Japan, Rajasthan, Australia, Argentina, the Maldives and Thailand are among the best places to travel in March, each offering a distinct seasonal experience. At Wedded Wonderland, our destination guide explores where to go, what to experience and when to visit, helping travellers make the most of the season.
- Cherry blossom arrives in waves, so we plan Japan around a forecast window of about two weeks.
- The southern harvest is in full swing, with vintage in the Barossa, Yarra and Hunter valleys and Mendoza's Vendimia in early March.
- Europe is in shoulder season, and some coastal hotels in Puglia and Sicily reopen only in late March or April.
- The Maldives and Thailand's Andaman coast are in their final dry weeks before the season turns.
- Easter moves each year. In 2027 it falls on 28 March, bringing Semana Santa and the Easter long weekend into the month.
1. Tokyo and Kyoto for First Cherry Blossom
Tokyo and Kyoto are the best places to travel in March for cherry blossom, because the first flowers open along their rivers, moats and temple gardens in the final week or so of the month.
Best for: A spring proposal, culture lovers and a first visit to Japan.
In Tokyo, first bloom usually arrives around 24 March, with full bloom about a week later along the Meguro River, the Chidorigafuchi moat and Shinjuku Gyoen. Kyoto tends to follow a few days behind, when the Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park and the shrine gardens of Heian Jingu soften into flower.
Mornings are cool and evenings crisp, so layers suit long walks between temples and tea houses. Our Asia honeymoon guide to where to go and when shows how Japan pairs with other spring journeys. The later blossom of the north belongs to April, and the maples take their own turn in our guide to Japan in November.
Where to stay: Aman Kyoto, Hoshinoya Kyoto and Aman Tokyo.
Plan it: Reserve 9 to 12 months ahead for the likely bloom weeks, and keep two or three flexible nights to follow the flowers between cities. Book a private guide for dawn visits to the most celebrated spots, before the paths fill.
2. Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle and Hill Country by Rail
Sri Lanka earns its place in March because dry weather settles over both the cultural triangle and the hill country, the ideal pairing for ancient cities and the island's scenic railway.
Best for: History lovers, slow travellers and journeys told in several chapters.
The cultural triangle holds the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temples of Dambulla and the royal cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Early climbs and late-afternoon visits avoid the warmest hours, and a private local guide brings the story of each kingdom into focus.
From Kandy, home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the railway climbs through tea estates towards Nuwara Eliya and Ella. Nights in the hills are cool enough for a fire, a welcome change after the plains.
Where to stay: Uga Ulagalla, Jetwing Vil Uyana and Ceylon Tea Trails.
Plan it: Reserve observation or first-class seats on the Kandy to Ella line as soon as bookings open, and arrange a private car to meet you at the far end. Allow at least ten days to cover both regions without rushing.
3. Rajasthan and the Colour of Holi
Rajasthan is a best pick for March because Holi, the festival of colours, usually falls this month, and the palace cities of Jaipur and Udaipur celebrate it with music, ritual and generous hospitality.
Best for: Festival lovers, photographers and an engagement trip with a sense of occasion.
In 2027 Holi falls on 22 March, with Holika Dahan bonfires lit the evening before. In Udaipur, the former royal family of Mewar gathers for a traditional Holika Dahan at the City Palace, while the lanes of Jaipur's old city fill with drums, sweets and clouds of gulal powder.
Street celebrations are joyful and energetic, so many couples prefer a private gathering in a palace garden, with natural colours and a musician or two. Days are warm and dry before the heat builds in April, and the cooler touring season and grand palace stays return in our guide to Rajasthan in October.
Where to stay: Taj Lake Palace and The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur; SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur.
Plan it: Palace hotels fill quickly over Holi, so secure rooms and private celebration spaces well in advance. Pack clothes you are happy to leave behind, and keep cameras and jewellery protected.
4. The Barossa and Yarra Valleys for the Grape Harvest
The Barossa and Yarra valleys belong among the best places to travel in March because vintage is at its height, and cellar doors, kitchens and vineyard paths are alive with the harvest.
Best for: Wine lovers, celebration weekends and engagement dinners.
In the Barossa, shiraz and grenache come in from some of the oldest vines in the world, and tastings at estates such as Seppeltsfield and Henschke carry an extra energy during picking. Long lunches on a verandah run into mild autumn afternoons as the light softens over the ranges.
An hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley harvests chardonnay and pinot noir in a cooler climate, and balloons drift above the vines at dawn. The biennial Barossa Vintage Festival follows in April, running from 21 to 25 April in 2027, and our guide to getting married in Australia sets out the essentials for a wedding among the vines.
Where to stay: The Louise and Alkina Lodge in the Barossa; Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley.
Plan it: Book harvest weekends four to six months ahead, and ask about private blending sessions or a seat at a winemaker's table. Midweek visits are calmer, as vintage keeps winemakers busy.
5. The Hunter Valley for Vintage and Estate Stays
The Hunter Valley is a natural choice for March because its harvest runs from late January into the month, about two hours' drive north of Sydney, with the first cool autumn nights close behind.
Best for: Weekend celebrations, small weddings and couples based in Sydney.
Australia's oldest wine region is known for semillon and shiraz, and Pokolbin and Broke Fordwich hold its most celebrated cellar doors and restaurants. Late vintage brings picking crews to the rows, fresh ferments in the winery and the hum of a region at work.
The valley has hosted weddings and long-table celebrations for generations, and estate venues make it easy to gather a small group without long transfers. Our Oceania destinations page brings together Australian and Pacific settings for a celebration.
Where to stay: Spicers Guesthouse and Peppers Convent.
Plan it: Arrive by private car or helicopter from Sydney in time for lunch, and book dawn balloon flights for the stillest mornings. Weekends go first, so hold estates early for group celebrations.
6. Ningaloo Reef for Whale Shark Season
Ningaloo Reef is one of the best places to visit in March for warm weather and wildlife, because whale sharks begin gathering off the coast as their season opens.
Best for: Ocean lovers, active couples and small private groups.
Whale sharks are most reliably seen at Ningaloo from March to July, and the first swim tours from Exmouth set out in late February. As the world's largest fringing reef, Ningaloo brings coral gardens within easy reach of the beaches of Cape Range National Park.
Only licensed operators may run whale shark swims, and no more than ten people may be in the water at once, which keeps each encounter calm. The settled days that follow suit snorkelling, sea kayaking and evenings under the dark skies of the cape.
Where to stay: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, a solar-powered wilderness camp in Cape Range National Park that returns in 2027 after a refurbishment.
Plan it: Charter a private boat so your group has a licensed crew to itself. Confirm Sal Salis's reopening dates before fixing flights to Exmouth.
7. Seville and Madrid for Spring Walking
Seville and Madrid are among the finest March destinations in Europe, as mild days, orange blossom and quiet galleries make Spain's southern and central cities a pleasure on foot.
Best for: City lovers, gallery days and couples who enjoy late dinners.
In Seville, the orange trees flower in March and the scent of azahar drifts through Santa Cruz, the gardens of the Real Alcázar and the Plaza de España. In 2027 Semana Santa runs from Palm Sunday on 21 March to Easter Sunday on 28 March, when brotherhoods carry their pasos through the streets in processions that date back centuries.
Madrid suits slower days between the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Retiro, with dinner at a properly Spanish hour. Granada and Valencia take their turn in our guide to the best places to travel in April, and our Europe destinations page gathers ideas from across the continent.
Where to stay: Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville; Mandarin Oriental Ritz and Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid.
Plan it: Over Semana Santa, reserve a balcony along a procession route and book hotels 9 to 12 months ahead. In years when Easter falls in April, March in Seville is calmer and simpler to plan.
8. Puglia for Masserie and Olive Groves
Puglia rewards a March visit because early spring brings mild days, olive country at its freshest and an uncrowded coast, ideal for slow stays in a masseria.
Best for: Slow travellers, food lovers and couples scouting an Italian wedding setting.
Masserie, the fortified farmhouses of the south, sit among ancient olive groves between Monopoli, Fasano and Ostuni. The Itria Valley is the land of the trulli, and Alberobello's 1,500 or so conical-roofed houses have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.
Further south, the baroque churches of Lecce take on a soft glow in the low spring light, and the coast towards Otranto is quiet before summer. Our Italy destination page and the Itria Valley, Otranto and Lecce journey show how to shape the region over a week.
Where to stay: Borgo Egnazia, Masseria Moroseta and Masseria San Domenico.
Plan it: Some coastal masserie and beach clubs open only in late March or April, so confirm opening dates before you settle on travel dates. Ask for a private cooking class built around orecchiette and the season's wild greens.
9. Sicily for Wildflowers and Baroque Towns
Sicily is a best pick for March because spring wildflowers cover its hillsides and temple sites, and the baroque towns of the south-east are calm and easy to explore.
Best for: History lovers, road journeys and couples who want variety on one island.
At Agrigento, almond trees flower among the Valley of the Temples early in the season, and wild orchids and poppies follow across the countryside. In the south-east, Noto, Modica and Ragusa Ibla were rebuilt in warm limestone after the earthquake of 1693 and are now listed by UNESCO as the late baroque towns of the Val di Noto.
Etna often keeps snow on its summit while citrus groves flower below, and Ortigia in Siracusa invites long lunches by the sea. Our guide to Italy as a destination and the Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo and Taormina journey map out a full loop of the island.
Where to stay: Villa Igiea in Palermo; Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina.
Plan it: A private driver makes the distances between towns easy, leaving you free to linger. Save Taormina for the end of the month, when more of its hotels have reopened.
10. Egypt for the Nile and Luxor
Egypt is one of the best places to travel in March because spring temperatures are comfortable for the Pyramids, the temples of Luxor and a private journey along the Nile.
Best for: A first visit to Egypt, history lovers and milestone journeys.
In Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings are best seen early, after a balloon flight over the West Bank at sunrise. A dahabiya, the traditional sailing boat, moves slowly between Esna and Aswan with only a handful of cabins, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
In Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum gathers the treasures of Tutankhamun within sight of the Pyramids. Evenings are cool enough for dinner on deck, and our Middle East honeymoon guide, from desert to Red Sea covers the wider region.
Where to stay: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract in Aswan and The Oberoi Philae on the Nile.
Plan it: Charter a whole dahabiya for privacy, and book an Egyptologist guide for the major sites well ahead. Heat builds quickly from April, which makes March one of the most comfortable months on the river.
11. Kruger and Sabi Sands for Autumn Safari
Kruger and the Sabi Sands make a strong March choice because the summer rains are easing, temperatures soften towards autumn and game viewing improves as the grass begins to thin.
Best for: A first safari, photographers and honeymoons that pair the bush with the coast.
Kruger's rainy season runs from about October to April, so March brings the last of the showers and a landscape still lush from summer. Young animals born over the warmer months stay close to their mothers, and migrant birds linger before heading north.
The private Sabi Sands reserve shares an unfenced boundary with Kruger, so wildlife moves freely, and lodges can follow leopards off-road with an expert tracker. Our guide to African honeymoons, private safari and island escapes by season shows how to follow the bush with the Indian Ocean.
Where to stay: Singita Ebony Lodge, Londolozi and Singita Lebombo.
Plan it: Lodges in the Sabi Sands are intimate, so book 9 to 12 months ahead for March. Kruger lies within a malaria area, so speak with your doctor about preventive advice before you travel.
12. The Galápagos for Warm Seas and Nesting Wildlife
The Galápagos sits among the best places to travel in March because the warm season brings calm, clear water for snorkelling while many of the islands' animals are nesting or raising young.
Best for: Wildlife lovers, snorkellers and adventurous honeymoons.
The warm season runs from about December to May, with the year's warmest water, brief tropical showers and long sunny spells. Sea turtles come ashore to nest, and snorkelling beside them, sea lions and reef fish is easy in the calmer seas.
Small yachts carrying 16 guests or fewer move between islands overnight, and a few lodges on Santa Cruz offer a land-based way to explore. Since August 2024 the national park entry fee for most foreign adult visitors has been USD 200, about AUD 310. Fees are correct at the time of writing and changes may apply, so please confirm before booking.
Where to stay: Pikaia Lodge and Galápagos Safari Camp on Santa Cruz.
Plan it: Book yachts 9 to 12 months ahead, as the finest vessels sail with only a handful of cabins. Our private travel planning can add mainland Ecuador before or after the islands.
13. Mendoza for the Harvest Festival
Mendoza belongs on any March list because the harvest is underway at the foot of the Andes, and the city celebrates it with the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia.
Best for: Wine lovers, festival lovers and couples drawn to mountain landscapes.
The Vendimia runs from late February into early March and builds to the Vía Blanca parade and the Acto Central at the Frank Romero Day Greek Theatre. Out in the vineyards, malbec is picked and the bodegas of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley host long lunches cooked over fire.
Days are warm and dry with cool nights, and the high Andes frame every view. Buenos Aires and Iguazú take their own turn in November, and our tailored travel planning can link Mendoza with either.
Where to stay: Cavas Wine Lodge in Luján de Cuyo and The Vines Resort and Spa in the Uco Valley.
Plan it: Festival dates are set each year, so confirm the programme before booking flights. Reserve the most sought-after winery restaurants as soon as your dates are fixed.
14. Charleston for Early Spring Gardens
Charleston is a best pick for March because its gardens begin to flower, the weather is mild and the historic streets are quieter than in the busy spring weeks that follow.
Best for: Garden lovers, food lovers and a proposal in a historic setting.
Azaleas and camellias come into flower at Middleton Place and Magnolia, and walled gardens appear behind wrought-iron gates across the historic district. In 2027 Historic Charleston Foundation holds Charleston by Design from 10 to 13 March, ahead of its Charleston Festival of house and garden tours from 1 to 24 April.
Evenings belong to the city's restaurants, where Lowcountry cooking meets oysters and shrimp from the surrounding waters. Our North America honeymoon guide for every season adds more ideas across the continent.
Where to stay: Zero George, The Dewberry and Wentworth Mansion.
Plan it: Plan a private garden visit early in the morning, before day visitors arrive. Festival tickets usually go on sale months ahead, so book as soon as the programme is released.
15. Morocco's Atlas Mountains and Essaouira
Morocco's High Atlas and Essaouira suit March because spring temperatures are comfortable for mountain walks and the Atlantic coast, well before the summer heat.
Best for: Walkers, design lovers and couples who want mountains and sea in one trip.
In the High Atlas, the valleys around Imlil and Asni turn green with spring, almond trees flower early in the month and snow often lingers on Toubkal. Amazigh villages welcome walkers along mule paths, with mint tea in a family home on the way.
On the coast, Essaouira's ramparts, fishing port and Atlantic breezes make a calm counterpoint to the mountains. Marrakech and its almond blossom lead our guide to the best places to travel in February, Fes and the Sahara come into their own in autumn, and our guide to the region's finest honeymoon settings offers further context.
Where to stay: Kasbah Tamadot near Asni, Kasbah du Toubkal in Imlil and Le Jardin des Douars near Essaouira.
Plan it: Allow three nights in the mountains and three on the coast, linked by a private transfer of about four hours. Pack layers, as mountain evenings stay cold in March.
How to Choose Where to Travel in March
The best places to travel in March for you depend on three things, whether you follow blossom or harvest, how flexible your dates are and which hotels are open. For a single answer to which country is best to visit in March, Japan leads, while Ningaloo, the Galápagos and the Maldives are the best places to holiday in March for warmth and swimming.
Europe is mild in March, with Crete and Rhodes the warmest of the Greek islands, usually in the high teens, though the sea is still cool. For heat and long swims, the strongest March holiday destinations lie in the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere.
Plan Around a Blossom Forecast Window
Cherry blossom opens with the weather, so first bloom can shift by a week or more from one year to the next. We build Japan journeys around a two-week window centred on the usual dates, with flexible nights at either end. For a proposal under the blossom, we choose a setting that looks beautiful in bud as well as in full flower.
Check Hotel Opening Dates
Across southern Europe, many coastal hotels close for winter and reopen between late March and Easter. Cities such as Seville, Madrid, Palermo and Lecce stay open all year, so they make a reliable base early in the month, and we confirm every opening date before holding a booking.
Choose Harvest or Blossom
For wine and food in March, the southern harvest leads, with vintage in the Barossa, Yarra and Hunter valleys and the Vendimia in Mendoza. Blossom suits couples drawn to gardens and cities, from Kyoto to Charleston and Seville.
Booking windows follow our usual guidance of 9 to 12 months ahead for peak weeks and about six months for the shoulder season. Our guide on when to go on honeymoon, season by season explains the timing in more detail.
Best Places to Travel in March: Coming From Australia
The best places to travel in March from Australia start close to home, with autumn in the wine regions and Ningaloo's whale sharks, or a short flight to Japan or Sri Lanka.
At home, vintage in the Barossa, Yarra and Hunter valleys pairs with mild days, while the whale shark season opens on the west coast. For couples who want to celebrate among the vines, our guide to getting wedded in Australia covers settings and the legal steps.
Japan is about ten hours from Sydney and only two hours behind eastern Australia while daylight saving runs, so the change of time is gentle. Sri Lanka is a comfortable flight from Perth and Melbourne and suits a journey of two weeks.
In 2027 Easter falls early, with Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March, so the long weekend sits in March. School holiday dates vary by state, so check your state's calendar before reserving peak weeks.
Planning Where to Travel in March With Wedded Wonderland
We plan journeys to each of the best places to travel in March, from a cherry blossom proposal in Kyoto to a harvest celebration in the Barossa.
Our team plans proposals, engagements, weddings and honeymoons, and we help you make the trip happen, from flights and private transfers to the right room and the right table. For newlyweds, our honeymoon packages shaped around the season and our guide to the finest honeymoon stays for March are natural next steps.
To see how March fits into the wider calendar, explore the best places to travel each month of the year. When you are ready, our Wedded Concierge can shape a private spring escape around your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we plan around cherry blossom timing?
Why do some European hotels open late in March?
How do we choose between Puglia and Sicily?
Where in Australia is vintage at its best?
How do we pair a wine region with a city stay?
Written by
Jillian Arambulo
Editor & Content Writer
Jillian Arambulo is the Editorial and Content Writer at Wedded Wonderland, specialising in branded content strategy. Her writing spans luxury lifestyle, travel, culture, beauty and emerging trends, bringing together comprehensive guides and features that connect readers with the places, ideas and experiences worth discovering.
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