March is absolutely one of the best times of year for traveling in Europe. While some countries are embracing spring and the long, sunshine-filled days the season brings with it, other countries are holding onto winter and making the most of the end of ski season. Depending on where you visit, you really could spend a morning whooshing down snowy slopes and an afternoon lounging on a golden beach!

The festivals are another great reason you should start planning a trip to Europe in March. When Easter falls during this month, almost every major city throws a huge celebration, with processions, parties, and loads of fun for families with kids of all ages. Even when Easter falls later in the year, there are still plenty of exciting events going on, such as Las Fallas in Valencia and the Strong Beer Festival in Munich. 

To help you plan the ultimate early-spring escape, we’ve put together our favorite places in Europe to visit in March. From ancient cities and modern vacation resorts to country retreats and remote islands, you’re sure to find your perfect getaway here! 

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 13 Best Places to Visit in Europe in March

The 13 Best Places to Travel in Europe in March

1. Munich, Germany

Munich’s Strong Beer Festival is one of Germany’s best-kept secrets. While the iconic Oktoberfest is known around the world, very few people know about the city’s other beer festival that takes place throughout various breweries in Munich for three weeks in March.

This lively festival has been celebrated every year since the 16th century, when monks began brewing exceptionally strong beer to help them abstain from eating during Lent. The Paulaner Brewery in Nockherberg is where most of the events are held, but there are plenty of other breweries that celebrate the festival, too. Augustiner Keller and Lowenbraukeller are two of our favorites.

Each year the festival features a jam-packed events calendar, with beer tastings, daily beer specials, live Bavarian bands, local food, circus performances, and an amazing atmosphere, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

It’s important to remember that most of the events are ticketed. So visit the website of the brewery you want to visit and buy your tickets before you go.

Not into beer? Munich is still definitely worth visiting in March. Although temperatures may be on the chilly side – expect highs of 48°F (9°C), there are plenty of fascinating museums and galleries you can pop into to keep warm. The Nymphenburg Palace, the Kunsthalle Munich, and the Munich Residence are our top three!

2. San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is the foodie capital of Spain. The coastal city boasts the second-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants (Kyoto gets the #1 spot) that dish up every type of cuisine your palate desires. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Basque food, quirky molecular gastronomy, fresh-as-can-be seafood, or something else entirely, you won’t go hungry here. 

Akelarre is one of the city’s most phenomenal restaurants. This gourmet hotspot boasts three Michelin stars and is located on the slope of Mount Igueldo. Here you can gaze out at stunning sea views while savoring one of three spectacular set menus. 

For a true taste of San Sebastian, choose the typical Basque menu. If you’d rather try something new, there are two more contemporary and creative menus available. 

It’s not just food that is superb at this time of year in San Sebastian – March is also the middle of the hard cider and txakoli season. There are loads of cider houses scattered throughout the city where you can sip different varieties of the sparkling drink while the gentle sun warms your face. Txakoli is a type of unique, slightly sparkly Basque wine that you’ll find flowing throughout almost every bar and restaurant in the city during March! 

3. Cotswolds, UK

Do you love making stuff from scratch? Then plan a trip to the Cotswolds this March and make your own wild garlic pesto. At this time of year, the rural area’s forests are teeming with wild garlic. You’ll smell it as soon as you arrive at Newark Park, and if you know what to look for, you’ll be able to collect a few heads and transform it into an amazing wild garlic pesto or whatever your heart desires.

Wild garlic is known for its long, pointed leaves and white flowers. If you don’t have much luck at Newark Park, try foraging in Prior Park and Dowdeswell Woods instead. You’re sure to find some in one of these spots! 

March is also when Race Week takes place in Cheltenham, ending with one of the biggest and most important racing events of the year – the Cheltenham Gold Cup. During this month, the town is absolutely brimming with pop-up cafes and bars serving everything from traditional afternoon teas to race-themed cocktails. 

4. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Despite its small size, Sarajevo is the cultural, social, financial, and political center of Bosnia and Herzegovina. March is an in-between month, when the surrounding areas are often covered in snow while the city itself is slowly shedding its winter coat and embracing a milder, brighter spring. 

These contrasting scenes make Sarajevo one of the best places to visit in Europe in March. It’s absolutely breathtaking!

If you’re an avid landscape photographer or you just like spending time outdoors, you’ll find yourself in your element here. Stay in the city and you’ll spot manicured parks full of flowers in bloom, winding streets dappled in delicate sunlight, and snowcapped mountains off in the distance. Or escape the city and go to the nearby mountain resorts of Bjelasnica and Jahorina for the chance to go skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tobogganing. 

Tourist season doesn’t begin in Sarajevo until April at the earliest. This means that the tourist attractions that are usually crowded in summer will be practically deserted in March! So make the most of it and try to fit in as much as possible during your trip. We suggest you check out the Sebilj Fountain, Sarajevo War Tunnel, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.

5. Innsbruck, Austria

Despite spring being just around the corner, there are still plenty of places you can go skiing and snowboarding in Europe in March. Innsbruck in Austria enjoys a thick layer of snow well into April, making March a fantastic time of year to go. 

There are nine ski resorts in and around the city that you can access with an Olympia SkiWorld pass. This pass offers remarkable value for money and provides you with access to around 185 miles of runs suitable for all ages, levels, and experiences. 

For the best family-friendly slopes, check out Rangger Köpfl. Or, if you’d prefer something a bit more challenging, look into the Stubai Glacier, which is a staggering 10,500 feet above sea level. 

If you’d rather stay inside and keep warm, find out if there are any Osterfestival concerts or choir performances during your trip. These events form part of the Easter festival, which is celebrated in churches and other indoor venues throughout the city between March and April.

6. Obidos, Portugal

If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, Obidos in Portugal should be your vacation choice for March. This medieval town hosts the International Chocolate Festival over three weekends every year this month.

During this time, you’ll find market stalls appearing all over the city selling chocolate in every shape, form, and type you can possibly imagine. To tempt you even further, the stall owners will often let you try before you buy, so make sure you don’t fill up on freebies at just one stall! In the unbelievable event that you don’t really like chocolate, you’ll also find stalls dedicated to pastries, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. 

As well as all the tastings and shopping opportunities, the International Chocolate Festival also features incredible sculptures made entirely out of chocolate, fantastic culinary classes you can join to become a master chocolatier, and mesmerizing shows put on by people who’ve been in the chocolate business for years. To make sure things are family-friendly, chocolate-themed activities are also held for little ones to enjoy. 

7. Berlin, Germany

Do you struggle to decide where to go on vacation? Then head to ITB Berlin and plan your getaways for the next 10 years! The world’s leading travel trade show, ITB takes place over a few days in March and opens your eyes to all kinds of stuff you’d never discover otherwise. 

This massive show gives you the opportunity to learn about many different countries and regions all over the globe. Even if you spend just a couple of hours there, you’ll leave with loads of ideas about where to travel, what to do, and where to stay. You’ll never be stuck for where to go ever again! 

ITB isn’t the only exciting event that happens here in March. The MaerzMusik Festival of Time also takes place during this month. It’s considered to be one of the most important music festivals in Germany and combines current events and world issues with contemporary music to raise awareness. 

The Spring Light Festival is another March event that’s definitely worth checking out. This spectacular event transforms the city’s buildings and monuments into mesmerizing works of art with all kinds of colorful illuminations. 

8. Chișinău, Moldova

March is an excellent time to get off the beaten path and explore places most people don’t even know exist. At this time of year, Chișinău (the capital city of Moldova) celebrates the Mărțișor festival as a way of saying goodbye to a harsh winter and hello to a much more pleasant spring.

This festival is such an integral part of life in Chișinău that it’s been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It begins on March 1 and carries on until the end of the month, giving you plenty of opportunity to check it out.

Red and white amulets in all sorts of designs and shapes called Mărțișor are at the heart of the festival. People purchase them from local artisans or make them themselves and place them all over the city. Throughout March, it’s practically impossible to walk down a single street without seeing a handful of these delicate trinkets. 

As well as the decorations, the festival also features amazing concerts throughout the city’s most prominent theaters and concert halls. People from all over the world travel to perform a huge variety of music, so there’s guaranteed to be at least one performance you’ll love. 

9. Donegal, Ireland

The Inishowen has got to be one of the most stunning roads in Ireland, and March is a fantastic time to drive along it. The 100-mile road loops through the rugged Inishowen Peninsula and passes by many of the county’s most impressive sites. 

Some of the places that are definitely worth checking out include Lisfannon Beach, Fort Dunree, the Mamore Gap, Glenevin Waterfall, the Donagh Famine Village, the 5 Finger Strand, Malin Head, and the Inishowen Lighthouse. That may sound like a lot of places to stop at, but it’s a great way to get out of the car and stretch your legs. 

Because there’s so much stuff to see, plan at least 5 hours for this incredible drive. It would be a shame to rush it and miss out on all the fantastic photo opportunities. If you’re feeling incredibly ambitious, you can cycle the route instead. How long that takes is really down to your stamina, as it’s a challenging route. 

10. Val Thorens, France

If you’d prefer something with a more winter wonderland vibe, make plans to visit Val Thorens. It snows for about 11 days each March here, and because temperatures dip below freezing at night, the snowy slopes are fresh each morning. Temperatures fall between 28°F (-2°C) and 15°F (-9°C), but the 6 hours of daily sunshine help take the edge off.

This spectacular French ski resort is located 7,500 feet (2,286 meters) high in the Tarentaise Valley. And thanks to its handy ski lift system, you can easily access the neighboring ski resorts of Courchevel and Meribel. 

Between the three resorts, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a whopping 319 runs and 200 ski lifts, plus a mega snow park and plenty of zones created especially for beginners. If you get tired of the snow, know there are hot spas, Michelin-starred restaurants, and lively karaoke bars to discover.

This part of France is well known for its high-octane après-ski scene. Things usually kick off in the afternoon with dance parties followed by all kinds of lively events you’ll see advertised throughout the resorts. 

11. Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City is rarely a place that crops up on travel guides, but when you’re there, you’ll realize it’s one of Europe’s hidden gems. The capital city of Luxembourg, Luxembourg City is a little on the cold side in March, but as long as you bring warm clothing, you’ll have a great time.

Thanks to its small size, the city is very walkable and you can explore practically the entire place on foot. If you do get tired, you’ll be glad to know that all public transport (buses, trams, and trains) is completely free throughout the country. 

Casemates du Bock is definitely worth a visit. This popular attraction is made up of a network of underground tunnels and galleries. They were originally built in 1644 and were used as bomb shelters in WWII. Today, they’re an exciting tourist attraction you can explore for the change in your pocket. 

Make sure you check out both sides of Luxembourg City while you’re there. The upper city is strikingly modern, with cool architecture and grandiose palaces. The lower city close to the river is much more rustic. Exploring this area feels like walking through the pages of a fairytale book. 

12. Larnaca, Cyprus

If you’ve had enough of winter and you want to escape to somewhere warm and sunny, make plans to visit Larnaca in Cyprus. At this time of year, this gorgeous port city reaches highs of around 66°F (19°C). That may not sound like much, but when the sun is blaring and the air is completely still, it feels absolutely wonderful. 

Mackenzie Beach is one of the best beaches in this neighborhood. The sandy bay is dotted with sun loungers and umbrellas and seems to stretch on for miles, so you never have to worry about it being overcrowded. Because the airport is nearby, you can watch the planes take off and land from here. Don’t worry about the noise – you can’t hear a thing. 

What makes Mackenzie Beach so unusual is the sea. It’s beautifully clear and calm in March, and you can walk out for at least 160 feet (49 meters) without getting out of your depth! This makes it a great choice if you’re traveling with kids or you’re not a confident swimmer. 

If you get fed up with the sun, sea, and sand, there are plenty of other outdoor activities you can do in Larnaca. The city gets a lot of rain in February, which provides the perfect conditions for its nature trails to thrive and bloom with flowers in every color. Follow one of the trails and admire the natural beauty without getting too hot and sweaty.

13. Athens, Greece

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Europe in March, this month is definitely one of the best times of year to visit Athens. The weather is sunny and mild during this month, with highs of around 62°F (17°C) and lows of around 54°F (12°C). These conditions are ideal for exploring the city’s fascinating historical landmarks, unlike the conditions you experience in summer when it’s simply too hot to be out in the sun all day.

Not only is the weather superb in Athens in March, but it’s also the low season for the city. This means that a lot of entrance tickets to museums are heavily discounted, and there are very few crowds. You’ll be able to work your way through loads more exhibitions than you planned and not have to line up to see the most famous pieces! 

We suggest you check out the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation for starters.

If you visit the city at the end of the month, you’ll have the chance to witness Greece’s Independence Day celebrations. This important event takes place every year on March 25 and includes a fantastic parade that begins in Syntagma Square and passes through the center of Athens. It’s also worth remembering that you can get into the Acropolis for free on Greek Independence Day. 

There you have it! The 13 best places to visit in Europe in March. What are your favorite places in Europe to travel in March?

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