The best places to travel in March are the ones catching spring early. Japan for cherry blossoms, southern Europe as it warms up, the American Southwest before the summer heat, and Southeast Asia in its final comfortable weeks. March is a genuine crossover month. Winter is ending in the north, the southern hemisphere is cooling from its summer, and both work. The catch is spring break, which turns Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean expensive and crowded for a few specific weeks.
March rewards people who know which weeks to avoid. Dodge the spring break window and you get shoulder-season prices with improving weather almost everywhere.
The One Thing That Shapes March: Spring Break
US spring break is not one week. It rolls across the country through March, varying by state and school district, roughly from the first week to the last.
What that means practically:
- Beach destinations get busy and expensive. Florida, Cancún, the Bahamas, and Caribbean cruise ports fill up.
- Prices stay high for most of the month, not just one week, because the breaks are staggered.
- Non-beach destinations stay normal. Europe, Japan, and inland US cities are barely affected.
The simple move: if you want a beach in March, book early. If you want value, go somewhere spring breakers do not.
March at a Glance
| What you want | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Cherry blossoms | Japan, Washington DC, South Korea |
| Spring in Europe | Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, Greece |
| Desert before the heat | Arizona, Utah, Morocco, Jordan |
| Last good weather | Thailand, Vietnam, India |
| Beach, if you plan ahead | Mexico, Caribbean, Florida |
| Cheapest picks | Eastern Europe, Vietnam, Egypt, Portugal |
| Skip this month | Northern Europe outdoors, the Alps late in the month |
The Headline Act: Cherry Blossoms
Japan
Cherry blossom season usually begins in late March in southern and central Japan, including Tokyo and Kyoto. The exact timing shifts every year with the weather, so forecasts are published each season and change week to week.
This is Japan’s busiest and most expensive travel period. Hotels book out months ahead.
Honest advice: if you want blossoms, book far in advance and accept the crowds. If you want Japan cheaply, go in a different month entirely.
Washington DC
The DC cherry blossoms typically peak in late March or early April. It is a genuine spectacle and far easier to reach for US travelers than Japan.
The city gets busy during peak bloom, so book hotels early and use the metro.
South Korea
Seoul and the south of the country also bloom in late March and early April, with far fewer international visitors than Japan.
Spring Arrives in Southern Europe
March is when southern Europe starts to turn.
Portugal
Mild, sunny, and still cheap before the summer season starts. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are all comfortable for walking and sightseeing.
One of the best value picks in Europe this month.
Spain
Seville, Granada, and Valencia are pleasant in March, warm enough for long days outside without the brutal summer heat.
Note that Semana Santa, Holy Week, sometimes falls in late March and fills Andalusian cities completely.
Southern Italy and Sicily
Warming up, green from winter rain, and very quiet. Sicily in March is one of the more underrated trips in Europe.
Greece
Cool but sunny, and the islands are almost empty. Not swimming weather yet, but excellent for ruins, hiking, and food without crowds.
The Desert Window
March is the last comfortable month in a lot of hot places, and the first comfortable month in others.
American Southwest
Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico are at their best. Warm days, cool nights, and wildflowers in the desert after a wet winter.
Zion, Bryce, Sedona, and Big Bend are all excellent now. Go before the summer heat makes them punishing.
Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt
All three are comfortable in March, before the spring heat builds. Marrakech, Petra, and Luxor are all good this month.
Last Call: Southeast Asia and India
Thailand and Vietnam
March is the tail end of the good season. It is getting hotter, and by April it is genuinely hot.
If you want Southeast Asia without the heat, March is your final window.
India
Northern India, including Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan, is comfortable in early March and heating up fast by the end of the month. Go early.
Holi, the color festival, usually falls in March. Dates shift each year with the lunar calendar.
Cheapest Places to Travel in March
Since a lot of people search specifically for cheap March trips, here is the shortlist.
| Destination | Why it is cheap in March |
|---|---|
| Portugal | Pre-season prices, good weather |
| Vietnam & Cambodia | Excellent value year-round, still dry |
| Egypt | Good weather, low prices, quiet |
| Eastern Europe | Budapest, Krakow, Prague still off-season |
| Greece | Islands empty, hotels at winter rates |
| Inland Mexico | Oaxaca and Mérida, far cheaper than the beaches |
The pattern: avoid anywhere with a beach and a spring break crowd, and March gets cheap fast.
Where NOT to Go in March
| Place | Why skip it |
|---|---|
| Florida and Cancún on a budget | Spring break pricing all month |
| The Alps late in March | Snow gets patchy at lower elevations as the season winds down |
| Northern Europe outdoors | Still cold and grey, though cities are cheap |
| Caribbean cruise ports mid-month | Packed with spring break traffic |
The Alps deserve a note. Early March skiing is usually still good, especially at altitude. Late March is a gamble at lower resorts as spring sets in.
Quick Comparison
| Destination | March weather | Crowds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Cool, blooming late month | Very high at peak bloom | Cherry blossoms |
| Portugal | Mild, sunny | Low | Value and spring weather |
| Arizona | Warm days, cool nights | Moderate | Desert hiking, wildflowers |
| Sicily | Mild, green | Very low | Quiet food and ruins |
| Vietnam | Warm, dry | Low | Last cool month, low prices |
| Morocco | Comfortable | Moderate | Desert and medinas |
| Greece | Cool, sunny | Very low | Empty islands, ruins |
| Washington DC | Cool, blooming | High at peak bloom | Blossoms close to home |
FAQ
Where is the best place to travel in March for warm weather? The American Southwest, Mexico, and the Caribbean are all warm in March. Further afield, Thailand and Vietnam are in their final comfortable weeks, and Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt are pleasant before the spring heat.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in March? In Japan, blooming usually starts in late March in the south and centre of the country, though it shifts each year with the weather. Washington DC typically peaks in late March or early April. South Korea blooms around the same time, with fewer international crowds.
What is the cheapest place to travel in March? Portugal, Vietnam, Egypt, Greece, and Eastern European cities like Budapest and Krakow are all inexpensive in March. The key is avoiding beach destinations, which are pushed up by US spring break traffic for most of the month.
Does spring break affect March travel prices? Yes, a lot. US spring break is staggered across March by state, so beach destinations like Florida, Cancún, the Bahamas, and Caribbean cruise ports stay busy and expensive for most of the month. Non-beach destinations are largely unaffected.
Is March a good time to visit Europe? Southern Europe, yes. Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, and Greece are warming up, quiet, and cheap. Northern Europe is still cold and grey, though the cities are inexpensive if you do not mind the weather.
Your Next Step
Decide whether you are chasing blossoms, spring, or a bargain. Blossoms mean Japan or DC, booked months ahead at peak prices. Spring means southern Europe or the Southwest desert, both excellent and reasonably priced. A bargain means going anywhere without a beach.
Then check one thing: whether your dates overlap a spring break wave. If you are not going for a beach holiday, it will not matter. If you are, book now, because March beach prices only rise as the month approaches.