Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Western Mediterranean cruises in March
Spring comes early to southern Spain, Sicily and Malta, where highs can reach the mid-60s °F (18°C). More ships arrive late in the month off transatlantic crossings, many ending in Barcelona. Valencia’s Las Fallas festival in mid-March burns giant satirical sculptures in the streets, a spectacle if your ship calls then.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 61°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Western Mediterranean in March: Shoulder season
Spring comes early to southern Spain, Sicily and Malta, where highs can reach the mid-60s °F (18°C). More ships arrive late in the month off transatlantic crossings, many ending in Barcelona. Valencia’s Las Fallas festival in mid-March burns giant satirical sculptures in the streets, a spectacle if your ship calls then.
Across Western Mediterranean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 2.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- April to early November; MSC and Costa sail year-round
- Average high / low
- 61°F / 52°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.4 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights is standard; 10–12 nights adds southern Spain, Sicily or Malta
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
Western Mediterranean weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5714 | 5815 | 6116 | 6518 | 7122 | 7926 | 8530 | 8630 | 8026 | 7323 | 6518 | 6016 |
| Low °F (°C) | 4910 | 5010 | 5211 | 5513 | 6116 | 6921 | 7424 | 7524 | 7021 | 6418 | 5714 | 5211 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.949 | 2.051 | 2.461 | 1.846 | 2.051 | 1.129 | 0.616 | 1.128 | 2.050 | 3.282 | 3.793 | 2.357 |
| 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 |
| Naples | 62°F | 46°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Livorno (for Florence & Pisa) | 57°F | 53°F | 2.1 in | 12 h |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer (for Nice) | 58°F | 53°F | 2.7 in | 12 h |
| La Spezia (for Cinque Terre) | 58°F | 49°F | 2.4 in | 12 h |
| Palma de Mallorca | 60°F | 55°F | 1.8 in | 12 h |
| Marseille | 63°F | 44°F | 1.7 in | 12 h |
| Valletta | 60°F | 58°F | 1.4 in | 12 h |
| Monte Carlo | 58°F | 53°F | 2.7 in | 12 h |
| Málaga | 64°F | 56°F | 3.3 in | 12 h |
| Cádiz (for Seville) | 64°F | 54°F | 3.4 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
Western Mediterranean in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Western Mediterranean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Spring comes early to southern Spain, Sicily and Malta, where highs can reach the mid-60s °F (18°C). More ships arrive late in the month off transatlantic crossings, many ending in Barcelona. Valencia’s Las Fallas festival in mid-March burns giant satirical sculptures in the streets, a spectacle if your ship calls then.
What is the weather like on a Western Mediterranean cruise in March?
Across Western Mediterranean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 2.4 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 Western 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 Western Mediterranean?
April to early November; MSC and Costa sail 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.