What's the weather like in Costa Brava in March
Temperature
The weather begins to improve in Costa Brava, Spain in March, when the spring season begins to bloom. During this time of the year, the average temperature for the Costa Brava starts off at 9°C on March 1st and gradually rises until it reaches 11.5°C by March 31st. The daily highs and lows for the region follow the same pattern, rising from 15°C to 17°C and from 3°C to 6°C, respectively, as the month progresses.
With cool average temperatures like these you'll need to bring plenty of warm clothing such as jumpers, coats and jeans to make sure you're warm whilst on holiday. Unless you're planning on enjoying a dip in an indoor swimming pool or at a spa, you're best off leaving your swimming gear at home, too.
Although it only occurs on an average of once every ten days, temperatures can sometimes rise above 22°C or fall below -1°C in March in the Costa Brava. The hottest March day ever recorded at the Girona airport weather station the most accurately located weather station for the Costa Brava is March 23rd 2001, when temperatures as high as 29°C were registered. At the other end of the scale, the coldest March day ever recorded at Girona airport is March 12th 1973, when temperatures as low as -5.8°C were registered.
Rain
Across March, the Costa Brava receives an average of 45mm (2 inches) of rainfall which is divided between eight rainy days. With rainfall occurring on around ¼ of the month, there is quite a good chance of you experiencing some of the wet stuff during your holiday, so play it safe and pack an umbrella or some waterproof clothing.
The highest monthly rainfall ever recorded at the airport in Girona in March is 139 l/m2, which was recorded in 1993. The maximum number of rainy days ever registered here during this month is 17 which happened in 2013 and the maximum amount of precipitation ever to fall within a single 24-hour period during March is 71.2 l/m2, all of which fell on March 1st 1993.
The likelihood of precipitation occurring on an average day in the Costa Brava in March steadily increases as the month progresses. Rainfall is least likely to make an appearance on March 1st when it only falls on 30% of days, whilst rainfall is most likely to occur on March 30th when it falls on 36% of days.
The most common types of precipitation you can expect to see during this month in the Costa Brava are moderate rain, drizzle and light rain. Although it's unlikely, snowfall has been known to make an appearance during this month. The highest number of snowy days ever experienced in the area in March is two, which happened in 2010.
Average Sunshine Hours
The Costa Brava boasts an average of nine hours of sunshine each day in March that's one hour more each day than in February. With so many sunshine hours to take advantage of, you'll have loads of opportunities to explore the area, although it might be a bit too cold to spend a day at the beach.
Average Sea Temperature
With an average sea water temperature as low as 14°C, you wouldn't be able to go for a swim in the sea anyway.
Daylight Hours
Throughout March, the length of the day is gradually increasing in the Costa Brava, with a difference of 1:25 hours between the start and the end of the month. March 1st is the shortest day of the month with 11:16 hours of daylight, whilst March 31st is the longest day of the month with 12:41 hours of daylight.
Humidity
During this month, the relative for the Costa Brava fluctuates between 47% (comfortable) and 97% (very humid) almost never falling below 28% (dry) or reaching 100%. On average, the most humid day of the month is March 22nd, when the average daily humidity rises above 95% three days out of every four. At the other end of the scale, the driest day of the month is March 15th, when the average daily humidity falls below 58% three days out of every four.
Wind
In March, normal wind speeds range between 0 m/s (calm) and 6 m/s (moderate breeze) in the Costa Brava, rarely rising above 10 m/s (fresh breeze). The highest average wind speed of 2 m/s (light breeze) happens around March 31st, when the average daily maximum is 6 m/s. On the other hand, the lowest average wind speed of 2 m/s occurs around March 9th, when the average daily maximum is 5 m/s (gentle breeze).
Costa Brava Hotels in March
Families and couples looking for somewhere to stay during their holiday in the Costa Brava should take a look at Santa Rosa. This four-star hotel is located in Lloret de Mar, making it ideally located for access to numerous bars, restaurants and shops. Here you'll find accommodation in the form of standard and superior double and triple rooms, as well as family rooms, providing something for all budgets and group sizes. Guests are encouraged to take full advantage of the services and facilities available onsite, such as 24-hour reception, restaurant, heated swimming pool, solarium, sauna, Jacuzzi, parking and WiFi access.
Also located in Llorest de Mar, Els Llorers is a family-friendly hotel situated just a short walk away from the nearest beach and the town centre. Here guests can choose between a number of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, several of which come with sea views. There are all sorts of services and facilities available onsite, including bar-restaurant, free WiFi access, courtesy transport, 24-hour reception, excursion booking, free parking, swimming pool and pets under 20kg are allowed to stay onsite.
When it comes to affordable luxury in the Costa Brava, Hotel Barcarola is a top pick. Accommodation is provided in the form of luxury rooms, adapted rooms, junior suites, duplex suites, apartments and penthouses, each of which can sleep between two and eight guests. There are loads of onsite amenities and services available for guests to enjoy, such as free WiFi access throughout, swimming pool, restaurant, free parking, shuttle service, car rental and bike rental.
Costa Brava Beach for March
Although it might be a bit too cold to enjoy a swim, there's nothing stopping you from enjoying a walk along one of the beaches during your holiday in Costa Brava. Cala Pola Beach in Tossa de Mar is a small sandy cove which gets incredibly popular with tourists and residents during the hot summer months, making March a great month to visit it. Here you'll find golden sand which gently slopes down into aquamarine waters, providing superb photo opportunities. There are no real facilities available on the beach, although there is plenty to see and do in the area, with a castle, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops located just a short walk away.
Situated between Lloret de Mar and Blanes, Cala Treumal Beach is another picture-perfect beach located in Costa Brava. This natural cove is made up of golden sands flanked by calm blue sea on one side and a fragrant pine forest on the other side. The beach's Blue Flag status is testament of the superb facilities which include bar-restaurant, showers, toilets, lifeguards, sun beds, parasols and pedalo hire. Although it might be too cold to take a dip, it's worth visiting this beach just to see how beautiful it is.
Bars and Restaurants
Sushi lovers won't want to miss the opportunity to dine at El Xiringuito. Highly regarded as the best restaurant in the whole of the Costa Brava, this eatery is located in L'Escala and specialises in seafood, with special attention paid to their sushi dishes. There is an extensive menu to choose from, although if you're dining on a budget, you're best off choosing the sushi dish of the day or the fish dish of the day, both of which are superb value for money.
Bar Informal is perfect for families looking for somewhere to enjoy an affordable meal together. This child-friendly restaurant is found in Empuriabrava and boasts a home-away-from-home atmosphere which wins everyone over. Despite the small size of the menu, everything on it tastes fantastic, so don't hesitate to try something new. If you're in the mood to share, opt for the mixed tapas platter for two it comes highly recommended.
In the case that Restaurant Sant Pere del Bosc is fully booked, you can always snap up a table at Restaurante de Fabula Mediterranea. Rated just as highly as the previous restaurant, this eatery also serves a selection of Mediterranean cuisine, although it also comes with a relatively high price tag, too. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu include steaks, duck, sea bream and Dorada fish, all of which are cooked fresh to order.
Things to do in Costa Brava in March
Located in Lloret de Mar, the Santa Clotilde Gardens are a great place to while away an hour or two. Located on the top of a cliff with fantastic sea views, this landscaped garden is styled in the early 20th century Noucentista movement, making it a must-visit for art lovers or history buffs interested in that period.
Here you'll find a number of different benches which you can relax on, as well as various statues, flowers and gardens which you can admire. However long you decide to stay here, make sure you bring your camera because you'll be surrounded by photo opportunities at every turn. Unfortunately, there is no café within the gardens, so you'll need to bring your own food and drinks if you plan on staying a few hours.
The Jardi Botanic de Cap Roig in Palafrugell is another garden worth visiting during your holiday in the Costa Brava. Unlike the Santa Clotilde Gardens which are mainly all green, the Jardi Botanic de Cap Roig is made up of all sorts of local and exotic flora scattered in between walking trails, ponds and historical buildings.
With so many different parts of the garden to explore, you could easily spend a whole day here without getting bored. Each of the gardens follows a specific theme, such as cacti and succulents, Mediterranean plants, mature trees and ferns, providing something for all avid gardeners to enjoy. Although there is no café, there is a vending machine available onsite for drinks.
