Wanderlust · 6 min read · February 20, 2026

March holidays worth planning right now

Think spring festivals, pink-hued temples, Atlantic island sunshine and crowd-free city breaks – all at their sweet spot.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

This March travel guide rounds up destinations at their springtime best. Experience the fiery energy of Las Fallas in Valencia, Atlantic sunshine in Cape Verde, cherry blossom season in Kyoto and quieter cultural breaks in places like Cashel and Glasgow. From Sri Lanka’s northern shores to Australia’s golden beaches, these trips hit the sweet spot between great weather and fewer crowds.

This month’s beach read: Breath, Tim Winton

Set on the Australian coast, Tim Winton's coming-of-age novel Breathe captures surf culture, risk-taking, and the pull of the ocean.

Find your next holiday read

Fancy reading Breath? Buy it now on the Waterstones website and get ready for your next getaway.

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Valencia | Spain

March is when Valencia really comes alive. From 1st to 19th March, the city hosts Las Fallas – a loud, fiery celebration of spring. Expect street parties, daily fireworks, parades and, at the end, the burning of giant satirical sculptures built just for the occasion. What started as carpenters burning leftover wood has grown into a full-scale city takeover. Around a million people come each year, and in 2016 it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It’s busy, noisy and unapologetically over the top – and that’s exactly the point.

Beyond Fallas, Valencia is easy to like. Wander the old town and you’ll find tiled plazas, Gothic churches and the silk exchange, La Lonja, which dates back to the 15th century. Stroll through the Turia Gardens – a former riverbed turned into a nine-kilometre green stretch that cuts through the city – then head to the City of Arts and Sciences for something more futuristic.

When you’re hungry, order a proper paella (this is its birthplace, after all) and end the day by the beach in Malvarrosa with a cold drink as the sun goes down.

Cape Verde

March is a sweet spot for Cape Verde. The dry season is in full swing, with warm days hovering in the mid-20s, low humidity and plenty of sun. It’s hot enough for the beach, but without the intense summer heat. You’ll also dodge the peak winter crowds, so things feel relaxed rather than packed.

What you do once you’re there depends on the island. Sal and Boa Vista are all about wide, sandy beaches and clear water – swim, snorkel or try kite surfing if the breeze picks up. Over on São Vicente, spend time in Mindelo for live music and colourful colonial streets. Prefer something greener? Head to Santo Antão and hike through steep valleys and quiet villages with Atlantic views at every turn.

Slow it down with long lunches of fresh fish and cachupa, the local stew, then end the day watching the sun dip into the ocean. Cape Verde isn’t about ticking off sights. It’s about warm sea, easy rhythms and a week where your only real plan is deciding which beach to wander to next.

Jaffna | Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka shot up the Good Trip Index in 2025, making it a smart pick for a guilt-free tropical getaway. Head north to Jaffna and you’ll find a different pace to the rest of the island. March is a sweet spot – the monsoons haven’t rolled in yet, the heat is manageable, and days are made for wandering rather than hiding from downpours.

Start with Jaffna Fort, the star-shaped stronghold that watches over the peninsula. Then dip into the city’s intricate Hindu temples, their towers painted in every colour going. The streets feel lived-in and local, with markets piled high with produce and roadside stalls turning out fragrant curries.

Out on the lagoons, thousands of migratory birds gather at this time of year, making it an easy win for wildlife lovers without straying far from town. And when you’re done exploring? Slow it down on the sand. It’s still hot enough in March for beach time, whether that’s a quick swim or an afternoon doing very little.

If you’ve got longer, weave Jaffna into a wider Sri Lanka trip. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the country – from clifftop fortresses to ancient temples – there’s plenty to pair with a few laid-back days on the northern tip.

Avalon Beach | Australia

Move over Bondi. March is when Avalon Beach really comes into its own. The summer rush starts to ease, the water’s still warm, and you’ve got space to stretch out on the sand without feeling like you’re part of a postcard cliché. Tucked up in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Avalon feels like the locals’ answer to the city’s headline acts – relaxed, a little low-key, and all the better for it.

Roll out your towel on the wide sweep of golden sand and take your pick – steady waves for surfers on one end, calmer patches for swimmers between the flags. There’s room for everyone, whether you’re paddling out at sunrise or just here for a saltwater dip and a solid dose of sunshine. Stick around for golden hour, when the headlands glow and the beach empties out to dog walkers and barefoot joggers.

Wander up from the shore and you’ll find a town that leans into the good life. Think organic bakeries with queues out the door, yoga studios offering breezy morning flows, weekend markets and coffee spots that take their flat whites seriously. It’s flip-flops and linen shirts, early swims and slow breakfasts.

Cashel | Ireland

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Avoid the Dublin crowds this St. Patrick's Day and head for Cashel, perched on a limestone outcrop in the heart of County Tipperary. Start at the Rock of Cashel, the town’s unmistakable centrepiece. Wander through the cathedral, round tower and Cormac’s Chapel as mist drifts across the fields below. Visit before the summer crowds arrive and you’ll have space to take it all in – just you, the stone walls and a whole lot of history.

Stroll down into town and slow the pace. Browse independent shops, settle into a cosy café, and warm up with a bowl of soup or a slice of brown bread. Wrap up, explore the quiet streets and dip into the Cashel Folk Village to get a feel for Ireland’s more recent past. Everything’s within easy reach, so you can see plenty without rushing.

Fly into Shannon and you’re less than a two-hour drive from Cashel, with plenty to see along the way. Stop off in Limerick for a wander around King John’s Castle and a dreamy pint of Guinness, or a walk along the River Shannon before heading east into Tipperary. You can even do it all in a day trip if you really want to.

Kyoto | Japan

March is when Japan starts to turn pink. Cherry blossom begins its slow sweep north, typically reaching Kyoto towards the end of the month. Catching it takes a bit of planning – and a bit of luck. Bloom times shift every year, and each tree only flowers for a short window. Head to spots like Maruyama Park or the Philosopher’s Path and you’ll find locals and visitors alike strolling under clouds of pale petals, cameras at the ready.

The blossom season moves up through Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu from late March into April, finishing in Hokkaido in early May. In Kyoto, late March often marks the first flush, with temple gardens and riverbanks gradually filling out in the weeks that follow. Even if you miss peak bloom by a few days, there’s something special about the build-up – tight buds one morning, soft pink by the next.

While you’re in town, make time for Nijō Castle. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the UNESCO-listed site, and there’s fresh reason to visit. The Honmaru-goten Palace reopened at the end of 2024 after 17 years of closure, following structural work to strengthen it against earthquakes. Step inside to see restored Edo-period paintings back on display, then wander the castle grounds where cherry trees frame the historic buildings.

Le Puy-en-Velay | France

Perched among volcanic peaks near the Loire River, Le Puy-en-Velay feels made for a crisp March morning. Come just before spring fully kicks in and you’ll catch the town in that sweet in-between moment – fewer crowds, fresh air, and just enough sunshine to linger in the squares.

Wander the cobbled streets and look up – the skyline is all dramatic rock formations, crowned by statues and chapels that seem to defy gravity. Climb the 268 steps to the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, balanced on a narrow volcanic plug, and take in the views across terracotta rooftops and rolling hills. Make time for the statue of Notre-Dame de France too, towering above the town and watching over the valley.

Slow down afterwards with a long lunch in a local bistro. Order a dish made with the region’s famous green lentils, grown in the surrounding volcanic soil, and pair it with a glass of local wine. Le Puy-en-Velay is also one of the most popular starting points of the Camino de Santiago. This ancient pilgrimage leads all the way to Galicia in northwestern Spain, so there’s a quiet sense of anticipation in the air.

Glasgow | United Kingdom

Visit Glasgow in March and you’ll catch the city just as it starts to shake off winter. The parks begin to brighten, café tables creep back onto pavements, and there’s a steady buzz in the air. It’s a great time to wander without the summer crowds. Walk along the River Clyde, dip into the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, or explore the West End’s bookshops and bars at your own pace.

Feel the build-up to the Commonwealth Games as the city gears up for a big year. Venues are in the spotlight, street banners start to appear, and there’s a quiet sense of anticipation building across town. Glasgow knows how to host, and you can sense that energy already – whether you’re touring the Emirates Arena, catching a match at Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium, or chatting to locals about what’s coming next.

Stay for the live music, which you’ll find pretty much every night of the week. Glasgow’s reputation as a UNESCO City of Music isn’t for show – small gigs, big-name acts and everything in between fill the calendar. Add in solid food spots, friendly pubs and plenty of culture packed into a walkable centre, and you’ve got a city that feels lively without feeling hectic.