Iceland in March

March might signify the start of spring in many places, but in Iceland it still feels like winter. Snowstorms are as common as sunny days. What changes is the light: you gain more than three hours of daylight over the month, and by the equinox the days are as long as the nights.

That makes March a good compromise. It's still off-season, the nights are dark enough for the Northern Lights, and you have time to see things during the day.

March weather

March is only a little warmer than February. The Icelandic Met Office's 1991-2020 averages for Reykjavik put the typical high at 4.2°C (40°F) and the low at -1.3°C (30°F). Expect about 81 mm of rain or snow over roughly 14 days. The sun comes out more, though: Reykjavik averages about 110 hours of sunshine in March, compared with about 62 in February.

Many roads outside the capital area can be difficult without a 4x4 after a storm, but the Golden Circle is usually fine in a compact car with winter tires. Check umferdin.is for conditions each morning and Safetravel for alerts. The highland roads won't open until June or July.

>> more on weather in Iceland and driving in Iceland

Daylight in March

On 1 March the sun rises around 8:35am and sets around 6:45pm, about ten hours. By 31 March it rises around 6:50am and sets around 8:15pm, well over 13 hours (Reykjavik sunrise and sunset times). For people who want off-season prices but long enough days to explore, March works well.

Things to do in March

Visitors in March are often surprised by how many things to do in Iceland in winter are still on offer.

• Hunt for the Northern Lights. March is late in the season, but the nights are still properly dark. Use the Met Office aurora forecast, which combines cloud cover with aurora activity, and see viewing the Northern Lights.
• Take longer day trips. With 10 to 13 hours of light, the south coast or the Snæfellsnes peninsula becomes a comfortable day out from Reykjavik, weather permitting.
• Ride an Icelandic horse. Stables near Reykjavik offer rides through the winter. More on the Icelandic horse.
• Snorkel Silfra. The water at Þingvellir is 2-4°C all year.
• Whale watching. Elding runs its classic tour from Reykjavik's Old Harbour every month.

Pack for winter. Those coming from the northern US may find Reykjavik about the same temperature as home, or even slightly warmer, but windier.

>> more on what to wear in Iceland in winter

Festivals and holidays in March

March is one of the most festive times of year to visit, and the calendar shifts a lot depending on when Easter falls.

Beer Day, 1 March

Iceland banned alcohol in the 1910s, and strong beer stayed illegal long after other drinks were allowed back. Beer went back on sale on 1 March 1989, after more than 70 years, and that date is now celebrated as Beer Day. Expect busy bars and plenty of pub crawls in Reykjavik.

>> more on what to drink in Iceland and the Reykjavik runtur

Food & Fun

If you care about food, time your trip for the Food & Fun Festival. Guest chefs from both sides of the Atlantic team up with about 20 Reykjavik restaurants to cook special menus built on Icelandic ingredients. It straddles the end of February and the start of March; the 2026 festival ran 25 February to 1 March. Book tables early.

Easter, and a music festival in the Westfjords

Easter can fall in March or April. In 2027 it's in March: Easter Sunday is 28 March, and Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday are all public holidays, so expect shorter opening hours and some closures from 25 to 29 March. Buy groceries ahead.

Easter is also when Aldrei fór ég suður takes over Ísafjörður. The 2027 festival is on 26-27 March. Getting to the Westfjords in March takes planning, so read getting from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður first.

Bun Day in a late-Easter year

The three days before Lent (Bolludagur, Sprengidagur and Öskudagur) usually fall in February, but they land in early March when Easter is late. On Bun Day, children use a decorated stick to "spank" their parents out of bed in exchange for cream buns. On Bursting Day, people eat salted lamb with split pea soup until they're ready to burst, and on Ash Wednesday kids dress up and sing for candy. The next time these fall in March is 2030 (Bun Day is 4 March). In 2027 they're 8-10 February. See Iceland in February.

>> more on holidays and events in Iceland

What March costs

March is still off-season, and hotels and many tours are cheaper than they will be in summer. Easter week is the exception, so book those dates early.

Icelandair flies to Keflavik year-round, and so does United from Chicago. Most other US and Canadian airlines that serve Iceland only fly in summer, so check whether your city's nonstop is running yet. PLAY ceased operations in September 2025. I'd rather not print a fare that will be out of date by the time you read this, so compare dates yourself.

>> more on flights to Iceland

FAQ

Is March a good month for the Northern Lights?

Yes. The nights are still long and dark, and you get far more daylight for sightseeing than in December or January. Clear skies are the deciding factor.

Is it still winter in Iceland in March?

Yes. Average temperatures in Reykjavik sit just above freezing, and snow is common, especially outside the city. Spring doesn't really show up until April or May. See Iceland in April.

Can I visit the Westfjords in March?

You can, but mountain roads there close in bad weather. Flying from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður is often the easier option. See four things to do in the Westfjords.

Photo by ClatieK