Best destinations to visit in March
Best destinations to visit in March
Early alpine bloom tracks and mild Mediterranean coastal pathways in March
March is a month of change almost everywhere, with winter loosening its grip in the north while the south settles into autumn.
Some travellers time a trip around spring's first warm days, chasing blooming trees and longer daylight after a long winter. Others hold onto the cold a little longer, catching the last good weeks of ski season before resorts start to close. Spring break travel picks up sharply in parts of the world, filling beaches and warm weather spots with a younger crowd. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, the weather starts to cool and the summer crowds begin to thin out. Shoulder season pricing often makes March a good month for travellers trying to avoid both winter's chill and summer's peak crowds.
The destinations on our list cover that same in between feeling, whichever direction the season is heading where you choose to go.
Lists by region
Country
Japan
Bullet trains, temples, onsen and neon cities
Cherry blossoms begin opening in southern Japan in late March most years. Ueno Park and the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto fill with viewing crowds under pink canopies. Mild temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius suit long days of walking. Forecasters track the blossom front as it moves north through the country.
City in United States
Austin
Live music, lakes and local flavor
South by Southwest fills Austin each March with music, film and tech events. Mild March weather with highs near 22 degrees Celsius suits walking between venues. Barton Springs Pool stays a constant 20 degrees Celsius year round. Live music fills bars along Sixth Street most nights of the week.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
The National Cherry Blossom Festival marks the 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington. Around 3,700 cherry trees bloom near the Tidal Basin, usually late March into early April. Mild spring weather suits walking among the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. The Lincoln Memorial sits at one end of the reflecting pool.
Country
Canada
Vast wilderness meets urban charm
Maple sap runs during the freeze thaw cycles of March, filling sugar shacks across Quebec and Ontario. Families gather for pancake meals topped with fresh syrup straight from the boiler. Ski resorts in Whistler and Banff still have deep snow into March. Days grow noticeably longer across the country as spring approaches.
Country
Netherlands
Land of canals and culture
Tulip fields near Amsterdam begin opening in March most years. Keukenhof garden opens for the season in the second half of March. Rows of red, yellow and purple tulips stretch across the flat polder landscape. Cyclists pedal along canal paths between the fields on rented bikes.
Country
Vietnam
Ancient charm meets natural wonder
March brings warm, dry weather to central and southern Vietnam before the summer heat sets in. Hoi An's lantern lit Old Town is comfortable for evening walks. Ha Long Bay's limestone islands are often calmer before the peak summer season. Rice terraces in the northern highlands start to turn green with the new season.
Country
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
Holi, the festival of colours, fills streets across northern India with powder and water fights each March. Mild March weather before the summer heat suits sightseeing at the Taj Mahal. Camel safaris cross the dunes near Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert. Houseboats drift along the calm backwaters of Kerala.
City in United States
Savannah
Southern Charm, Moss-Draped Squares
St. Patrick's Day turns Savannah's fountains green each March for one of the largest parades in the country. Live oaks draped in Spanish moss shade the 22 historic squares. Mild March highs around 21 degrees Celsius suit long walks downtown. Forsyth Park's fountain, installed in 1858, anchors the southern end of the historic district.
Island in Italy
Sicily
Sun, Sea and Ancient Secrets
Almond blossoms bloom around Agrigento's Valley of the Temples in early spring. The valley holds well preserved Greek temples that rank among the finest outside Greece. Mild March weather with highs near 17 degrees Celsius suits touring ancient sites. Mount Etna's snow capped slopes rise above vineyards on the island's east coast.
Country
Morocco
Where desert meets Mediterranean magic
March brings mild weather to Marrakech with highs around 22 degrees Celsius. Snow still caps the High Atlas peaks visible beyond the city's palm groves. Jardin Majorelle's cobalt blue walls and cactus garden draw steady crowds. The blue painted lanes of Chefchaouen sit in the Rif Mountains to the north.
Country
Ireland
Emerald Isle of timeless charm
Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival fills the city with parades and concerts around 17 March. Green dye colours the Chicago River for the same holiday, but Dublin's parade dates back to 1931. Mild spring weather suits walks along the Cliffs of Moher. Trad music sessions fill pubs across Galway and Dublin.
Country
South Korea
Tradition meets modern innovation
Cherry blossoms typically begin opening in southern South Korea in late March. Jinhae's Gunhangje Festival fills a naval port town with pink blossomed streets. Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace stays mild and comfortable for walking in March. Bibimbap and other Korean dishes taste especially good after a day of sightseeing.
Region in Portugal
Algarve
Golden cliffs and azure waters
Almond trees blossom across the Algarve's hillsides in late February and into March. March daytime highs around 18 degrees Celsius suit coastal walks. Benagil Cave, reached by boat or kayak, has a round opening in its roof. Cliffside trails link quiet beaches near Lagos with dramatic rock formations.
Country
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Petra was carved into rose coloured sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago. The narrow Siq canyon leads visitors to the Treasury facade at its end. Mild March weather with highs near 20 degrees Celsius suits the walk in. Wadi Rum's red desert lies a few hours south by road.
City in Canada
Whistler
Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun
Whistler Blackcomb offers more than 200 marked runs across two connected mountains. March still delivers deep snow along with longer, sunnier spring days. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links the two peaks in an 11 minute ride. Village Square fills with cafes and shops at the base of the lifts.
City in Spain
Valencia
Sunlit Shores and Rich Culture
Las Fallas fills Valencia with giant sculptures called ninots that burn in bonfires on the final night. The festival, held around 19 March, dates back to old carpenters' bonfires. Fireworks called mascletà explode over the city centre at 2pm during the festival. Mild spring weather suits time at the beach once the smoke clears.
Archaeological Site in Mexico
Chichen Itza
Unravel the Mysteries of the Maya
During the spring equinox in late March, sunlight and shadow form a serpent shape on El Castillo's staircase. The pyramid rises about 30 metres with 91 steps on each of its four sides. Crowds gather to watch the effect appear gradually over about 45 minutes. Cenotes nearby offer cool swimming after a morning of sightseeing.
Country
Jamaica
Vibrant culture meets pristine beaches
Dry season sunshine continues into March across most of Jamaica. Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios climb in stepped terraces that visitors can walk up. Blue Mountain coffee grows on steep slopes east of Kingston. Negril's Seven Mile Beach stays calm with warm, clear water.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
March closes out the dry northeast monsoon season with calm seas and sunny skies. Manta rays gather to feed in Hanifaru Bay from roughly May onward. Snorkelling trips from resort islands reach nearby reefs within minutes by boat. Water temperatures hold near 28 degrees Celsius throughout the month.
City in United States
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
Four separate mountains make up the Aspen Snowmass ski resort. March still brings reliable snow along with longer, sunnier days. Victorian buildings from Aspen's silver mining boom line the compact downtown. The gondola from town centre reaches the top of Aspen Mountain in about 14 minutes.
Country
Nepal
Land of Himalayan wonders
Rhododendron forests bloom bright red and pink across Nepal's mid hills each March. Clear March skies often give strong mountain views compared with hazier months. Trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit pass through villages framed by snow capped peaks. Kathmandu's Durbar Square holds temples and palaces from the Malla era.
City in Argentina
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
Grape harvest peaks in Mendoza during March at the foot of the Andes. Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia crowns a harvest queen with a parade in early March. Malbec vineyards spread across the valley beneath snow capped peaks. Bike tours link small wineries along quiet country roads.
National Park in United States
Canyonlands National Park
Epic Canyons and Untamed Wilderness
The Green and Colorado rivers meet within Canyonlands National Park and carve it into three districts. Mesa Arch frames sunrise views over a maze of canyons below. Mild March days near 16 degrees Celsius suit hiking before summer heat arrives. The park's Island in the Sky district has an easy paved overlook road.
Town in Chile
San Pedro de Atacama
Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights
The Atacama Desert around San Pedro is one of the driest places on Earth. Clear dry skies make the region popular for stargazing tours with powerful telescopes. Valle de la Luna's eroded rock formations glow at sunset a short drive from town. Geysers at El Tatio steam at sunrise near 4,300 metres above sea level.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
The Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, runs along most of the coast. Dry season weather in March keeps visibility clear for snorkelling and diving. The Great Blue Hole is a circular sinkhole about 300 metres across. Caye Caulker's sandy streets have no cars, only bicycles and golf carts.
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
Bermuda
Pink sands and turquoise waters
Pastel coloured houses across Bermuda have stepped white roofs designed to collect rainwater. March water temperatures stay cool for swimming but suit golf and sightseeing. Horseshoe Bay's pink tinted sand gets its colour from crushed coral and shells. St. George's, settled in 1612, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Marine iguanas, found only in the Galápagos, bask on volcanic rocks along the shoreline. Warm water from March to May suits snorkelling with playful sea lions. Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz studies the islands' giant tortoises. Blue footed boobies perform their courtship dance on several of the islands.
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