Best Winter Sun Holidays in March
Spring flowers, desert adventures, sunny terraces and the wonderful discovery that March can be for holidays, not just waiting for summer.
March is a travel month with a split personality. One minute Britain is negotiating with a stubborn radiator; the next, Madeira is turning greener, Seville smells of orange blossom and the desert landscapes of Oman are inviting you outside before summer heat takes charge. A March winter sun holiday can mean a genuinely hot beach, a pleasantly warm city break or a wonderful walking trip. The trick is knowing which one you are actually booking.
Quick answer: choose Gran Canaria for the simplest short-haul resort-and-beach mix, Madeira for increasingly lush spring walks, Abu Dhabi or Muscat for warm weather and memorable outdoor experiences, and Paphos for archaeological discoveries without midsummer heat. For a more unusual holiday, consider Agadir and Taghazout for surfing and food, Seville for springtime culture, or Aqaba for Red Sea scenery and potential excursions to Petra, subject to current travel advice.
These are not interchangeable choices. A sunny afternoon in Cyprus is not the same as tropical sea-bathing weather, and the warmest destination is not automatically the most enjoyable. March rewards travellers who pick an experience first and then match it to their dates. Our February guide explains the colder end of the season, while where to go on holiday in March offers broader travel inspiration beyond winter sun.
What makes March different from February and April?
March is a hinge month. In many Mediterranean destinations, it is no longer deep winter but not yet reliably beach season. Spring flowers and longer days can make walks, markets and outdoor lunches delightful, while the sea remains chilly. Further south, the Gulf and Oman are still within their more comfortable outdoor-travel period, but daytime heat is beginning to build. There is no single March weather pattern that fits all these destinations.
- Compared with February: daylight is generally increasing and some European landscapes begin to turn greener, but weather remains changeable.
- Compared with April: March can avoid some later spring-holiday demand, but the Mediterranean water and some resort facilities may be less inviting.
- Compared with summer: walking around historic ruins, markets and volcanic landscapes can be much more comfortable without fierce midday temperatures.
- For UK families: Easter and school-break dates move between years. If they overlap March, that may affect flight and hotel availability. Check the official UK bank-holiday calendar and your school's dates rather than assuming March is always a quiet month.
The helpful question: do you want a swimming holiday, or do you want sunshine while doing fascinating things? March is exceptionally good at the second. For the first, look carefully at sea temperatures, wind, heated pools and destinations farther south.
See where your available March dates could take you
Here are four varied upcoming package-holiday examples from TripsByDate's wider inventory, ordered by departure date. These are not specifically filtered to March or to the destinations in this article. Choose your UK departure airport and travel dates to explore the broader selection, then confirm hotel, nights, baggage, flights, prices and availability with the travel provider.
SEN • 7 nights
AI · easyJet holidays
SEN • 7 nightsAI · easyJet holidays
LTN • 7 nightsAI · Hays Travel
BRS • 7 nightsAI · easyJet holidaysFive especially good March winter sun choices
1. Madeira: spring isn't just warmer weather, it's a change of scenery
Best for: walkers, garden lovers, couples who enjoy breathtaking views and families comfortable with a little outdoor adventure. Madeira's charm in March is not that it magically becomes a tropical beach island. It is that winter's rainfall can leave the island brilliantly green, while flowers begin announcing spring from gardens, balconies and hillsides. Madeira's official tourism board explicitly identifies March through May as a season for lush trails and colourful landscapes.
Try something beyond the usual viewpoint: explore a suitable section of a levada, an irrigation-channel trail that winds through distinctive countryside. A scenic walk is not automatically an easy walk: some paths have exposed edges, tunnels or closures. Check official trail and weather guidance immediately before setting off, and follow any booking requirements. For a gentle alternative, enjoy Funchal's gardens, a market visit or a coastal stroll, followed by warm bolo do caco bread with garlic butter.
An interesting March detail: the island's north and high ground can be much cooler or wetter than the south coast. You could eat lunch in sunshine, drive uphill and discover you have accidentally booked a meeting with a cloud. Keep a flexible itinerary so an unsuitable hiking day can become a garden-and-food day.
For families: favour easy-access gardens and shorter walks rather than committing everyone to a long mountain trail. For couples: choose a village lunch, a sea-view stop and one scenic walk. If you are expecting sandy-beach swimming, compare Madeira with our winter beach holiday guide first.
2. Gran Canaria: a beach holiday that can also be a tiny road trip
Best for: families seeking convenient resorts, groups with different interests and anyone wanting the Canaries' easy-going March appeal. Southern resort areas such as Puerto Rico, Amadores and Maspalomas are useful bases for sunny afternoons, while the island's mountainous interior offers an entirely different experience. The trick is not to describe the whole island's climate using one resort forecast.
A March day worth remembering: start with a promenade walk and coffee near the coast, visit the dunes from designated access points, then explore an inland town such as Teror or Tejeda if the forecast and journey suit you. Local markets and traditional Canarian food make a satisfying contrast to an all-inclusive buffet. Try papas arrugadas with mojo, or look for an authentic local cheese.
One clever decision: don't choose your hotel solely by a picturesque mountain-view photograph if the goal is sunbathing. Check its exact resort and exposure. March winds and cooler evenings can change how warm a beach or balcony feels. For an overview of how European temperatures compare, read our European winter sun comparison.
3. Muscat, Oman: the outdoor season before the summer oven switches on
Best for: travellers who want warm days with culture, coastline, landscapes and food instead of a week devoted exclusively to a sunlounger. In Muscat, spend a morning exploring Muttrah's waterfront and souq, then admire the city's architectural contrasts. Traditional wooden dhows, mountain backdrops and market scents help make this feel different from the usual winter resort escape.
For a proper local taste: discover Omani halwa, aromatic coffee and grilled seafood, and ask about dishes such as shuwa, slow-cooked marinated meat associated with celebrations. For a memorable evening, dine somewhere overlooking the sea instead of assuming the most expensive hotel restaurant is the only game in town.
What makes March practical: excursions into the mountains and desert are generally more attractive outside the searing summer heat, although conditions vary sharply by altitude and time of day. Use a reputable guide, research distances carefully and do not bundle a remote wadi, mountain hike and beach sunset into a single casual afternoon. If visiting during Ramadan, opening hours and dining arrangements can differ, with the timing changing each year. Check local guidance before departure.
For families: a gentle waterfront outing and one carefully chosen boat or heritage experience can beat a packed desert itinerary. For adventurous friends: investigate a guided mountain or coastal excursion with sensible travel times. A week here can feel like three completely different holidays, which is much better than three consecutive days of looking for the hotel's best sunbed.
4. Abu Dhabi: sun, mangroves and an unexpectedly green side of the desert
Best for: couples who enjoy design and dining, families wanting varied activities and friends who like a glamorous beach with interesting alternatives. March is attractive because the city still has opportunities for outdoor exploring before the hotter period. Experience Abu Dhabi's official climate guide describes spring as a time of rising temperatures, with occasional March rain rather than a promise of flawless sunshine.
Here's the surprising option: Abu Dhabi is not all towers and sand. Consider kayaking through mangrove waterways with an appropriate operator, or exploring the shaded paths at Al Ain Oasis if you have time for a separate day trip. Pair it with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the waterfront. Check visitor arrangements and dress requirements for religious sites in advance.
A small but valuable March tip: a desert safari might begin in warm sunshine and finish in noticeably cooler air. Bring an extra layer and ask operators about suitability for young children. The calendar for Ramadan moves, potentially affecting opening schedules and the rhythm of local evenings. March is a season to enjoy the city's outdoor possibilities, not an invitation to assume every outdoor plan will fit the same day.
5. Paphos, Cyprus: the seaside break where history beats swimming
Best for: history lovers, families with curious children and couples after coastal walks and tavernas. Paphos can be delightful in March precisely because you can spend time among ancient mosaics and archaeological sites without midsummer's punishing heat. The waterfront and archaeological park are an appealing pairing; it is the kind of place where a morning among ruins can end with a long lunch overlooking fishing boats.
Try a different side of the coast: investigate the region's geological formations, countryside villages or suitable nature trails, allowing for changeable spring weather. Look out for traditional Cypriot dishes such as koupepia (stuffed vine leaves), local halloumi and a well-chosen meze, with dishes explained rather than ordered as an endurance test.
The important distinction: the March sea may still feel cold, and some seasonal resort activities may not yet be fully operating. For a family wanting a week of swimming, a genuinely heated pool may count for more than three gorgeous promotional photographs. For a history-and-sunshine holiday, however, this can be an excellent fit.
Four more March adventures that go beyond a sunlounger
Agadir and Taghazout: surf in the morning, Moroccan flavours by lunchtime
Taghazout's surf culture gives March a completely different rhythm from a conventional winter beach week. Beginners should choose a licensed school and a suitable beach for their ability; Atlantic swells can be powerful. Agadir offers long promenade walks and the sprawling Souk El Had, where browsing spices, handicrafts and produce is an adventure of its own. The Moroccan National Tourist Office highlights the region's coast, dining and market life.
Try this: ask for amlou, a rich spread made with almonds, argan oil and honey, served with bread. It is delightful, filling and a strong argument against immediately booking lunch afterwards. For a mixed group, a beach stroll, a market and a leisurely tagine meal can work even if only one person wants to surf.
Aqaba, Jordan: coral reefs, ancient wonders and one essential reality check
Aqaba combines Red Sea coast with the possibility of travelling to Petra and Wadi Rum. Visit Aqaba lists March through May among the more comfortable periods for visiting, and the official Petra site highlights spring as an attractive walking season. Snorkelling, desert scenery and world-famous carved stone make an extraordinary combination.
But be sensible: Petra is a substantial excursion, not a five-minute stop between breakfast and the beach. Rainfall in Jordan can trigger dangerous flash floods in wadis through March. The UK Foreign Office guidance explains the risks; always check its latest Jordan travel advice, any regional warnings, insurance implications and local conditions before considering a booking. No holiday article should pretend those realities do not exist.
Seville, Spain: orange blossoms and a city that smells like spring
Seville is a fantastic reminder that winter sun does not have to mean beach umbrellas. March can bring a delightful change to its streets, with orange-blossom scents, lively plazas and pleasant conditions for walking. Explore the tiled courtyards and streets of Triana, spend time around the cathedral and perhaps try espinacas con garbanzos, a classic spinach-and-chickpea dish.
The March calendar trap: Semana Santa, Seville's Holy Week, can fall in March or April depending on the year. Processions are a remarkable cultural experience but change street access, crowds and accommodation demand. Do not confuse that with the city's separate spring fair. If your aim is a quiet city break, verify the event calendar before booking; if you want the extraordinary spectacle, make it the centrepiece of the trip. See our Easter weekend guide for the cultural and planning differences.
Tenerife: go to sea for wildlife rather than just another beach photo
Tenerife has famous resorts, but one of its most memorable activities is a carefully chosen whale-and-dolphin-watching trip from the southwest coast. The waters support resident cetaceans, so March is not a special once-a-year migration promise. Instead it is a chance to explore the island's remarkable marine environment while enjoying a different kind of day at sea.
Book responsibly: choose an authorised operator displaying Tenerife's Blue Boat accreditation. The island's official rules prohibit swimming with and feeding wild cetaceans. Wildlife is not an aquarium attraction, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Even on a sunny day, bring a layer for the boat. If someone in your group prefers dry land, Teide's volcanic scenery or a quieter coastal town gives them a perfectly respectable alternative.
March sunshine, without picking one destination first
Choose your UK airport and available dates on TripsByDate, then scroll through real package-holiday possibilities. Discover somewhere you might never have searched for.
Find holidays by dateWhat kind of March sunshine are you actually looking for?
- A straightforward family resort week: start with southern Gran Canaria, checking pool heating and flight schedules rather than just the brochure's sunshine icon.
- Walking, gardens and dramatic scenery: Madeira is a compelling choice, with weather flexibility and sensible trail planning.
- Genuinely warm outdoor experiences: investigate Abu Dhabi or Muscat, comparing local conditions and cultural calendars.
- History, food and an easy-going pace: Paphos or Seville can deliver more memorable sightseeing than a hotter place with nothing you particularly want to do.
- Surf culture and something different: explore Agadir and Taghazout, where the Atlantic may be more exciting than calm.
- Nature and wildlife: Tenerife's marine excursions or Madeira's greener landscapes may be worth choosing over a slightly warmer air temperature.
March is also a good moment to ask whether a short break gives you enough usable time. A supposedly cheap trip with late arrivals, distant transfers and an early return may involve more airport sandwiches than sunshine. Our guide to flight departure times explains why two holidays with identical nights can feel completely different.
Seven March-specific booking decisions that can save a disappointing trip
- Check the exact part of March. Early and late March may feel different, while Easter and other holidays can move demand between weeks.
- Separate warm air from warm sea. Mediterranean temperatures may be lovely for lunch outdoors but chilly for an extended swim.
- Choose a hotel for the season, not the photograph. Pool heating, sheltered terraces and operating facilities matter.
- Check regional microclimates. Madeira's mountains and Canary Island resort areas can experience strikingly different conditions from one another.
- Investigate moving religious dates. Easter, Holy Week and Ramadan can influence activities, opening hours and demand depending on the year.
- Compare the real holiday total. Baggage, transfers, meal arrangements and airport transport can outweigh a tempting headline discount. See our package-holiday comparison advice.
- Have one weather-proof alternative. A museum, market, cultural visit or restaurant you genuinely want to try can rescue a wet afternoon without making the whole holiday feel like Plan B.
When your dates are fixed but your destination is flexible, TripsByDate makes the search more like discovering ideas while scrolling and less like filling out a never-ending series of destination forms. Begin with when you can leave and where you can fly from; let the possibilities help decide the rest. For other seasonal planning strategies, our month-by-month price comparison guide is a useful companion.
March winter sun FAQs
Where is hot enough for a beach holiday in March?
If you want more than mild sunshine, look beyond much of the Mediterranean. The UAE and Oman can offer warmer daytime conditions, while the Canary Islands provide a convenient balance of sunshine and resorts. Weather is variable and sea temperature matters, so compare the specific destination and your preferred type of beach holiday rather than relying on a single average.
Is March a good month for the Canary Islands?
Yes, particularly for travellers who value mild or pleasantly warm resort weather, coastal walks and outdoor activities. Some days can be windy, and a heated pool may be more appealing than the sea. Southern resort microclimates are worth checking before choosing a hotel.
Is Madeira warm enough in March?
Madeira is typically mild rather than reliably hot. Its spring greenery, gardens and walking opportunities are a bigger draw than classic all-day beach heat. Coastal locations may be comfortable while mountain trails are cool, cloudy or wet.
Can you swim in Cyprus in March?
Some hardy swimmers do, but many travellers will find the sea cool. Paphos is better approached as a spring sightseeing and coastal-walking holiday unless your accommodation offers appropriate swimming facilities.
Are March package holidays cheaper than Easter holidays?
They can be, but not consistently. Easter moves between March and April, different schools have different holidays and flight supply varies by airport. Compare your exact departure dates, total package inclusions and nearby airports instead of assuming all of March is low season.
Should I choose March or wait until April?
Choose March if you want spring walks, culture, comfortable desert exploration or the chance to travel before some holiday demand. April may bring warmer European conditions and more seasonal services, but potentially different prices. Our April travel guide helps compare the alternatives.
Your March escape might be somewhere you haven't thought of yet
The best March holiday is not necessarily the hottest pin on a map. It might be a Madeira hillside bursting into colour, a boat passing Tenerife's wild cetaceans, a bowl of Moroccan amlou after a surf lesson or a sunlit terrace overlooking Seville's old streets. That is the joy of travelling while seasons are changing: every destination is beginning a different chapter.
And you do not have to decide where first. Pick the week you can escape and your UK airport, then explore package-holiday options on TripsByDate. The site is built for browsing possibilities by departure date, so a promising holiday can catch your eye without twenty repetitive searches. Less searching. More choosing. And ideally, fewer conversations about the British weather.
Where will March take you?
Start with your free dates and UK departure airport. Discover package holidays across destinations, then choose the trip that makes you want to pack.
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