Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Mediterranean cruises in March
The season starts to stir late in the month as ships return from Caribbean winters, often on transatlantic crossings that end in Barcelona or Civitavecchia. Highs reach the low 60s °F (16–17°C) with cool evenings and green countryside. A smart month for city-focused Western Med itineraries, less so for the Greek islands, where many tavernas and shops are still shuttered.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 60°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Zysko serhii, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mediterranean in March: Shoulder season
The season starts to stir late in the month as ships return from Caribbean winters, often on transatlantic crossings that end in Barcelona or Civitavecchia. Highs reach the low 60s °F (16–17°C) with cool evenings and green countryside. A smart month for city-focused Western Med itineraries, less so for the Greek islands, where many tavernas and shops are still shuttered.
Across Mediterranean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 60°F (15°C) and lows near 50°F, with about 2.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- April to October; MSC and Costa run some Western Med routes year-round
- Average high / low
- 60°F / 50°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.6 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 to 12 nights; 3- to 5-night samplers and 14-night voyages also run
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Mediterranean weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5513 | 5714 | 6015 | 6518 | 7222 | 8127 | 8730 | 8731 | 8127 | 7323 | 6518 | 5815 |
| Low °F (°C) | 478 | 489 | 5010 | 5412 | 6116 | 7021 | 7524 | 7524 | 7021 | 6317 | 5613 | 5010 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.383 | 2.768 | 2.667 | 1.845 | 2.051 | 1.435 | 0.922 | 1.230 | 2.153 | 2.769 | 3.795 | 3.281 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 66°F | 48°F | 1.9 in | 12 h |
| Rome | 59°F | 50°F | 3.1 in | 12 h |
| Athens | 62°F | 49°F | 3.0 in | 12 h |
| Santorini | 61°F | 57°F | 2.1 in | 12 h |
| Naples | 62°F | 46°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Livorno (for Florence & Pisa) | 57°F | 53°F | 2.1 in | 12 h |
| Venice | 56°F | 45°F | 2.4 in | 12 h |
| Dubrovnik | 58°F | 52°F | 5.0 in | 12 h |
| Mykonos | 60°F | 56°F | 2.1 in | 12 h |
| Kuşadası (for Ephesus) | 63°F | 44°F | 3.0 in | 12 h |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer (for Nice) | 58°F | 53°F | 2.7 in | 12 h |
| Istanbul | 54°F | 44°F | 2.3 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Mediterranean in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Mediterranean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. The season starts to stir late in the month as ships return from Caribbean winters, often on transatlantic crossings that end in Barcelona or Civitavecchia. Highs reach the low 60s °F (16–17°C) with cool evenings and green countryside. A smart month for city-focused Western Med itineraries, less so for the Greek islands, where many tavernas and shops are still shuttered.
What is the weather like on a Mediterranean cruise in March?
Across Mediterranean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 60°F (15°C) and lows near 50°F, with about 2.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise in March?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Mediterranean?
April to October; MSC and Costa run some Western Med routes year-round. The best months are usually May, June, September.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.