Things to Do in Seville in March

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March in Seville carries the tail end of the rainy season, though it tends to be milder than visitors expect. The city averages about 37mm of rain across 5 or 6 wet days, with November and December being the genuinely heavy months at 80-95mm. When rain does arrive, it typically comes in sharp bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so you might get a 20-minute downpour followed by blue sky and the smell of wet limestone drying in the sun. Daytime temperatures sit around 20°C (68°F), dropping to about 10°C (50°F) after dark. Comfortable walking weather if you bring a layer for the evenings.

The real draw of March is sensory. Seville's thousands of bitter orange trees flower in late winter and early spring, and by mid-March the scent of azahar (orange blossom) hangs over the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the Parque de María Luisa, and the riverbanks along the Guadalquivir. It is one of those things people describe and you assume they are exaggerating. They are not. Entire streets smell like orange blossom perfume, particularly on warm afternoons after rain. You will notice it the moment you step outside your hotel.

The other factor worth checking before you book is whether Semana Santa falls in late March that year. Easter's date shifts annually, and roughly every other year, Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) lands in the final days of March. When it does, the city transforms. Ornate pasos (floats bearing polychrome religious sculptures, some dating to the 1600s) process through the narrow streets of Santa Cruz and El Arenal. Saetas, raw devotional songs, ring out from balconies above. Hotel prices in the casco antiguo double overnight. In years when Easter falls later in April, March stays quiet and affordable, a genuine shoulder month with mild temperatures and orange blossoms but none of the peak-season crowds.

Why visit in March

Seville's naranjos amargos bloom in March, filling the streets of Santa Cruz and the Parque de María Luisa with azahar scent, strongest on warm afternoons after a rain shower.
Temperatures around 20°C (68°F) are ideal for walking the old city, the Real Alcázar, and the Catedral without the 38°C summer heat that empties the streets by midday in July and August.
Hotel rates sit roughly 30-40% below the April and May peak in non-Semana Santa years, and you rarely need advance booking for restaurants or attractions.
Lent (Cuaresma) brings seasonal tapas dishes to nearly every bar, including espinacas con garbanzos and torrijas, which disappear from menus by late April.
Fewer tourists than peak season means shorter queues at the Real Alcázar (often under 20 minutes vs. 90+ in May) and room to breathe inside the Catedral de Sevilla.

Worth knowing

March still sees occasional rain, averaging about 37mm across 5-6 wet days. Showers can disrupt outdoor plans and make cobblestone streets in Santa Cruz and Triana slippery underfoot.
If Semana Santa starts in late March (check Easter's date for your travel year), hotel prices in the casco antiguo can triple, and many streets close to traffic for processions from late afternoon through midnight.
Evenings cool to around 10°C (50°F), which catches visitors off guard who packed only for sunny Spain. Rooftop terraces and evening paseos along the Guadalquivir need a jacket or sweater.
Orange trees are still dropping fruit on sidewalks and the ground can be sticky underfoot in parts of the Alameda de Hércules and around the Catedral.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 20° / 10°C 129mm rain · 12 rainy days · 71% humidity rains perceptibly ~2.1h/day · 81% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Layers for a 10°C swing between midday and evening. A packable waterproof jacket for the occasional sharp shower. Light cotton or linen for daytime, a sweater or light fleece for after dark, and shoes with grip that can handle wet cobblestones. An umbrella that fits in a daypack will earn its space on rainy days.

March in Seville averages 20.2°C (68°F) highs and 10.1°C (50°F) lows with around 65% humidity. Rainfall sits at roughly 37mm spread across 5-6 wet days, well below the November-December peak of 80-95mm. Rain typically arrives in concentrated bursts of 20-30 minutes rather than sustained drizzle, often followed by clearing skies. Mornings can feel cool, around 12-14°C, but warm up quickly by late morning. Afternoons on dry days feel genuinely pleasant, warm enough for a t-shirt in the sun. Evenings cool noticeably within an hour of sunset (around 7:30pm in mid-March). The air frequently carries the thick scent of orange blossom, particularly on warmer days after rainfall when humidity draws the fragrance out of the flowers.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Seville
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	16	7	66
Feb	19	9	40
Mar	20	10	129
Apr	24	13	40
May	29	16	18
Jun	33	20	16
Jul	38	22	0
Aug	37	23	3
Sep	31	19	34
Oct	27	17	111
Nov	20	11	52
Dec	17	8	92

Headline events

Citywide Free

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) through Easter Saturday. Dates shift with Easter. Falls entirely or partially in March roughly every other year. In years when Easter Sunday is before April 7 or so, expect processions in late March.

Seville's Semana Santa is widely considered the most intense and theatrical Holy Week celebration in the Catholic world. Over 60 cofradías (brotherhoods) carry elaborate pasos, floats bearing polychrome sculptures of Christ and the Virgin, through the streets on routes that pass through the official carrera oficial at the Catedral. Costaleros (bearers) carry pasos weighing up to 5,000 kg on their necks and shoulders. Saetas, spontaneous devotional songs, pierce the night from balconies as processions pass below. The scent of incense and melting candle wax fills the narrow streets of Santa Cruz and El Arenal from late afternoon until well past midnight. This is not a tourist show. It is a living religious and cultural tradition that has run continuously since at least the 1500s, and sevillanos treat it with deep seriousness. Some processions draw over 100,000 spectators along their routes. The Madrugá (early hours of Good Friday) is the emotional peak, when the most revered brotherhoods, including La Macarena and El Gran Poder from the San Lorenzo neighborhood, process through the dark streets.

#SemanaSantaSevilla

Best things to do in March

Walk the orange blossom route through the Barrio de Santa Cruz

walking

The narrow streets between the Catedral and the Plaza de Santa Cruz are lined with bitter orange trees that bloom from late February into April. The concentration of trees in this quarter means the azahar scent is noticeably stronger here than elsewhere in the city, particularly in the late afternoon warmth. Callejón del Agua and Plaza de Doña Elvira are two of the most intensely fragrant spots.

Mid-March is typically peak bloom for Seville's naranjos amargos, and the scent reaches its strongest on warm afternoons after rain.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Go between 3pm and 6pm on a warm day for the strongest scent.

Visit the Real Alcázar without peak-season crowds

sightseeing

The Alcázar's gardens are particularly lush in March, with the Jardín de los Poetas and the Galería de Grutesco framed by flowering jasmine and bougainvillea beginning to bud. The Patio de las Doncellas, with its reflecting pool and Mudéjar tilework, is easier to photograph without crowds. The palace complex dates to the 10th century, with major additions by Pedro I in the 1360s.

Queue times in March average under 20 minutes on weekday mornings, compared to 60-90 minutes in April and May. The gardens are green from winter rain.

Booking tipBook tickets online at least 2-3 days ahead for a morning slot. The 9:30am entry avoids tour groups that arrive after 10:30am.

Attend a pre-Semana Santa ensayo (rehearsal) at a local church

cultural

In the weeks before Semana Santa, cofradías hold open rehearsals where costaleros practice carrying the pasos and bands rehearse their processional marches. The Basílica de la Macarena in the San Gil neighborhood and the Iglesia de San Lorenzo (home of El Gran Poder) hold rehearsals that draw locals who come to watch, critique, and socialize. The sound of drums and cornetas echoing off church walls in the cool evening air is visceral.

Rehearsals intensify through March as cofradías prepare for Holy Week. They are free, open to the public, and far less crowded than the processions themselves.

Booking tipNo booking. Check cofradía websites or local press (Diario de Sevilla) for schedules, typically posted 2 weeks ahead.

Explore the Mercado de Triana for spring produce

food

The Mercado de Triana sits on the site of the old Castillo de San Jorge beside the Puente de Isabel II. The stalls carry seasonal habas (broad beans), tagarninas, alcachofas (artichokes), and early strawberries from Huelva province. The small tapas bars inside the market serve espinacas con garbanzos and other Cuaresma dishes at lunchtime.

March is when spring produce first arrives at the market. Habas, tagarninas, and Huelva strawberries overlap for a brief window before the tagarninas finish.

Booking tipGo between 10am and 1pm on a weekday. The market closes on Sundays and winds down after 2pm on Saturdays.

Climb the Giralda for views over a quieter city

sightseeing

The 35 ramps (originally designed so a horse could ride to the top) lead to a viewing platform at about 70 meters above street level. From the top, you can see the Alcázar gardens, the Plaza de España, the Guadalquivir, and on clear days the hills of the Sierra Norte to the north. The Giralda was originally the minaret of the Almohad mosque, completed in 1198, and the Renaissance belfry was added in the 1560s.

March's mild 20°C days make the climb comfortable, unlike July and August when the enclosed ramps trap heat. Fewer visitors also mean less queuing at the narrow upper sections.

Booking tipEntry is through the Catedral ticket. Book online and go early or after 4pm to avoid midday tour groups.

Take an evening paseo along the Guadalquivir from Triana to the Torre del Oro

walking

The riverside path between the Puente de Triana (Puente de Isabel II) and the 13th-century Torre del Oro runs about 1.5 km along the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón. In the early evening, the light turns the water copper and the Torre del Oro lives up to its name. Rowers from the Club Náutico Sevilla train on the river, and locals sit on the low wall with drinks from nearby kiosks.

Sunset around 7:30pm in mid-March gives long golden-hour light. The temperature at that hour, around 15-16°C, is comfortable with a light layer.

Booking tipNo booking needed. Start from the Triana side for the best light on the city skyline.

Visit the Museo de Bellas Artes on a rainy afternoon

cultural

Housed in the 17th-century Convento de la Merced on Plaza del Museo, this is Spain's second-largest painting collection after the Prado. The Murillo rooms hold 12 major works, and the Zurbarán collection includes pieces from the Cartuja monastery. The building itself, with its azulejo-lined courtyards and baroque church converted into Gallery V, is worth the visit for the architecture alone.

March's occasional rainy days give a reason to spend 2-3 hours inside. Entry is free for EU citizens and inexpensive for others.

Booking tipNo advance booking required. Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings tend to be quietest.

Eat your way through a Cuaresma tapas crawl in the Centro

food

During Lent, bars across the Centro and Santa Cruz add seasonal dishes. Bodega Santa Cruz (Las Columnas) on Calle Rodrigo Caro serves espinacas con garbanzos year-round but adds potaje de vigilia (a chickpea and cod stew) during Cuaresma. El Rinconcillo on Calle Gerona, open since 1670, does bacalao in several Lenten preparations. Casa Morales near the Catedral pours manzanilla from the barrel.

Cuaresma dishes are only on menus from Ash Wednesday through Easter. March sits in the middle of this window, when cooks have hit their stride.

Booking tipNo reservations for tapas bars. Go between 1:30pm and 3pm or after 8:30pm when locals eat.

Explore the Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa

sightseeing

The 1929 Ibero-American Exposition left Seville with the semicircular Plaza de España and the 34-hectare Parque de María Luisa. The plaza's 48 tiled alcoves represent each Spanish province, and the canal that curves around the building is navigable by rented rowboat. The park holds the Museo Arqueológico and the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares in their original exposition pavilions.

The park is green and lush from winter rain, the jacarandas are beginning to leaf out, and March temperatures make a 2-hour walk through the grounds comfortable rather than punishing.

Booking tipFree entry to the park and plaza. Rowboat rental runs about 6 EUR for 35 minutes. Mornings before 11am are quietest.

What to eat in March

On menus now

Espinacas con garbanzos
A Cuaresma staple across Seville's bars. Spinach stewed with chickpeas, cumin, and a touch of vinegar. Served as a tapa at places throughout Triana and the Centro from Ash Wednesday through Easter.
Torrijas
Bread soaked in milk and honey, fried, then dusted with cinnamon. Seville's Lenten version tends toward honey rather than sugar syrup. Every bakery and many tapas bars serve them from late February through Easter week.
Habas con jamón
Fresh broad beans sautéed with strips of jamón serrano and a splash of fino sherry. The habas arrive at Mercado de Triana and Mercado de la Encarnación starting in early March, and bars across the Alameda de Hércules put them on as a seasonal tapa.
Tagarninas esparragadas
Wild golden thistle shoots, foraged from the Aljarafe hills west of Seville, scrambled with eggs and garlic. A fleeting seasonal dish that appears at traditional bars for a few weeks in late winter and early spring.
Pestiños
Fried pastry glazed in honey or rolled in sugar, associated with both Christmas and Semana Santa in Seville. Confiterías like La Campana on Calle Sierpes stock them heavily through March and into April.

Regular events in March

Día de AndalucíaFree

February 28 is the regional holiday, but celebrations and cultural programming often spill into the first days of March. The Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo at the Monasterio de la Cartuja typically hosts free exhibitions and events.

Late February into early March

SICAB-adjacent equestrian exhibitions

While the main SICAB horse fair falls in November, spring brings smaller equestrian events and exhibitions at stables in the Vega de Triana and the outlying cortijos. The Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre in nearby Jerez (75 minutes by train) holds regular Thursday shows.

Ongoing through March

Flamenco festival programming at the Teatro de la Maestranza

The Bienal de Flamenco runs in even-numbered years (September-October), but the Teatro de la Maestranza and smaller venues like the Casa de la Memoria program flamenco throughout March. The intimate peñas flamencas (private flamenco clubs) in Triana sometimes open evenings to visitors.

Various dates through March

Best places this March

Barrio de Santa Cruz
neighborhood
The former Jewish quarter below the Alcázar walls. Narrow whitewashed lanes, wrought-iron balconies draped in bougainvillea, and the highest concentration of bitter orange trees in the city. March is prime azahar season here.
Santa Cruz
Real Alcázar
landmark
Royal palace complex with Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance sections. The gardens are green and flowering in March, and queue times are a fraction of the April-May peak.
Santa Cruz
Catedral de Sevilla and the Giralda
landmark
The world's largest Gothic cathedral by volume, with a 70-meter former minaret you can climb via 35 ramps. March brings manageable crowds and comfortable temperatures for the ascent.
Centro
Mercado de Triana
market
Neighborhood market on the site of the old Inquisition castle. Spring produce, seasonal Cuaresma tapas at the interior bars, and a working-class Triana atmosphere that the Centro markets lack.
Triana
Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España
park
The 34-hectare park from the 1929 Exposition is at its greenest in March. The Plaza de España's tiled provincial alcoves and canal rowboats are best enjoyed before the April crowds descend.
Sur
Basílica de la Macarena
religious
Home to the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena, Seville's most venerated image. In March, the basilica's cofradía prepares for Semana Santa, and pre-procession activity gives the space an energy that the off-season lacks. The attached museum displays the paso and processional silver.
San Gil
Alameda de Hércules
neighborhood
The oldest public garden in Europe (laid out in 1574), now the center of Seville's alternative and nightlife scene. Lined with bars, restaurants, and the 2 Roman columns at its southern end. Orange trees drop fruit on the walkways in March, and the terrazas start setting out tables on warmer afternoons.
Alameda
Museo de Bellas Artes
museum
Spain's second-largest painting collection, housed in a converted 17th-century convent. The Murillo and Zurbarán rooms alone are worth 2 hours. Free for EU citizens. A strong option for March's occasional rainy afternoons.
Centro

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Packable waterproof jacketMarch showers tend to be brief but can be heavy. A lightweight shell that folds into a daypack pocket covers you without bulk.Shop
Comfortable walking shoes with gripThe cobblestones in Santa Cruz and Triana get slippery when wet. Leather soles are a bad idea in March.Shop
Light sweater or fleece for eveningsTemperatures drop about 10°C from afternoon to after dark. An evening tapas crawl at 10°C needs a layer.Shop
Compact umbrellaThe narrow streets of Santa Cruz provide some shelter, but crossing open plazas in a downpour without one is miserable.Shop
SunglassesBetween showers, March sunshine in Seville is bright and low-angled. The white walls of the old city reflect light from every direction.Shop
Light cotton or linen layers for daytime20°C in the sun feels warm, and walking the city generates heat. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable than heavy travel pants.Shop
Small daypackCarries your rain jacket, water, and umbrella. Pickpocketing happens around the Catedral and on the tram, so wear it in front in crowded spots.Shop

Insider tips

The azahar scent peaks on warm afternoons after rain, when humidity pulls the oils from the orange blossoms. If you arrive on a cool, dry day and wonder what the fuss is about, wait for the next warm spell. Callejón del Agua in Santa Cruz and the stretch of Calle San Fernando beside the Alcázar walls are the most intensely fragrant spots.
For Semana Santa processions, the carrera oficial (the official route past the Catedral) is where the crowds and paid seating concentrate. Locals prefer to watch at points along the cofradía's neighborhood route, where the atmosphere is more intimate and you can stand a few meters from the paso. The Macarena's departure from the Basílica and El Gran Poder's exit from San Lorenzo are the emotional high points.
Tapas bars in Seville still serve free tapas with drinks at some traditional spots. Bar Eslava in the Alameda area and Bodeguita Casablanca near the Puente de Triana are two that still follow the custom, though portion sizes have shrunk over the years.
If you are visiting during Semana Santa week, do not try to drive in the Centro or Santa Cruz. Streets close without much warning for processions, and even locals get caught in 2-hour traffic diversions. Walk or use the Metro (Line 1 runs from Blas Infante to Olivar de Quinto with a stop at Puerta de Jerez).
The rooftop bar at the Hotel Doña María on Calle Don Remondo has one of the closest views of the Giralda in the city. It opens to non-guests and is less known than the rooftop at EME on Plaza Nueva.

Avoid these mistakes

Assuming March is reliably dry because it is Spain. Seville does get rain this month, and visitors who pack only sandals and a single t-shirt end up buying emergency gear at the tourist shops on Avenida de la Constitución.
Booking a late-March trip without checking whether Easter falls in March that year. In Semana Santa years, the final week of March sees prices triple and availability vanish. Check the Easter date before you book anything.
Visiting the Real Alcázar at midday on a weekend. Even in the lower-crowd months, 11am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday draws the bulk of visitors. Go at 9:30am opening or after 4pm.
Spending all your time in the Centro and Santa Cruz without crossing the river to Triana. The Mercado de Triana, the ceramic workshops on Calle San Jorge, and the bars along Calle Betis have a less tourist-oriented character that gives a different sense of the city.
Walking under the orange trees without looking up. The fruit drops in March, and a bitter orange to the head is a genuine Seville experience you would rather avoid.

Practical tips for March

Book Real Alcázar tickets online 2-3 days ahead, even in March, as the time-slot system means same-day availability can run out by late morning. The Catedral sells combined tickets with the Giralda and the Iglesia del Salvador, which saves about 3 EUR over separate entries. The metro Line 1 connects the main train station (Santa Justa, via a transfer at San Bernardo) to the old city at Puerta de Jerez, and the T1 tram runs from Plaza Nueva to San Bernardo. For day trips, Córdoba is 45 minutes by AVE high-speed train, and Jerez de la Frontera is about 1 hour 15 minutes by Renfe Media Distancia. If Semana Santa falls in your dates, study the cofradía schedules published in Diario de Sevilla and ABC Sevilla about 10 days before Palm Sunday, so you know which routes to follow and when.

FAQ

Does Semana Santa always fall in March in Seville?

No. Easter shifts between late March and late April each year. Roughly every other year, Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) falls in the last week of March, which means the early days of Semana Santa overlap with March. In other years, the entire celebration falls in April. Check the Easter date for your travel year before booking.

How rainy is March in Seville compared to other months?

March averages about 37mm of rainfall across 5 or 6 wet days. That is less than the November-December peak of 80-95mm. Rain tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle. You might get a 20-minute downpour followed by sunshine. A packable rain jacket and an umbrella will see you through.

Is March warm enough to eat outside in Seville?

Lunchtime terraces are comfortable on most days at around 18-20°C. Evenings are a different story. Temperatures drop to about 10°C after dark, and most terrazas are not sheltered. You can manage dinner outdoors with a jacket on dry evenings, but indoor tapas bars are the more comfortable option at night.

Can I smell the orange blossoms in early March or only later in the month?

The naranjos amargos (bitter orange trees) typically begin flowering in late February, and by early March the scent is already noticeable in neighborhoods with high tree density like Santa Cruz and around the Parque de María Luisa. Mid to late March tends to be the peak. Warm, humid days after rain produce the strongest fragrance.

What should I book in advance for a March visit to Seville?

The Real Alcázar uses timed entry slots, so book 2-3 days ahead even in shoulder season. In non-Semana Santa years, hotels and restaurants rarely need more than a week's notice. If your dates overlap with Semana Santa, book accommodation 3-6 months ahead, as the old city sells out and prices triple. Catedral tickets can be bought the day before.