Published 19th Jan. 2026
Written by Emily Heeks
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March is that tricky month where winter hasn’t fully let go, but spring is starting to peek around the corner. Luckily, Europe has pockets of sunshine where you can shake off the chill, work on your tan and take a dip in the sea, even in March. From the golden sands of Spain’s Canary Islands and the sunlit coasts of Portugal’s Algarve, to the historic harbours of Croatia and the Mediterranean charm of Malta, Cyprus and Rhodes, there’s plenty of sun waiting to be chased. If you’re in need of some vitamin D, read on to discover where’s hot in Europe in March…
1
Average temperature: 20-23ºC
It’s hard to beat the Canary Islands. Think white sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and blissful temperatures that hover around 20-23ºC. On Gran Canaria, check out the golden dunes of Maspalomas where the desert meets the ocean, and rolling sands stretch as far as the eye can see – a scene that feels more like the Sahara than Spain.
Over on Lanzarote, the lava fields of Timanfaya National Park and the fiery Montanas del Fuego create a striking lunar-like landscape, where both the warmth and scenery make it hard to believe you’re still in Europe in March and not wandering across a Dune set.
Fuerteventura keeps the sunshine theme going, with its famous beaches like Playa de Cofete and the turquoise lagoons of Costa Calma – perfect for classic beach days, coastal boat trips and refreshing dips in the Atlantic.
Seeking an adventure? Hike Mount Teide in Tenerife, Spain’s tallest peak at 12,198 ft. Tackle the climb in the March warmth and you’re guaranteed to work up a sweat, making that post-hike beach siesta and well-deserved sangria taste even better.
Image by © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images
2
Average temperature: 12-19 ºC
The Algarve is one of the best answers to where’s hot in Europe in March, where temperatures range from 12 to 19ºC. Explore the region’s dramatic cliffs and hidden coves, whether you’re walking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, kayaking into Benagil Cave or watching fishermen bring in the day’s catch along the coast.
Feeling peckish? The Algarve shines when it comes to food – think rich seafood cataplanas, homemade bread, pastel de nata and a glass of Arinto, best enjoyed while watching the sunset. Mild evenings mean you can linger longer than usual, dining by the sea as the sun dips below the horizon – no need to rush back indoors, just one more course, one more drink and a little more of that golden coastal light.
Image by Afonso Farias / Getty Images
3
Average temperature: 12-18ºC
Croatia has a way of offering the best of itself in March. Historic cities like Dubrovnik and Split are calm before the high season, their stone streets warmed by the early spring sunshine and blissfully free of summer crowds. Beyond the city walls lie coastal paths, national parks and island-dotted landscapes beginning to turn green again, including the emerald pools and cascading waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes.
A trip at this time of year also offers the chance to explore popular Game of Thrones filming locations without the queues or intense heat. With daytime temperatures in March sitting between 12 and 18ºC, sightseeing feels unhurried. Whether you’re wandering old towns, hiking along the Adriatic or lingering over kava on the harbourfront, you’ll likely have much of it to yourself.
Image by Ana Kutija
4
Average temperature: 18-20ºC
If there’s one place that knows how to turn early-spring into a mini summer, it’s Cyprus – a reliable favourite when considering where’s hot in Europe in March. Sitting at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, daytime temperatures in March range from 18-20ºC and there are more than 300 sunny days a year.
Wander the UNESCO-listed mosaics and coastal paths of Paphos, sip coffee along Limassol’s palm-lined promenades, or head inland to the Troodos Mountains, where wildflowers bloom and snow lingers on the highest peaks, offering a fleeting glimpse of winter without the chill. Down at sea level, clear waters make March ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving, including the famous Zenobia wreck near Larnaca, while lucky swimmers in Paphos may spot sea turtles cruising the shallows.
As the sun sets, evenings slow to a gentler pace. Try slow-cooked kleftiko, smoked sheftalia (Cypriot sausage) and fresh halloumi, and enjoy generous plates of Cypriot mezze as they arrive one after another. Meals often stretch outdoors with glasses of Commandaria, the island’s historic dessert wine, before dark skies and low light pollution reveal a celestial canopy – a dazzling end to an evening in Cyprus.
Image by Irina - stock.adobe.com
5
Average temperature: 15-20ºC
At the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has been a crossroad of cultures for centuries, long frequented by royalty for its history and grand architecture, with mild March temperatures hovering between 15 and 20ºC. Valletta, the fortified capital built by the Knights of St. John, showcases Italian Baroque elegance, while Mdina, the ‘Silent City’, still shows traces of Malta’s Arab past in its narrow alleyways.
Cruise over to Gozo for a slower-paced adventure, where dramatic cliffs, quiet villages and crystal-clear bays make for the perfect day trip. It’s warm enough here to feel like a break from winter, but not so hot that you’ll regret that extra hill or set of steps (which in Malta, you’ll quickly learn are everywhere).
Image by Gottlob Freund / Adobe Stock
6
Average temperature: 15-20ºC
Rhodes in March is where history, culture and sunshine are married together, where temperatures range from 15 to 20ºC. Wander the Old Town, climb the Palace of the Grand Master and explore inland villages and olive groves – just don’t forget the sunscreen, because yes, it’s March, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
The locals add another layer of charm to the island: shopkeepers and cafe owners greet you with warm smiles, and families welcome you into their tavernas, serving traditional Greek cuisine. Through their stories and everyday life, you feel the heartbeat of an island shaped by a millennium of Greek, Byzantine and Ottoman influences. It’s a fitting reminder that when asking where’s hot in Europe in March, warmth can be measured in atmosphere as much as temperature.
Image by Franz Marc Frei / Getty Images
Header Image by Daniel Garrido / Getty Images
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