12 Best places to visit in India in March (2024) : Dreamy Spots in the Country!

March can be one of the best times to visit India when it isn’t too expensive and it’s sat between winter and summer; India doesn’t do spring however if it did, this would be it. Here’s some of the best places to visit in India in March, by category, including honeymoon destination in India in March!

Picking the best places to visit in India in March is tough. It’s spring season in March. So the temperature is moderate in most of the country, and it doesn’t rain. So, it is an excellent time to take a trip to India.

You get not just pleasant weather but also lesser crowds as its shoulder season before summer sets in, in full force in India!

These are some of the best places to visit in India in March. India is massive so I have categorised these best places to visit in India in March into five categories. Beach getaways, city escapes, mountain adventure, wellness getaways and cities for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Here’s all the information about the best places to travel in India in March including the best places to see in each region, and the best things to do as well at the destination.

Best places to visit in India in March

Best places to visit in India in March: Beach places

Port Blair

Average temperature: 32°/23°C

Average rainfall: 35 mm

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Some of these islands are inhabited by indigenous tribes and are off-limits to tourists.

Andaman islands is an excellent honeymoon destination in India in March. Andaman has gorgeous white sand beaches with turquoise water, palm-lined shores, mangroves and tropical rainforests.

It is one of the best destinations in India for scuba diving and snorkelling. Andaman is special not only because of its beautiful and clean beaches but also because it has about 180 coral species! Scuba diving here means seeing the colourful coral reef on the island.

Nicobar island is a restricted area where tribals live. So, to enter Nicobar, locals and foreigners need permits and are not allowed to roam freely. Neither locals nor foreigners nor allowed to stay there overnight.

Andaman’s maximum temperature is 32°C, and the minimum temperature is 23°C. So if you visit in March, you’ll have to stay away from the beach during the noon.

Port Blair is the capital city of Andaman, where tourists land. You can live in Port Blair for a while, do some sightseeing and then live for a few days on Havelock or Neil island. Havelock island has Radhanagar beach ranks in all ‘best beaches in Asia’ lists.

What to see and do in the Andaman islands

• See Cellular Jail (do watch the light and sound show here), Zonal Anthropological Museum, and Naval Marine Museum Samudrika in Port Blair.

• See Havelock island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil island (Shaheed Dweep)

• You can also see Ross and Smith Islands in North Andaman.

• See Baratang islands if you want to see limestone caves and dense mangrove creeks.

Where to stay in Port Blair

Here are a few of the top-rated places in Port Blair:

Luxury: Sea Hills Hotels

Budget-friendly: Lemon Tree Hotel

Bed & Breakfast: City view

Goa

Average temperature: 21°/32°C

Average rainfall: 2mm

Goa, on the southwestern coast of India, is one of the best places to visit in India in March because it’s a fabulous beach destination with warm temperatures, great food, cheap alcohol and raging parties.

For those who’d like to relax and not party, you can live near a quieter beach and enjoy the peaceful, laid-back Goan life. Goa also has idyllic beaches where you can relax and have a beer at the ‘shacks’ on the beach.

The average temperature in March is 27°C. The maximum temperature can go up to 33°C. So, it’s hot at noon. It gets cooler at night; the temperature is around 20°C.

The sun is quite intense during the day, so carry a powerful sunscreen with high SPF and plan your days so you can be indoors from 12-3 p.m.

What to see and do in Goa

Goa has two regions – North and South Goa. North Goa has Baga Beach, Anjuna Beach, Vagator Beach and Calangute Beach, which are full of shacks and resorts. You’ll find lots of party’s happening here.

South Goa has Palolem Beach, Colva Beach, Butterfly Beach, and Majorda Beach, which are quiet, secluded and serene beaches. Choose which part you’d like to stay in based on what sort of vacation you are looking for.

You can do water sports like parasailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and jet-skiing in Goa. Many beaches like Sinquerim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Dona have small operators who offer water sports.

Goa also has Dudhsagar Falls, one of the highest falls in India. However, check with locals if it’s worth visiting the Falls in March, as there may be little water flowing down during this time.

Many Catholics live in Goa, along with Hindus. So you can see Goan catholic culture here. Goa has a unique cuisine with delicious dishes that non-vegetarians love.

Other than the beaches, here’s what you should see and do in Goa

• The capital area – Panaji

• Churches and Portuguese architecture: Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Immaculate Conception Church and Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus

• Islands like Chorao and Divar, perfect for day trips

Where to stay in Goa

Here are a few of the top-ranked places where you can stay:

5-star resort: Taj Resort & Convention Centre in Panaji

3-star hotel: Ginger Hotel

Hostel: The Hosteller Goa

Mumbai in March

Leh in March

Average temperature:  6°/20°C

Average rainfall: 126 mm

Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh, is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. Many come here to study Buddhism. The serene hill station has gorgeous mountain trails and monasteries. Dharamshala in March is cold at night.

Dharamshala does not have an airport. Kangra, which is 13 km away, is the closest airport to Dharamshala. You’ll have to take a flight from Delhi to Kangra. Dharamshala is well connected by road from Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali etc.

The first half of March is slightly colder. The temperature is in the range of 7-17 degree celsius in the first half. In the second half, daytime temperatures go up to 20°C.

What to see and do in Dharamshala

• See McLeodganj, where you’ll find a large Tibetan population. The Dalai Lama lives in this suburb. See the Tsuglagkhang Complex Dalai Lama, where he lives and the Namgyal monastery. Shop at the McLeodganj market for local Tibetan goods.

• You can also see Dal Lake, close to the McLeodganj market.

• Trek to the top of Triund. The Triund trek is popular as it has a great view of the Dhaluadahar range and Kangra valley. You can also camp at Triund.

• See the Bhagsu Naag Temple and waterfall.

• You can also try paragliding, rock climbing, and fishing in Dharamshala.

Here are some of the top-rated accommodation options for Dharamshala

5-star hotel: Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala

Budget hotel: Hotel Mount View

Hostel: Hostel Triangle Folks

Srinagar in March

Average temperature: -1/20°C

Average rainfall: 119mm

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has gorgeous gardens and lakes. Kashmir is often called ‘heaven on earth’ for its splendid beauty; Srinagar or any of the cities here would be one of the best places for honeymoon in India in March.

In March, the temperature can go up to 17-20°C during the day. But it is cold at night; it can go as low as -1°C in the first half of March.

Here are all the best things to do and see in Srinagar

• Stay in a houseboat on Dal Lake. If living in a houseboat doesn’t appeal to you, you can see the Lake through a shikara, a type of wooden boat used here.

• Visit the Shankaracharya hill, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.

• See the city’s beautiful gardens: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Pari Mahal and Chashma Shahi Garden.

• Srinagar is also a great place to hike. You can do the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, which crosser several high-altitude lakes around Srinagar

Here are the top-rated accommodation options in Srinagar

5-star resort: Vivanta Dal View

4-star hotel: Kashmir Mahal Resorts

Budget hotel: The Shelter Heritage A Boutique Hotel

You can also go to Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, some of the best honeymoon places in India in March. Gulmarg is only 47 km away from Srinagar. Sonamarg is 80 km away, while Pahalgam is 90 km away from Srinagar.

These places are known for their scenic beauty and snow-clad valleys. It snows here even in March. So you must carry winter clothes if you plan to go here.

Best places in India to visit in March : Wellness getaways

Average temperature: 15°/30°C

Average rainfall: 45mm

One of the best tourist places in India in March, Rishikesh is a city in the Himalayan foothills near the Ganga river, considered holy in India. It is in Uttarakhand, a state in northern India. Rishikesh is considered the ‘yoga capital of the world.’

It’s a popular destination for spiritual retreats and yoga. And also for camping, bungee jumping, river rafting, cliff jumping and other adventure sports.

The temperature ranges between 15 to 30°C in March. So, Rishikesh in March weather is ideal for sightseeing.

What to see and do in Rishikesh

• See the Triveni Ghat, where devotees come for their ritual bath in the Ganga river.

• See the Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula, which are bridges across the Ganga river.

• There are many ashrams in Rishikesh. Some of these are The Divine Life Society (Sivananda Ashram), Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Omkarnanda Ashram Himalayas and Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram. You can visit one of the Ashrams to learn more about meditation and yoga.

• For the Beatles fans, there’s a site here called the Beatles Ashram. The English rock band came here in 1968 and studied meditation.

• Visit temples like the Rishi Kund, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and the Lakshman temple.

• Rishikesh is also fun for thrill seekers. You can do activities like bungee jumping, river rafting, cliff jumping, zip lining, and flying fox at Muni ki Reti, where many companies offer these activities.

Here are some of the top-rated accommodation options in Rishikesh

5-star hotel: Anand Kashi

Budget: Sanskriti Vedic Retreat

Hostel: The Hosteller

Average temperature:  24/34°C

Average rainfall: 56mm

Allapuzha, also called Alleppey, in Kerala, is a city on the Lakshwadeep Sea. Alleppey is also called ‘Venice of the East’. It’s known for its backwaters, beaches and boat races.

Kerala is well known for its wellness spas and retreats and is best place to visit in India during March for wellness. Alleppey, too, has many spa resorts, spas and ayurvedic wellness centres where you can rest or get yourself treated naturally.

Allepey is close to Cochin International Airport, which is 83 km away. You can also take a flight to Trivandrum International Airport, the capital city’s airport, which is 148 km from Alleppey.

It’s pretty hot in Kerala in March. Alleppey’s temperature ranges from 24-34°C during the day.

Here are the top things to do and see in Alleppey

• You can live in a houseboat or take a boat ride on the Alleppey Backwaters.

• Spend time at Alleppey beach and Marari Beach.

• See the city’s ancient temples, like the Sree Krishna Swamy Temple and the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple.

• Visit the impressive St. Andrew’s Basilica, a church with a grand altar.

• See the Krishnapuram Palace, a museum with artefacts and Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum, a privately owned art museum.

• Spend some time at a wellness resort or Spa where you can get massages or ayurveda treatment.

Here are some of the best-rated accommodation options in Alleppey

Wellness resorts: Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

5-star: Ramada by Wyndham Alleppey

Mid-budget: Alleppey Haven Beach Villa

Best places in India to visit in March : Cities for history and architecture lovers

Average temperature: 15°/ 32°C

Average rainfall: 7mm

Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal, is on the banks of the Yamuna river. It’s in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

In March, the temperature in Agra is between 15 to 30°C. So noons are hot, but you can be outdoors during the rest of the day.

Delhi is 243 km away from Agra. It would take 4.5 hours to travel from Delhi to Agra by road. You can book a private car/take a cab for the journey. So if you’re planning a Delhi trip and have time, it’s possible to see the Taj Mahal in Agra.

What to see and do in Agra

• See the Taj Mahal, the iconic mausoleum of Agra and the Taj Museum nearby.

• Other historical monuments worth seeing are Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, Akbar’s Tomb and Tomb of Mariam-UZ-Zamani.

• On your second day in Agra, travel to Fatehpur Sikri, a city just 36 km away from Agra. The fort city was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Fatehpur Sikri has magnificent monuments like the Tomb Of Itimad-ud-Daulah / Baby Taj, Buland Darwazan Jodha Bai Palace and Nagina mosque.

Here are some of the top-rated hotels in Agra

Luxury: The Oberoir Amarvillas

Budget: ITC Mughal Resort

Hostel: Joey’s Hostel Agra

Average temperature: 21/36°C

Average rainfall: Does not rain.

Hampi is a town in Karnataka known for its ancient temples and monuments. It was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire, a large Hindu empire that controlled most of South India from 1336–1646. Hampi was declared a UNESCO world heritage site for its ancient temples with Dravidian architecture and is the best place to visit in India during March for history.

Hampi does not have an international airport. You can fly to Bangalore’s international airport and travel by road to Hampi. Hampi is about 370 km away from Bangalore.

If you want to travel less by road, you can take a flight from Bangalore to Belgaum airport, which is 273 km away, or Hubballi airport, which is 170 km away from Hampi.

In March, the temperature goes as high as 36°C and falls as low as 21°C. So, it is pretty hot during the day.

What to see and do in Hampi

• There are many temples to see in Hampi. Some of the best temples are Vijaya Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Hazara Ram temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, Laxmi Narasimha Temple and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple.

• See other historic structures like the Elephant Stables, Queen’s bath, Dasara Dibba, Stepped tank, Lotus Mahal and Zanani enclosure.

• Climb up the Anjanadri Hill to view Hampi from the hilltop. This hill is considered the birthplace of the Indian deity, Hanuman. There’s a Hanuman temple at the top of the hill.

• See the Sanapur Lake on Hippie island. You can ride a coracle (small boat) here, jump off a climb or come here to watch the sunrise or sunset.

• Take a safari ride at the Atal Bihari Vajapayee Zoological Park, which is 10 km from Hampi. You can see tigers and lions in their natural environment here.

Here are some of the top-rated accommodation options in Hampi

5-star hotel: Evolve Back

Mid-budget hotel: Hampi Heritage & Wilderness Resort (Jungle lodge)

Homestay: Lotus Riya Homestay

Festivals in India in March

Many festivals are celebrated in India every month as it is very diverse, with people from different religions. And every state has its own culture and festivals. Here’s a list of all the festivals in March in India.

• Holi – Holi is celebrated in the first or second week of March every year. There’s a holiday in India for a day. People celebrate Holi by having get-togethers, applying colour to each other, and kids have water balloon fights. It’s better to be indoors on this day!

• If you’re visiting Goa in March, you can see the Shigmo festival. Hindus in Goa celebrate the Shigmo festival to commemorate the warriors who returned to Goa during this time. Folk dances, processions and parades are the attractions during this 14-day festival.

• Hindus in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana celebrate ‘Ugadi’, and those in Maharashtra celebrate ‘Padwa.’ For Hindus, this marks the beginning of the new year and the start of spring. The date for this varies as per the Hindu calendar.

• The Gangaur and Mewar festival is celebrated in March in Udaipur. Gangaur is a religious festival; the women fast and pray to Goddess Parvati. The Mewar festival, held in March or April, coincides with the Gangaur festival. If you’re here during the Mewar festival, you can see processions, folk dances and concerts in Udaipur.