If you’re visiting Iceland in March, you will catch the tail-end of winter. But the days will be getting longer, and there’s still a chance to see the northern lights.
However, March sees the highest average snowfall of any month in the year, so come prepared!
March is also one of the shoulder months for tourism, but there’s still an incredible variety of things to see and do.
And you may even get a great deal on a hotel! There’s also the added bonus of less-crowded sightseeing tours.
At Your Friend in Reykjavik, we love helping people create unforgettable memories in the place we call home.
Check out our wide range of Iceland tours and day trips to start planning the adventure of a lifetime.
If you have questions about anything you see, please feel free to get in touch.
Festivals in Iceland in March
Easter
Easter lands in March just as often as in April. So, if you’re in Iceland in March when it’s Easter, make sure to check the opening times of anywhere you plan to visit.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday will see many places closed.
However, museums might be open on Good Friday, but they will almost certainly close on Easter Sunday.
Shopping malls are generally closed on both of these days too, and sometimes on Easter Monday.
Restaurants and tourism companies typically remain open throughout.
If Easter falls a little later, find out everything you need to know about visiting Iceland in April.
Aldrei fór ég suður (I Never Went South)
Over the Easter Weekend, the music festival Aldrei fór ég suður takes place in the Westfjords town of Ísafjörður.
It has been held every year, apart from 2021 due to covid, since 2004.
The festival is the brainchild of musician Mugison and his father, Guðmundur Kristjánsson.
It is named after a song of the same name by the famous Icelandic singer, Bubbi.
Aldrei fór ég suður is always free, and musicians do not get paid. The festival is simply to have fun — and that’s exactly what everyone does!
If this sounds like your idea of fun, check out more about spending Easter at Aldrei fór ég suður in Ísafjörður.
Northern Lights in March
The days have definitely become longer by the time March arrives.
Iceland is on its way to springtime, but there’s still a chance of seeing the northern lights when the appropriate levels of darkness set in.
There are many different aurora tours you can choose from depending on what you want.
You can always go hunting them on your own. On a good night, you can see them from the city.
However, for the best possible experience, we recommend going on a tour with a guide.
You can, for example, join a hunt for the northern lights in Reykjavik by boat.
For a similar dose of adventure, a Reykjavik northern nights tour on ATVs is an experience that’s sure to get your heart racing!
Then, of course, you can always join a small-group northern lights tour from Reykjavik led by one of our expert guides.
Whether you see the northern lights or not, we also recommend checking out the Aurora Reykjavík – Northern Lights Exhibition.
What is the Weather in Iceland Like in March?
In March, the average sunshine hours are almost double those of February, so it’s definitely brighter — something all Icelanders celebrate!
There are, on average, 109 sunlight hours, compared to 60 in February. And the average temperature ranges from 29.7°F (-1.3°C) to 39.2°F (4°C).
There’s a chance of about 9.1” (23.2cm) of snow on average in the month. That is more than any other month, so remember to pack accordingly!
What to Pack When Visiting Iceland in March
Despite the warmer weather, the chances of snowstorms are still pretty high, so pack warm clothes. And, as always, we recommend layering up.
Woolen underwear is excellent for Icelandic weather. If you do not have it on hand or can’t buy it where you are from, you can purchase it here in Iceland.
Ullarkistan is a great place to check out for warm underwear.
Depending on your schedule, it might be a good idea to pack snow trousers. And don’t forget your hat, gloves/mittens, scarf, winter coat, and sturdy shoes.
We recommend layering up during winter in Iceland because it is cold outside but always warm inside. It’s far easier to take off a few layers if you start to heat up.
Your Friend in Reykjavik Tours in March
Of course, Your Friend in Reykjavik specializes in walking tours, so we cannot emphasize enough that there is no such thing as bad weather — just people dressed inappropriately!
If you don’t want to spend too much time outside, we recommend the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour or the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour.
For a full-day experience, check out the Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour and Northern Lights by Boat combo!
Are you an animal lover? The unique Reykjavik CatWalk tour is for you! Learn about the history of cats in Iceland and around the world.
We also visit some of Reykjavik’s most famous felines and head to the one and only Cat Café!
The Walk with a Viking tour is an excellent introduction to Iceland’s capital.
Are you more interested in stories about elves, trolls, ghosts, and the magic of Iceland? Look no further than the Reykjavik Folkore Tour!
For more information about these tours or any of the others we operate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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