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Best holiday destinations in March
Spring is finally approaching. You can avoid the searing heat of summer in India or Egypt by travelling now or get the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
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Iceland
If you’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, head to Iceland in March, with more chance of seeing the dancing lights around the spring equinox. The days are also getting longer for exploring the dramatic landscapes of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ – think snow-capped volcanoes, thermal hot springs, and tumbling waterfalls, while in the capital Reykjavik, whales are starting to return to the country’s waters if you fancy a whale-watching trip.
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Algarve
With temperatures in the high teens, March is a lovely time to explore the Algarve in Portugal without the more intense heat of summer. As well as its famous golden beaches, you’ll find unspoiled nature reserves such as the Ria Formosa in the eastern Algarve and a chance to visit the Sagres peninsula, which the Romans believed sat at the end of the world. Or stroll around the pretty streets of Albufeira and the old town in Faro.
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Costa de la Luz
There’s more to the Spanish coast than the beaches, and March is a lovely month to explore some of the walking trails on the Costa de la Luz. With gentle sunshine and pleasant temperatures in this part of Spain, along the coastline stretching from the Portuguese border to the Bay of Cadiz, you can visit beautiful national parks, see one of the major rivers flowing through both Spain and Portugal, discover history and visit charming villages.
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Costa del Sol
You might associate the Costa del Sol with miles of glorious sun-kissed golden beaches rather than birdwatching, but with millions of birds migrating across the Strait of Gibraltar between Africa and Europe each spring, it’s a wonderful place for birdwatchers to holiday. From the sleepy town of Tarifa to national parks, the river banks and the rugged Andalusian mountains around Ronda, you could see everything from honey buzzards to booted eagles during March, among countless other species.
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Costa Blanca
Sun, sea, some of the best food in Spain and a chance to celebrate? There’s nowhere better to be during March than the Costa Blanca. Indulge in paella in Valencia, its undisputed home, enjoy delicious local pastries, tuck into rich spiced stews and make the most of the local vintages on a food and wine holiday. As an added treat, Las Fallas festival takes place in Valencia this month, with parades, fireworks and a giant bonfire.
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Balearics
There’s an added reason to visit the beautiful Balearic islands during March, with the annual celebrations for the Day of the Balearics festival, starting with a public holiday on March 1 and continuing with various events and activities for the first week and a chance to explore heritage buildings across the islands which open for the first two weeks of the month. Combine it with the highlights of Mallorca, walking in Minorca or Minorca’s archaeology.
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Egypt
From Nile cruises to relaxing hotel stays, you can skip the searing summer temperatures and the crowds of the winter peak months with a visit to Egypt in March. The perfect weather to explore the ancient sites and cities or sail on a dahabiya boat, journey through Egyptian history from ancient Alexandria, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to the equally iconic Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and the temples along the Nile.
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Northern India
The Indian Subcontinent stretches from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the quiet and tranquil backwaters of Kerala, with palm-fringed coastlines and lush green forests in between. March is an ideal time to visit Northern India and undertake the classic Golden Triangle route. Temperatures are pleasant and most importantly, dry. March is also the month of Holi, the ‘festival of colour’, where vibrant powder paints are thrown in celebration.
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Vietnam
With three different climates across Vietnam, picking one month to travel can be tricky, but March one of the best times of the year to explore the whole country, with dry, bright weather along its entire length, including the mountains of the north. Discover exhilarating Hanoi and the beauty of Halong Bay, wander the picturesque streets of Hoi An and Hue, cruise the Mekong, explore Ho Chi Min City and finish with time on the beach.
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Costa Rica
The natural treasures of Costa Rica are what set this small country apart, and with the dry season bringing sunshine, March is a fantastic month to see the bottle-green rainforests and cloud forests shrouded in mist, brooding volcanoes watching over hot springs and pineapple plantations. One of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, there’s an almost endless variety of wildlife including at Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero National Parks, or the jewel-bright quetzals at San Gerardo de Dota.
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Chile
Stretching for almost 3,000 miles and just 220 miles across at its widest, in Chile you’ll find everything from the highest, driest desert on Earth to the wild scenery of Patagonia, the Chilean Lake District, the Andes and more packed into the country’s borders. But if you’re hoping to see all of Chile’s highlights, it’s hard to beat March for a visit; the winds have dropped in Patagonia, plus you’ll find autumn leaves and the grape harvest or vendimias in the winelands.
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Dubai & UAE
The sun is shining in Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates, but March marks the last month before temperatures start to soar for the fiercely hot Arabian summer. Whether you’d like to relax on the beach in Dubai, head into the desert, discover the attractions of the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi, venture into the mountains of Ras al Khaimah or enjoy some indulgence at one of the area’s luxury hotels, now is the time to go.
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