Explore Iceland in March: Epic Adventures, Festivals, Planning Tips and More

Toying with the thought of a trip to Iceland in March?

Prepare yourself for stunning winter landscapes, vibrant festivals, spectacular northern lights, and the jaw-dropping natural attractions that Iceland is famous for.

… WITH the bonus of longer daylight hours to explore!

Experience all of this in an atmosphere of complete serenity without all the crowds – ah, the perks of off-peak travel! 😄

Plus, I’ve got an incredible resource that’ll help you plan out your winter itinerary, with tips on how to structure your days, where to stay, and more. 

Get excited, because there’s one heck of an adventure ahead of you!

Table of Contents

• Is March a Good Time to Go to Iceland?
• Daylight Hours in Iceland in March 
• Iceland in March: Northern Lights
• Iceland in March Weather
• What To Wear in Iceland in March
• Sightseeing Availability
• Driving in Iceland in March
• March Festivals + Events
• Things To Do In Iceland In March
• Iceland in March: Itinerary

Is March a Good Time to Go to Iceland?

Traveling to Iceland in March offers an excellent opportunity to reap the benefits of winter travel. 

Here are a few reasons why I think this is a great time for a trip to the land of fire and ice.

Northern lights: You still have the opportunity to catch the aurora during March as it’s still quite dark. The Northern Lights tours are still running, but keep in mind that Mother Nature isn’t always predictable, and spotting them is not guaranteed. 

Off-peak season: The landscapes are still magically draped in white and you get the added benefit of fewer tourists. Another major bonus of off-peak travel is scoring on discounted flights and accommodation. Cha-ching!

Daylight hours: Iceland in March offers the unique opportunity of witnessing Iceland’s winter wonderland, with significantly longer daylight hours in which to do so! 

Festivals and Events: There are quite a few cool festivals happening in Reykjavík during this month. Keep reading, because I’ll go into more detail in a bit…

Winter tours: Tours that are safe to take in winter, such as glacier hikes and ice caves are still available in March.

Daylight Hours in Iceland in March 

After the looong dark days that are so typical of an Icelandic winter, the daylight hours are finally starting to feel more normal.

At the beginning of March, you’ll get about 10 hours of daylight, and by the end of the month, they increase to 13 hours.

This is a big deal because more daylight hours means a lot more time to explore. And if you know anything about Iceland, it’s that there are a lot of things to see and do!

Iceland in March: Northern Lights

I’m not going to lie, I’m just a tad obsessed with the Northern Lights! 

Therefore, I highly suggest you add them to your to-do list for Iceland.

The great news is that you’re still able to see them. It’s still dark enough in March and if it’s not too cloudy, you’ll likely experience this stunning display of lights.

If you want to find out more about where to spot them, how to photograph them and more, you don’t want to skip the blog post below.👇

➡️ READ: How To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Best Viewing Spots, When To Go And MORE

Iceland in March Weather  

March is still very much considered winter, but I must say that it starts to lighten up a bit – and not only with regards to the daylight hours.

You’ll still experience some heavy winter days, but spring is almost around the corner and you can just feel the anticipation of the upcoming warmer months in the air!

Iceland in March is marked by lots of snow and the landscapes are still white so you’ll still be able to experience that winter magic. In the areas where the snow has started to melt, it’s still pretty barren, so don’t expect to see the blooms out just yet. 

Along with snow, you can also expect more sun – due to longer daylight hours, as well as wind and possibly rain.

Temperature In Iceland In March

You can expect the average temperatures in Iceland in March to hover between -2 to 4°C (28 – 38°F). 

So don’t whip out your tank tops and shorts just yet! 😉

What To Wear in Iceland in March

Planning your wardrobe for a March trip? Then warm layers are a must.

Being properly dressed can hugely impact your entire experience, so trust me, you’ll want to come prepared!

Here are a few of my top tips when it comes to what to wear in Iceland in March:

Outerwear: When considering your outerwear, keep in mind that there’s a fair amount of snow, so make sure that your outer layer is warm and windproof. 

Opt for a water-resistant parka that’s longer (more coverage) and has a hood. When the wind picks up it’s always nice to have some extra protection for your noggin! 🙂 

Don’t forget your hat, gloves and something to keep your neck warm. I prefer a fleece gaiter because scarves can be bulky when you’re out exploring.

Layers: The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable – so be prepared and pack layers!

Start with a thermal base layer – I love Smartwool. Then top that with long-sleeve tops like a fleece or a sweater.  If your feet are always cold in the winter, don’t forget moisture-wicking and wool socks to keep them nice and toasty!  

Wool is always an amazing way to keep warm and investing in a high-quality wool sweater is 100% worth it!

Check out this post to find out more about why the traditional Icelandic Lopapeysa is my absolute favorite and learn how you can get your very own.👇

➡️ READ: Icelandic Lopapeysa: Your Guide to Buying Authentic Icelandic Wool Sweaters

Footwear: Get yourself some good quality hiking boots because you’ll be doing A LOT of walking! Look for waterproof boots that have great traction, support for uneven surfaces, and are, of course, comfortable. 

Pro tip: I can’t talk about footwear in winter and not mention crampons! This is an item you NEED to pack in your suitcase for March. 

Temps are freezing. You’re getting spray from the waterfalls. Crampons are going to keep you protected and safe so that you don’t slip and fall. 

A broken bone is not the memento you want to go home with!

For basic protection, you can opt for these Yaktrax. 

For extra protection, and what I would recommend for March, check out these 👉Spikes.

If the thought of packing for a trip gives you flashbacks of open suitcases and clothes strewn across your bedroom floor…with you in the center of the chaos having a mild panic attack…

Then you’re going to want to grab my FREE Iceland Packing Guide!

In it, you’ll find weather guidelines, pro packing tips including what to wear as well as my recommendations for items you’ll need for all the seasons.

And…

If you love checklists as much as I do, I’ve included that too!

Download it now👇

Sightseeing Availability

When planning your itinerary, first things first – figure out the spots you can actually get to! Thankfully, you’ll still be able to access some of the most popular destinations in Iceland in March.

Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, South Iceland and Snaefellsnes Peninsula: These are very popular areas and the roads are well maintained. 

East Iceland and the North: Even though these areas are still accessible, you’ll need to be extremely careful!

⛔Highlands and Westfjords: Don’t add these areas to your itinerary. The road conditions are not good and they’re definitely not accessible.

Driving in Iceland in March

If there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that the roads in winter are very slippery. 

Whenever there’s snow, you need to exercise a lot of caution.

There could be major storms causing road closures, so one website you need to check every day before heading out is road.is. This is your best resource for road conditions and closures for the day!

For March, I recommend a four-wheel drive – no matter where in the country you’re traveling to. It’s the best option for safety considering the roads and weather conditions.

If you’d like to learn more about driving in Iceland in winter, be sure to check out this post:

➡️ READ: Iceland in Winter: Must-See Attractions, Driving, Weather, Packing And MORE

Pro tip: Despite the longer daylight hours in March, don’t cram your itinerary. Leave some wiggle room for potential delays or road closures in case bad weather creeps up unexpectedly.

💡I’ve got an EXCLUSIVE offer for Iceland With A View followers, Blue Car Rental is offering 5% off your total rental price! The discount will automatically be applied at checkout when you use my VIP link – no code needed!

March Festivals + Events

There are quite a few fun holidays and festivals going on in Iceland in March. Let’s find out what they are…

Bolludagur, Sprengidagur and Öskudagur

These three holidays are usually celebrated consecutively in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.

Bolludagur or “bun day,” is celebrated first, on the Monday before Ash Wednesday.

Hey, who doesn’t want a holiday dedicated to eating way too many pastry buns filled with cream and jam and topped with a chocolate glaze? This should seriously catch on in other parts of the world! 

Sprengidagur translates to ‘bursting day’ and historically, was considered a preparation for the 40-day fasting for Lent. 

On this day it’s customary to eat soup with lentils and vegetables with a side of salted meat. 

People take full advantage and feast until they’re practically bursting at the seams, hence, the term. 😅

Öskudagur or ‘Ashes Day’ is also Ash Wednesday and follows the day after Sprengidagur. It reminds me a bit of Halloween because children dress up in costumes and go around singing songs in exchange for candy. 

*The exact dates for these holidays revolve around Easter and fall on different dates every year, so be sure to double-check them for the year you’re visiting Iceland.*

Beer Day

March 1st is what’s known as Beer Day in Iceland. This is when the locals will celebrate the end of the prohibition, which was in 1989 – not that long ago. 

Before then alcohol and beer were prohibited in Iceland. 

If you end up in a pub around Reykjavík on this day, you can be sure that the locals will be celebrating! 

Sónar Music Festival

This music festival takes place in Reykjavík in March.

It’s incredibly fun because it combines music with a brilliant light show, showcasing both local and international artists. If you happen to be in Iceland in March, this would be a super fun one to check out.

DesignMarch

If you are into the arts, you definitely want to attend this event happening in Reykjavík.

It’s all about celebrating design – from fashion, and architecture, to even food! The vibrant mix of creativity and innovation adds to the fun atmosphere. 

Mark it on your calendar; it’s a pretty cool experience!

Food and Fun Festival 

Hello foodies!

This is where world-renowned chefs come to Iceland and have to prepare dishes using only local Icelandic ingredients. 

The result is a culinary experience that showcases the incredible talent of these chefs and highlights the unique local flavors. So awesome! 

Will I be seeing you there? 🙂

Easter

The Easter holiday either falls in March or April. It depends on the year, but this is a holiday that Icelanders take very seriously. 

So make sure to take Easter into account, because similar to the Christmas holiday, a lot of locals will be closing down their businesses, and things will have limited availability.

Pro Tip: Some of the events and festivals listed change dates every year, so visit Reykjavík’s city site to check the specific dates for the year you’ll be traveling to Iceland. 

Things To Do In Iceland In March

There really are so many things to do in Iceland in March. Hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls… you’ll want to see them all.  

I’ve added a few other tours below that you can take a look at if you just want to relax and take it all in without having to plan it yourself.

Northern Lights: Even though the aurora is usually a green-yellow color, at times, they may appear red, pink, and white. It’s stunning! 

To increase your chances of seeing them, why not try a guided tour? They’ll take you to the best spots to view the aurora, all the while sipping on hot chocolate. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

➡️ Tour: DT10 Northern Lights Tour

Blue Lagoon: As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland, you’ll be happy to know that you can visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in March. Be sure to book in advance to secure your spot.

➡️ Tour: Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Small Group Tour with Admission Ticket

Ice cave tours: The ice caves are still safe to explore in March. One of them you can visit is the Katla Ice Cave. Witness the glacier’s captivating black, white, and blue ice, aged over 800 years! 

➡️ Tour: DT 02 South Coast and Katla Ice Cave

Glacier hike: A great way to experience the glaciers of Iceland is with a glacier hike. Eyjafjallajökull is under two hours drive from the capital and if you travel just a little further, you’ll see Sólheimajökull extending from Mýrdalsjökull which is one of Iceland’s largest glaciers.

➡️ Tour: South Coast & Glacier Hiking

Snorkeling the Silfra: I bet you didn’t know that you could snorkel in Iceland – in winter!

Silfra is actually one of the top diving sites in the world and you can absolutely do this in March. Just prepared for it to be cold…Yes, even with a full-body wetsuit! 😉

But if you can bear the chill, it’s 1000% worth it.

➡️ Tour: Wetsuit Snorkeling in Silfra – with underwater photos / From Reykjavik

Whale watching: Iceland is a great place to spot whales, from minke, humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Don’t miss out on the Whales of Iceland Museum, the largest whale museum in Europe for a fascinating educational experience about these magnificent animals. 

➡️ Tour: Whale Watching & Whales of Iceland Museum

Iceland in March: Itinerary

Now that you know what to expect when you’re traveling to Iceland in March, it’s time to plan out your itinerary.

One thing’s for sure, planning a winter trip is a whole lot different than planning a summer one!

From road and weather conditions to accessibility to major attractions and daylight hours, these are major factors in planning out your day-to-day activities.

If you’re unsure 

• How much time to schedule for each stop 
• Where you should stay each night
• How to plan your routes and sequence of activities

… then these itineraries will give you a game plan for how to structure your days. 

Pretty cool, right?!

Not only that, but the Iceland Winter Itineraries include:

✅ A digital map with the main attractions, restaurants, grocery stores etc. 

✅ Daily itineraries

✅ Planning and packing checklists

… and more,

Enjoy the adventure without the fuss and check out my Iceland Winter Itineraries!

Happy planning,

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