Cheapest Holiday Destinations in March
Five spring holiday ideas worth comparing, plus the March-specific booking checks that can save you money.
March can be a clever month for a holiday from the UK. The days are getting longer, some Mediterranean destinations are beginning to wake up for spring, and there can be opportunities to travel before the summer rush. But a bargain depends on when you go, where you stay and what is actually open. A low hotel price does not help much if you expected a heated pool, open beach clubs or guaranteed swimming weather.
Quick answer: the Costa del Sol, Algarve, Malta, Madeira and Antalya are five places worth comparing for a March break. They suit quite different budgets and travel styles. Málaga and Malta work particularly well for sightseeing, Madeira suits walkers, and Antalya can appeal to travellers finding attractive hotel packages. None is proven to be one of the five cheapest destinations for every UK departure date. Without comparable live prices for the same dates, airport, duration and inclusions, a universal price ranking would be misleading.
Below you will find realistic weather guidance, recommended areas to consider, where the hidden costs sit, and a practical comparison method. The two infographics are planning aids, not verified price surveys.
First, the March 2027 date trap: Easter falls in March
Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March. That makes late March particularly important to check before assuming every March week is low season. See the published Easter calendar and check your school's own term dates via GOV.UK. Easter dates change from year to year, so this advice is specifically relevant to March 2027.
Practical move: if you have flexible dates, compare an early-March break, a mid-March departure and the Easter period separately. School and religious holidays, local events and the weekday of your flight can change prices dramatically. Do not assume midweek flights are always cheaper: let the actual package price decide.
Also check local celebrations. Semana Santa can transform Spanish destinations into lively cultural experiences, but popular city centres may become busier and some accommodation more expensive. What looks like a price anomaly may have a good local explanation.
March holiday destinations worth comparing
1. Costa del Sol, Spain: excellent for an early spring city-and-coast break
Best for: a short break involving Málaga's old town, galleries, restaurants, waterfront and nearby coastal towns, rather than a week of guaranteed hot beach weather.
Actual climate evidence: Spain's meteorological agency AEMET reports an average March daytime maximum of 19.6°C at Málaga Airport for 1981–2010, compared with an average night-time minimum of 9.8°C. March rainfall remains possible. See the official Málaga climate normals. This is comfortable sightseeing weather on many days, not a promise of beach temperatures.
Where to stay: central Málaga can be the more practical choice for a three- or four-night break if you want restaurants, museums and transport on foot. Torremolinos or Benalmádena may suit a longer coastal stay, while Marbella attracts a different hotel and restaurant budget. Compare airport transfers and the hotel's precise location before assuming a resort is cheaper.
Money-saving insight: instead of choosing the cheapest apartment at the edge of town, add the cost of buses, taxis and meals. A slightly higher room rate within walking distance of what you plan to do may deliver a lower final bill. Check whether your accommodation charges extra for heating, parking or late arrival.
Potential disappointment: it can be sunny on the promenade but too cool to sunbathe comfortably or swim. Check indoor activities and hotel opening schedules, especially if the pool is your main reason for travelling. For ideas on the region, use Andalusia's official tourism site.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
LTN • 7 nights
AI · Hays Travel
MAN • 7 nightsAI · easyJet holidays
STN • 7 nightsRO · Hays Travel
LGW • 7 nightsB&B · Hays Travel2. Algarve, Portugal: scenic coastal walks and low-key spring towns
Best for: clifftop scenery, walking, restaurants, quieter towns and a relaxed break before beach-season crowds. The Algarve's spectacular beaches are worth visiting in March even if you never enter the sea.
Weather reality: historical figures for Faro put March average daytime highs around 19°C. Atlantic water is typically much colder than Mediterranean summer swimming conditions. Check the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) for weather information and forecasts; averages cannot predict a particular week.
Where to compare: Lagos offers coastal walks and a lively town base; Tavira has a different, calmer feel; Albufeira has a broad mix of accommodation but some tourist businesses are seasonal. Faro is worth considering for a shorter trip where transfer time matters. Look closely at walking distances to restaurants and the availability of public transport.
Value tip: compare a hotel with breakfast and local restaurants against an apartment that requires a hire car. For a three-night stay, a low rental rate may be offset by insurance, parking and fuel. If you plan coastal hikes, check access conditions and avoid assuming every cliff path is suitable after wet weather.
Trade-off: this is a spring-exploring holiday, not the same product as a July Algarve beach week. If swimming is a non-negotiable, a hotel with a confirmed heated indoor or outdoor pool may be worth a higher price. Our Portugal-by-month guide explains the seasonal differences.
3. Malta: potentially strong value when you spend your days exploring
Best for: Valletta, the Three Cities, Mdina, harbour views, museums and memorable food. Malta earns its place on a March value shortlist because a short holiday can offer a lot to do without relying on a hot beach.
Weather reality: March brings improving spring conditions but can still be windy or wet. The infographic's mild temperature range is an indication, not a forecast; Malta should not be sold as a dependable March swimming destination. Plan for both outdoor and indoor sightseeing.
Where to stay: choose Valletta if you want historic streets close at hand, Sliema if you want accommodation variety and waterfront access, or a quieter base if you genuinely plan to hire a car. Check ferry schedules and bus journeys before assuming that the cheapest hotel has the lowest overall cost.
Value tip: a well-located three-night break can beat a cheaper four-night trip with poor flight times. Compare how many full useful days you actually get. Malta is also a good candidate for checking whether a flight-and-hotel package undercuts two separate bookings. Explore Visit Malta for official attraction ideas.
Who should look elsewhere: families expecting waterparks, hot weather and all-day pool time. In March, Malta's real strengths are cultural rather than tropical. Our European city-break guide helps compare other sightseeing destinations.
4. Madeira, Portugal: value for walkers who plan their days properly
Best for: dramatic viewpoints, botanical gardens, coastal scenery and active breaks. Madeira's value comes from the amount there is to enjoy, not necessarily from being the cheapest place to fly.
Verified weather: Portugal's IPMA 1991–2020 climate normal gives Funchal a 20.6°C average March daytime maximum. That is a city-level historical average. Higher mountain trails can be much cooler, wetter or cloudier than the south coast. Consult the official Funchal climate normal.
Where to stay: Funchal works well for restaurants, organised excursions and visitors who want a base without driving every day. Other areas can offer peace and scenery, but a low hotel price outside town may mean repeated car hire or taxi costs. Check parking and mountain-road confidence if renting a car.
Important extra cost: Madeira's classified walking trails require an advance reservation, and fees apply to many visitors. Regulations and trail access can change. Check official trail conditions and booking rules before treating hiking as a completely free activity. This is especially important if your whole holiday is organised around particular levada routes.
March tip: allow at least one flexible day for changing mountain weather. If you book every walk for a single fixed day, you may miss an opportunity to switch plans when conditions change. Madeira suits the traveller who wants a scenic spring break more than one who wants consistently hot beach weather.
5. Antalya, Turkey: look carefully at out-of-season resort packages
Best for: a hotel-focused holiday, old-town sightseeing, ancient sites and trips for which an attractive package price makes sense even without summer swimming weather.
Verified weather: Turkey's official meteorological service reports a March average daytime high of 18.0°C for Antalya in its long-term statistical series. That is cooler than the infographic's suggestion might lead some readers to expect, and March can be rainy. Read the official Antalya climate table.
Where to compare: Antalya's Kaleiçi old town suits sightseeing, while Lara Beach, Belek and Side serve different kinds of resort holiday. A resort some distance from shops or attractions can be excellent if your package includes meals and worthwhile hotel facilities, but less attractive if you expect to go out every evening.
Value tip: confirm the hotel's March offering in writing: heated or indoor pool, restaurants actually operating, spa charges, children's facilities and the board basis. A heavily discounted all-inclusive property with limited winter services may not beat a simpler, centrally located hotel.
Getting the total right: check the airport-to-hotel transfer, arrival time, foreign currency charges and any relevant travel requirements. Use the UK FCDO Turkey travel advice before departure. Our Turkey seasonal guide explains why later spring is a different kind of resort experience.
Which March escape offers the best value for your travel style?
- Short city-and-coast break: compare Málaga and Malta. Prioritise direct flights, useful arrival times and hotels close to the sights.
- Scenic spring escape: compare Madeira and the Algarve. Add trail fees, transport and any excursions to your budget.
- Hotel-led break: price Antalya resort packages, but confirm winter facilities before paying.
- Warmth above everything: check the warmest places in March as well. A destination with the lowest advertised price may not deliver the weather you want.
- Travelling with children: check your own Easter school dates, pool heating, room setup and transfer duration before comparing.
A better way to compare March holiday prices
- Set a fixed, realistic total budget. Include everyone travelling, not an advertised per-person price based on two adults sharing.
- Compare the same dates from different airports. Add parking, rail fares and any pre-flight overnight stay to the alternative airport price.
- Test two, three, four and seven nights where possible. A 4-night price that appears better per night can still leave you paying more than you wanted overall. Watch flight times too.
- Check the real board basis. Room-only, breakfast, half-board and all-inclusive are different holidays. Price meals separately where they are not included.
- Confirm spring opening dates. Pools, restaurants, organised excursions and children's clubs may follow seasonal operating schedules.
- Compare total costs, not discounts. Baggage, transfers, taxes and attraction costs can change which holiday is better value. MoneySavingExpert's package-holiday guidance explains why comparing different booking routes can be worthwhile.
- Check booking protection. Read the terms of the exact package and provider, including cancellations, changes and financial protection, before paying.
Simple example: imagine one package costs £420 per person and another costs £390. If the cheaper one excludes a £60 checked bag and £45 shared transfer, it may no longer be cheaper for your party. This is a hypothetical illustration, not a live price quotation. The useful comparison is the final payable cost for the same trip.
March-specific booking mistakes worth avoiding
Assuming that the entire month is low season. In 2027 the Easter weekend falls at the end of March, so published school dates, local events and individual departure days matter. The opposite can also happen: a destination may have extra accommodation availability despite a holiday period. Check actual prices.
Confusing attractive beaches with beach weather. All five destinations have appealing coastlines, but March water temperatures and unsettled days can make swimming chilly. For a traditional warm-water beach holiday, compare a different season or a warmer destination.
Booking an empty-feeling resort by mistake. Quiet towns can be wonderful for a couple seeking peace. They can disappoint families who expected watersports, shops, entertainment and kids' activities. Read recent March reviews and ask hotels what is open.
Ignoring geography. A package priced for an airport region does not tell you where the hotel actually is. A distant resort or inaccessible hilltop apartment can turn a cheap deal into a transport-heavy stay.
Failing to protect the trip's main activity. If hiking is your reason for travelling, check trail rules, access and forecasts. If swimming is essential, verify the pool. If sightseeing matters, make sure the flight schedule leaves enough usable hours.
FAQs: cheap holidays in March
Is March a cheap month to go on holiday from the UK?
It can be, particularly for some destinations between winter and summer peak demand, but there is no guarantee. Compare your exact travel dates and be especially aware that Easter Sunday falls on 28 March in 2027.
What is the cheapest March holiday destination?
No destination can be declared the cheapest without comparing like-for-like live packages from your airport for your dates. The five destinations in this article are sensible options to investigate, not a statistically verified ranking.
Can I have a beach holiday in March?
You can enjoy beaches and coastal walks, and sometimes warm afternoons, but the sea may be too cold for comfortable swimming in much of the Mediterranean and Algarve. Check both air and sea conditions, or seek a confirmed heated hotel pool.
Are all-inclusive holidays cheaper in Antalya in March?
Some March packages may offer good value, but prices and services differ. Compare the actual food outlets, pools, transfers and activities available in your hotel on your dates, rather than assuming summer facilities are included.
How do I find a March holiday deal without spending hours searching?
Start with your UK departure airport and the dates you can travel. Compare several available packages at once, then check the total price, flight timings and included extras before booking with the provider. That is the date-first approach behind TripsByDate.
Related March and budget travel guides
Where to Go on Holiday in March · Warmest Places in Europe in March · Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday · Best Months for a European City Break · Best Months to Visit Portugal · Best Months to Visit Turkey.
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