March to me is a month of renewal and celebration, spring and St Patrick’s day. For me it is also a month of personal celebration: my middle daughter was born on the 17th of March. As I tell her, at least she will always have a party for her Birthday.
The Spring equinox marks not only the end of winter, but also the highest tides and there is no better place to appreciate that than the Mont-Saint-Michel.
St Patrick’s Day in Dublin 2026
The obvious place to spend St Patrick’s day is in Ireland, Dublin in particular. The city hosts one of the largest St Patrick’s day parades in the world every year and the city turns into one big party. The parade is akin to a carnival style parade, with floats and fantastic costumes. The event draws over 500,000 visitors so this is not the place to come if you don’t like crowds. Check the official site for full details.
Temple bar is at the centre of the after party, so I recommend staying there, right in the centre of things. That way if it all gets too much you can pop back into the hotel. And it makes the crawl home at the end of the evening that little bit easier.
The Fleet hotel is directly across from the historic Trinity College. It is at the quieter end of the Temple bar so it’s very convenient without being noisy. This 4* boutique hotel spans 2 historical buildings and seamlessly blends historic charm with modern comforts.
To get some much needed fresh air the next day I suggest a bus ride (number 181) to Glendalough for a walk out to the Poulaness waterfall. This is an almost magical place, not just because of the sound of the flowing water but also the lush greenery that surrounds it.
Mont St Michel in March
Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, has been captivating visitors for hundreds of years. With its blend of history, legend and stunningly good looks it has something of a fairytale quality. The fact that at certain tides it turns back into an island cut off from the mainland of France adds to it’s appeal. The raised walkway to the mainland is accessible to pedestrians for most of the year, even at high tide, but during very high tides, particularly at the spring equinox, the walkway is covered for a few hours and Mont Saint-Michel returns to being a true island.
The best places on the island to appreciate this phenomena are the Passerelle (the causeway) or the Ramparts. If you want see the spectacle from the mainland with the Mont in the background then try the Pointe de la Roche Torin.
For safety, never attempt to walk across the bay without a certified guide; the tides move faster than a galloping horse and there are areas of dangerous quick-sand. Always check the tide times from an official source, be very careful of using any AI timings, they are incredibly inaccurate. This is the source I use. For the true island experience look for timings with a coefficient of over 100 (19th, 20th and 21st March for 2026)
Many visit the Mont-St Michel as a day trip from Paris, but my recommendation is to stay nearby. You can stay on the island itself, but as the shuttle busses to the carpark run from 7:30am to midnight I recommend staying on the mainland for better quality accommodation at a better price.
My hotel recommendation is the Relais Saint-Michel. It has the most stunning views over the UNESCO site, and it is right by the shuttle bus stop making transportation easy. Busses run until midnight so you can still enjoy the quieter evenings on the island.
Visiting Dubrovnik in March
Dubrovnik has come a long way since Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 causing the bombardment and a 7 month siege of the city. During this time nearly 60% of the city’s buildings were damaged, today the main sign of this is the different coloured rooftiles, the brighter ones being where roofs were repaired.
These days it is the tourists from the seemingly endless stream of cruise ships that lay siege to the Pearl of the Adriatic. Visiting in March avoids the vast majority of the crowds allowing you to enjoy the city and its medieval walls in relative peace. Whilst a few ships do dock in March the number significantly increases in April.
Whilst the weather at this time of year is not warm enough for sea bathing, it is none the less pleasant for walking around the small pedestrian old town and taking in the medieval architecture. One of the biggest draws to the city is the one mile long walls that you can walk along. In mid summer this can be both extremely crowded and arduous in the midday sun with no shade, but in March it is the perfect way to experience the city. The entrance fee (not cheap at 40€ each) includes a visit to the Fortress which is often missed by visitors which is a shame as it offers outstanding views. Be aware that the hours in March are much shorter than in summer and the fortress closes at 3pm.
The old town itself is entirely pedestrianised, and the towing of wheeled luggage is forbidden, so I suggest for convenience staying just outside the walls.
The Hotel Excelsior sits in an enviable position on the Adriatic coast. During it’s 110 year history it has hosted royalty (including Queen Elizabeth II) and Hollywood stars (including the other queen, Elizabeth Taylor). If you book a room with a sea view balcony you will have the most amazing view of the old town of Dubrovnik across the water. The UNESCO listed old town is only a 5 minute walk making it a perfect location for a spring stay. The indoor pool and award-winning spa are another draw at this time of year.
March in Europe
March in Europe is a time of transition, spring flowers and longer day length make everything seem more alive. The weather can be unpredictable though, so layers and a waterproof coat are essential items to pack. Comfortable shoes for walking are another essential for any European trip.
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