Best Places To Travel In Europe In March
March marks the start of spring in Europe, bringing with it the promise of warmer weather, sunny days, and the blossoming of nature. Travel enthusiasts seeking the best places to visit during this delightful time will find a lot of options across the continent.
From historic cities with rich cultural events to breathtaking natural landscapes, Europe in March offers a perfect blend of diverse experiences. In this blog post, we will explore the best European destinations for a memorable March getaway, considering factors such as average temperatures, outdoor activities, and the avoidance of crowds.
Although visiting Europe in March may not be the ideal vacation, it is one of the best times to brave the cold and visit those places you always wanted to see because it is one of the cheapest times of year to travel.
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Best Cities to Visit
Choosing the perfect destination in Europe for a March getaway depends on personal preferences. For those seeking warmer climates and gorgeous beaches, the Mediterranean coast beckons with its sunny weather and blooming botanical gardens. Cities like Barcelona and Athens and other popular places offer a perfect blend of history and natural beauty. On the other hand, Northern Europe, with its crisp air and the possibility of witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights, attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers.
London
London, England is one of the best places to visit in March because it offers many indoor activities to enjoy. The majority of museums in London, especially well-known ones like The National Portrait Gallery and The Natural History Museum, are free and there are fewer crowds. You can also visit The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Just bring a scarf for walking along the Thames.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a great place to visit in March because although it is cooler, it is quite tolerable weather. At night temperatures drop slightly, but during the day you can enjoy one of many art museums or the Sagrada Familia. Most shops and attractions are open including city bus tours.
Paris
Paris, France is one of the most beautiful places you could visit anytime of year. A stroll to The Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe may be a bit cold, but the city has an advance Metro system that runs underground and can take you from attraction to attraction.
Oslo
Oslo, Norway is one of the cleanest cities in Europe and a great destination to visit in March because of its mountains. Many natives spend hours upon hours on the slopes. You can visit The Holmenkollen to appreciate skiing and learn a few things about the sport. There are also many other museums like The Viking Ship Museum that are open year round.
Stockholm
Stockholm is a beautiful city to visit in March because of the snow that lines the banks or the river. All the shops and museums run off-season hours and there are many sales going on during this time of year.
Alicante
Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca is a bite-sized city that’s small enough to walk around if you want to. Wander through the fantastic shops down to the waterfront, and the impressive Marina, then pause for lunch in the Old Town. As you eat, you’ll be diverted by the street entertainers that work their way around the cobbled streets – lunchtime is never dull in Alicante.
Santa Barbara Castle presides over the city, and it’s the best preserved mediaeval fortress in Europe. Walk to the castle if you’re feeling energetic, or take the lift – which is set in the rocks – to the top of the Benecantil Mountain and admire the panoramic views over the city. Opposite the castle is the beautiful Postiguet Beach, where you can sunbathe or swim in the clear, safe waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is most famous for its summer Festival and the Edinburgh Tattoo, which is held in the Castle in August. However, there’s so much more to see and do, and this is why the city makes this list. If you love architecture, you’ll find plenty to marvel at in the medieval Old Town, and the contrasting Georgian New Town. Back in the early 19th century, Edinburgh’s neo-classical architecture earned it the sobriquet ‘The Athens of the North.’
Hit the shops on Princes Street, and when you fancy a change from the city, head out for the beautiful coastal village of Gullane, where you can explore the long, sandy beach and enjoy lunch in one of the many pubs or restaurants.
Athens
Athens boasts more than 3000 years of history, which is not surprising, as it was home to one of the major civilisations of the ancient world and the birthplace of democracy as we know it. The Acropolis, home of the Parthenon, is just one of many sights to see. When you’re all monumented out, wander through the world famous flea market at Monastiraki, or take a boat trip to the islands from Piraeus, Athens‘ port.
Rome
Rome was the base of the Roman Empire, so there’s history aplenty in the capital of Italy. See the Colosseum, where the gladiators entertained the Roman patricians, The Forum, which was the heart of Roman political life, and the Pantheon, the magnificent temple dedicated to all the Roman gods.
Include a visit to the Vatican, a magnet to Catholics around the world. Then relax and people watch in one of Rome’s magnificent piazzas (squares).
Verona
Best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s tragedy, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ Verona is a beautiful walled city which has recently been designated as a World Heritage Site. Wander through the narrow streets of the mediaeval Old Town, and see Juliet’s House, with its famous balcony. See the Amphitheatre and Triumphal Arch, well-preserved monuments dating from Roman times.
Verona is close to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. Take a ferry around the lake to see it at its most magnificent, or camp on the shores of the lake for an unforgettable vacation.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, an enchanting Spanish archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean, are a year-round haven for travelers. However, in March, these islands truly shine as one of the best places to visit in Europe because there are fewer tourists. The archipelago, which includes popular destinations such as Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, offers an ideal combination of warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a rich cultural tapestry.
March opens the door to a plethora of amazing places and experiences across Europe. From the warm and beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands to the historic streets of Southern Spain, and the cultural events in various cities, this month offers a perfect time to explore Europe without the peak season crowds.
Whether you prefer a city break, a road trip adventure, or a taste of local festivities, March provides the ideal conditions for a memorable European getaway. Consider the factors that matter most to you, pack your bags, and embark on a fantastic journey through the best places Europe has to offer in this enchanting time of the year.
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.
Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO or Whimstay for last-minute deals. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area, I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions, I always check CityPass, GetOut, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour, I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.
Rent a Car or Get a Lyft
Often, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars. Do not take Uber in 3rd world countries.
Save Money on Gas
Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.
Get a Visa
I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.
Travel Printables
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