17 Best Places to Visit in March

March is a magical time of the year to explore the world. Snow makes way for spring’s bloom in the Northern Hemisphere while the sunlight shines on the last days of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. From annual cultural celebrations to seeing ancient sites with thinner crowds, here are 17 of the best places to visit in March. 

1. Anchorage, Alaska | United States

Visit for: The Iditarod

Alaska should top your list as one of the best places to visit in March if you’ve spent years on the spring break bandwagon. Watch the mushers and their canines kick off a ceremonial start of the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage then go on your own adventure across the Last Frontier in search of moose, the Northern Lights, and migrating gray whales.

See this wild and wonderful wilderness on our weeklong Jewels of Alaska tour.

2. North Macedonia

Visit for: Exploring a new country

March destinations like North Macedonia fly under the radar, which is exactly why you should book the flight. Spend time in the capital of Skopje as the snow begins to melt, warming up with retail therapy in its ancient bazaar. 

The Mother Theresa Memorial House, Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia, and Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence have museum-hoppers covered while sites outside of the city like Lake Ohrid and Mavrovo National Park offer an even greater getaway in this underrated country. 

3. New Orleans | United States 

Visit for: Jazz, Mardi Gras, and more 

Visiting New Orleans always ranks high among the top March vacation ideas for Mardi Gras celebrations. While Mardi Gras is an unforgettable experience, it’s not the quintessential Crescent City experience.

This colorful city celebrates its culture and cuisine daily, which means you’re never late for a performance at Tipitina’s or beignet at Cafe du Monde. As an alternative to Mardi Gras, plan a visit around Soul Fest or the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. 

Read more: Why March is the best time to visit New Orleans 

4. Petra | Jordan

Visit for: Checking off a bucket-list site

Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Jordan is one of the best places to travel in March. Petra, the ancient archeological attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has mild weather in the spring, making it a popular time to visit. 

Whether you’re interested in its historical significance or are set jetting to this iconic filming location, seeing Petra in person is unrivaled. Experience Jordan’s desert with a guided tour or camp overnight around Wadi Musa with a sky full of stars, a campfire, and Bedouin hospitality.

5. Valencia | Spain

Visit for: Las Fallas

Spain is one of the best places to visit in Europe in March. Although virtually anywhere from Seville to Santander is worthy of your vacation days, pencil in Valencia on the calendar square. Las Fallas is a festival stretching across three weeks of March, marked by fireworks, flowers, and festivities for all five senses. 

There’s no shortage of paella throughout this 19 day celebration. If possible, plan your visit for the ceremonial start of Las Fallas or for the final few days when flower offerings, midnight fireworks, and the burning of the Fallas take place. 

Read more: These spring festivals have uniquely fascinating histories

6. Nepal & India

Visit for: Holi

Just as important as where you visit in Nepal and India is when you visit in March. Holi, the spring festival honoring Krishna, is a March holiday, coinciding nicely with a planned visit to summit Everest or visit the Pink City. This vibrant spring festival marks the end of winter with bonfires, sweets like malpua, and the playful throwing of gulal powder that leaves everyone covered in color. 

Experience the colors, cuisine, and cultures of this region on our Classical India with Nepal tour.

7. Florence | Italy

Visit for: Sightseeing in the shoulder season  

The statue of David. The Galleria dell’Accademia. The Ponte Vecchio. The highlights of Florence are well-known and worth the trip in March. Shoulder season in Italy cuts the queues in half without losing an ounce of awe. The blooming of the mimosas, wisteria, and irises makes it even easier to fall in love with Florence in spring. 

Read more: The curious traveler’s guide to visiting Italy in the springtime

8. Sri Lanka

Visit for: Tea harvest season

Plan springtime for tea time in Sri Lanka. Drink in the views during a train ride into Tea Country, passing through low-grown, mid-grown, and high-grown plantations as the elevation climbs. Sip on a hot cup, made with handpicked leaves, and tour the tea estates during a lesser visited season. Look up and you’ll see hardly a rain cloud in the sky, reminding you that the beach is another itinerary-must when visiting Sri Lanka in the warm month of March. 

9. South Africa 

Visit for: Wine harvesting

Just because you’re traveling in spring doesn’t mean you’ll miss harvest season for grape farmers. Save a European vacation for the fall and spend March sipping on vino in South Africa. The South African harvest season in the southern hemisphere is during the end of summer, which makes March the perfect time to savor a Pinotage or Chenin Blanc during a vineyard tour. 

Luxury Gold’s Spectacular South African tour includes a visit to the historic Cape Winelands. 

10. Morocco 

Visit for: Exploring the mountains and medinas

March is ideal for planning a journey through Morocco, beginning with leisurely shopping for spices in Marrakech then hiking through the Atlas Mountains. Generally warm temperatures with the occasional chill at night means packing for a tour of the country is straightforward — leaving plenty of space in your luggage to bring home souvenirs.  

11. Niagara Falls | Canada & United States

Visit for: Getting closer to the falls without the crowds

Though you’ll see a slight uptick in rain ponchos during spring holiday weeks, Niagara Falls’ visitor numbers in March are nowhere near as high as late-spring. Take advantage of the shorter queue for the Maid of the Mist and enjoy a more laid-back, low-impact visit. Granted, the forecast may come down to a coin flip; however, sunnier days are ideal for hiking Niagara Falls State Park while colder days are cured with indoor attractions galore. 

Discover the Best of Eastern Canada and USA during our 16 day tour.

12. Machu Picchu | Peru 

Visit for: Seeing ruins in between raindrops 

Machu Picchu is another wonder of the world that has no shortage of visitors, though you’ll see shorter queues during shoulder season months like March. Rain showers are hit or miss, which is one of the reasons why you’ll find this UNESCO World Heritage Site more accessible in early spring. If you decide to leave your umbrella at home, consider trading trekking for the dry yet still dazzling train ride to the ruins.    

13. Banff National Park | Canada

Visit for: Last chance skiing

Don’t let the arrival of spring make you think that Banff isn’t one of the best places to visit in March for snowboarding and skiing. While other areas of the Great White North see the thaw of winter, Banff receives more snow during this month than in January and February. Back your beanie and bundle up for hours spent snowshoeing and hiking through Canada’s most-visited national park.  

14. Kyoto | Japan 

Visit for: Cherry blossom season

March is shoulder-to-shoulder season in Kyoto during cherry blossom season but don’t let the crowds deter you from visiting Japan’s ancient capital. By planning ahead and booking your visit in advance (peak bloom is speculated around March 31), this busy time can be a stress-free experience. Mark Maruyama Park, the city’s oldest, on your map to see not only the trees in bloom but to also spot the shidarezakura lit up at night.

15. Montevideo | Uruguay 

Visit for: End of summer celebrations

Although Uruguay is saying so long to summer, visitors from the Northern Hemisphere are soaking up the sun during an escape to the warmer side of the equator. Enjoy this city at a relaxed pace as if you were on summer break too: wander the old town, munch on chivito and chucrut at Mercado del Puerto, or take a vineyard tour at Juanicó Winery. To liven up your journey, board a boat to Buenos Aires for more shopping, dining, and sightseeing. 

16. Yellowstone National Park | United States

Visit for: Yellowstone’s Birthday

Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872, and its anniversary is one of the best times to explore America’s first national park. Winter temperatures convince visitors and wildlife to stay cozied up inside their homes — leaving you to wander the park in peace. Although many roads and services are closed for the season, hours of undisturbed hiking and a front row seat to Old Faithful await. 

17. Ireland

Visit for: St. Patrick’s Day

Ireland is one of the best places to visit in March thanks to St. Patrick’s Day. Falling on the 17th, plan your arrival to Dublin for festival parades spanning the 15th through the 18th. Don’t limit your plans to the capital, though; communities across the Emerald Isle celebrate the holiday in different ways. From cultural programs and visits to sites like the Saint Patrick Centre to smaller events from Cork to Belfast in Northern Ireland, you’ll count yourself lucky when visiting Ireland for St. Paddy’s. 

Spend 12 days experiencing Ultimate Ireland on Luxury Gold’s tour spanning 16 cities.