Things to Do in Cadiz in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Cadiz
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Carnival season peaks in March - you'll catch the final week of festivities with street parties, costume parades, and chirigota performances (satirical singing groups) that locals actually attend, not tourist-focused events. The atmosphere is genuinely electric, especially in the historic Barrio de la Viña neighborhood.
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodations run 30-40% cheaper than April-June rates, and you can actually book decent places 2-3 weeks out instead of the 2-3 months needed for high season. Flights from Madrid and Barcelona also drop significantly after Semana Santa wraps up.
- Weather hits that sweet spot where it's warm enough for beach walks and outdoor tapas (18°C/65°F afternoons) but cool enough that exploring the old town on foot doesn't leave you drenched in sweat. The Atlantic breeze keeps things comfortable even when the sun's out.
- Spring seafood season brings the best local catch - ortiguillas (sea anemones), chocos (cuttlefish), and carabineros (scarlet prawns) appear on menus at mercados and freidurías. March is when gaditanos themselves go out for seafood, which tells you everything you need to know about timing.
Considerations
- Rain happens - those 10 rainy days aren't gentle drizzles but proper Atlantic downpours that can last 2-3 hours and completely shut down beach plans. Indoor backup options matter more in March than any other month, and the old town's narrow streets turn into small rivers when it really comes down.
- Evenings get genuinely chilly at 12°C (54°F), especially with the ocean wind. That romantic sunset beach walk you're picturing? You'll need a proper jacket, and outdoor dining after 8pm can be uncomfortable unless the restaurant has those propane heaters. Many beachfront chiringuitos don't fully open until April.
- March straddles Carnival and Semana Santa (Holy Week), which means dates matter enormously. Early March during Carnival is packed and expensive, mid-March is perfect, but if Semana Santa falls in late March (varies by year), you'll hit another crowd surge with religious processions that close streets and fill hotels. Check the 2026 Semana Santa dates before booking anything.
Best Activities in March
Carnival Week Street Performances and Chirigota Shows
If you're visiting early March 2026, Carnival is the main event - not the big parade day (which tourists flock to) but the neighborhood gatherings where local chirigota groups perform satirical songs mocking politicians and current events. Barrio de la Viña and Plaza de la Catedral become outdoor stages. The humor is deeply Spanish and often goes over visitors' heads, but the energy and costumes are worth experiencing. Weather cooperates - performances happen rain or shine, with groups simply moving under covered plazas when needed.
Atlantic Coast Beach Walks and Playa de la Caleta Exploration
March weather is actually ideal for long beach walks - warm enough at 18°C (65°F) for comfort but not the scorching heat of summer that makes sand unbearable by noon. Playa de la Caleta, the small horseshoe beach between two castles, is where gaditanos take their morning coffee walks. Low season means you'll have stretches of Playa de la Victoria (the city's 3 km/1.9 mile main beach) nearly to yourself on weekday mornings. The Atlantic can be rough - swimming isn't realistic yet, but the dramatic waves make for better photos than summer's calm waters.
Old Town Tapas Route Through Historic Neighborhoods
March is perfect for the traditional gaditano tapas crawl - cool enough that walking between bars is pleasant, and you're eating alongside locals rather than summer's tourist crowds. The real move is hitting freidurías (fried fish shops) for paper cones of pescaíto frito, then moving to traditional bars for wine. Barrio del Pópulo, the oldest neighborhood, has the highest concentration of authentic spots. Spring ingredients like ortiguillas and chocos appear on March menus specifically - seasonal eating matters here.
Torre Tavira Camera Obscura and Rooftop Tower Visits
When March rain inevitably hits, the historic watchtowers offer the best indoor-outdoor combination. Torre Tavira's camera obscura (a live projection of the city) is genuinely fascinating and takes 20-25 minutes, then you can access the rooftop for 360-degree views when weather permits. March's variable conditions mean you might catch dramatic storm clouds rolling in off the Atlantic - actually more photogenic than summer's clear skies. The old town has multiple towers you can climb, each offering different perspectives.
Sherry Bodega Day Trips to Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez sits just 35 km (22 miles) inland and is significantly warmer and drier than coastal Cadiz in March - when it's raining on the beach, it's often sunny in sherry country. March timing is excellent because you're visiting during the quieter season when bodegas give more personalized tours. The train connection takes 45 minutes and runs hourly. Beyond sherry tastings, Jerez has the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art with horse shows (Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, typically 21-27 euros).
Mercado Central and Local Market Shopping
The central market is where actual gaditanos shop, not a tourist attraction that happens to sell food. March brings spring produce and the seafood selection peaks - you'll see fish you've never heard of and vendors who'll explain (in rapid Spanish) exactly how to prepare them. The building itself, a neoclassical structure from 1838, is worth seeing. Go when it's raining - the covered market becomes the social hub as locals wait out storms over coffee at the interior bar.
March Events & Festivals
Carnaval de Cádiz (Final Week)
One of Spain's most famous carnivals typically runs through the first or second week of March, depending on the year. The final weekend is when things peak - costume competitions, chirigota performances at Teatro Falla, and neighborhood street parties that go until dawn. Unlike Rio's parade-focused carnival, Cadiz's version is about satirical singing groups, political humor, and locals in elaborate costumes flooding every plaza and bar. The whole city essentially shuts down for partying.
Erizada (Sea Urchin Festival)
Throughout March, coastal towns around Cadiz province celebrate erizada season - when sea urchins are harvested and served fresh. While not a single-day festival, many restaurants and beach bars run special erizo (sea urchin) menus and tastings. Barbate and Zahara de los Atunes, about 60-70 km (37-43 miles) south, have the most organized events with weekend markets. It's a locals' tradition that tourists rarely know about.