Travel

Where is hot in March? Our top 15 destinations

Balmy city breaks, tropical getaways, and everything in-between.
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Aerial view of Hoi An ancient town at twilight, Vietnam.tawatchaiprakobkit

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As a summer baby and passionate sun worshipper, you’ll generally catch me desperately googling ‘where is hot in March?’ by mid-January. The thing is — while March signals the official start of Spring in the UK — we’ve all been burned enough times in the past by our country’s famously fickle climate to know that there’s a reasonable chance it’ll still be cold and drizzly all month. So, the only way to get some guaranteed sunshine, is to head somewhere a little closer to the equator.

If you're looking for truly tropical temperatures, jet off to Barbados for laidback luxury and stunning white sand beaches — or head to Southeast Asia to tick travelling through Thailand or Vietnam off your bucket list before the rainy season starts. Fancy something a little closer to home? Just over sixty miles off the coast of Africa, the Canaries enjoy a lovely sub-tropical climate, and make for a balmy March beach holiday — while Seville, Valencia, and Lisbon are great options for a classic European city break in the Spring sunshine.

Wherever you decide to go, one of the best things about travelling in March is that you'll be avoiding peak season — so you can expect less crowds, and also considerably cheaper prices. To help inspire you, we've pulled together an edit of the best places to visit for guaranteed sunshine in March — whatever your preferred style of holiday, budget, or length of flight. So, you better dig out your sun hat, stock up on the SPF, and start packing a suitcase.

Ahead, our ‘where is hot in March’ bucket list.

1. Barbados

High above Alleynes Bay, Barbados.

Mark Meredith

Average daytime temperature in March: 28°C

Let's face it — if you're desperate for some winter sun, getting out of Europe is by far your best bet. March is a lovely time to head to Barbados, as the intense humidity won't have quite kicked in yet — but you're still guaranteed some gorgeous hot weather. The west coast is where it's at for beaches, so expect swathes of white sand, and tonnes of opportunities to try your hand at water sports like snorkelling. And definitely don't miss a trip to nearby Holetown on a Friday night for sensational Caribbean street food, live music, and a real party atmosphere.

Where to stay in Barbados:

2. Seville, Spain

Colonnade and arches, Plaza de Espana, Seville.

Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld

Average daytime temperature in March: 18°C

Situated on the south coast, Seville is typically the warmest part of Spain year-round — so it's probably not a city you'll want to be traipsing through when temperatures hit the high thirties in the summer months. The average temperature during March is around 17 degrees — sometimes even reaching the early twenties — so Spring is a lovely time to visit. Head there for a long weekend filled with beautiful architecture, tasty authentic tapas, and a fair bit of flamenco.

Where to stay in Seville:

3. The Dominican Republic

Resort on Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana.

Danny Lehman

Average daytime temperature in March: 26°C

Typically one of the cheaper Caribbean countries to visit on holiday, the Dominican Republic is abundant in natural beauty. From stunning beaches and mountain peaks, to inland mangrove lagoons and waterfalls, it's a reliably warm pleace to head in Spring for a classic all inclusive holiday. Punta Cana and Cap Cana are where to head for star-studded resorts and tourist attractions — while La Romana and Bayahibe have more of a laidback vibe.

Where to stay in The Dominican Republic:

4. Malta

Sunrise on the old tower seen from colonnade of the semi-circular portico, Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain.

Sylvain Sonnet

Average daytime temperature in March: 18°C

The lovely little island nation of Malta enjoys 300 sunny days per year — and March is the perfect time of year to visit without the crowds of high summer. From the stunning Baroque buildings and palaces of the walled capital city, Valetta, to the many rustic swimming spots like the Blue Lagoon and St. Peter's Pool, there's so much to explore. Malta also offers a bustling gastronomy scene, with delightful bars, cafes and restaurants dotted around Valetta and Mdina — while the boujie bays of Sliema & St. Julian’s are where you'll find sleek shopping centres, and stylish beach clubs and nightclubs.

Where to stay in Malta:

5. Sri Lanka

Aerial view of a beach off the south coast of Sri Lanka, area near the town of Weligama.

Dmytro Buianskyi

Average daytime temperature in March: 25°C

Sri Lanka has a little bit of everything. This island boasts plenty of palm-lined beaches, lagoons, and rivers that are perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking — but it's also home to world-famous tea plantations, ancient cities, and stunning temples that definitely deserve to be explored. Expect rich culture and history, amazing food, and glorious weather.

Where to stay in Sri Lanka:

6. Western Cape, South Africa

Robertson Breede River and flying birds in Western Cape South Africa.

Arnold Petersen

Average daytime temperature in March: 25°C

With less crowds, but still lovely warm temperatures, March is the perfect month to visit South Africa. There's so much to see in this stunning country, but if you only have a week, the Western Cape is a great bet. Spend your first three or four days exploring downtown Cape Town, the bustling street markets, and upmarket Victoria & Alfred Waterfront — and for breathtaking views, be sure to hike to the top of Table Mountain National Park. Then head a little further inland for a couple of days amongst the natural beauty of the vineyards in Franschhoek.

Where to stay in South Africa:

7. Portugal

Old yellow tram on the streets of Lisbon old town on a sunny day, Portugal.

Alexander Spatari

Average daytime temperature in March: 18°C

March is the perfect time of year to visit Portugal, with the south and the Algarve seeing plenty of sunshine. Portugal is home to picturesque cobblestoned streets, charming villages, colourful Portuguese architecture and pretty banging coffee. The country's charismatic coastal capital, Lisbon boasts an endless supply of stunning architecture, cute cafes and rooftop bars, and bustling shopping streets. Or — for truly stunning scenery, and temperatures of around 20°C — spend some time exploring the lush landscapes and many wineries of gorgeous Madeira.

Where to stay in Portugal:

8. Phuket, Thailand

Long tailed boat Ruea Hang Yao park at sea in Phuket, Thailand.

Suttipong Sutiratanachai

Average daytime temperature in March: 32°C

Although Bangkok is the capital, Phuket sits right at the top of our Thailand to-do list — with its incredible food markets, lively nightlife, and world-famous twenty-five mile stretch of white sandy coastline. Plus, it's the jumping off point for the reef-filled waters of the stunning Phi Phi Islands. Plus, a springtime visit to Southeast Asia is actually really smart, as the weather is slightly milder, and it's also towards the end of peak season — meaning you can expect less tourists, and cheaper long haul flights.

Where to stay in Thailand:

9. Riviera Maya, Mexico

View of the tropical lagoon of Xel Ha, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Federica Grassi

Average daytime temperature in March: 28°C

On the Yucatán Peninsula, you'll find Mexico's Riviera Maya resort strip, which runs all the way down the country's Caribbean coast — from the high-rise hotels, busy beaches, and plentiful tourist attractions of Cancun, to rustic Tulum, with its more boho vibe and famous Mayan ruins. Certainly one of the hottest places to go for a luxurious long-haul holiday in March, Mexico has heaps of hotels, beautiful beaches, and buzzy towns worth exploring.

Where to stay in the Mexico:

10. Tenerife

Drone view of a residential district on the island of Tenerife.

Justin Paget

Average daytime temperature in March: 21°C

Sub-tropical Tenerife is home to heaps of golden sandy beaches, and a truly impressive nightlife scene. The more popular resorts like Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas are where you'll find swathes of luxury shops and Blue Flag beaches — while the tucked away retreat of Playa de la Arena on Tenerife's west coast is famous for its calmer vibe, stunning volcanic scenery, and brilliant hiking trails.

Where to stay in Tenerife:

11. Maldives

Amazing aerial beach landscape in the Maldives.

Levente Bodo

Average daytime temperature in March: 30°C

Can you picture yourself embarking on a spring getaway to the Maldives? We certainly can. In March, temperatures in the Maldives rise to 31°C — which makes it an ideal time to fly if you're desperate for long sunny days spent on the beach. Made up of a string of beautiful islands, the Maldives is famous for its crystal waters, stunning reefs, and idyllic hotels — many of which have luxurious over-water bungalows as an accommodation option. Truly dreamy, it's a sensational honeymoon destination.

Where to stay in the Maldives:

12. Marrakesh, Morocco

View of Koutoubia Mosque and garden in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Balate Dorin

Average daytime temperature in March: 23°C

What with it being such a bustling and densely packed city, March is a great month to visit Marrakesh — as it's not so hot that you'll be too uncomfortable to properly explore the walled medieval city (aka the medina). Spend your days meandering through the maze of alleyways, shopping for traditional textiles and pottery in the vibrant souks, and marvelling at the many mosques and palaces.

Where to stay in Morocco:

13. Vietnam

Breathtaking view of Halong Bay taken from the top of an island.

Alex Stoen

Average daytime temperature in March: 28°C

A long and slim country that stretches from China in the north, all the way down to Thailand, the weather can vary massively in Vietnam. For stunning stretches of sandy beaches, and reliable March sunshine, visit the popular southern coastal resort city of Nha Trang — or for a more secluded stay, head to Nimh Van Bay, or the close-by cluster of tropical islands. Looking for a bit of hustle and bustle? Further down south, the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City reveal an eclectic street food scene, breathtaking temples and shrines, and the winding Saigon River. And while it could be up to 10°C colder, no trip to Vietnam is truly complete without journeying north, and taking a cruise through the UNESCO-protected emerald waters of Halong Bay.

Where to stay in Vietnam:

14. Dubai

Urban skyline with with tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa at golden dusk. Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Jaromir

Average daytime temperature in March: 26°C

Temperatures in Dubai truly soar between May and September — so March is a great time to go ig you want to catch the warm weather before it becomes pretty unbearable for us cold-blooded Brits. A city that truly oozes luxury, Dubai boasts an incredible luxury shopping and dining scene — and you can guarantee you'll never be all that far away from a boujie beach club or pool party. Plus, it's also close enough to the desert that you can even try your hand at quad biking or camel riding if you're keen to exercise more than just your bank card.

Where to stay in Dubai:

15. Fuerteventura

People kiteboarding on waves crashing on white sand of Sotavento beach, Fuerteventura.

Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld

Average daytime temperature in March: 22°C

For the warmest possible beach holiday in March — that doesn't require flying out of Europe — look no further than the Canary Islands. Struggling to settle on an island? While Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are all equally warm in March (Tenerife is usually a tiny bit cooler), Fuerteventura is typically forecast to have the least rain throughout the month. Famous for its long sandy beaches, and brilliant conditions for windsurfing, Corralejo is one of the most popular resorts – while Costa Calma on the south coast has a more tranquil vibe, as its name suggests.

Where to stay in Fuerteventura: