March represents the glorious arrival of spring across much of the globe. As winter loosens its icy grip on the Northern Hemisphere, days lengthen, flowers bloom, and outdoor café culture reawakens. The best places to visit in March line up with big cultural moments, from the first cherry blossoms along Tokyo's palace moats to the fireworks of Valencia's Las Fallas festival.
March is also a tactical sweet spot for travelers wanting to visit arid desert countries before summer heatwaves make touring dangerous. Regions like Jordan, southern Egypt, and parts of Southeast Asia enjoy sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.
Figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization and Tourism Ireland show March sits between low-season bargains and the summer peak.
Below, we profile five exceptional March destinations, breaking down local weather, cultural events, and realistic expenses.
The best places to visit in March compared
What do you want from your spring break? March has blossoms, fiery fiestas, desert hikes and lively pubs. As of October 2026, the estimated daily budgets below reflect standard mid-range costs for couples sharing lodging and dining locally:
| Spring destination | March climate | Signature highlight | Daily cost (mid-range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan | 6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F), mild | Early cherry blossom blooms (sakura) | ¥17,000–¥27,000 ($115–$180) |
| Valencia, Spain | 9°C to 20°C (48°F to 68°F), sunny | Las Fallas festival & paella feasts | €120–€180 ($130–$195) |
| Petra, Jordan | 8°C to 20°C (46°F to 68°F), dry | Sandstone slot canyons & ancient tombs | 65–110 JOD ($90–$155) |
| Hanoi & Halong Bay, Vietnam | 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F), pleasant | Overcast karst cruises & street food | 1,400,000–2,400,000 VND ($55–$95) |
| Dublin, Ireland | 4°C to 11°C (39°F to 52°F), brisk | St. Patrick's Festival & pub folk music | €130–€210 ($140–$225) |
1. Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, as the cherry blossoms arrive
March brings one of the world's most anticipated natural spectacles: the annual opening of Japan's cherry blossoms (sakura).
Forecasts tracked by the Japan National Tourism Organization show Tokyo's Somei Yoshino cherry trees usually open around 20 to 24 March. They reach full bloom (mankai) seven to ten days later.
Strolling along the Chidorigafuchi moat or under the weeping cherry trees of Ueno Park is an iconic spring experience. Friends and coworkers spread blue tarps under the trees for hanami picnics. Sake and beer flow as the petals drift down.
Daytime temperatures average a comfortable 14°C to 16°C (57°F to 61°F). While mornings and evenings still feel brisk enough to warrant a warm coat, walking between shrines, ramen shops, and garden paths is delightful.
2. Valencia, Spain, for the fires of Las Fallas
If you crave sound, fire, and boundless Mediterranean energy, Valencia in mid-March is thrilling.
Every year from 15 to 19 March, Spain's third-largest city erupts for Las Fallas, an ancient festival honoring Saint Joseph that holds UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. Neighborhood groups build more than 700 huge satirical sculptures (fallas) from wood and papier-mâché and set them up at intersections across the city.
Visit Valencia explains that every afternoon at 2:00 PM, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento shakes with the mascletà, a deafening rhythmic concert of gunpowder blasts. On the final night, 19 March, comes the Cremà. Hundreds of monuments burn across the city, with firefighters standing by.
Beyond the fireworks, Valencia's March weather is lovely, with sunny highs of 20°C (68°F). It's perfect for a wood-fired Paella Valenciana by the Turia Gardens.
3. Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan: prime desert hiking weather
Jordan's red-rock canyon city of Petra is an archaeological marvel, but visiting during the summer months when temperatures touch 40°C (104°F) can be grueling. March is widely considered the ideal window for exploring Jordan on foot.
According to the Jordan Tourism Board, March brings daytime highs of 19°C to 22°C (66°F to 72°F) to the Petra highlands.
You can walk the 1.2-kilometer Siq and stand before the rose-red Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Then climb the 850 steps to the Monastery (Ad Deir). In March, you won't wilt.
Wild desert poppies, anemones, and black irises bloom across the rocky hillsides. After exploring Petra, you can venture south to Wadi Rum for an overnight Bedouin desert camp beneath star-filled night skies.
Keep in mind that desert nights in March remain chilly, frequently dropping to 7°C (45°F), so you'll want warm fleece layers for early morning jeep tours.
4. Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam: mild northern spring
March is one of the sweet spots for touring northern Vietnam. The chilly, drizzly winter mist of January clears away, yet the sweltering tropical heat and heavy monsoon downpours of summer haven't arrived.
Hanoi sits around 22°C (72°F) by day. It's ideal weather for a bowl of pho bo and an egg coffee in the Old Quarter. Sidewalk stalls buzz with local diners, and street trees show fresh spring leaves.
East of the capital, Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay enjoy calm waters and moderate humidity. An overnight junk cruise between the limestone karsts is far nicer in March.
In July, sudden storms can ground the boats. You'll enjoy calm kayaking through hidden tidal lagoons and comfortable hiking up Ti Top Island for panoramic views.
5. Dublin, Ireland, for St. Patrick's Festival
While March in Ireland isn't about warm beach sunshine, it's the undisputed epicenter of Irish cultural pride and world-famous community hospitality.
Around 17 March, the city of Dublin hosts the multi-day St. Patrick's Festival. Hundreds of thousands of people line the streets to watch the grand civic parade featuring giant puppets, international brass marching bands, and dancers. Historic monuments like Trinity College and Dublin Castle are bathed in green illuminations as dusk falls.
According to Tourism Ireland, the real charm of visiting Dublin in March lies inside its historic Victorian pubs. After a chilly walk along the River Liffey or through St. Stephen's Green, duck into a traditional pub like The Cobblestone or O'Donoghue's. Expect creamy stout and impromptu fiddle sessions (seisiúns).
The atmosphere is electric, welcoming, and genuine.
Smart travel tips for March departures
- Book cherry blossom hotels early: Hotel rooms in Tokyo and Kyoto book out four to six months in advance for late March. If rates in central Tokyo are steep, look at Yokohama, which connects into central hubs in 25 minutes.
- Pack versatile transitional clothing: March weather is famously variable across Europe and East Asia. Dress in comfortable layers with a water-resistant light jacket and walking shoes.
- Stay connected with mobile data: Avoid hunting for local airport SIM kiosks by installing an international travel eSIM before departure.
- Monitor passport validity: Check your entry eligibility and passport rules using our visa checker tool before purchasing non-refundable air tickets.
- Look for shoulder-season flight bargains: Compare seasonal airline pricing across global routes using our cheapest flight destinations breakdown to stretch your vacation budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which travel spots offer warm sunshine in March?
Jordan, southern Egypt, Thailand, and southern Vietnam are consistently warm and sunny in March, with daytime temperatures ranging from 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F) and negligible rainfall.
When should you visit Japan to see cherry blossoms in March?
To see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, plan to arrive during the last week of March (roughly 24 to 31 March). The exact bloom date varies slightly depending on late-winter temperatures, but late March offers the highest probability of catching opening flowers.
Is March expensive for European travel?
Outside of major festival dates like Las Fallas in Valencia and St. Patrick's weekend in Dublin, March is one of the most affordable months to visit Europe. Flights, train tickets, and hotel rates are significantly lower than summer peak prices.
What is the weather like in Jordan in March?
March in Jordan brings daytime highs of 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F) across Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum. Skies are generally sunny and dry, making it ideal for long-distance hiking, though desert nights can drop below 8°C (46°F).
