Where is hot in Europe in March? 6 sunny destinations for spring

Things never feel particularly chilly in Seville, and on the odd occasion when temperatures do plummet, it’s a welcome relief for residents who endure months of summer highs that bounce between 30°C and 40°C. Visit in March for a balmy relief from the early spring frost in much of northern Europe and extend the summer feel in shorts – a light jacket come evening, at most. There’s even more reason to visit when Easter falls in March, thanks to the Seville Easter Parade (Semana Santa), which sees a week-long series of religious processions wind through the streets.

Where to stay: Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, is one of the most charming places to stay in the city, with cobblestone courtyards, whitewashed walls, a sun deck and a small pool for when the mercury really climbs.

Mosque in the old Venetian harbour of Chania TownGetty Images

Chania, Crete

Average February high temperature: 17°C

For a taste of off-season Greece, look no further than the Cretan city of Chania. Direct flights from the UK don’t kick in until April (or the end of March if the Easter holidays fall early), so visiting Greece’s largest island takes a little more dedication – but that’s what makes it blissfully crowd-free. The larger resorts remain closed until sweltering days are guaranteed, so check into somewhere more boutique and explore the historic city on foot, fueling such adventures with leisurely lunches and seafood suppers in local tavernas. It’s common for afternoon highs to reach the mid- to high-20s by the end of the month and when they do, it’s time to catch a bus or hire a car for a rewarding trip to a tranquil beach where the only sound comes from locals taking a moment before the tourists descend or a fisherman.

Where to stay: Stay in the heart of the action at Elysia Boutique Hotel, where exquisite dishes utilise local ingredients sourced from reliable farmers and producers, mainly from the village of Nochia in Kissamos, in Coutellerie Restaurant. Leave it to the very end of the month and Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort is open for business – one of the sleekest addresses just outside of the city.