Waving goodbye to January and February tends to be a fond rather than a sad farewell for most of us – the worst bit of the winter slog is nearly over and spring is just around the corner. Yet despite buds appearing on the trees and the weather picking up slightly, March is still a long and often wet and chilly month in the UK. As a result, many of us start pining for some sunshine and looking to sunnier climes for a much needed winter break. From a beach based holiday in the Caribbean to a classy European city break, we’ve pulled together our top ten places to visit in March to help banish those winter blues.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
If you’re idea of a perfect break encompasses beautiful beaches, warm seas, plenty of sunshine and exploring some of the world’s best dive sites, Sharm El Sheikh is definitely the place for you. Blessed with some of the most extraordinary diving in the world, this coastal location on the Red Sea is one of Egypt’s top holiday destination and benefits from a pleasant 21°C average temperature – both in and out of the water – at this time of year. Before travelling to Egypt, click here for travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Marrakech, Morocco
A bustling, vibrant and exciting city, Marrakech is only a three and a half hour flight from the UK, and yet as soon as you step off the plane you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the other side of the world – not to mention taken a step back in time. Frenetic, lively, colourful and chaotic, Marrakech is an enjoyable onslaught on all your senses. Be sure to soak up the local culture and get lost in the city’s dizzying maze of souqs, where bartering for a brightly coloured bargain is all part of the fun. The city’s food stalls will ensure you don’t ever go hungry; local cuisine includes tasty tagines, spicy kebabs and snails in soup (tastier than it sounds!). Although the weather won’t rise past a pleasant 22°C on average, staying in a riad-guest house complete with a pool is your best bet after a hard day’s haggling.
Calangute, Goa
Sunshine, curries, body boarding, holy cows, beer and temples may sound like an incongruous mix but it is what you can expect from Calangute, a coastal town in the north of Goa in India. Famous for having the longest beach in north Goa, visitors flock here for water sports, including parasailing and water skiing, plus to simply laze on the beach, pick up pretty trinkets from the local market, and enjoy delicious Goan cuisine. The weather doesn’t disappoint, with an average daily temperature of 28°C. Calangute is a lively, popular holiday hotspot – perhaps a bit to rambunctious for some – for a more relaxed vibe, head towards the southern end of Calangute, towards Candolim.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
There’s a reason Tenerife remains one of the most popular places for some winter sun. Not only does it have 350km of stunning coastline, there’s dramatic volcanic scenery and lush tropical forest to explore, as well as delectable Canarian cuisine, interesting local culture and classy boutique hotels – proving that the Canary Islands’ biggest and best-known island has more to offer than just beaches, beer and bedlam. The weather is a star attraction with year-round sunshine and consistently warm temperatures – the Canary Islands aren’t known as ‘the islands of the eternal spring’ for nothing. Visit Tenerife in March and you can expect to soak up hours of sunshine and enjoy an average daily temperature of 25°C.
Phuket, Thailand
If you can’t stop day dreaming about swapping your daily commute for a daily swim, then think about booking yourself on a flight to Thailand’s largest and most popular island, Phuket. Ok, the flight is not exactly short haul, however once you feel the sand between your toes, the sun on your back and warm water up to your waist; those 12 hours in the air will soon seem a distant memory. With a selection of superb beaches, fabulous food, luxury resorts and spas, along with bustling nightlife and weather that holiday dreams are made of (the island enjoys a daily temperature of 29°C on average at this time of year) – Phuket sure beats Blighty right now.
Dominican Republic, Caribbean
You’re lying on a sun lounger, cocktail in hand, sun on your face with the sound of the ocean in one ear and a cooling sea breeze whistling through a gently swaying palm tree in the other…You could continue to top up your tan, or, if you can bear to tear yourself away from your beach towel, world-class diving and deep sea fishing awaits. All this could be fact not fiction if you ditch home for away and treat yourself to some Caribbean sunshine. And it’s not all about the beaches; the Dominican Republic also boasts some stunning mountainous scenery, striking colonial architecture, and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Add to this an inviting average daily temperature of 25°C, and you’ll soon be packing your bags. Before travelling to the Dominican Republic, click here for travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Florida, USA
Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Florida, the US’s most south-eastern state, enjoys a tropical climate and the well deserved nickname ‘Sunshine State’. As well 1,200km of coastline made up of beautiful beaches and bays, Florida has lakes, wetlands and a diverse range of wildlife. Famous for being home to some the world’s best known theme parks, namely, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and of course, Disney World, Florida has long attracted families in search of fun and sun. The breezy, balmy weather – especially in March when on average temperatures sit around 25°C – makes Florida ideal for a winter break.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
Spain’s ninth largest city is a popular holiday hotspot, not least for its lovely weather, cosmopolitan character and unique maritime history and charm. With cooling sea breezes tempering the comfortably warm temperatures, which reach a pleasant 21°C at this time of year, Las Palmas is a great place to visit in March. Spring is well and truly in the air and conditions are perfect for soaking up the local culture, strolling along the promenade, and people watching in the city’s lively cafes and bars. Venturing out to sea is well worth while; don’t miss an opportunity to go dolphin and whale watching. Combining culture and a vibrant atmosphere with much-needed sun and a spot of sand surfing, Las Palmas is the perfect antidote to your winter woes.
Cape Verde
Feeling an inescapable urge to escape the UK’s chilly climate for sunnier climes? Why not head to Cape Verde? Lying 350 miles off the coast of mainland Africa, the Portuguese and Creole speaking African country enjoys a hot and dry climate with plenty of sunshine all-year round. The ten islands that comprise Cape Verde are steeped in a rich history, and as well as playing host to some amazing beaches, there’s plenty to do; including guided treks across the island, rock climbing, canyoning, scuba diving, fishing, and exploring the arid desert to the south of Santo Antão. March is generally a very comfortable month weather-wise, with temperatures between 18 and 24°C and very little rain.
Palma, Mallorca
With its stunning architecture, fascinating history, stylish shops, classy cafes, pretty harbour, palm-tree lined promenade and irresistible cosmopolitan charm, Palma is an ideal place for those seeking a chic city break. Of course, there’s also the great weather, which in March is pleasantly warm, sunny and spring like – perfect for exploring the city’s cultural highlights and hopping from one tapas bar to the next. Temperatures can reach 24°C during the day, so it’s worth packing your beach towel; Palma has some great beaches to the west and east. Come nightfall, head to The Puro Beach or Anima Beach Club – both seriously stylish yet laid-back venues that will see you enjoying yourself from evening to early doors.
