12 Best Places To Visit in Europe in March 2026

Europe in March means beautiful blossoms in the south, incredible cultural celebrations at carnivals across the continent, warmer climates reclaiming the islands, and city breaks before the crowds. If you’re still wondering where to go in Europe for a March 2026 vacation, I’ve got you covered.

Rather than just emphasising some of Europe’s most famous destinations and extolling the benefits of visiting in the low season, I’ve aimed to spotlight more offbeat spots, events, and activities happening in March.

Remember, Easter is later in 2026, so if you’re looking for where to enjoy an Easter getaway, check out my April in Europe guide instead. However, this also means later school holidays, so there are likely to be more in March this year. Find my favourite seasonal tips below, split into sub-headings to help you find spring blossoms, cultural celebrations, a sunny island escape, northern lights, or go “off the beaten track”.

Where to see beautiful blossoms in Europe in March

March brings the first signs of spring to southern Europe in pretty floral displays and big, colourful carnivals – some of which will have started, and perhaps even ended, in February.

Sicily, Italy

Oh, amore mio. Sicily is hands-down the best island to visit in Italy. And while The White Lotus might have put the Mediterranean’s largest island on many a bucket list for the silver-screen-worthy sands of Cefalù, luxurious resorts and waters so shimmering they were fit for an iconic “Peppa Pig” murder, this island isn’t only sun, sea, and sand. This is especially true in March 2026, when the spotlight is firmly on the ancient city of Agrigento. Laden with history, Agrigento’s Valle dei Templi, a vast archaeological site and World Heritage Site featuring ancient Greek temples, astounds as you walk the ridge linking these ancient wonders.

Adding a pop of bright white is the Festival of Almond Blossom, between the 7th and 15th March 2026. Not only will the ancient sights be framed by delicate flowers, but folk performances and events add to the festival’s allure. But don’t just limit yourself to Agrigento; the island is a delight in spring with hiking trails hemmed by wildflowers, the chance to grab a great deal on many of Sicily’s serene villas, and even more celebrations on the agenda, including the Festa di San Giuseppe in Palermo on the 19th of March.

Murcia, Spain

Sitting between two of Spain’s big players, Andalusia and Valencia, the Region of Murcia is criminally overlooked. This oversight by international tourists is a blessing, as you can find affordable deals along its dazzling Costa Cálida, excellent winery tasting menus at tempting prices, and Roman archaeological sites with low footfall. 

No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Murcia. Dive into history at Cathagena’s Roman Theatre, admire the intricate neo-Islamic architecture of the region’s namesake capital at the Real Casino de Murcia, and drive the Murcia wine route to discover the mouthwatering local Monastrell grape. Every year in March, the area also witnesses one of Europe’s most beautiful floral spectacles. Detour to the town of Cieza, and you’ll find the landscape awash with the vivid blossoms of fruit trees. Peach trees are particularly abundant, and the magenta and pink cover thousands of hectares of the countryside, providing a beautiful backdrop to easy-going ambles.

Best European cities to visit in March 2026

Looking for a cracking city break this March? Book a few days in Seville if you want my tip for a warm, relaxed, and delicious trip. Or plan a trip to one of the following destinations for a fiery festival or a cultural event. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

Since Game of Thrones made Dubrovnik feel almost like a theme park, it’s become hard to appreciate the ancient cobbled streets and magnificent museums or walk atop the ramparts without fighting through throngs of people. But while Croatia’s top destination draws crowds year-round, for a slightly less intense visit, March is my pick. In March 2026, fewer than a dozen sailings are scheduled to call at the fortified city (plan around these cruises), compared with nearly daily arrivals from April onward. Thousands of cruising day-trippers at once is what tips the city from busy to unbearable, so you can mostly avoid this by coming in early or mid-March. 

The weather might not be perfect for swimming, but you’ll likely have sunny days with temperatures around a pleasant 16°C (61°F), so you can still enjoy what is essentially an open-air museum. Plus, with fewer people flocking to Dalmatia for a beach escape, you can usually snag a deal on sea-view villas in Croatia before the school Easter holiday crowds arrive. If you want to extend your Croatia itinerary into a twin-city break, consider heading to Zagreb, the nation’s capital, between the 18th and 22nd of March 2026 for the Zagreb Festival of Lights.

Valencia, Spain 

Valencia is one of Spain’s best city breaks any time of year. The country’s third-largest city has everything Spain does so well: the region is home to paella, there are sandy urban beaches, the Old Town is rich in architectural treasures, including the UNESCO-listed La Lonja de la Seda (The Silk Exchange), and magnificent religious structures. Plus, there’s a contemporary cluster of cultural spaces in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, set inside a former riverbed. 

But why visit in March? For the Fallas celebrations. From the 1st to the 19th of the month, the city comes alive with bonfires, ritual burnings and fireworks. Hailing from an old woodworker tradition, when the burning of items signalled the end of winter and the start of spring, fire is very much the essence of this festival. Review the calendar to plan the best days to attend, as the major events will fall between the 15th and 19th of March 2026.

Dublin, Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day is on a Tuesday this year (17th March 2026), so where better to plan a long weekend than Ireland’s capital city, Dublin? Aside from all the celebrations, the city has a cracking cultural scene which will fill your days before a beer-heavy night. However, you’ll likely be starting earlier if you decide to tour the Guinness Storehouse to learn all about the brewing of the nation’s most iconic beer. 

There are plenty of sober sights to soak up, too. Uncover why Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature on a tour of Trinity College’s gorgeous, dark-panelled library and the Dublin Writers Museum. Dive into the nation’s history at Dublin Castle, the National Museum, and especially at the Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison turned history museum. And then soak up the craic at some of Ireland’s best traditional pubs – even if you miss Paddy’s Day, the city’s sessions (live music) are a pull any day of the week.

Warmest places in Europe in March for an island holiday

Seeking the last of the winter sun? Turn your attention south to some of the continent’s best islands for a sunny getaway. Enjoy that the more popular European family-friendly destinations won’t welcome the Easter school holiday crowd until the end of the month in 2026.

The Canary Islands, Spain 

Spain’s southernmost archipelago is closer to Morocco than its mainland, making the island group one of Europe’s best beach destinations year-round. Gran Canaria is usually one of the warmest islands, and you can expect pleasant daytime temperatures in March of around 19°C (67°F), though it can often be warmer. Choose carefully from the eight main islands, as each offers a slightly different experience, though carnival season will be ending on 1st March this year due to the 2026 Easter dates.

For a more offbeat Spanish destination, head to La Palma or La Gomera, the latter laced with hiking trails and a laurel forest. Or head to Fuerteventura for water sports. Well-rounded, warm winter sun destinations don’t come much better than the Canaries.

Madeira & Porto Santo, Portugal 

North of the Canary Islands, Portugal’s autonomous Madeira archipelago also delivers, with daytime temperatures on Porto Santo Island typically around 18°C (65°F). In fact, Madeira boasts a spring-like climate for much of the year, keeping the islands blissful in both winter and summer. In March 2026, I’d suggest doing a twin-island visit. Start on the archipelago’s most significant and namesake island, Madeira, to soak in natural pools formed from lava and hike some of Portugal’s most impressive mountain trails.

Afterwards, hop on the two-hour ferry to Madeira’s little sister, Porto Santo, which is essentially the antithesis of Madeira. Say goodbye to dramatic mountains and pebbly beaches as you arrive at the sweeping golden sand island, hopefully snagging a decent resort deal to enjoy the serene shorelines.

Malta

If you’re looking for a winter sun city break, look no further than Valletta, Malta’s sun-soaked, honey-coloured capital city. Being one of Europe’s warmest countries in March, the daytime temperatures are usually around 17°C (63°F), making it ideal for sunbathing and sightseeing.

Get your fill of history amongst the mishmash of medieval sandstone buildings dotting the capital, explore the fascinating clutch of museums, and try to catch one of the Mużika Mużika concerts – essentially the national song competition – hosted between 19th and 21st March 2026. My vote for a beach escape from the city goes to Gozo, a short ferry away from Malta, and in March, you should be able to find a good deal as some resorts re-open from their winter slumber.

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Portugal is a popular destination in the spring. City-seekers make a beeline for Lisbon’s lookouts or Porto’s restaurant scene, beach lovers enjoy the best things to do in the Algarve, and blossom seekers set their sights on Fundão, the country’s cherry capital. Yet, for me, the nine-strong Azores archipelago – located in the Atlantic between Canada and the continent – is one of Europe’s best places to visit in March. Not only is it the start of the primary whale-watching season, making sightings much more common, but the Tremor music festival is one of the Azores’ best events and will run from the 24th to the 28th of March 2026.

While each of these islands has a unique quality, São Miguel – the ‘capital’ and largest of the group – bundles everything together to give first-time visitors an adventurous introduction to these remote islands. Highlights of this volcanic-defined adventure paradise include hiking to the Boca do Inferno viewpoint for panoramic views of a glistening, two-coloured volcanic lake, surfing near black-sand beaches, and experiencing the geothermal activity in Furnas. With plenty of waterfalls, canyoning adventures, long-distance trails and wildlife spotting opportunities in the deep blue, these islands are the perfect way to say hello to spring and embrace the great outdoors post-winter.

Where to go in Europe in March for Northern Lights

Around the spring equinox – Friday 20th March 2026 – aurora activity is often more intense, as strong solar winds regularly deliver life-affirming northern lights sightings. This year is expected to be particularly impressive as it’s the end of the solar cycle peak, hopefully bringing the best aurora we’ll see for the rest of this decade at least.

Swedish Lapland

Finnish Lapland might get all the festive attention, but with Christmas firmly behind us by March, you might prefer the more authentic side that Sweden offers away from the fabled “Santa’s Village”. It also helps that Sweden’s exchange rate is usually much more favourable than that of other Nordic nations. But what makes this one of the best end-of-winter destinations in Europe, other than potential northern lights sightings?

First, it’s accessible by train, and by March, there shouldn’t be any track issues. You can ride all the way from Stockholm to the northern Abisko National Park, crossing the Arctic Circle en route, but sleeper service or break up the daytime journey by starting in Luleå (pictured above). Secondly, the renowned ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi (take the train to Kiruna), constructed annually from ice in November, remains. This unique, annually changing accommodation, where you sleep on and are surrounded by ice, typically doesn’t melt until April. As March is one of the quieter months, it’s slightly easier to snag one of the 12 all-ice rooms. But my vote goes for Abisko National Park, a raw, rugged, snow-dusted wonderland regarded as one of Scandinavia’s best northern light destinations.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Arguably Norway’s most cinematic destination, this North Atlantic archipelago is a thin string of volcanic rocks, colourful cabins, and scenes that constantly have you going ooh and ahh. It’s pretty easy to continue from Abisko in Sweden to the islands – here’s the train and bus route from Lapland to the Lofoten Islands that I took – so you could combine both into one trip. From Reine’s turf-roofed red Rorbu cabins, traditionally fishermen’s homes backed by jagged peaks, to the photogenic Arctic beaches lapped by the cleanest of waters, every corner of this archipelago is dreamy.

Why go to the Lofoten Islands in March 2026? Firstly, precisely because it’s the low season. This corner of the world is significantly affected by overtourism, especially during peak months. There’s only one main highway crossing the archipelago. And as numerous tourists descend in summer, it can become congested, causing headaches for locals. Secondly, the far-northern location of Norway’s Nordland region makes it (hopefully) a prime position to spot the northern lights, especially as light pollution is minimal. You’ll still get the snowy winter landscapes, but with the arctic nights gone, there is enough daylight to explore or perhaps even ski, though most hiking trails are still a no-go.

Iceland

Iceland in winter can be cold and complicated, as I discovered the year I went for Christmas and New Year, hoping to save money on Iceland’s summer prices. I was confident that in the depths of winter’s near-endless nights, I would see the northern lights, but alas, I hadn’t considered just how much cloud cover there would be, and I came away without a single sliver of green. One of the best times to visit Iceland for aurora borealis sightings will likely be around March’s spring equinox, given the predictions of increased activity. But, while this is the tail-end of winter, and the days are starting to get longer, come prepared for all climes – rain and snowfall are typically relatively high and can impact some of Iceland’s attractions.

In March, the inner gravel roads (F roads) still won’t be open. Only confident drivers should plan a road trip around Iceland’s golden triangle and main circular roads that are regularly gritted, so for the best chance of spotting the northern lights, take a specific tour or base yourself away from Reykjavik, where the increased urban lighting can impact the ability to appreciate the show thoroughly. If you’re unlucky and don’t see the elusive performance, fear not; you’ll still have off-season deals and ice-caving as your reward. Events in March 2026 include The Icelandic Beer Festival on the 1st and the usually rock-heavy Battle of the Bands concerts.