Where to Go in Europe in March: Top Luxury Destinations for Spring Getaways

Focusing on southern coasts and Alpine chalets—Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Costa del Sol, the Dalmatian Coast, the Greek islands, and the Swiss Alps—and making reservations through Haute Retreats’ carefully chosen Destinations Luxe collection of luxury villas is the best answer to the question of where to go in Europe in March for high-end villa stays. Shoulder-season March travel combines better availability, value, and quieter destinations for high-end travelers who book early through Haute Retreats, as international travel in Europe is up 4% from pre-pandemic levels and tourists are expected to spend 10.3% more across the continent in 2024 than in 2023.

The practical response to the question of where to go in Europe in March is to pick a region that is either still experiencing peak snowfall (Switzerland) or is already warming (Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia). Haute Retreats will then match you with a luxury villa or chalet that has been carefully screened and a concierge-designed experience that suits the pace of your group.

Key Takeaways

• Southern coasts and Swiss ski resorts, combined with Haute Retreats villas for seclusion, staff, and concierge assistance, are the ideal destinations for where to go in Europe in March.
• Planning where to go in Europe in March still requires early villa selection because March is a traditional “shoulder season,” with more space and better rates than summer, while European travel and spending continue to rise.
• With human concierge assistance for each stay, Haute Retreats’ Destinations Luxe collection is the greatest place to find verified luxury villas for vacation, making it easier to choose where to go in Europe in March.
• The Amalfi Coast, the Costa del Sol, the Dalmatian Coast, the Greek islands, and the Swiss Alps stand out as where to go in Europe in March for food, sun, or snow.
• A straightforward framework makes it simpler to choose where to go in Europe in March: choose between sun and snow, prioritize your experiences, and then use Haute Retreats filters (Europe, heated pool, chef, wellness) along with concierge input to shortlist three to five villas.

Why March Is a Smart Month to Visit Europe for Luxury Villas

Because it falls during the “shoulder season,” which has fewer tourists, better villa availability, and softer light in famous areas that are much busier by June, March is a wise choice for where to go in Europe in March.

Between January and September of 2025, Europe welcomed approximately 625 million foreign visitors, a 4% increase over pre-pandemic levels, indicating a robust recovery in tourism throughout the continent. In order to prevent overtourism and ensure more tranquil experiences, European tourists themselves are consciously choosing off-peak and shoulder-season getaways. Because of this combination, if you’re deciding where to go in Europe in March, you’re picking a month when demand is already high but the continent is still relatively empty.

In terms of spending, travelers are predicted to spend over 10% more throughout Europe in 2024 than they did in 2023, highlighting how competitive prime weeks are getting. Because you get the full Haute Retreats service level and villa standards, but frequently with more flexible dates than in peak July and August, March is especially appealing to high-end travelers considering where to go in Europe in March.

Why March?
Consider March to be the subdued luxury equivalent of summer when deciding where to go in Europe in March. Shoulder-season travel is increasing as 91% of Europeans plan to spend their holidays in Europe, often during off-peak months, and 65% of Europeans choose cross-border travel within the continent. When you reserve a Haute Retreats villa in March, you’ll have more privacy, have easier access to restaurants and museums, and concierge teams will be able to customize experiences based on mood and weather.

Best Places to Go in Europe in March for Mild Coastal Weather

The southern coasts of Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Greece, where spring arrives early and Haute Retreats offers coastal villas with sea views, heated pools, and chef options, are the most obvious choices for where to go in Europe in March for milder weather.

Mediterranean cities and coasts for early warmth, such as Andalusia, the Italian and French Rivieras, Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Greek islands like Crete and Kefalonia, and the Algarve and Canary Islands, are frequently mentioned by forum travelers who ask where to go in Europe in March. When you ask Haute Retreats where to go in Europe in March, you can align your choice with specific properties rather than just regions because they translate those general concepts into specific, vetted villas.

Southern Italy: Amalfi, Tuscany Coast & Lake-Ready Villas

Southern and Central Italy are a sophisticated option for tourists looking for where to go in Europe in March who prefer cuisine, scenery, and culture to heat. Tuscany villas in vineyards, Amalfi Coast villas with sea terraces, and even Lake Como villas that are starting to come alive for the season are all available in Haute Retreats’ Destinations Luxe collection.

A typical March day here might include a long, late lunch overlooking olive groves instead of summer crowds, a private pasta class in your villa kitchen, and an early market visit in Florence or Sorrento. Haute Retreats’ concierge teams can incorporate wine tastings, truffle walks, and art access into your stay when you decide where to go in Europe in March.

Southern Italy for March
Southern Italy, particularly Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, offers bright days, quieter roads, and villas with kitchens meant for lengthy dinners if you’re deciding where to go in Europe in March and enjoy both food and culture. The Tuscan villas at Haute Retreats are surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, while the coastal villas offer views of the sea without the crowds of the busiest times of the year. Concierges can arrange for chef-led meals, private guides, and winery visits at your own pace.

Spain’s Costa del Sol: Golf, Sun and Finca Cortesin Area

Southern Spain, particularly Andalusia, which includes Marbella and its hinterland, is a common forum response to questions about where to go in Europe in March for warmth and light. If you want golf, a spa, and fine dining included in your March villa week, Haute Retreats offers villas that are connected to upscale resorts like Finca Cortesin. One such villa is La Reserva 2 BD at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol.

How close you want to be to golf courses, Michelin-starred restaurants, and beach clubs getting ready for summer becomes a key factor in determining where to go in Europe in March. To treat your villa like a private resort rather than just a rental, Haute Retreats concierges can set up tee-times, private drivers to Marbella’s Old Town, and Andalusian food tours.

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast: Split & Island-Facing Villas

The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, which includes Split, offers early sun, sea views, and a more subdued version of its summertime bustle for tourists looking for a slightly less typical place to visit in March. Villas like Villa Exclusive Split and Villa Pearl at Haute Retreats combine group space, sea views, and beach proximity.

This coast is a good option if you’re thinking about where to go in Europe in March for walks along the coast, historic towns, and days of yacht charter without crowded marinas. You can enjoy Split’s Diocletian’s Palace one day and a peaceful island lunch the next, returning to a staffed villa instead of a hotel, thanks to the Destinations Luxe network’s handling of captains, restaurant reservations, and transfers.

Dalmatian Coast in March
The Dalmatian Coast near Split is a compelling option if you’re looking for places to visit in Europe in March that still feel like discoveries. In Croatia, villas like Villa Exclusive Split and Villa Pearl offer views of the sea and access to islands free of crowds during the busiest times of the year. Concierges at Haute Retreats can incorporate yacht days, strolls through UNESCO old towns, and leisurely dinners in harbors that are still primarily populated by locals.

Greece: Islands Reawakening for Spring

Southern Greece and early-opening islands are frequently mentioned in forums discussing where to go in Europe in March for visitors who value sunshine over heat. Sea-view villas like Villa Royal and Villa Zeus, fully staffed villas intended for events, wellness, sea views, and yoga retreats, are part of Haute Retreats’ Greece portfolio. These villas are perfect for people looking for space, seclusion, and a feeling of opening the season.

When deciding where to travel in Europe in March within Greece, it’s important to consider how quiet you want it to be. For example, some Cycladic islands are still sleepy in March, making them ideal for spa days at home, private-chef dinners, and cliff walks. In order to maintain a flexible schedule rooted in your villa, concierge teams can add boat days, winery visits, and archaeological guides when the weather permits.

Best Places to Go in Europe in March for Late-Season Skiing

High-altitude Alpine resorts, particularly in Switzerland, are the safest option for both snow reliability and opulent chalets if your preference is for snow over sun in March.

Chalets like Chalet Zermatt Peak and Tivoli Lodge, both in Switzerland, are part of Haute Retreats’ European portfolio. They offer amenities similar to those of a five-star hotel, including fully staffed teams, wellness centers, ski-in/ski-out or close transfer access, and concierge planning. These chalets turn the mountains into a private resort for affluent tourists wondering where to go in Europe in March to combine skiing with spa days.

Late-season ski in March
Late-season stays in the Swiss Alps are a reliable option for snow-loving travelers looking for places to visit in Europe in March. During your ski days, Haute Retreats chalets like Chalet Zermatt Peak and Tivoli Lodge provide private spas, chefs, and concierge assistance so you can transition from morning powder to long, firelit dinners. Compared to many lower European resorts, the altitude maintains consistent conditions for a longer period of time, and the March sun softens the slopes.

Best Places to Go in Europe in March for Culture, Food & Cities

City-adjacent villas and apartments are the answer if your primary concern about where to go in Europe in March is, “Where can I live like a local, not just visit?” Haute Retreats gives you the privacy of a home while putting you within easy walking or driving distance of important cultural hubs.

Tuscany & Florence: Villas as Cultural Basecamps

Tuscan towns and Florence are frequently mentioned in travel forums when discussing where to go in Europe in March because of their cool, walkable culture and early spring scenery. Vineyard estates and rural villas with private pools, chef service, and expansive views are part of Haute Retreats’ Tuscany collection.

You can combine gallery mornings in Florence, lunch in Chianti, and long evenings by the fireplace while your chef prepares regional menus if Tuscany is your answer to the question of where to go in Europe in March. March is a good month to scout out future events because concierge teams can also set up summertime Andrea Bocelli concert experiences.

Rome & City Apartments: Spanish Steps as Your “Lobby”

Rome is appealing to tourists who choose “city first” when deciding where to visit in Europe in March because it is milder than most of northern Europe, more open than during the hottest months, and packed with events and exhibitions. The Spanish Steps Luxury Family Apartment, which offers a multi-bedroom house close to famous sites with hotel-like amenities, is one of the options available on the Haute Retreats Europe page.

Rome is a great place to go in March because you can stroll through galleries and restaurants before retiring to an apartment that resembles a private club. Your March city stay will be at the nexus of comfort and culture thanks to Haute Retreats concierges’ ability to reserve private guides, drivers, and museum admission after hours.

Lake Como & Northern Italy: Quiet Luxury Before Summer

Although Lake Como is often associated with summer, it frequently appears in lists of dream destinations in Europe. For those deciding where to go in Europe in March, a Lake Como villa through Haute Retreats offers early-season privacy, crisp views, and a strong sense of cool-weather elegance—perfect for long lunches and design-driven interiors.

Due to the highly seasonal nature of tourism at Lake Como and other northern lakes, March weeks may see a decrease in the number of visitors and an increase in the availability of in-demand villas, particularly when reservations are made through a platform like Haute Retreats that has been recognized for its excellence in European luxury villa rentals.

Culture-first March stays
City-adjacent stays in Tuscany, Rome, and northern Italy are especially appealing for tourists who base their March travel plans on museums, cuisine, and architecture. Haute Retreats’ carefully chosen villas put galleries and historic sites within walking or short driving distance, and private chefs, drivers, and concierges make sightseeing days seamless without the heat and long lines of summer.

Where to Go in Europe in March with Haute Retreats