WHEN it comes to March, the weather is on the turn and spring is in the air – so where is Sun Travel planning on going to make the most of it?
We’ve got plans to head to beautiful European cities, American theme parks and of course plenty of staycation spots too…
Bilbao, Spain
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has her eye on one popular spot in Europe. She said: “My love for Spain only grew last year, after visiting both Madrid and Seville.
“So this year my plan is to explore even more of the Brit-loved country – this time heading to Bilbao. It is the closest Spanish city you can fly to directly from the UK, taking as little as 1hr50.
“Its main attraction is the modern art Guggenheim Museum, which opened nearly 30 years ago. Otherwise it also has a fantastic food scene too, loved for its ‘pinxtos’ (tapas).
“And with TUI launching new city break packages – which include return flights from six major airports – there’s never been a better time to go.”
TUI has two night city break packages from £139pp, with return flights.
Or, you can fly there with easyJet from £22.99, or Vueling from £26.
Northumberland, UK
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill is planning a trip to the north of the UK. She said: “When you don’t want to faff about with getting to the airport two hours early or face the length queues at passport control, a break within the UK is ideal.
“Just pack up the car and get going. So in March, I plan on heading further north to explore the Northumberland coastline.
“The county has some of the best beaches in the country, of course there’s the famous Bamburgh – other beautiful spots include Embleton Bay, Beadnell Bay, and Druridge Bay.
“I don’t mind if there’s a little chill or breeze in the air on the beach. I’m very happy to wrap up and take a hot chocolate onto the sands if need be.
“But in March there’s likely to be fewer crowds and a hint of spring sunshine, just the way I like it.”
A one-night stay for two at The Bamburgh Castle Inn starts from £89 in March on Booking.com.
Orlando, USA
Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens said: “I’m heading off to Orlando, Florida this March – and this destination is an all-round entertainer for families and friend groups alike.
“Weather in March is warm and comfortable, sitting in the mid 20s, just before the sweltering heat of the summer kicks in.
“I’m actually not visiting Walt Disney World this time around – but there’s no need to when there’s so much to do in the city itself.
“Foodies and fans of craft beers will enjoy afternoons spent strolling Orlando’s Winter Garden, whilst the Plant Street Market is packed full with handmade products and souvenirs.
“Not to mention basking in the Americana atmosphere at dive bars and sports matches, with the NBA season being well underway at this time of year.
“But if you do choose to visit the world-famous Walt Disney resort in March, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will be in full swing from 4 March – 1 June.
“Here there’s jaw-dropping flower sculptures, plus the Garden Rocks Concert series to sing and dance along to.
“Plus if you head to Universal Orlando Resort at this time of year, you can take part in their colourful Mardi Gras Carnaval festivities between February 7 – April 4.”
With loveholidays, family breaks to Florida start from £569pp.
Barcelona, Spain
Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot is heading to beautiful Barcelona. She said: “March is a perfect time to visit the Spanish city by the sea. Temperatures are warming up with highs of 17C in the day, perfect for sightseeing.
“And with far fewer visitors at this time of year, the top tourist spots will feel much less crowded.
“I’m visiting the city after a cruise on a new NCL mega ship but there will hopefully still be time to take in the Sagrada Familia – which just last week saw the final piece laid in place, an astonishing 144 years after work first began.
“Sadly, I will have just missed the Sant Medir Festival, which kicks off on March 3 in the old town Gracia and sees parades, horses and to the delight of children, sees sweets, treats and toffees thrown to onlookers from the procession.”
Three nights’ room-only at the 3-star Catalonia Sagrada Familia is from £379pp including flights from Leeds Bradford on March 9 and 22kg luggage – see jet2holidays.com.
Lake District, UK
Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens is also planning on exploring more of the UK, she said: “As the clouds start to part from the skies in springtime and the sun makes more of an appearance, you might start to feel the itch to get out and about and explore the UK. I know I do.
“And when it comes to scenic UK destinations, I think the Lake District is pretty unbeatable.
“Head to Keswick in the north of England’s largest national park to see the ‘Queen of the Lakes’ Derwentwater, or stay in Coniston in the south for a breath-takingly rugged landscape.
“Visiting in March means less wintery sludge to trudge through, and more bright green grass and the warmth of the sun on your back as you take your pick of gorgeous hiking trails.
“And to spice up the days with something a bit different, you can take a trip to The Lakes Distillery for some cheeky tastings, or visit The World of Beatrix Potter family attraction.
“So whether you’re pitching up a tent to unzip to an unreal view like so many of the hiking TikToks I’ve seen, or going full-on digital detox and leaving the devices at home, you can’t go wrong with a spring spent in the Lakes.”
Hoseasons have plenty of cosy hot tub lodges to pick from across the Lake District. You can bag a 3-night stay in March in a traditional lodge with a hot tub from £255pp.
Disneyland Paris, France
Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding wants a first look at the World of Frozen, she said: “As spring slowly approaches, March is the ideal time to get away to make it feel like you’re escaping the cold weather quicker.
“And what better way to feel warm, then being full of adrenaline venturing around Disneyland Paris?
“This is exactly what I will be doing in March for a couple of days and it is perfectly timed for the opening of the new Frozen Land attraction on March 29.
“I can’t wait to feel like a princess in the Kingdom of Arendelle and venture into Elsa’s Ice Palace.”
You can head off to Disneyland Paris on March 26 for two nights from £1,433.32, based on a family of four including London flights, hotel and park tickets.
English Riviera, UK
Lisa is also hoping to take advantage of the warmer weather in the UK, explaining: “It may not be peak season but there’s still plenty to see and do on the English Riviera in early spring.
“The first flowers are blooming on walks along the South West Coast Path but there’s still plenty to do indoors if the weather does close in.
“One of my favourite treasures is Kents Cavern in Torquay where guides will lead you through the complex of caves that were formed 2.5million years ago – over time the huge stalagmites and stalactites sealed in the evidence of the Ice Age occupations.
“Explorations over the last 200 years have uncovered the remains of woolly mammoths, woolly rhinos, cave bears and hyenas and the oldest evidence of modern humans in Europe.
“Warm up after a bracing harbourside walk in Brixham at Rockfish where the freshest seafood from the neighbouring fish market is served up alongside unlimited chips.
“Just opened on the seafront at Torquay, the Hotel Indigo looks like a sleek cruise liner docked on the English Riviera and features 135 luxury rooms with Art Deco styling.”
A standard king-size room in March for two people including breakfast starts from £83 per night. See http://ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/gb/en/torbay/extto/hoteldetail
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Alice is also heading to a very popular Canary Island. She said: “I’m trying a little further afield and heading to Lanzarote.
“I’ve heard so many times that the Canary Island is one of the best for sunshine year-round with daytime highs of up to 24C in March.
“Putting that into perspective, the UK has highs of 11C and a lot more forecast rain.
“Heading to the south of the island I’m planning on enjoying Lanzarote’s beautiful beaches, and of course head into bars along the palm-tree lined promenade.
“The volcanic island also has plenty of nature to be explored to depending how much of the holiday-mode I’m in, I could be tempted to go on a sunrise hike.”
One-way flights to Lanzarote are as little as £13 in March.
With On the Beach, a 7-night stay at the THB Royal in Playa Blanca on March 10 (room-only) starts from £215pp.
For even more suggestions on where to go to in March, here’s where the Sun Travel team had on their bucket list in 2025.
And here are the cheapest family holiday destinations under three hours from UK that are over 20C this Easter.