Where to Go on Holiday in March
From orange blossom and ancient cities to dramatic coastal walks, discover six excellent March escapes and the trade-offs worth knowing before you book.
March is an interesting month to travel because Europe begins to wake up, but summer has not arrived. In southern Spain, long lunches and sightseeing become more pleasant. Portugal and Malta offer sea views, old towns and walking without intense heat. Cyprus starts looking greener, while Madeira is at its lushest. And if you want something warmer, Marrakech makes a compelling city break with a completely different atmosphere.
There is a catch: mild weather is not the same as a hot beach holiday. The sea can still be cold, rain remains possible and some seasonal resorts are quiet. Rather than promise sunshine, this guide explains which places suit which kind of trip, where to base yourself and what to check before spending money.
March holiday ideas at a glance
- Seville: best for walkable architecture, food and sunny-feeling city days.
- Malta: best for history, harbour views and a multi-stop sightseeing break.
- Algarve: best for coastal scenery, beaches to explore and a relaxed spring base.
- Cyprus: best for countryside walks, archaeology and a quieter Mediterranean escape.
- Marrakech: best for souks, gardens, food and a warmer-feeling cultural break.
- Madeira: best for green landscapes, gardens, levada walks and dramatic viewpoints.
Reality check: these are travel recommendations, not price rankings or promises of good weather. Actual temperatures, rain and holiday prices depend on your destination, precise dates and accommodation.
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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.
SEN • 7 nights
AI · easyJet holidays
EMA • 2 nightslastminute.com
MAN • 7 nightsHB · Skiline
BRS • 7 nightsB&B · Iglu Ski1. Seville, Spain: for a brilliant spring city break
Best for: couples, food lovers and travellers who want their days filled with architecture, neighbourhoods and outdoor cafés rather than beach time.
Seville is one of our strongest March choices because you can cover a lot on foot without the punishing heat of high summer. Spain's official weather agency, AEMET, records a March average daily high of 21.9°C at Seville Airport over its 1981–2010 reference period. That is a climate average, not the temperature you will necessarily get on holiday. Rainy days and cool evenings are still possible.
Use the historic centre as your base if you want easy access to the cathedral, the Real Alcázar, Santa Cruz and the river. Cross into Triana for ceramics, markets and a different neighbourhood atmosphere. Plaza de España and María Luisa Park are particularly rewarding when you can take your time outside.
Where to stay: Santa Cruz or the surrounding historic centre for a first visit; Triana if restaurants and local neighbourhood character matter more than being beside the principal monuments. Compare how much walking and late-night noise you are happy with before choosing a hotel.
What to watch: popular attractions can sell out on certain days. Check official ticketing and opening information, and do not assume March is uniformly cheap: Easter and Semana Santa dates vary from year to year and can dramatically change demand.
Research: AEMET's Seville climate normals provide the weather context. For practical trip planning, look at February holiday ideas if you are weighing up an earlier city break.
2. Malta: for history, harbours and an easy-to-explore island
Best for: travellers interested in culture, museums, old streets and scenery. Less suitable if your main goal is swimming in warm sea water.
March suits Malta when you approach it as a touring holiday, not a summer beach resort. According to Malta's official climate profile for 1991–2020, the average March maximum is 17.4°C, with around 39.7mm of rainfall on average. Wind can make exposed harbours and coastal paths feel cooler.
Spend a day in Valletta exploring its streets, waterfront views and historic sites. Take the ferry or another suitable connection to the Three Cities if operating schedules work for you. Mdina and nearby Rabat reward a slower visit, while Gozo adds a more rural side to the trip, particularly if you have several days.
Where to stay: Valletta or Sliema for a sightseeing-focused holiday with transport and restaurant options; consider a Gozo stay if quiet landscapes are the real attraction. For a short break, avoid changing hotels unless you will genuinely benefit.
What to watch: confirm ferry timetables and weather-sensitive excursions close to departure. Malta can be good value outside peak season, but we cannot say it will be cheaper than other destinations without comparing actual packages.
Research: Malta's National Statistics Office climate publication, using observations from the Malta International Airport Meteorological Office, is the basis for the figures above.
3. The Algarve, Portugal: for coastal walks rather than guaranteed beach heat
Best for: scenery, relaxed days, road trips and travellers who love beautiful beaches even when it is too cold to swim.
The Algarve has striking stretches of sand and golden cliffs, but March is still early for the classic pool-and-beach package holiday. A sunny afternoon can feel springlike, then a breeze off the Atlantic can change the mood quickly. Bring layers and plan for an occasional wet-weather day.
Choose Lagos if you want a characterful town and dramatic western coastline. Tavira offers a different, quieter eastern Algarve experience, with streets and waterways that invite slower exploration. Faro can be practical for a short break and the surrounding Ria Formosa area, while some resort zones may feel sleepy before summer.
Use the cooler temperatures to explore viewpoints and well-marked paths, but stay back from unstable cliff edges, obey closures and avoid entering sea caves when conditions are unsafe. A gorgeous beach photograph does not tell you anything about sea temperature, currents or lifeguard cover.
Where to stay: choose a town with restaurants and facilities open year-round rather than assuming a summer resort will operate at full pace. If you will not hire a car, check actual public transport to the beaches you want to visit.
Research: Visit Portugal's official Algarve beaches guide gives an overview of the coast. The key question in March is not just how beautiful the beach is, but what you plan to do there.
4. Cyprus: for green landscapes, archaeology and spring walking
Best for: active travellers, history lovers and anyone happy to swap guaranteed swimming weather for a mix of outdoor activities.
Cyprus is often sold on its beaches, but spring brings a different side of the island. The Cyprus tourism organisation specifically describes March as a month of moderate weather, sunshine and excellent conditions for long country walks. This is a more compelling reason to visit than promising a summer-style beach holiday.
Build a base around Paphos if archaeological sites and western island scenery appeal, or look at Larnaca and Limassol for different city-and-coast combinations. Troodos villages and countryside trails add variety, but mountain weather can be considerably colder than at sea level.
The important swimming caveat: Cyprus tourism gives typical open-sea temperatures of around 16–17°C in January to March. Even with a warm afternoon on land, the water may feel cold. Check whether your hotel pool is heated and actually operating.
Where to stay: choose somewhere with year-round restaurants and transport if visiting before the principal resort season. For a short holiday, avoid spending every day driving across the island; group sightseeing by area instead.
Research: Visit Cyprus's climate and seasonal activities guide and its walking guide. Verify trail closures and conditions before setting off.
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Find holidays by date5. Marrakech, Morocco: for culture and warmer spring days
Best for: travellers who want colour, markets, gardens, memorable food and a genuine change of scene rather than a conventional European beach resort.
Marrakech can be an appealing March city break because the harshest heat of summer is still ahead. Its inland climate is different from Morocco's coast, and daytime warmth can give way to much cooler evenings. A jacket and layers are more useful than packing only summer clothing.
Start in the medina if the souks, courtyards and traditional riads are your main attraction. Allow time for historic sites, gardens and a leisurely meal away from the busiest streets. A riad can be memorable, but check its accessibility, heating, stairs and how transfers reach the property: some streets cannot be approached directly by car.
Where to stay: the medina is immersive and walkable for cultural sightseeing, but can be noisy and confusing to navigate. Accommodation in newer districts may suit visitors who prefer larger hotels and easier vehicle access.
What to watch: some years Ramadan falls partly or entirely in March, which can affect opening arrangements, eating patterns and the atmosphere of your visit. Confirm the relevant dates and local arrangements rather than assuming the month always behaves the same. If you plan an Atlas Mountains trip, mountain conditions are very different from city temperatures.
Research: Morocco's official national tourism climate guide explains its varied regional climates. Check UK government travel advice for Morocco before booking.
6. Madeira, Portugal: for flower-filled scenery and spectacular walks
Best for: walkers, garden lovers, nature photographers and travellers who would happily trade beach heat for a beautiful, active island.
Madeira is a particularly rewarding March choice if you want lush landscapes. The official tourism board identifies March to May as spring, when the island's vegetation, gardens and trails are especially appealing. Its mountain ridges, valleys and southern coast can have very different conditions on the same day.
Base yourself around Funchal for restaurants, gardens and transport choices, especially if you are not hiring a car. Consider a quieter coastal base if you value peace over convenience. A mix of a city day, a garden visit and two or three walks makes more sense than trying to drive across every corner of the island.
The famous levada routes can be unforgettable, but do not choose a walk solely because it looks straightforward in a photograph. Some paths have exposed sections, tunnels, steep drops or temporary closures. Pick routes that suit your group and check official trail status and weather first.
What to watch: the large Madeira Flower Festival is not a March event. The official 2027 festival dates are 29 April to 30 May. March is a good time to appreciate the natural spring landscapes, but do not book expecting the festival parade.
Research: Visit Madeira's official seasonal guide and official Flower Festival dates.
Which March holiday is right for you?
If you only have three or four nights, Seville or Malta can give you a satisfying trip without making the holiday entirely about travelling between attractions. Marrakech also works for a short cultural escape, provided you choose a convenient base. If you have a week, Cyprus, the Algarve and Madeira offer more scope for touring, walking and exploring several areas.
If warm weather is your first priority, do not simply pick the destination with the highest temperature printed on a graphic. Compare the actual resort, day and night averages, sea temperatures, wind exposure and hotel facilities. You may prefer a comfortable hotel with a heated pool to a nominally warmer city that is not designed for relaxing by the water.
If you are travelling with children, check whether pools, kids' clubs, restaurants and excursions are operating in March. Spring is outside the principal beach season in parts of southern Europe, so a family-friendly hotel in August may offer a different experience in March.
For an extra city-break alternative, Athens deserves consideration. Its official visitor guide highlights March for sightseeing, spring flowers and cultural events, though it is not a hot beach destination. See the official Athens spring guide.
Is March a cheap month to go on holiday?
It can offer good value, but "shoulder season" does not mean every March departure is cheap. Hotel rates, flight routes, weekend demand, Easter timing, sporting events, school breaks and package availability all affect prices. A city hotel can be busy for an event even while nearby beach resorts are quiet.
To compare fairly, hold the basics constant: departure airport, departure date, number of nights, room occupancy, baggage and board basis. A package that looks cheaper at first glance may include fewer nights, a different airport or extra transport costs. And a flight landing late at night may leave you with much less usable holiday time.
TripsByDate is a discovery tool rather than the company operating the holidays. Its listings let you compare advertised offers across departure dates and providers, but you should confirm the final price and inclusions with the operator before booking.
When in March should you travel?
March weather generally shifts towards spring as the month progresses, but the difference between two specific weeks cannot be guaranteed. In some years, Easter falls in March, which can affect travel costs and opening arrangements; in others, it falls in April. Check the calendar for your travel year, rather than assuming the same seasonal pattern every year.
Travelling earlier may suit you if hotel choice and avoiding event crowds matter most; later March may suit a walking or sightseeing trip as days lengthen. Both can work. The better deal is the one that fits your actual dates, weather expectations and preferred activities.
March holiday FAQs
Where is warm in Europe in March?
Southern Spain and Mediterranean destinations can offer pleasantly mild days, but reliable summer heat is a different proposition. Seville has an official historical March average maximum of 21.9°C, while Malta's is 17.4°C. These figures are long-term averages, not forecasts.
Is March warm enough for a beach holiday?
It depends what you mean by beach holiday. The Algarve, Malta and Cyprus can be lovely for coastal walks, lunches outside and relaxed seaside views, but warm-water swimming is unlikely to be reliable. Check actual sea conditions and heated pool availability if swimming matters.
Where is best for a March city break?
Seville is our first choice for food, architecture and walking; Marrakech offers a different cultural atmosphere; Malta gives you several historic places in one trip. Athens is another strong option for history, springtime walks and museums.
Is Madeira good in March?
Yes, for gardens, green scenery and walking, with appropriate waterproofs and flexible plans. Do not confuse Madeira's spring landscapes with the Flower Festival, which usually happens later in spring.
Where should I go in March for value?
Compare available packages rather than assume any one destination is cheapest. The Algarve and Malta may have quieter periods, while flight schedules and major events can change the picture significantly. The cheapest trip is not always the best value once you include transfers and what is open.
What should I pack for March in southern Europe?
Bring lightweight clothes for sunny afternoons, a warm layer for evenings, comfortable walking shoes and a compact waterproof. For Madeira hikes and higher areas of Cyprus, check conditions and use suitable footwear and outerwear; city weather is not a guide to the mountains.
More travel guides and useful checks
If you are flexible between months, compare January escapes and February holiday ideas, or return to the Holidays by Month hub. For a trip with friends, explore Girls' Trips. If your ideal March escape is still snowy rather than sunny, read when to go skiing in Europe and how to choose a resort.
Before booking, check passport and entry requirements for the nationality you will travel on, current UK government destination advice, operator terms and accommodation facilities. Seasons, opening hours and prices change, so verify details for your own dates.
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