Japan
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Our top pick for March this year is Japan.
Normally we like to be a bit more specific than just 'Japan', but in March we recommend you visit for the sakura, the legendary cherry blossom that fills the parks and forests throughout spring. When and where the sakura will bloom varies by region and year, so to catch it you'll need to be both careful and a little bit lucky.
Timing is everything, and even with careful planning you can't guarantee the blossom will be out when you go. It lasts for about two months throughout the country, starting in the southern islands towards the end of March and ending in May at the north of Honshu, the northern island.
Tokyo Travel Guide
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Find out more...Valencia | Spain
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From 1st to 19th March every year Valencia hosts the Fallas festival, a spectacular pyrotechnic tradition in which street parties, bonfires and parades culminate in the traditional burning of giant, often-satirical wooden puppets. If that sounds like a lot to take in, you should probably go and see it for the full impact.
Fallas is a traditional celebration of the coming of spring. Historically the carpenters of the town constructed, and then burned, their own wooden creations. These days it attracts a million visitors to Valencia each year, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016, and runs for almost three weeks from the start of March.
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Find out more...Dublin | Ireland
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There's arguably nowhere better on Earth to celebrate St Patrick's Day than the Irish capital itself (Boston and New York would probably put up their own argument), and 2024 promises to be another big one.
March also sees World Book Day celebrated on the first Thursday, which this year is the 7th, and Dublin is home to one of the world's great books – the Book of Kells, at Trinity College library. This 1,200-year-old, beautifully illustrated gospel is worth a visit on its own, so this March you can combine the St Patrick's Day celebrations with a trip to one of best libraries in Europe and enjoy the combination of quiet contemplation and, well, whatever you choose to do in celebration of St Patrick. A Guinness or two, perhaps?
Dublin Travel Guide
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Find out more...Sri Lanka
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Recently coming out of a period of political and economic instability, a trip to Sri Lanka in March would very much suit experienced adventure travellers who are confident they can roll with the odd setback. Sri Lanka is cheaper than any time in the last ten years, and the local hospitality industry will very much welcome your custom.
Visiting in March means you'll miss the monsoons that hit much of the country from April, and get to enjoy the island in relatively milder weather. And what to see once you're here? Everything. Sri Lanka is a cultural marvel, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites including clifftop fortresses and temples as well as extraordinary food and wildlife.
Sri Lanka Travel Guide
With a tropical climate, miles of beaches and culture and history at every turn, Sri Lanka is a holidaymaker's dream destination.
Find out more...Lanzarote | Canary Islands
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Why March for the Canaries? The winter sun-seekers who flee England in the depths of winter have mostly left, half-term is over and Easter yet to begin, and the islands are as quiet and gentle as they get. March is a time to enjoy the islands at their restful best with temperatures mild (but still much, much warmer than home).
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Find out more...Pula | Croatia
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Thanks to new routes flying from the UK in 2024, it's never been easier to visit Pula on the tip of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula. Its seafront tavernas, rich red wines, and unspoiled beaches are no longer a secret, so get there soon before everyone else does.
The mild weather March brings is perfect for sightseeing through Pula's medieval, cobblestone streets. The Roman influence on the city will be fairly obvious when you see the impressive Pula Arena, the only remaining Roman ampitheatre to have four side towers entirely preserved. While thankfully it no longer hosts gladitorial contests of the past, it regularly draws big names for atmospheric concerts like Foo Fighters, Elton John and Leonard Cohen.
Where to go next?
Looking for under-the-radar alternatives to your usual holiday spot? Here's our round up of cheaper, quieter and more exotic destinations.
Find out more...Nepal
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March sees the celebration of Holi, known as the Festival of Love or the Festival of Colours. One of the most auspicious festivals in the Hindu calendar, it celebrates the triumph of good over evil and all over Nepal people of all faiths and beliefs join in by throwing water and coloured powder over one another.
It's every bit as joyful as it sounds, and if you're lucky enough to get to Nepal in March you'll very likely join in whether you want to or not – the locals aren't shy about throwing the colour around!
