Where's hot in March?

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If the low temperatures and rain after Christmas have you yearning for a winter sun holiday and you’re wondering where’s hot in March, there are a number of fantastic options.

With spring just starting to make an appearance across Europe, cooler temperatures and changeable weather mean you may want to head further afield for reliable sunshine. For warm seas, and an entirely sunlounger-based break, a long-haul beach holiday offers an escape from the lingering chill back home. Here’s our guide to the best March holiday destinations.

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If you’re looking for March holiday ideas, the chances are you’re thinking about one key factor: the temperature. Depending on your destination, the difference can be dramatic. While winter lingers in Europe, the destinations that are hottest in March lie to the south. But if it’s heat you’re after, the best places to visit in March for sun are further afield. Here’s where’s hot in March:

Destination	Flight time	Temperature	Sunshine
Phuket & Krabi, Thailand	11h 30m	30°C	9 hours
Dubai, UAE	7h 0m	28°C	8 hours
Cancun, Mexico	11h 0m	27°C	8 hours
Barbados, Caribbean	11h 0m	30°C	8 hours
Red Sea, Egypt	5h 30m	26°C	10 hours
Madeira, Portugal	4h 0m	20°C	6 hours
Tenerife, Canary Islands	4h 30m	20°C	7 hours
Paphos, Cyprus	5h 0m	17°C	7 hours

*Average temperature in March

While the air temperature in short-haul spots like the Canary Islands hits a lovely 20°C in March, the sea has been cooling all winter and is actually at its chilliest. If your dream holiday involves swimming in the ocean every day, you’ll need to fly at least 5.5 hours (to Egypt’s Red Sea or Dubai) where the water sits at a bath-like 23°C to 25°C. For Europe, make sure you book a hotel with a heated pool!

Short-haul vs long-haul

You can have March winter sun without leaving Europe if you know where to look. A number of short-haul destinations including the Canary Islands, Cyprus and Madeira, have warm weather with average temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C.

And although that isn’t scorching, the convenience of an easier, quicker, cheaper journey makes these short-haul destinations ideal for a quick break, even if the weather can be a little mixed.

For guaranteed sunshine and hotter temperatures, long haul is the way to go. Beach destinations such as Egypt, Thailand, Dubai, Barbados or Cancun in Mexico are some of the warmest places in March. The longer flight may be more expensive, but with highs in the 30s across some countries, it may be worth it if sun is your priority.

Top European destinations in March for warm weather

Wondering where’s warm in March when travelling short-haul? Tenerife is an excellent value option with an otherworldly volcanic landscape and fantastic beaches, the coastal city of Paphos in Cyprus offers history and culture to complement lazy beach days, and Madeira’s mellow climate and lush mountainous landscape has earned it the nickname of the ‘Hawaii of Europe’.

Tenerife

Average maximum temperature in March - 20⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 7 hrs

Just a four-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK, the Canary Island of Tenerife enjoys daytime temperatures reaching around 20⁰C in March. Generally, the warmest temperatures will be in the south of the island – in resorts including Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas – where there’s a hotter, dryer climate than in the more lush north. Bear in mind the weather can be changeable, with an average of five days with some rainfall in March.

Paphos

Average maximum temperature in March - 17⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March – 7 hrs

Year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, history and culture make Paphos a popular winter sun destination. A little cooler than the Canaries, Paphos gets around nine days of rain on average in March. But, with archaeological sites, delicious food and lively bars and pubs, there’s plenty to do beyond the beach if things do get a little chilly.

Madeira

Average maximum temperature in March - 20⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March – 6 hrs

Madeira’s mellow climate and lush mountainous landscape have earned it the nickname “the Hawaii of Europe”. From June to October are its hottest months with temperatures between 24⁰C and 26⁰C, but you’ll find the weather is still pleasant in March. Its dramatic volcanic peaks make this Portuguese island in the Atlantic a hiking and adventure hotspot, with the mild weather of March an excellent time to explore.

Top long-haul hot weather destinations in March

If you’re craving higher temperatures, consider travelling further afield. For impossibly white sandy beaches, the Red Sea coast in Egypt, Phuket and Krabi in Thailand and Cancun on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula are popular in March. Spring is also an ideal time to visit glitzy Dubai before the oppressive heat of the summer months or Barbados where there’s minimal rainfall, gently cooling breezes and low humidity.

Red Sea

Average maximum temperature in March - 26⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 10 hrs

The Red Sea coast in Egypt is known for its year-round heat, and March sits at the end of the high season with temperatures generally sitting around the low to mid 20s. It’s warm enough to lie on a lounger or cool off in the water – sea temperatures are around 22°C in March. Love being beneath the waves? This is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world and a snorkelling hotspot.

Phuket and Krabi

Average maximum temperature in March - 30⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 9 hrs

Thailand’s impossibly white sandy beaches are a draw any time of the year, and those in Krabi on the southern coastline, and the island of Phuket are some of the most popular. While peak season in Thailand is November through to January, when temperatures are more temperate, in March the temperatures start to go up a notch. This is the start of the hot season, so if you’re looking for a reliably warm beach holiday with sea breezes, you’ve found it.

Cancun

Average maximum temperature in March - 27⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 8 hrs

Located in southern Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the crown jewel of this major resort town that is Cancun is its miles of ice-white, powder-soft beaches lapped by the Caribbean Sea, and surrounded by ancient ruins and rainforest. Peak season runs between late November and mid-April, when the weather is reliably hot. Be aware that the Easter break gets particularly busy.

Barbados

Average maximum temperature in March - 30⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 8 hrs

December to April is high season on the much-loved Caribbean island of Barbados, with minimal rainfall, gently cooling breezes and low humidity. But this does mean prices can be a little higher. Barbados is tiny, at just 34km (21 miles) long and 23km (14 miles) wide so it’s great to explore if you hire a car. Hotels concentrate around the white-sand beaches of the west and south coasts, lapped by the Caribbean Sea. But there’s also the rugged east coast and lush interior to explore.

Dubai

Average maximum temperature in March - 28⁰C

Average hours of sunshine in March - 8 hrs

Dubai’s hot and arid desert climate means it’s toasty all year round. While summer months can peak at over 40°C, March is much more moderate, peaking around 28⁰C. All the better for visiting the souk, taking an excursion to the desert, or spending the day at five-star resorts or pristine private beaches. Be aware, Ramadan will fall in March in 2026 and 2027. Though visitors aren't required to fast over the period, eating and drinking in public during daylight hours is not advised out of respect, and many restaurants will change their opening hours.

Is it safe to travel to UAE? Read the latest Foreign Office travel advice for UAE.

March weather around the world

March is a transitional time of year. Northern hemisphere countries are leaving winter and welcoming spring, while in the south autumn is setting in. In need of some heat? You can always rely on holiday hotspots closest to the equator for year-round warmth.

Europe

Spring is in bloom across Europe in March, but this can mean vastly different things when it comes to the weather. In more northerly regions such as the Nordics (Norway, Sweden and Finland), temperatures can still go below freezing with snow likely. Yet in southern outposts such as the Canary Islands, expect sunshine, mild weather and average highs of 20°C, though some days get up to 24°C.

Middle East

Dry and pleasantly warm, temperatures across the Middle East are generally in the mid 20s in March. But there’s a lot of variation. While Jordan averages a maximum of 16°C, Oman and Dubai are much hotter at around 28°C-29°C. Be aware that Ramadan falls in late Feb into early March and is in March in both 2026 and 2027.

Africa

Head to Morocco before the summer heat hits North Africa. With temperatures in the low 20s, it’s a pleasant time to explore its towns, ruins and souks. It’s autumn in southern Africa, meaning the intense heat is subsiding across South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, with temperatures just north of the mid 20s.

Asia

The tail end of South Asia’s dry season, March is towards the end of peak season in countries such as India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, so prices still sit on the higher side. In Southeast Asia - in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand - the weather remains hot, dry and sunny reaching up to 35°C. Get there ahead of the region’s monsoon season, which begins in May.

Caribbean & Central America

March is peak season in the Caribbean, when the reliably hot, dry weather draws visitors to popular islands such as Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada and St Lucia. Expect temperatures in the late 20°C to early 30°C. As it’s the tropics, there’s still the chance of rain, but showers are usually brief.

North America

Weather varies greatly across North America at this time of year. While Canada’s mountains can still be receiving large dumps of snow, the beaches of Mexico are basking in up to 30°C heat. March, especially during the school Easter holidays, is a popular time to visit Orlando as temperatures hover in the early to mid 20s, making sightseeing pleasant and sunbathing possible.

South America

March marks the start of autumn in countries such as Chile, Peru and Argentina. But it’s certainly still toasty hot. Temperatures can still reach up to 30°C, and humidity is high in the more northerly countries like Brazil. Yet the cooling temperatures make it an ideal time to visit the vineyards or go trekking in more mountainous regions such as Patagonia.

Oceania

Summer is coming to a close across New Zealand and Australia during March, which marks the shift to autumn weather. Expect an average maximum of 19°C, though things will obviously be cooler in more southern or mountainous spots, such as Queenstown, which is a couple of degrees cooler.

March sun: Your questions answered

FAQs

What are the top beach destinations in March for warm weather?

For the best beach weather in March, Mexico and the Caribbean offer tropical highs of 30°C. If you prefer shorter flights, the Canary Islands provide reliable 20°C sunshine, while Thailand and the Dominican Republic boast warmer coastal heat. These top-rated beach destinations are perfect for early-season sun, offering crystal-clear waters and white sands for every budget.

Where is the warmest place in Europe in March?

The warmest place in Europe in March is the Canary Islands. This Spanish archipelago – which includes holiday hotspots Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote – sits off the north coast of Africa meaning temperatures are moderate year-round, with highs hitting the late 20s in the summer. In March, average daily temperatures range from 17°C to 22°C.

Which countries are hot in March and only a short flight from the UK?

Though not scorching, Cyprus, Madeira and the Canaries are the warmest short-haul destinations from the UK in March. The weather can still be changeable with occasional rain, and highs in the early 20°Cs. For more reliable heat, you’ll need to look a little further.

Where can I find 25°C weather in March without a long-haul flight?

Egypt is hot in March, and is around a four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK. Beach resorts along the Red Sea such as Sharm El Sheikh can get exceptionally hot in the summer, hitting up to 40°C. But in spring, expect more moderate temperatures, with highs of 24°C in March.

Which are the hottest Canary Islands to visit in March?

Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are the hottest Canary Islands in March, with temperatures reaching an average maximum of 21°C. However, holiday favourite Tenerife, isn’t far behind, with an average maximum high of 20°C.

Where is the most reliable sun for a beach holiday in March?

Longer haul destinations such as the Caribbean, Dubai or Thailand are reliably hot in March, with temperatures in the late 20s and early 30s. However, be mindful that this means that for some – such as the Caribbean and Mexico – it’s their peak season, when prices are a little higher. Thailand, however, enters its low, hotter season from February to May, so if you truly love the heat, it’s a great option.

Is it hot enough to sunbathe in the Mediterranean during March?

With temperatures of between 15°C-20°C, especially in southern destinations such as Cyprus, it is generally warm enough to sunbathe. However, there can be cool breezes and sea temperatures remain cold.

What is the average temperature in Turkey during March?

The average top temperature for Turkey in March is 11°C. However, it is much warmer in the country’s main beach resorts such as Bodrum and the Izmir Coast, with daytime highs around 16°C. This is the transition to spring, so expect mild, mixed weather.

Does it rain a lot in Spain or Portugal in March?

The weather in March can be mixed, depending on where in the country you are. While southern areas like the Algarve in Portugal are drier, experiencing an average of seven days with some rainfall, northern regions can be quite wet.

Which holiday destinations are in their dry season during March?

The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and the Caribbean all have dry seasons that typically run from December to April. But be aware, this is also peak season when prices are at their highest.

Is it warm enough for a holiday by the pool in the Algarve in March?

The average top temperature in the Algarve March is 18°C, dropping to lows of 9°C at night. While that’s warm enough to sunbathe, unheated pools may not have had the chance to be warmed by the sun and may still be a little chilly.

What should I pack for a holiday to a warm destination in March?

Suncream and layers are sensible items to pack. While some European destinations can be hot at this time of year, weather can be changeable with occasional rain and lower temperatures. You’ll probably still need a jumper or cardigan, especially at night.