Where To Go In March
The days might be getting longer, but with a chill still in the air, summer still feels like a stretch away. If you’re hankering for a chance to dust off the t-shirt and shorts and feel some heat on your skin, you’re not the only one. In March, European countries are just coming out of winter, and both cities and nature-dense areas begin to feel the first throes of spring.
Further afield, the globe is buzzing with activities for up-for-it travellers. Exploring the ‘teardrop island’ of Sri Lanka will be a delight for culture vultures, or catching the grey whales as they linger in Mexico is great excuse to visit.
If your passport is ready for a dust-off, here are our favourite spots to go in March.
Ivalo, Finland
March is the ideal time to take a trip near the Arctic Circle – and you don’t get much nearer than Ivalo. While the area has passed its December peak season, many regard it as the best time to visit because around the spring equinox, the Earth’s tilt and magnetic field are in optimal position to bring out the Northern Lights.
At the same time, the weather is thawing out (relatively speaking) so the temps of -4C to -14C mean you can seek out the aurora borealis for longer. With better bargains, less crowds and British Airways direct flights from London Gatwick adding to the convenience, this Arctic adventure is ready for the taking.
Sri Lanka
Around the same size as England, Sri Lanka is compact enough to merit a full island visit for those lucky enough to make it over. The only issue is that the southwest and then the northeast monsoon impact the island most of the year. Yet in March, both monsoons have subsided, allowing visitors to tour the ‘teardrop island’ in one go.
Climb the ancient flat-topped hill of Sigiriya and admire the sweeping scenic views of the area, before heading to the warm coastal climes of Mirssa for a spot of beach relaxation. Find out how they harvest world-famous cinnamon at Koggala Lake, then go on the hunt for wild elephants at Udawalawe National Park – March is peak viewing season.
Elsewhere, the eventful history of the island is told through the colonial town of Galle and the scarred city of Jaffna, once the centre of Sri Lanka’s civil war. For a rich mix of everything that’s worth travelling for, Sri Lanka can’t be beat.
Udaipur, India
In a country filled with colour and celebration, the Holi Festival takes top billing for visitors keen to see a slice of life in India. In this tradition, revellers flock to the streets of villages, towns and cities, and throw coloured powder into the air with their friends, family and neighbours. All are welcome, so travellers grab white clothes they don’t mind getting stained, and join in the fun with a powder palette.
For more a cultural rather than festival focus, in Udaipur, Holi has a deeper meaning than in most places. Rajasthan’s Mewar royal family mark the occasion in a regal manner, and the more religious, community-focused side is honoured. While colours and good mood are still found everywhere, it offers a calmer alternative, with the palace and city streets providing a beautiful backdrop to the occasion.
Baja California, Mexico
Famed for its fiestas and fiery cuisine, Mexico is always appealing to visit. And, with the same Mayan and Aztec roots, it’s a glimpse into Latin American culture and hospitality. Yet March appeals for an entirely different reason too: it’s when hundreds of gray whales migrate from the cold Arctic waters to Baja California (as the name suggests, it’s the region of Mexico south of California).
Every year, they spend a few weeks in the protected sanctuary of San Ignacio Lagoon, to give birth and rear their young in the warmer waters. Head out on a day trip or short cruise to see if you can greet the parents and their calves. As the friendliest and most curious of the whales, they’ve particularly become accustomed to boats here – and they’re often keen to say hello!
With a calm sea and gorgeous temperatures in the mid-twenties providing ideal conditions, it’s a clement time to witness this spectacle of nature.
Lisse, Netherlands
Look closely outside your home and you’ll see the first signs of spring. Yet in Lisse, 45 minutes from Amsterdam, March is all about the changing of the season. The first buds appear on trees, and on the ground, dewy leaves reveal a sliver of the colours of tulips. And nowhere are the first signs of spring more apparent than Keukenhof, the Netherlands’ answer to Kew Gardens.
This 19th century park reopens for the season on 19th March, just when the tulips begin to emerge and before the crowds return in April for full bloom. You can stroll around the 80-acre park yourself, or take a guided tour. There’s a whole area dedicated to orchids and anthuriums, a petting zoo, historical gardens and plenty of options for a restful sit-down, if you just want to admire the sights.
Coupled with a stay in the photogenic town of Lisse – filled with pleasant flower fields, bike paths, castles and cafes and restaurants – it makes for a lovely off-season alternative to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Wherever you plan to go this year make sure to protect your trip with Switched On Travel Insurance. We provide 24/7 medical support, whether that’s via our medical emergency helpline, or via Air Doctor, which offers those with minor illnesses and injuries the option to see a medical professional either in person at their accommodation or via a clinic visit, or through a video consultation. Find out all about our worldwide assistance network on the Medical Support page of our website.