Where is Hot in March?
9 Ideas for Short Haul Holidays from the UK
By the time March rolls around, winter already feels like it’s lasted a lifetime. However, and somewhat unfortunately, March is rarely a month that delivers much respite. Instead, it’s usually a seasonal no man’s land of grey, mild weather, coupled with wet and windy nights.
So, if you’re wondering – ‘where is hot in March?’ – and are ready to leave the UK in search of some Vitamin D, we’re here to help. In fact, we want to prove that spring sunshine isn’t a long haul flight away, but can be found at the other end of 2-3 hour plane journey.
1. Andalusia
Flight duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Average temperature in March: 22°C
Top of the list when considering where’s hot in March, is the impossibly colourful and beautiful Andalusia region of Spain. I recently visited in December, when temperatures were still warm and winter in the UK felt like a distant memory.
Seville
If you’re looking for a warm city break in Europe in March, Seville should be top of your list. A city boasting a heart-wrenchingly beautiful Alcazar, complete with tropical gardens, busy tapas bars and flamboyant flamenco dancers, Seville is definitely the place to come to escape the gloom of winter in the UK.
Read our guide to Seville
Cordoba
During our trip to Seville, we took a day trip (by train) to Cordoba. Equally beautiful and boasting the world-famous Mosque-Cathedral, Cordoba makes for the ideal long weekend break in March (come the summer, it actually tends to be the hottest city in Europe, so avoid visiting then).
Read our guide to Cordoba
2. Morocco
Flight duration: 3 hours
Average temperature in March: 22ºC
Marrakech
We’ve visited Marrakech a number of times in March and will be returning this coming March (2023), too. Just a 3 hour flight away, I always marvel at the speed with which I’m transported from a drizzly UK, to the vibrant colours of North Africa.
Lose yourself in the colourful souks of Marrakech and overload your senses with the sounds and smells of this frenetic city. We can highly recommend a cooking class while in Marrakech (you’ll soon be a lover of tagines), as well as luxury escape to the Agafay Desert.
Located just a 45-minute drive from the city, La Pause desert camp offers an oasis (quite literally) of calm and tranquility, with the warm Moroccan sun beating down on you.
What more could you want from a Spring break?
Read our five day itinerary for Marrakech
Essaouira
If you’re looking for sea and sand during your March break, head down the Moroccan coast and Essaouira. To get here, you can either fly into Marrakech (combining city and beach break) and then travel 3 hours by car. Alternatively, you can fly to Agadir and travel directly up the coast (another 3 hour journey).
Essaouira is the ideal destination if you’re looking for a warm break in March. Wander its relaxed souks (much more enjoyably than the freneticism of Marrakech), enjoy lunch overlooking the beach and visit its busy and historical harbour.
Read our guide to things to do in Essaouira
3.Sicily, Italy
Flight duration: 3 hours
Average temperature in March: 18-20°C
Explore Sicily out of tourist season in March, and enjoy having the picture-perfect streets almost to yourself. Head to the east coast of the island – which is wildly popular come the summer – to experience two of my favourite European destinations: Taormina and Syracuse.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to join the locals in a spring celebration, then head to the Festa del Mandorlo in Fiore, to enjoy dances and delicacies that celebrate the incoming almond blossoms. This festival is held the first week of March.
Taormina
Pretty Taormina is one of the busiest destinations in Sicily during the summer months. Indeed, it can be an extremely expensive town to visit, with high-rollers coming in each summer to enjoy the Sicilian glitz and glamour. Visiting Taormina out of season, in March, is therefore the ideal way to experience this charming town, without blowing your budget.
Visit the town’s world-renowned Teatro Greco (Roman amphitheatre) that is suspended between the mountains and the sea, and hike to Madonna della Rocca Church for spectacular views out across the coast.
Read our full guide to Taormina
Syracuse, Sicily
Located in the southeast corner of Sicily, Syracuse enjoys a lovely, warm climate even in March. I’ve visited Syracuse twice, both in peak summer season, and often fantasise about returning during cooler months when the streets are quieter and there aren’t beads of sweat dripping down my back.
The crowning jewel of Syracuse is Ortygia Island. A jumble of winding streets, pearly white marble buildings and Greek and Roman ruins, Ortygia is a place to truly get your slice of “la dolce vita.”
Read our guide to Syracuse
4. Malta and Gozo
Flight duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Average temperature in March: 18-20°C
As the days get longer and average daylight climbs to 7.3 hours, Malta in March is extremely pleasant. Snuggled between Sicily and Africa, Malta is a very popular tourist destination in the summer, but March remains outside of the high tourist season (hurrah).
This means not only cheaper accommodation and flights, but you’ll also have some of the island’s most popular attractions to yourself.
Take a trip to spectacular Gozo, located just off the coast of mainland Malta. Thanks to the warm spring weather, enjoy a day of hiking its coastline before returning to the UNESCO world heritage site of Valletta.
5. Canary Islands
Flight duration: 4 hours
Average temperature in March: 22ºC
When considering where is hot in March, the Canary Islands probably come top of the list. Basking in year-round sun thanks to their location off the African coast, we’ve spent many winters enjoying both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, while the UK shivers under a blanket of frost.
Unlike the other destinations mentioned above, March in the Canary Islands is warm enough for plenty of beach and pool action. For those looking for more activity, however, hiking, whale and dolphin watching, and even surfing, are all activities you can book across the islands, including Tenerife.
6. Barcelona, Spain
Flight duration: 2 hours
Average temperature in March: 17- 19ºC
If you’re looking for a warm city break in March, then Barcelona is a great option. I visited towards the latter end of the month a few years ago, when the city was warming up and I could still enjoy a sneaky Sangria on the beach.
With the weather warm but not too hot, late March to April is an ideal time to explore Barcelona. Wander the colourful Gaudi architecture, stroll the iconic Las Ramblas and enjoy tapas and sangria on the beach.
It really is a dream European weekend break in March.
7. Algarve, Portugal
Flight duration from UK: 3 hours
Average temperature in March: 19ºC
The Algarve is an easy winter or spring getaway from the UK. Although not beach weather, the Algarve in March is still warm, with plenty of pretty towns and beaches to explore.
Head to Lagos, perched on the Atlantic coast for a blustery March break. Explore its many picture-perfect beaches, including Praia do Camilo and Praia Dona Ana Beach, and the many bohemian cafes that fill the area.
Read our guide to the Algarve
9. Lisbon
If you’re looking for your fill of custard tarts, cobbled streets and vintage trams, March is an ideal time to visit Lisbon. A city of seven hills, throw on some sturdy walking boots and get lost in this maze of streets, before jumping on the train to visit Pena Palace, Sintra.
A dazzling yellow and coral pink palace, perched atop the impossibly beautiful Sintra, this is a destination that will fill your grey March days with vibrant colour.
Read our full guide to Lisbon
9. Cyprus
Flight duration from UK: 4 hours 30 minutes
Average temperature in March: 19ºC
Last on my list for where’s hot in March is wonderful Cyprus.
Although Cyprus in March may not involve sunbathing or sea swims, it still has plenty to offer for those seeking some gentle temperatures and fresh air.
March is a particularly good time to enjoy hikes in Cyprus’ mountains, amongst its wild flowers, and to explore the island’s many ancient temples. Base yourself in Paphos and head to the Akamas Peninsula for plenty of glorious walks – far from the beach resort of noisy Ayia Napa.