Welcome to Iceland in Spring, as March signals the official season change. Although spring here might not be the same as in your home country, March to us is categorized by nicer and milder weather and a massive increase in daylight hours from the mere 4 you get mid-winter. But visiting Iceland in March can also have some additional benefits for those wishing to explore the island.
This article will not only tell you everything you need to know about this spring month but also reveal all its perks and how to prepare for a trip to Iceland in March. So, if you want to see what March on the island has in store for you, read on.
Is March a Good Time to Go to Iceland?
While we think March is a great time to visit the island for various reasons, it will ultimately depend on everything from your personal preferences and budget to what you have on your Iceland to-do list. With that in mind, we’ve created this short overview of pros and cons that will give you a good idea of whether visiting Iceland in March is a good idea:
Pros
The weather in March will treat you much kinder than Iceland’s winter season months. There will be no extreme weather conditions to worry about, and temperatures are already increasing.
March is a shoulder month, which means you won’t find any of our peak summer, festive season, or New Year crowds that can leave you feeling like you’re in a constant race to reach local attractions or book things such as accommodation, transport, and activities.
Without any of our peak season crowds, you also won’t find any peak season pricing here on the island.
March marks the start of outdoor adventures again in Iceland since the weather has improved.
March is also the time when all your road trip dreams can come true again, with many roads and routes kept closed throughout the winter season reopening.
March has the perfect ratio of daylight and darkness. There is enough daylight for a jam-packed trip itinerary and outdoor adventures. At the same time, there is still enough darkness to spot the Northern Lights.
Cons
Although daylight hours have increased enough to ensure a jam-packed trip itinerary, it’s still not enough to experience the other natural phenomenon here on the island: the Midnight Sun.
Although the weather has improved and the roads that are usually closed throughout the winter are starting to reopen, road conditions are still not pristine, and you will need to expect some slippery conditions all over the island with ice and snow that hasn’t melted yet.
Going to Iceland in March might not be the best idea if you want to get up close and personal with some of our infamous wildlife here on the island. Although you’ll still spot a whale or two, you’ll be too early for our official whale season, which sees many migratory species also visit the island. The famous Iceland Puffins will also still be out at sea before their breeding season starts around May.
Iceland’s Weather in March
Many traveling to Iceland in March want to know what the weather will be like since the spring season in a country called Iceland can be pretty confusing. That’s why we created this detailed overview so you know precisely what Iceland is like in March:
Temperatures in Iceland in March
The first question we usually get asked is, “How cold is Iceland in March?” Well, just like any other place in the world, Iceland’s temperature in March varies throughout the day but tends to range between -2 and 3 degrees Celsius. However, the average temperature in Iceland in March generally stays around 0 degrees.
Rainfall in Iceland in March
March is one of our wetter months here on the island. There is an average of about 82 mm of rainfall throughout the month, which equates to about 14 days in total.
Snowfall in Iceland in March
As we’ve only just crept into spring, there will still be a chance of you experiencing some snowfalls, especially at the beginning of the month. But it definitely won’t be on the blizzard levels one gets during the winter season.
Wind Speeds in Iceland in March
Wind speeds have drastically decreased from the 35+ kilometers an hour one gets mid-winter to an average of just 23 kilometers an hour during the month of March.
Daylight Hours in Iceland in March
Daylight hours in March are probably one of the biggest signs that season change is upon us. From the mere 4 hours of daylight, we get during the winter, you’ll now have an average of about 11 hours to plan an exciting trip itinerary with.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in March
If you’re still wondering what to do in Iceland in March, we’ve got some great recommendations for you. Check out the following to get some trip itinerary inspiration:
Strolling on a Black Sand Beach
Iceland is famous for its dramatic black sand beaches. But these beaches are much more than just their unique aesthetic. These beaches are testimony to us being the Land of Fire and Ice and quite literally allow you to take a walk on the past.
The grains of black sand you see today were actually hardened lava from volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago that has been eroded to its now-tiny size by time and the elements. Be sure to visit some of Iceland’s most famous black sand beaches, like Reynisfjara and Diamond Beach, during your trip to Iceland in March.
Visit Our Natural Hot Springs or Geothermal Pools
Another part of being the Land of Fire and Ice is all the hot springs that can be found across the island. These natural hot springs are due to the volcanic activity heating the underground water supply.
While some of these natural hot springs, like Hrunulaug and Seljavallalaug, can be enjoyed in their original settings, but others are used in our geothermal pools, like Sky Lagoon and the Myvatn Nature Baths.
Explore the Capital City of Reykjavik
The capital city will be most visitor’s first stop when traveling to the island. But don’t just make it the starting point of your Iceland adventure. Do yourself a favor and actually explore Reykjavik in March. It is an incredible city, rich in history and vibrant in nature. We highly recommend that you do the Reykjavik Food Walk, where you will be fed knowledge from an experienced guide, as well as by some of our local eateries.
Go Hiking
As we already mentioned, March kickstarts the hiking season again. Although you’ll need to be careful in places where the ice and snow still haven’t properly melted, you can finally start heading out on the various trails around the country – and you’ll find plenty, irrespective of your age, experience, fitness level, or preferred hiking distance. If you want to go hiking, your first stop should probably be one of our national parks, where you’ll have your pick of trails with all sorts of exciting sights and attractions along the way.
Check Out Our Weird and Wonderful Museums
We probably have the most eclectic mix of museums you’ll ever find. You can learn about our wildlife at places such as the Whales of Iceland Museum. Or dive into our unique landscape and natural wonders at Perlan. You can also learn more about our history mixed with its fair share of legend and folklore at the Saga Museum. Or, you can check out some of our weird and wacky contributions, such as the Icelandic Phallological Museum.
Book a Boat Tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
If you’ve ever wanted to get up close to a glacier while cruising on a lagoon where seals are lazily drifting past on sheets of ice, the boat tours of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon are for you. Choose between the Amphibian boat tour that’s all about a leisurely cruise around the lagoon, or go for the more adrenaline-pumping boat experience on the Zodiac.
Become a Viking (Temporarily)
While spending March in Iceland, you will have plenty of opportunities to get a taste of Viking life. You can go sailing on a traditional Viking ship or visit a Viking Village and partake in a Viking feast. You can also get dressed in Viking gear along with all sorts of accessories and weapons (not real weapons, of course) and have your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios.
Go Camping
As with hiking, March marks the start of the traditional camping season again. Although you’ll still be dealing with the remnants of winter, you can already consider pitching your tent if you’re a toughened camper. For those who don’t consider themselves the rough-and-tough-it type, we suggest renting a campervan or a motorhome so you can go camping in comfort.
Check Out Our More than 10 000 Waterfalls
Okay, so maybe you won’t be able to check out ALL 10 000. Still, you must certainly add at least a few of our most spectacular water displays to your trip itinerary. These include Dettifoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Dynjandi.
Lie Suspended Between Two Continents
The Silfra Fissure is a geological wonder here in Iceland. It is the spot where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates push apart, and this tear (aka fissure) is now filled with glacial water. One can go diving or snorkeling in the Silfra. To dive in the Silfra, you will need sufficient experience and show a valid diving license on-site while snorkeling in the Silfra is available to everyone.
Explore the Ice Caves (for the Last Time)
Most of our ice caves are closed during the warmer months of the year, so March might just be your last chance to explore some of these natural wonders. These gigantic ice caverns, with their bright blue yet transparent walls, also carry our volcanic past inside them. Not only because of how they were created, but because the black streaks inside the walls are actually ash from eruptions thousands of years ago that are frozen in time.
Go Hunt the Northern Lights
As mentioned, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in March are excellent, but only when you know when and where to look. That’s why we often recommend booking a spot on a guided tour if you want to see the Northern Lights in Iceland in March. Our local and experienced guides will help you spot these neon lights dancing across the Icelandic skies in absolutely no time.
Driving in Iceland in March
As with so many other things, driving also becomes better when you visit Iceland in March. Although you may still get some unmelted ice and snow on the roads, the overall road conditions make driving much easier – especially since you also don’t need to deal with extreme weather conditions, such as winds that feel like they will be taking over your steering responsibilities.
As we already mentioned, many of the roads and routes closed annually will also slowly start reopening, making road-tripping around the island a plausible way of exploration – especially if you have the Highlands and the Westfjords on your Iceland bucket list. Because of the leftover snow and ice, we’d still suggest that you rent a 4x4 vehicle, and if you had your heart set on renting a motorhome or a camper, don’t worry; you’ll find 4x4 options in those as well.
Also, have a chat with your rental agent about the specific routes you’ll be taking. They’ll be able to give you some general local insights and advice, as well as give you some guidance when it comes to add-on accessories and which rental insurance you will need. Some of our most popular road trip routes to consider include the Golden Circle, the Ring Road, the South Coast Way, and the Diamond Circle.
Icelandic Festivals and Events in March
If all the above mentioned wasn’t already enough to keep you super busy throughout your trip to Iceland in March, the following festivities can also be added to your calendar:
Reykjavik Food and Fun Festival
The Reykjavik Food and Fun Festival promises a lot of fun (and food) for the whole family. You’ll get the chance to try the food of some of the island’s “who’s who” in the culinary world, as well as the dishes of some of our most famous local eateries. Add some live music, and you know you’re in for a real treat. The festival is held in the capital city each year and lasts for a few days.
National Beer Day
It’s hard to imagine that a country with so many local breweries and a love of craft beers wasn’t allowed any alcohol whatsoever until recently. In fact, Iceland’s prohibition era only ended in the 1980s.
But, needless to say, that day was cause for quite the celebration here on the island, and this happy day has been celebrated ever since. Hence, National Beer Day is on the 1st of March. This is not one isolated event or festival but rather various celebrations that can be found all across the island.
Battle of the Bands (otherwise known as Musiktilraunir)
Musiktilraunir is an annual event held in the capital city since 1982. It might equate to Iceland’s own mini-version of the Eurovision competition since many winners of this prestigious “battle” have credited the event with catapulting them into the limelight and kickstarting their professional careers.
What to Pack for Iceland in March
To pack for Iceland in March, you’ll essentially need to pack for Europe in spring (minus a few degrees). But then there are also a few items that are not so obvious and essential to bring on your trip. These are:
Waterproof Clothing and Gear
Many think these are just to counter the rainfall, but that’s the least of your worries. Waterproof clothing and gear become essential items when hiking (which often includes muddy and wet trails and river crossings), as well as at the waterfalls, where these powerful water displays create so much mist and spray that you’ll be completely drenched.
A Raincoat, NOT an umbrella
While a raincoat can be helpful when visiting waterfalls and protecting against the rain, an umbrella will be absolutely destroyed by our winds.
Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Many underestimate the sun merely because it doesn’t feel so hot. But the sun’s reflection off the snow, ice, and water can leave you almost constantly blinded, and the illusion of the sun’s meekness can leave you with a nasty burn.
Now It’s Your Turn to Come and Visit Iceland in March!
Now that you know everything from the weather and what to pack to driving and what there is to do here on the island in the month of March, it’s your turn to start planning your trip to come and experience it for yourself. If you need any help with your trip or have any questions regarding travel to Iceland, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us - we’ll be happy to help make your dream of an Iceland adventure a reality.
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