As spring breaks free of winter’s icy grip, towns and cities awaken to celebrate longer days and warming temperatures. Festivals kick off almost everywhere. Bars and restaurants reopen. Social calendars fill up fast. The best places to travel in March celebrate the new season with verve and vigor.
March is the month of color. From Europe to the US, cherry blossoms transform towns into a panoply of pink. Fire and fireworks festivals turn the skies red. In India, Holi paints a rainbow across the whole country. And the entire world goes green for St. Patrick’s Day. Here are my favorite places to holiday in March.
Best places to party for St Patrick’s Day
Celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day have spread around the world in recent years. From its homeland to the US, here are the best celebrations to visit over the weekend of March 17th.
1. Dublin, Ireland
- Learn more: Dublin travel guide
- Why visit in March? A St. Patrick’s Day party like no other.
On the third weekend in March, much of the world will be engulfed by a bright green St. Patrick’s party. Regardless, there’s nowhere better to spend it than Ireland’s capital, Dublin.
Pre-empt the party with a free tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where writer and poet Jonathan Swift served as dean. Then join hundreds of thousands of revelers at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as it winds through the city. From Parnell Street to Kevin Street, entertainers and marching bands from all over the world put on an enormous show.
Elsewhere, all of Dublin is awash with green. In the Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland’s Collins Barracks, a vast roster of events are planned. Music, dance and circus acts entertain, food sizzles and, of course, gallons of Guinness are poured. It’s the very definition of the Irish craic, just make sure to book early to get the best hotel and flight deals.
2. Chicago, Illinois
- Learn more: Chicago travel guide
- Why visit in March? The biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in the US.
Probably the most famous St. Patrick’s Day party in the US, Chicago celebrates its Irish roots in style every year. From the Irish enclave at Beverly to the Irish American Heritage Center near Albany Park, the party lasts all weekend.
Irish taverns fill with partygoers and cultural events take place on seemingly every corner. Events like Shamrock’n the Block at Old St. Patrick’s Church showcase what the event means to local communities. In 2024, the big parade will take place on Saturday 16th along Columbus Drive between Balbo and Monroe. The extravaganza will feature huge floats, bagpipers and Irish step dancers, all led by the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band.
The big draw, however, is the now legendary dyeing of the Chicago River. Using a non-toxic vegetable-based powder, the city turns its primary waterway into a vivid emerald-green soup. Lasting for several days, it’s the perfect time to take a river cruise.
3. Munich, Germany
- Learn more: Munich travel guide
- Why visit in March? To celebrate all things beer.
March is shoulder season in southern Germany. Crowds are as thin as they ever get and prices as low. That could be down to the weather, with average temperatures only a shade above freezing. In my view though, that just means a ski trip to nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen is still on the cards.
Although Bavaria’s capital is most famous for Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t far behind in its cultural calendar. Head to Odeonsplatz for the usual green-hued parades and parties but with a distinctly German twist. Alongside the Guinness you’ll find classic Bavarian beers and foods to warm your bones. Try the würstl (sausages) of course but I urge you to try a schweinshaxe (ham hock) too. Caution: you may need to sit down afterwards.
If that’s not enough, Starkbierfest also runs from March 1st to 24th in the grand hall of the Paulaner Nockherberg. Literally translated as the Strong Beer Festival, it offers exactly what its name suggests.
Best places to travel in March in the US
While much of the US is still bitterly cold, things are warming up in the south. Spring blossoms, harvest festivals and one of the world’s great cultural gatherings dominate the March calendar.
4. Macon, Georgia
- Learn more: Macon travel guide
- Why visit in March? To see the city turn pink.
In the heartland of Georgia, nature puts on one of its most spectacular shows in March. From the 15th to 24th, Macon plays host to the International Cherry Blossom Festival. The city transforms into a “pink, cotton-spun paradise” as its 350,000 Yoshino trees erupt in a cacophony of cherry blossoms. In celebration, it puts on parades, concerts, fairs and an almighty pink party.
Beyond the blossom, Macon is an epicenter of Native American history. Stroll Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park, a fascinating memorial to the region’s ancient indigenous peoples. The newest national park in the US, it serves up a great view of Macon from the top of the Temple Mound.
In the city, wide avenues are lined with art galleries, boutiques and architecture that speaks to its long history. Music is everywhere, in buzzing bars and concert venues, on the streets and in historic venues like Grant’s Lounge. Macon is served by a regional airport but taking a flight to Atlanta, two hours away, and renting a car is easiest.
5. Austin, Texas
- Learn more: Austin travel guide
- Why visit in March? To gorge on Texan hospitality at SXSW.
One of the US’s cultural powerhouses, Austin peaks in March with the sprawling South by Southwest festivals. Once the domain of musicians and movie makers, it has grown to be one of the most comprehensive cultural events in the world. A playground for comedians and creatives, entrepreneurs and technologists to showcase acts and share ideas.
Unsurprisingly, SXSW brings with it sky high prices and heaving crowds. Plan ahead, find a well-priced stay and you can tune into the events that don’t carry a huge price tag. Bars like Mohawk and Sahara Lounge pop with live music and comedy. Parks and even parking lots host all manner of pop-up shows.
And there’s always a huge slice of Texan hospitality on offer. I find it’s best enjoyed with plates of Tex-Mex and frozen margaritas, preferably at Trudy’s Texas Star or Habaneros.
6. Charleston, South Carolina
- Learn more: Charleston travel guide
- Why visit in March? Food festivals and foot-stomping fun.
Visiting Charleston is like stepping through a door into the history of the US. From walking the French Quarter as horse-drawn carriages clatter past over cobblestones to the historic houses and exhibitions on Museum Mile. Never do the city’s antebellum houses and blossoming trees look better than in March under spring light and mild temperatures.
The sun and warmth draws locals and visitors onto the streets in search of entertainment. From March 6th to 10th the Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates the best of local culture and cuisine. Brunches and lunches, dining and dancing, classes and workshops, all community-led to celebrate the stories and flavors of the Lowcountry.
Later in the month, the Charleston Bluegrass Festival lights up the Woodlands Nature Reserve with a weekend of boot-stompin’ bluegrass.
Best places to travel in March in Europe
With spring dawning, Europe is waking up. Spain is my country of choice with temperatures rising fast and one of my favorite festivals in the world taking over the city of Valencia.
7. Valencia, Spain
- Learn more: Valencia travel guide
- Why visit in March? To feel the heat of Las Fallas Festival.
In many ways Valencia is the ideal manifestation of Spain in city form. Historic but innovative, sun-baked with gorgeous Mediterranean-fronted beaches, and a grand tradition of incredible food. Paella, anyone?
March brings mild temperatures, long bright days and crystal clear nights. Perfect conditions for a festival—Valencia’s biggest, in fact. Las Fallas, the bonfire festival, kicks off in late February with a huge firework display to signify the start of spring. It’s March 15th when things really heat up, however.
Across the city, falleros erect enormous and incredibly elaborate papier-mache towers—the ninots. Many artists spend all year creating their ninots, knowing exactly what will happen to them. Judged over three days, they’re then set alight in a blaze of pyrotechnic glory. And all the while extravagant parades, outdoor concerts and 24-hour street parties thrum across the city. Spain at its very best.
8. Pesaro, Italy
- Learn more: Italy travel guide
- Why visit in March? It’s the Italian capital of culture for 2024.
Among the big-hitting cities of Italy, lesser-known Pesaro has been appointed its Capital of Culture in 2024. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this seaside resort is a haven of culture and nature in the historic Marche region.
With the slow dawning of spring in March, Pesaro awakens from its winter slumber. The birthplace of Rossini, it’s recognised by UNESCO as a creative city for music thanks to its promotion and revival of his music. See for yourself with a tour of Casa Rossini where multimedia exhibits bring his story and music to life.
On your city stroll, drop into Musei Civici in the aristocratic Palazzo Mosca, where striking artworks jostle with architectural splendor. Pass through the Ducal Palace and Duomo before stopping to admire Arnaldo Pomodoro’s stunning globe installation, framed perfectly by the setting sun.
Fly into nearby Rimini and hire a car to make the most of the Marche region—and don’t miss Monte San Bartolo Natural Park surrounding Pesaro.
9. Madrid, Spain
- Learn more: Madrid travel guide
- Why visit in March? The winter thaw and spring blooms.
Before temperatures reach the furnace-hot levels of summer, spring is the best time to visit Spain’s capital. With days lengthening and temperatures climbing, Madrid’s cherry blossoms burst into bloom. The biggest and best shows unfold in Parque Quinta de los Molinos and El Retiro, the city’s most famous green space.
The cold veneer of winter fades not only from the weather but also the inhabitants. Chairs and tables spill onto the streets from bars and restaurants. Locals emerge from hibernation to fill the sidewalks, raise a glass and gorge on tapas. As the evening chill descends, Madrid only warms up with revelry and dance.
As with any historic European capital, Madrid is alive with culture and attractions. Architecture of the Belle Époque, the Palacios Real and Cristal, the Reina Sofia modern art museum—home to Picasso’s ‘Guernica’— to name but a few.
10. Narvik, Norway
- Learn more: Norway travel guide
- Why visit in March? To see the sun rise.
Spring may be spreading across much of Europe, but in the northern reaches of Norway temperatures are still freezing. March brings two special events to the town of Narvik: the sun breaks the horizon for the first time since fall and the Vinterfestuka kicks off.
The former is a moment of celebration—the dawn of the New Year and a healthy dose of much-needed vitamin D. The latter is the Winter Festival, a party to shake the pillars of Valhalla. From March 8th the city erupts into ten days of non-stop festival fun and it’s an awesome place to be.
Eighteenth century opulence and hedonism is the theme of the event. Dress in fine period clothes, join costume parades and raucous concerts, visit theaters and art exhibitions. Food fries, drinks flow and streets pulse with activity. The warmth of the new sun is reflected in the hospitality of the locals.
Best tropical place to travel in March
Festivals in colder climes are great, but there’s something extra special about partying into the night on a tropical beach. In March, there’s one place that does it better than any other.
11. Goa, India
- Learn more: India travel guide
- Why visit in March? To celebrate Holi with sand between your toes.
Of all the spring festivals that happen around the world, none is embraced like the Hindu festival of Holi. Celebrating love and the arrival of spring, it’s best known as the Festival of Colors. Although it engulfs the whole of India, there are few better places to enjoy it than tropical Goa, also known as the Land of Beaches.
Holi, often called Shigmo in Goa—is celebrated on the first spring full moon: March 25th in 2024. The night before sees huge parties and celebrations erupt along the Goan coast. The main event happens the next morning when everywhere (and I mean everywhere) is blanketed in a riot of colors. Crowds take to the streets armed with bags of vivid powder dyes, liberally tossed into the air and sprayed from water pistols until the world is a rainbow.
Everyone gets involved with Anjuna and Ponda particularly good fun. My choice is Vagator, however, thanks to its gorgeous beaches and outrageous parties.
Discover more great places to travel
You’ll find travel ideas in my best places to travel in February and best places to travel in April. If you can’t wait until spring, my guide to where’s hot in February will warm you up in no time.
For more vacation ideas, KAYAK Explore and travel guides are packed with destinations. And when it comes to booking everything, you’ll find great deals on flights, car rental and accommodation at KAYAK.
