# Where to Travel in March URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/where-to-go/march Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to travel in March: Japan’s cherry blossoms, Morocco and Egypt in spring, Cape Winelands harvest, and Maldives sun, with what to avoid and when to book. **Quick answer:** March is the month for Japan’s cherry blossoms, which typically reach Tokyo and Kyoto in late March. Cape Town’s Winelands are in harvest season, Morocco and Egypt are warm without summer’s heat, and the Maldives and Dubai are still in their best weather. For safari, Tanzania’s southern Serengeti is good early in the month. - Top city pick: Kyoto & Tokyo (blossoms typically late March) - Top Africa pick: Morocco in spring - Top beach pick: Maldives (dry season) - Best for corporate travel: Asia after Lunar New Year - Book by: Japan blossom season 6–9 months ahead ## Why is March good for Japan, Morocco, and the Cape? Japan’s cherry blossoms typically open in Tokyo and Kyoto in late March, and full bloom in any one spot lasts about a week. Timing moves each year with the weather, so build a few flexible days into your plan. Kyoto and Tokyo are the classic pairing. Spring also arrives in North Africa: Morocco is warm and green before the summer heat, and Egypt is still comfortable for Luxor and a Nile cruise. In South Africa, it’s harvest season in the Winelands, with settled weather that usually carries into April. ## What should you avoid in March? March weather is friendly almost everywhere, but a few events change the math. - U.S. spring break (mid-March): Cancun and Florida fill with college and family crowds. - Easter and Holy Week: when Easter falls in late March, Rome, Spain, and much of Latin America are booked out. - Nyepi in Bali (typically March): the island observes a Day of Silence, and the airport closes for 24 hours. - Northern Thailand: smoke haze from agricultural burning typically affects Chiang Mai around March and April. - East Africa’s long rains typically start in late March or April, and some Kenya and Tanzania camps close for April and May. ## What should business travelers know about March? With Lunar New Year over, March is busy for Asia business trips. Art Basel Hong Kong typically takes place in March, lifting hotel demand in Hong Kong. In the U.S., SXSW typically fills Austin in mid-March. In Japan, many companies close their fiscal year on March 31, so calendars get crowded late in the month. Spring is also a strong window for meetings and events in Europe and the Middle East: Dubai is still pleasant, and European cities are quieter before Easter. ## How far ahead should you book March travel? Japan in cherry-blossom season is the one to book early. Well-located hotels in Kyoto often sell out months in advance, so 6–9 months ahead is wise. For Morocco riads and Nile cruises, 4–6 months is usually enough. Spring break and Easter weeks need earlier booking than the rest of the month. ## Best places to travel in March - **Kyoto** (Japan · Cherry blossoms, typically late March): Temples, canals, and gardens framed in pink. Go early in the morning to enjoy famous spots before the crowds. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/kix - **Tokyo** (Japan · Blossoms and city energy): Riverside and park blossoms, a world-class food scene, and an easy pairing with Kyoto by bullet train. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/hnd - **Morocco** (North Africa · Spring): Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and a desert camp in comfortable spring temperatures. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/morocco - **Egypt** (North Africa · Warm, not scorching): Still comfortable for the pyramids, Luxor, Aswan, and a Nile cruise before the heat builds. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/egypt - **Cape Town & Winelands** (South Africa · Harvest season): Late-summer weather and harvest in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with fewer crowds than December. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/cape-town-and-winelands - **Maldives** (Indian Ocean · Dry season): Sunny, calm conditions continue, ideal for snorkeling and a true do-nothing beach week. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/mle - **Dubai** (UAE · Last of the cool season): Warm beach days and comfortable evenings before the summer heat sets in. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/dxb - **Southern Serengeti** (Tanzania · Herds on the plains): In early March the herds and young calves are typically still on the southern plains, before the long rains. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/tanzania ## Frequently asked questions **Q: When do cherry blossoms bloom in Japan?** A: In Tokyo and Kyoto, cherry blossoms typically open in late March and reach full bloom in late March or early April. Timing can shift by a week or more from year to year depending on the weather, and the bloom moves north through April, reaching Hokkaido around May. Forecasts are published each spring, so build some flexibility into your dates. **Q: Is March a good time for a safari?** A: Early March can be excellent in Tanzania’s southern Serengeti, where the herds and young calves are typically still on the plains. Later in the month, East Africa’s long rains approach, and some camps close for April and May. In Southern Africa, March is the tail of the green season: lush and quiet, with the dry season beginning around May. **Q: What is Nyepi, and does it affect Bali travel?** A: Nyepi is Bali’s Day of Silence, marking the Balinese Hindu new year, and it typically falls in March. For 24 hours the island shuts down: no flights at Bali’s airport, no traffic, and guests are asked to stay within their hotels. It’s a memorable experience if you’re already there, but avoid arriving or departing that day. **Q: How far ahead should I book Japan for cherry blossom season?** A: Book six to nine months ahead for the best choice of hotels, especially in Kyoto, where well-located properties sell out early. Flights to Tokyo also get busier in late March and early April. Because bloom dates aren’t fixed, choose refundable rates where you can and plan a trip of at least a week, so you catch the peak somewhere. ## Sources - [Japan National Tourism Organization](https://www.japan.travel/en/) - [Art Basel](https://www.artbasel.com/)