Want to go to Iceland in March?
Find out if the region at this time of year will meet your expectations with our comprehensive guide:
- Weather and temperatures
- Crowds, prices, attraction openings
- Road conditions
- Possibility of seeing the northern lights
- Special events
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Going to Iceland in March: quick answers
Is March a good month to travel to Iceland?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. We really like March, especially the first half as it’s the best of both worlds: wintry landscapes and access to the ice caves still open, but longer days to explore and sufficient nights to see the Northern Lights.
Be aware, however, that driving can be tricky, and you need to keep your plans flexible.
Travelling to Iceland in March – summary of conditions
- Weather: highly variable, even on the same day: from sunshine to snowstorms
- Temperatures: -2°C to 4°C (28°F to 39°F).
- Length of day: well-balanced between day and night
- Aurora borealis: good period, strong activity
- Unique: ice caves
- Road conditions: very variable with possibility of snow and black ice
- Crowds and prices: one of winter’s most popular months.
We’ll tell you more about all these points, as well as other tips and advice, in the rest of the article!
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Best attractions in March
In March, you can take advantage of the many places open all year round, as well as winter-specific activities.
Winter activities
Thanks to the snowy conditions in March, you can enjoy
- visit ice caves, blue or black – see the different tour options
- dogsled excursions – see options
- see the northern lights – see the tours from Reykjavik
The main sites of the Golden Circle
On the Golden Circle, Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Haukadalur remain open in winter.
Waterfalls, geysers and giant fissures are all on the programme.
In March, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the region.
Find out more (article coming soon).
The south coast
Almost all the sites on the south coast remain accessible in winter, as they are close to Route 1, which is quickly cleared.
On the western half, you can enjoy the magnificent Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls: 60m high waterfalls that don’t freeze but are surrounded by snowy landscapes.
And on the eastern half, you have glacial lagoons such as Jokulsarlon with its diamond beach.
In March, you can see a lot in a day, but Jokulsarlon is still 4h30/5h from Reykjavik, so it’s hard to visit in a day.
Find out more about the south coast in winter.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
In winter, the magnificent Snaefellsnes peninsula is covered in a heavy blanket of white, highlighting its volcanic formations and natural treasures: waterfalls, mountains, lava fields, caves…
We particularly like Kirkjufell and its waterfalls, the lava cliffs at Londrangar and Arnarstapi and the view from the top of Saxholl volcano.
In March, with the two-hour drive from Reykjavik, you can see all the peninsula’s major attractions in a single day. But for added comfort, we recommend two days to see it all.
Read more about it.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
North Iceland
If you have time, don’t miss northern Iceland.
In March, far fewer attractions are accessible, but it’s less crowded than in the south and the landscapes are really very white (and very different from summer).
You can visit Lake Myvatn with the Dimmuborgir lava field, the pseudo-craters and the Hverir geothermal zone.
And, in our opinion, Godafoss is one of the most interesting waterfalls to see in winter!
Other locations
And so have you:
- the Reykjanes Peninsula with its geothermal zones and the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon
- The Silver Circle with unique waterfalls and a lava cave with ice stalagmites in winter
- Eastern Fjords, sumptuous scenery under a blanket of snow
See our article on the best winter attractions in Iceland.
Weather in Iceland in March – temperatures, snow
The month of March in Iceland is characterized by:
- cold temperatures (but not as cold as people imagine)
- unpredictable weather conditions.
- it’s still winter, but in transition to spring, especially in the second half of the month
Average temperatures range from -2°C to 4°C (28°F to 39°F).
Precipitation is frequent, with an average of 82 mm, and falls in the form of rain and snow, again.
The wind can be strong, giving the impression that the air is colder than the thermometer suggests.
Driving in Iceland in March: road conditions
Road conditions may still be difficult in March due to snow and icy conditions. You need to be particularly careful, especially if you’re not used to driving in winter. If you’ve never driven in winter, we don’t recommend you start on this trip.
Main roads like the Ring Road and the Golden Circle are well maintained and cleared of snow, but you can still encounter icy and snowy conditions.
Some roads with passes may be closed on certain days in case of storms. (e.g. access to Seydisfjordur)
Unsealed roads are not cleared of snow.
The weather can change rapidly, so conditions can vary considerably over the course of a day. Drive slowly!
During snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check road status on Umferdin.
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
Discover the best offers on Discovercars, our preferred platform!
On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Length of day
In March, Iceland experiences very limited daylight hours due to its latitude.
- At the beginning of the month, the day lasts between 10 and 11 hours (between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.).
- At the end of the month, the day lasts between 12:30 and 13:30 (between 6:45 and 20:15).
The northern lights in March
As we have just seen, the days are longer. But the nights are still long too. A good balance that’s ideal for seeing the northern lights!
What’s more, with the equinox, March is one of the best months for aurora viewing.
Chances of seeing the northern lights are high. The Northern Lights are generally most active between 9pm and 2am.
To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, it’s best to get away from the city lights.
See tours from Reykjavik
7. What to wear in Iceland in March
To dress appropriately for Iceland in March, you need to focus on layering. We also recommend
- Base: thermal underwear or long woolen underwear
- Intermediate: a warm fleece or wool sweater
- Exterior: waterproof and windproof jacket
- Pants: waterproof and windproof
- Warm, waterproof hiking boots with good grip. With warm socks.
- Ice crampons for better grip on icy surfaces.
- Warm, waterproof and windproof gloves
- Warm scarf
- Warm hat
- Sunglasses
Find out more in our article on what to wear in winter (coming soon).
March events in Iceland
In March, there are no recurring high-profile events.
You can take advantage of:
- Beer Day: March 1, celebration of the end of beer prohibition in Iceland in 1989.
- Food and Fun Festival: 5-day culinary event in Reykjavik (February or March)
- Aldrei Fór Ég Sudur music festival: held in Ísafjördur in the Westfjords, usually at the end of March (March 29 and 30 in 2025).
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Crowds and prices in March
Crowds
March is considered one of the most popular months in winter, thanks to the combination of long days for exploring and the great potential of the northern lights.
Price
Prices are lower than in summer, but still high.
Winter-equipped vehicles may be slightly more expensive, due to necessary features such as winter tires.
It’s important to note that even if prices are lower, you still have to factor in the extra costs of buying the right winter equipment.
And, as everywhere, prices vary depending on what you’re looking for. Accommodation ranges from youth hostels to 5-star hotels. It is therefore difficult to give a budget.
When to go to Iceland, other winter months
Or read our article on when to go to Iceland (coming soon).
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
