Where it's hot in March

Top 10 destinations in March

1. 1.Tokyo, Japan

   15°couples

   Cherry blossom in Tokyo typically opens in the final week of March. The front shifts by around a week from year to year, so flexible dates help. Average 14°C, with cold mornings and bright afternoons. A mid-layer is enough; a heavy coat is not needed.

2. 2.Marrakech, Morocco

   23°couples

   23°C and dry, with the souks walkable for hours. Prices remain at winter levels until Easter. In July the city averages 38°C, when most sightseeing outside early morning becomes impractical.

3. 3.Cape Town, South Africa

   26°couples

   Late summer transitioning to autumn. Wind drops, summer crowds thin, sea temperatures peak, and the wine harvest is in. Average 25°C. Time difference from the UK is one hour, so no meaningful jet lag despite the flight length.

4. 4.Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

   30°luxury

   28°C with negligible rainfall. Comfortable for museums, pool use and outdoor dining across the day. By July the average climbs to 42°C, at which point outdoor activity is limited. March is the Gulf's most usable month for visitors.

5. 5.Seville, Spain

   21°culture

   Orange blossom is out across the city. Average 21°C, suited to long days on foot, with tapas bars busier with locals than tour groups. Prices remain at winter levels. Semana Santa week is an exception and worth avoiding unless the processions are the intended focus.

6. 6.Todos Santos, Mexico

   28°couples

   Grey whales are in Magdalena Bay through early April. Onshore average is 27°C with minimal cloud. Surf at Cerritos is manageable for beginners. Rainfall is close to zero across the month.

7. 7.Rajasthan, India

   33°culture

   Holi falls in March and is worth planning the trip around. Average 33°C, hot but workable if forts and outdoor sites are done before 10am. This is the last month before pre-monsoon heat sets in; by May daily highs commonly exceed 40°C.

8. 8.Costa Rica, Pacific Coast

   32°families

   The final reliable month of the dry season. Average 32°C, consistent surf on the Nicoya coast, leatherback nesting on Playa Grande, and cloud forest trails still passable. Rainfall increases sharply from May onwards, so timing before that shift matters.

9. 9.Ko Lipe, Thailand

   34°diving

   Andaman visibility peaks in March, which is why dive operators are heavily booked. Average 34°C, moderated by sea breeze on a small island. The ferry service and most accommodation close from mid-May with the arrival of the southwest monsoon.

10. 10.Luxor, Egypt

    30°culture

    Average 30°C with under one rain day for the month. Temples are best done before nine, the Valley of the Kings before noon. July averages 41°C, at which point midday sightseeing is not advisable. March is the most workable month of the year for archaeology here.

March picks by traveller type

• Costa Rica, Pacific Coast

  Dry season, calm sea, and leatherbacks nesting on Playa Grande. Average 32°C, moderated by Pacific breeze. A hotel with a pool is worth prioritising for the early-afternoon window.

• Gran Canaria

  Four hours from the UK at 22°C, with a resort infrastructure aimed at families. Shoulder-season pricing is roughly half the Easter rate. The south of the island records the fewest rain days.

• Abu Dhabi

  Average 28°C, suited to pool use, with indoor museums and attractions available for the hotter hours. By July the average is 42°C, at which point outdoor activity with children becomes impractical.

March by region

Average temperatures by destination

Readings come from the last ten years of daily weather data, so they reflect the climate as it is now, not as it was decades ago. Data: Visual Crossing global historical archive. How we compute this

What to pack for March

March covers a wide temperature range. Tokyo and Kyoto require a mid-layer and a rain shell for 14°C days and colder mornings. The Gulf and North Africa need linen and one light layer for air-conditioned interiors. India and the Middle East require covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques. SPF 50 is advisable south of the Mediterranean. A compact umbrella is useful in Marrakech and on the Costa Rican coast.

Where to avoid in March

Several hot-in-March destinations are not worth the trip. The equatorial west coast of Africa (Grand-Bassam, coastal Cameroon) records 33°C with rain chance above 85 percent. Northern Australia, including Kakadu, remains in the wet season with flooded roads and access closures. Northern Thailand and northern Myanmar are in burning season, with agricultural haze affecting visibility and air quality through most of March. Chiang Mai is better visited in November.

Frequently asked

Where is the hottest place on earth in March?

The Sahel. Zakouma in Chad averages 41°C, N'Djamena 40°C, with cities across Burkina Faso, Mali and northern Cameroon in the same band. These readings represent extreme heat rather than comfortable travel conditions. They are included because the dataset covers every destination, not only those recommended for travel.

Where is warm in March without being punishing?

The Gulf and North Africa. Abu Dhabi averages 28 to 29°C with negligible rainfall, suitable for both pool use and sightseeing. Luxor averages 30°C with similarly low rain chance. Tenerife and Gran Canaria average 22°C, warm enough for walking but not for extended swimming. The Gulf is the pick if consistent swimwear temperatures matter.

Where is the best beach holiday in March?

Ko Lipe. Andaman visibility peaks in March and diving is at its annual best. Booking before the May monsoon closure is essential. For a shorter flight, the Canaries average 22°C reliably. For higher heat within a longer flight, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the main options.

When exactly do the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan in March?

Tokyo blossoms typically open in the final week of March and peak around the end of the month or the first days of April. Kyoto tracks one to two days behind. The front shifts by around a week from year to year. The Japan Meteorological Corporation publishes its forecast each January.

Is Europe worth visiting in March?

Yes, for specific trips. Seville at 21°C suits a city break. Athens allows Acropolis visits without peak summer volumes. The Canaries provide 22°C beach warmth. Evenings are cool across the region. For sunbathing conditions, destinations further south (Egypt, the Gulf) are more reliable.

Where is it reliably dry in March?

Four options. Luxor averages under one rain day for the month. Marrakech records around four, with a tight temperature swing. Abu Dhabi and the wider Gulf record close to zero rain. Tenerife and Gran Canaria average three to four rain days at 22°C. These are the picks when dry conditions matter more than heat.