Best Places to Visit in March
Spring begins in the north, harvest season in the south
March is a genuine turning point. Across the Northern Hemisphere, spring begins in earnest — early cherry blossoms appear in southern Japan toward month's end, European cities shed their winter quiet, and shoulder-season pricing starts to kick in before the big spring crowds arrive. South of the equator, it's autumn: Argentina and South Africa's wine regions move into harvest season, and the Southern Hemisphere's brutal summer heat finally eases. Holi lights up India, usually in March, and Easter sometimes falls late in the month, triggering a short but sharp demand spike across Europe and Latin America.
Good to Know About March
- Holi's exact date shifts yearly with the Hindu lunar calendar, typically landing in March — the Braj region (Mathura, Vrindavan) begins celebrating over a week before the national date.
- Easter's date moves year to year and can fall in March or April — when it lands in March, expect a short, sharp price and crowd spike across Spain, Italy and Latin America for Holy Week.
- March-April is grape harvest season in the Southern Hemisphere's wine regions (Mendoza, Argentina; the Western Cape, South Africa), a specific and popular reason to visit outside peak summer.
Destinations at Their Peak in March
Thailand
35°C avg high · 40mm rain
Full timing guide
Mexico
26°C avg high · 10mm rain
Full timing guide
New Zealand
23°C avg high · 85mm rain
Full timing guide
Nepal
26°C avg high · 40mm rain
Full timing guide
Vietnam
24°C avg high · 35mm rain
Full timing guide
Philippines
33°C avg high · 20mm rain
Full timing guide
South Africa
27°C avg high · 17mm rain
Full timing guide
Singapore
32°C avg high · 150mm rain
Full timing guide
Maldives
32°C avg high · 75mm rain
Full timing guideGood Value in March (Shoulder Season)
Not at their absolute peak, but a solid weather-to-price balance this month.
Events Happening in March
Semana Santa Seville 2027: Dates, La Madrugá & Where to Watch
March 21 – 28, 2027
Holi 2027 in India: Dates, Where to Go & Safety Advice
March 22 – 23, 2027
Two Oceans Marathon 2027: Cape Town Race Travel Guide
March 31 – April 4, 2027 (Half Marathon Apr 3, Ultra Marathon Apr 4)
St Patrick's Festival Dublin 2027: Parade Dates & Travel Guide
March 13–17, 2027 (Parade: Wednesday, March 17)
Chichen Itza Equinox 2027: Kukulcán Serpent Shadow Dates & Guide
Spring equinox: ~March 20, 2027 · Autumn equinox: ~September 22, 2027 (best viewing roughly 3:00–5:30pm)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to see cherry blossoms in Japan?
Only in the far south (Kyushu, Okinawa) — the main bloom in Tokyo and Kyoto typically peaks late March into early April, so late March is close but not guaranteed for the classic Tokyo/Kyoto bloom.
When is Holi in 2027?
Holi's date shifts yearly with the Hindu lunar calendar; check the specific year's confirmed date before booking, since celebrations in the Braj region begin more than a week ahead of the main day.
Is March a good time for a Southern Hemisphere trip?
Yes — it's autumn there, meaning cooling temperatures after peak summer heat, and it coincides with wine harvest season in Argentina and South Africa specifically.