Valuable tip: never start your trip in Rome . After that, you might find everything else dull. In Rome, the monuments are bigger, the food is tastier and the blue sky is unbeatable.
In addition to the favorable weather, March is low season in Europe’s main tourist cities. Take advantage of this chance to discover famous places, without having to face so many queues and with cheaper prices on hotels and tours.
Time to take a long trip, one of those with stops in several countries. And if you have time, go beyond the big cities, exploring attractions and locales inland.
If you want to go to the beach in March in Europe, the only viable destination is the archipelago of Tenerife, which is part of Spain, but is much closer to Morocco, in Africa.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
- Average temperatures: 11ºC to 19ºC
- Rainfall: 53mm
The pleasant climate combines with the long walks necessary to get to know the Portuguese capital. From Praça do Comércio to Bairro Alto, Lisbon is an open-air museum. The winds can still be icy, but it is now possible to take a sailboat ride on the Tagus River and enjoy the view of the beaches of Costa Caparica.
A trip to Lisbon is not complete without a trip to Belém , the birthplace of the great navigations, and another to Sintra, home to the most beautiful castles in Portugal.
2. Paris, France
- Average temperatures: 5ºC to 12ºC
- Rainfall: 47mm
All year round, there is no shortage of things to do in Paris, with its dozens of museums, art galleries, palaces and cafes. But on days without rain, the French capital shines much brighter. Take a good jacket and comfortable sneakers, because you will surely walk miles every day.
Paris is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. With the current exchange rate of the Euro, hotel prices are absurd for us. This is another advantage of traveling in March, the low season month, with lower hotel demand, which generates some good deals.
3. Barcelona, Spain
- Average temperatures: 9ºC to 16ºC
- Rainfall: 45mm
- March usually has Champions League final round games
March is not yet beach time in Barcelona . With the icy waters and winds, take the opportunity to focus on the most important Historic Center in Catalonia. Places like the Gothic Quarter have a tourist spot on every corner. In addition to secular buildings, lively nightlife and the creative architecture of Gaudí.
The whole of Spain is an excellent destination in March. The tip is to travel by train. From Barcelona, there are high-speed trains to Zaragoza (1h23) and Madrid (2h45). Also worth visiting are Seville and Valencia.
4. Athens, Greece
- Average temperatures: 7ºC to 16ºC
- Rainfall: 49 mm
- Take advantage of high humidity and less crowded tourist spots
You know that scene with huge queues, with thousands of tourists under a scorching sun strolling through the Parthenon? Not in March. In the last month of winter, temperatures are pleasant in Athens and the air humidity is still good. Concentrate on the historical side, as the Greek islands are not yet beached.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Average temperatures: 3ºC to 9ºC
- Rainfall: 58 mm
- In March, the Keukenhof season opens
In the country of mills, the winds are almost always strong and icy. It’s no different in March in Amsterdam . Take the opportunity to pedal a lot and reach the main attractions of the city by bicycle: its parks and canals, beautiful and free places.
The season for the Keukenhof, Holland’s largest tulip field , usually starts around March 20, the official start of spring in Europe. The landscape continues to be colored by flowers until the beginning of May.
6. London, England
- Average temperatures: 3ºC to 11ºC
- Rainfall: 47mm
- March is the least rainy month of the year in London
Who says it’s always raining in London , it’s because they’ve never been to the English capital in March. It is the driest month of the year. Great for outdoor walks, like taking a walk in Hyde Park or feeling like Julia Roberts (or Hugh Grant) in Nothing Hill, browsing its little shops on the charming slopes. And if the weather gets too cold, go to the corner pub and try a Fish and Chips.
7. Rome, Italy
- Average temperatures: 6ºC to 16ºC
- Rainfall: 53mm
Connected by cheap flights to Europe’s main capitals, Rome is a perfect destination in March. Stay a minimum of 4 nights to get to know at least the basics of the monumental Italian capital. From Vatican cathedrals to massive piazzas , explore Rome in the off-season and skip the long lines at sights like the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Where NOT to travel in March in Europe
If you prefer to avoid very intense cold, it’s not enough to just run away from the Nordic countries, such as Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
Also avoid traveling to the main destinations in Central Europe, such as Berlin, Prague and Vienna. In this region, March begins with negative minimum temperatures.
In Eastern Europe, the cold also punishes the most important tourist cities, such as Krakow (Poland), Budapest (Hungary), and practically the entire European part of Russia.