March is Iceland in transition. Winter's grip loosens day by day — light floods back in, waterfalls thaw and thunder, and the first hints of spring creep into the lowlands. But don't be fooled: March can throw blizzards one day and sunshine the next, so check the forecast at vedur.is. It's unpredictable, affordable, and increasingly popular with travellers who want the best of both seasons.
Weather & Conditions
Daylight
Highlights
- Rapidly growing daylight — more time to explore each day
- Northern lights season continues — the nights stay dark through March
- Shoulder season pricing — often lower than summer, though usually not as cheap as deep winter
- Dramatic waterfalls, often framed by ice
- Equinox around March 20th — day and night nearly equal
Warnings
Ice cave tours usually run through March, but warm, wet spells can make caves unsafe — check with your tour operator
Roads can still be icy, especially mornings in the north and east
Weather can change quickly — keep waterproofs within reach and check vedur.is
Highland roads still closed until June or July, depending on the road
Wind at exposed sites (Dyrhólaey, Dettifoss) can be extreme
What You Can See
- Northern lights: Still a good month. The nights stay dark enough through March, and the season runs September to mid-April.
- Midnight sun: No.
- Puffins: No — they return in April/May.
- Whales: Whale watching season starting. Some Húsavík and Reykjavík operators run tours — check with them for schedules.
- Wildlife: Seals can be seen on beaches all year round. Icelandic horses may begin shedding their winter coats.
- Landscape: A dramatic mix: snow-capped mountains above, thawing waterfalls below. The contrast between winter and spring in a single view.
What's Open & Closed
AvailableCheck first— possible, not guaranteedClosed
- Highland roadsClosed
Closed.
- Ice cavesCheck first
Late season. Tours usually run through March, weather permitting, but warm spells can flood caves and cancel tours. Check with your operator, and don't plan your trip around them.
- WestfjordsCheck first
Main roads are serviced in winter; some remote roads may stay closed or impassable until conditions allow. Check road.is.
- CampgroundsClosed
Mostly closed. A few are open year-round.
- Swimming poolsAvailable
Almost all are open.
- OtherCheck first
Main attractions generally accessible; roads can close in storms. Some hiking trails still snow-covered.
Recommended Routes
What to Pack
Transitional layering — you need winter gear (down jacket, thermals) AND rain gear. March days can swing from mild sunshine to well below freezing in the wind. Pack for both, and check vedur.is.
5 Days in Iceland in March
- Day 1
Arrive → Reykjanes Peninsula (lava fields, lighthouse, hot springs) → Reykjavík.
- Day 2
Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss. Snorkelling at Silfra if the water doesn't faze you — confirm availability with your tour operator.
- Day 3
South Coast — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss (paths can be icy), Reynisfjara. Overnight Vík.
- Day 4
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon → Diamond Beach → drive back. Northern lights attempt on a clear night.
- Day 5
Reykjavík — Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, National Museum, Laugavegur. Depart.
Budget Snapshot
Crowds & Pricing
March is early shoulder season. Prices are rising from winter lows but often below summer peaks. Accommodation is usually easier to find, though it can get busier around Easter if it falls in March.
March is when Iceland can't quite decide what it wants to be, and that indecision is what makes it fascinating. On a Tuesday you might drive the Golden Circle under blue skies with the temperature hitting 8°C, and on Wednesday you're in a whiteout on the road to Vík with the wind pushing your rental car sideways.
What makes March special is the light. After months of winter darkness, daylight is flooding back at an almost aggressive pace. By mid-March, you have about 12 hours of light — enough for a proper South Coast drive with time to linger at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both waterfalls are spectacular in March, often framed by ice. The spray from Skógafoss in March is thunderous.
If northern lights are on your list, March still works. The nights stay dark enough through the month, and geomagnetic activity tends to peak around the equinox, so on a clear night the displays can be remarkable — check the aurora forecast at vedur.is. The season runs to mid-April.
The equinox (around March 20th) is a quietly significant moment in Iceland. Day and night are almost equal — 12 hours each — and from this point forward, the light wins. Icelanders notice. There's a palpable shift in energy as the country tilts toward spring.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the northern lights in March?
Yes. The nights stay dark enough through March, and the season runs September to mid-April. Clear skies matter more than the date.
Is March a good time to visit Iceland?
March is excellent — you get growing daylight, prices often below summer peaks, dramatic waterfalls, and the tail end of northern lights season. Weather is unpredictable, but that's part of the adventure.