The Camino de Santiago routes in March
Do you want to do the Camino de Santiago in March? We think it’s a very wise decision. In March you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes on the Camino de Santiago in winter, but already the temperatures start to rise, giving way to spring.
As we told you in our post about the Camino de Santiago in winter, tranquillity and beauty flood the pilgrim routes in winter. March is no exception.
In this blog article we want to talk to you about the climatic conditions that you will find on the main routes of the Camino de Santiago in March. Although obviously, it is not the same to do the Camino de Santiago in early March, when winter is still felt, than in early spring.
We will also take the opportunity to tell you about the different festivities held in March in the towns that cross the different routes of the Camino de Santiago. In some of them, you will still find carnivals, as their dates vary depending on when Holy Week is celebrated.
The Camino Frances to de Santiago in March
The Camino de Santiago Francés in March still retains the calm of winter. April is the month that kicks the grip of the high season on this route.
If you feel like enjoying this route even in low season, we recommend the Camino de Santiago from Sarria. Leave us the details of the trip that you would like to take and we will contact you to organize it!
You can read more about the different sections on the Camino Frances in this link. If you want to complete this popular route and do not have many days, you should know that a magnificent option is to make the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. These last kilometres are the most popular, but in March they are not yet crowded.
The climate on the Camino Frances in March
March is a cold month, but since winter is ending in Spain, temperatures are not as low as in the previous months. On most of the route, you will find an average temperature of 13 or 14 degrees.
However, if you plan to start the Camino de Santiago from Sant Jean Pied de Port and you do it at the beginning of March, we advise you to check the conditions on which that first section is located very well. Depending on how late winter has arrived that year, you could still find snow in March.
The same goes for the ascent to Foncebadón and O Cebreiro. If you do the Camino Frances at the beginning of March and these mountain stages are snowy, you can always take the Camino de Invierno. A beautiful route used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages during snowfall to cross over these mountain passes.
What to do in March on the Camino Frances
If you do the Camino de Santiago Frances during the second half of March you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Phenomenon of Equinoctial Light, also known as the Rayo Milagroso. This is produced in San Juan de Ortega, a town on stage 11 of the route.
Exactly on March 21st at 5.00pm, a ray of sunshine penetrates the church of this town, forming a collection of lights that illuminate the spire of the Annunciation. A show that if you have the opportunity to witness, we recommend that you do not miss it.
On stage 18, in Bercianos del Real Camino, at the end of March, the Procession to the Virgen de Perales is celebrated. In this procession, the virgin is taken out of the church and taken to the centre of the village. During the following month the rosary is devoted and prayed to her and then she is returned to the temple once more.
If you do the Camino Frances at the beginning of March and decide to do only the last 100 kilometres of the route, you can enjoy the Esmorga Fest Festival, in Sarria. A music festival that has been held since 2015 and has become a reference for underground music.
The Camino Portugues in March
The Camino Portugues is one of the most recommended pilgrim itineraries to do in winter, as it does not cross mountain passes. In Portugal you will find two routes of the Camino de Santiago.
One is the Central Camino Portugues, which begins in Lisbon, and the other is the Camino Portugues Coastal Route, which departs from Porto. If you want to know more about the Portuguese routes, you can consult the post that we dedicate to both routes of the Camino Portugues.
The Temperature in Portugal during March
Temperatures in Portugal, in March, are higher than in northern Spain. In March the average temperature of this route ranges between 15 and 18 degrees centigrade.
If you plan to do the Camino Portugues Coastal Route at the end of March, you may even be able to take a swim in the sea. However, you should not forget that the proximity of the sea generates a greater feeling of cold, so don’t forget to take a windcheater with you.
Despite the pleasant temperatures that Portugal has, especially in the early stages of the route, if you plan to arrive in Santiago de Compostela you will have to be prepared for the cold and rain. In March, the average temperature in Galicia remains around 10 degrees centigrade; rains are never lacking in that region of Spain.
What to do in March on the Camino Portugues
The Camino Portugues does not have many festivals during March. The most outstanding on the route is the Reconquista Cristo de Santarém, which takes place on 15th March.
The Camino del Norte in March
Although the Camino del Norte is not a recommended route to take in winter, March is already a good time to enjoy the Cantabrian, especially if you start the tour at the end of the month. Sea and mountain await you on this route!
The climate in March on the Camino del Norte
During the month of March, on this route you will find temperatures ranging from 10 to 14 degrees. In early March, the days may be a little colder, but as the month progresses, you’ll feel the temperatures rising.
If you do the Camino de Santiago del Norte in early March, we recommend that you find out about the climatic conditions along the route. During years when winter is very cold, in certain high mountain areas you could still find ice or snow.
To learn more about this route, see our article on the Camino del Norte. In it, you will find other related posts where we tell you what places of interest you can visit during the tour and we talk about its stunning beaches.
What to do on the Camino del Norte in March
On the Camino del Norte, you will find two celebrations during the month of March. One of them at the beginning of the tour, specifically on stage 2. There, the town of Zarautz holds during that month an exhibition of cars and motorbikes.
At the end of the Camino del Norte, on stage 29, you will arrive in Vilalba. In this town on March 16th, the “Fiesta de los Pepes” takes place. The purpose of this festival, as the name suggests, is to bring together all the Pepes and Pepas who live in the town.
March on La Via de la Plata
In our article about La Via de la Plata we told you that this route is the longest of all the pilgrim routes. Therefore, when talking about it, it refers to several sections, some of which have the title of Camino, such as the Camino Mozarabe or the Camino Sanabres.
The climate in March on La Via de la Plata
One of the best times of the year to make this very long route is in March. If you leave from the south in early March you will not find much cold, because, already at that time temperatures in that area of Spain exceed 15 degrees centigrade. Given the time it takes to travel, when you get to the north, the temperatures will be much milder because spring will be here.
What to do in March on La Via de la Plata
The month of March is also not a month that brings together many festivals on La Via de la Plata. Both Spain and Portugal seem to be recovering from carnivals and preparing for Easter.
On this route, you will find the Fiesta del Jamon (Ham festival) that takes place during the third weekend of March. The celebration takes place in Almadén de Plata, a town that is located on stage 3 of the tour if you leave from Seville.
In El Almendralejo, on stage 8 of La Via de la Plata, the Salón del Vino y la Aceituna (Wine and Olive Fair) is held in March. In Zamora you will find the Fiesta de la Virgen del Tránsito.
The Camino Primitivo in March
The Camino Primitivo is the least recommended route for the winter months and March is no exception. In these dates you will still find a totally desolate route.
However, if you start the tour at the end of the month, with spring rapidly approaching, you will find a much less hostile climate. However, all the tranquillity of winter continues.
The temperature on the Camino Primitivo in March
The Camino Primitivo has numerous mountain passes, so it is very likely that in early March you will still find snow and ice. If you decide to do the Camino Primitivo early in the month, make sure you bring warm and waterproof clothing.
Festivals on the Camino Primitivo in March
During your journey along the Camino Primitivo you will be able to enjoy the celebrations that take place in Tineo. This village is located on stage 3 of the tour and has two events during the month of March.
The town celebrates the Feria del Perro (Dog Fair) on March 6th. Shortly thereafter, on 19th March, in the village, the San José Fair and and an agricultural machinery fair both take place.
The Camino Ingles in March
The biggest drawback you will find in March on the Camino Ingles is the rain, but in Galicia it rains all year round, so March is not such a different month. Don’t forget your waterproofs!
The Camino Inglés is an excellent route if you are looking to make a short escape onto the Camino de Santiago. The tour can be completed in approximately 5 days. If you want to know more about the stages of the Camino Ingles, you can check the article we dedicated to this route.
On the Camino Ingles you will not find great popular festivals during the month of March. The only celebration that takes place during that month is the Fiesta de las Pepitas that takes place in Ferrol on March 19th.
The Camino de Finisterre in March
The Camino de Finisterre is also a recommended route during March. Since it runs through Galician terrain, rains are frequent on the way, but as we mentioned in the section on the Camino Ingles, in Galicia it rains all year round.
On this route, you will not find popular festivals in the month of March. However, the route has quite a few attractions, so that’s not an inconvenience. You can find more information about this route in our article on the Camino de Finisterre.
With all the information we have provided in this article and the one that you will find in the articles that we have been recommending, you will know everything you need to do the Camino de Santiago in March. If you make your trip between February and March or between March and April, do not miss the articles that you will find in our blog on the Camino de Santiago about those months.
Before saying goodbye, we would like to tell you that if you want to have an agency specialized in the Camino that will help you organize your trip, in Santiago Ways we will be happy to do so. You can contact us or leave a comment on the Facebook page of Santiago Ways.
Buen Camino!
