller drop after sunset: nights average 14°C, compared with 10°C in Albufeira and Carvoeiro. That makes them a better fit if chilly evenings bother you, although a layer is still useful. The sea also averages 18°C around Madeira, against 15°C at the listed Algarve destinations. It is the less cold option for a swim, rather than reliably warm bathing water. The trade-off is 10 rainy days on average. Choose Madeira for gentler evenings and the warmer sea, not because you expect a drier March.