March suits travelers who come for hot springs, waterfalls and city sights, and who can live with cold, damp days around Reykjavik. A good part of the trip happens indoors or in warm water, from the National Museum to a lagoon by the sea.
Most campsites open only from June to the end of August or mid-September, so March plans work best around a room booked in advance. Nights stay near freezing, which also shapes what you pack.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Reykjavik: 40°F (4°C)
- Night low in Reykjavik: 30°F (-1°C)
- Rainy days in Reykjavik: 14.2 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation
- Precipitation in Reykjavik: 3 inches (81 mm)
- Sunshine in Reykjavik: 3.6 hours per day
- Sea near Reykjavik: 41°F
What is the weather like in Iceland in March?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in (91 mm) | 15 | 2.2 h | 41°F (5°C) |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in (81 mm) | 14 | 3.6 h | 41°F (5°C) |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.3 in (59 mm) | 12 | 5.5 h | 42°F (6°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
March in Reykjavik is cold and gray, with afternoons at 40°F (4°C) and nights at 30°F (-1°C). Expect frost in the mornings and dress for it.
Rain or wet snow is likely on about half the days of the month, so a waterproof shell matters more than an umbrella. Sun averages 3.6 hours a day. That makes the museum, the church tower or a lagoon a good plan for the grayest hours, and outdoor sights better in a bright window.
The shift from February to April is gradual, and March sits in the middle.
Where to go in Iceland in March
Reykjavik
The city center runs from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, the main shopping street. Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan and the National Museum give you indoor stops when the weather turns. Laugavegur has bars, clubs and restaurants that open in the evenings.
Þingvellir National Park
The park has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. The Service Center at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, is where angling permits are issued on arrival. Pack for wet ground and cold wind on the trails.
Secret Lagoon and Fontana
Secret Lagoon, at Hverahólmi near Flúðir, has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool. Its water stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year, so March is no obstacle. Fontana, at Laugarvatn, adds geothermal baths and a bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser.
Seljalandsfoss, Dyrhólaey and Vík
The South Coast brings together a waterfall you can walk behind, a promontory rising out of black sand and the town of Vík. Katla Visitor Centre in Vík has a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. Hafnleysa Maritime Museum, also in Vík, is another indoor stop.
Akureyri
Whale Watching Akureyri runs a ship that carries 200 passengers and RIB speedboats for small groups of 12 with a guide. Check departures when you book, and bring warm layers for time on the water.
What to do in Iceland in March
Hallgrímskirkja tower and organ concert
The tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean. In March, a clear spell is the moment to go up, since sun is scarce.
Organ concerts take place at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, so March is covered. A service in English is held on the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
National Museum of Iceland and Making of a Nation
The museum, at Suðurgata 41, preserves and showcases Iceland’s cultural and historical heritage. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation. It makes a solid plan for a rainy March afternoon.
Audio guides come in 10 languages. The museum also has a second site at Keldur á Rangárvöllum, near Hella.
Sky Lagoon by the sea
Sky Lagoon, at Vesturvör 44 to 48 in Kópavogur, is a geothermal lagoon by the sea.
Cold air and warm water are the draw in March. Bring a hat for the walk between the water and the changing area.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
The waterfall plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, and you can walk behind it. Wear full waterproofs and shoes with grip, since March ground is wet.
Gljúfrabúi, about 131 feet (40 m) high, stands on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjall near Vík
Dyrhólaey is a 394-foot (120 m) promontory just west of Vík. A small orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 stands on its highest point. Puffins nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so March comes before the birds.
Hikers can climb Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and the bird cliffs. At Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon about 98 feet (30 m) deep, hiking up along or in the river is strictly forbidden because of breeding grounds.
Is Iceland busy in March?
Most of Iceland’s roughly 200 registered campsites open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September. March falls outside that window, apart from places such as Grindavík, whose campsite opens in mid-March and stays open into November.
Book a room early, and reserve any timed activity, such as whale watching or a lagoon visit, before you travel. Camping outside organized campsites in camper vans, caravans and similar is illegal without landowner permission.
Lodging tax is 800 kr. per unit at licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II to IV. Campsites and parking spots for motorhomes are charged 400 kr. per unit.
Can you swim in Iceland in March?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 41°F (5°C) in March, and 45°F (7°C) near Vík and 44°F (7°C) near Höfn. That is far too cold for an open-water swim, so these are monthly averages to read as a reason to stay on the shore.
Warm water comes from geothermal pools. At Dyrhólaey and Vík the black sand is for walking and looking.
What to pack for Iceland in March
March asks for warm, waterproof layers and shoes that grip wet ground, plus a swimsuit for the lagoons.
- Insulated layers and a hat: Reykjavik nights drop to 30°F (-1°C).
- A waterproof jacket and pants: about 14 days of rain are likely in the month.
- Shoes with grip: the trails at Þingvellir and the ground at Seljalandsfoss stay wet.
- A dry change of clothes: you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss and get wet.
What to know before visiting Iceland in March
Camping rules matter more than usual in March. A traditional camping tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas, and camper vans need an organized campsite or landowner permission. Camping and angling permits at Þingvellir are issued at the Service Center on arrival.
Secret Lagoon is at Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, and Fontana at Hverabraut 1, 840 Laugarvatn. Organ concerts at Hallgrímskirkja run through June, and the English service falls on the last Sunday.
Is March a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, for travelers who want hot springs, waterfalls, museums and city sights, and who accept cold, wet weather and short sun hours. It is a weaker fit for camping or puffin spotting.
February is colder and has a day more of rain and far less sun. Shifting four weeks later gains comfort, but puffins only start nesting at Dyrhólaey in late April.
If you want camping, aim for June or later, when most sites open. For city culture, the National Museum and the monthly organ concerts are available now.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
- thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30
- umhverfisstofnun.is (https://www.umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/travel-information/where-can-you-camp/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30