| What | March in Iceland | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | Average highs 1 to 4°C (33 to 39°F) | Wind makes it feel colder, so pack layers and a windproof shell |
| Daylight | 11 to 13 hours early in the month | Spring adds nearly seven minutes of sunlight per day |
| Northern lights | Equinox period, around 20 March | The sky is usually dark enough between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. |
| Roads | Ring Road generally clear | A 4x4 is strongly recommended in March and early April |
| Highlands | F-roads closed | They typically do not open until mid-June |
| Events | Food & Fun, Rainbow Reykjavik, Mývatn Winter Festival | Listed by month on Visit Iceland, without dates |
Weather and daylight
Visit Iceland describes March as a month that still feels like winter: snow is common and the typical high is between 1 and 4°C. What changes quickly is the light. At the start of the month you get about 11 to 13 hours of daylight, and around the spring equinox on 20 March day and night are roughly equal. That gives you far more usable driving time than in December, while the nights stay dark enough for the aurora. For the full cold-season picture, see Iceland in winter. For the next month, see Iceland in February.
Northern lights around the equinox
The aurora season runs from September to April, and Visit Iceland notes that the lights are often stronger around the equinox. In March the sky is only fully dark late in the evening, so plan to be outside between about 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. rather than at dinner time. Clear skies and solar activity both matter, and sightings are never guaranteed, so give yourself several nights. If you would rather not drive on dark winter roads, a guided evening is the simpler route: see northern lights tours in Iceland.
Roads and driving
Check road.is for closures and safetravel.is for weather alerts before every drive. Visit Iceland advises a 4x4 in March and early April; later in spring a standard two-wheel-drive car is typically enough for the Ring Road and the Golden Circle. The high passes can close in storms: from September to May the Ring Road page names Holtavörðuheiði, Öxnadalsheiði and Möðrudalsöræfi as passes to watch, and they can occasionally close even in summer. All highland F-roads stay shut, normally until mid-June, which rules out Landmannalaugar and the interior on a self-drive. If you are weighing a rental, read how to get around Iceland and car rental in Iceland.
What to do in March
- Golden Circle: open all year and needs no 4x4, which makes it the safest first day. The loop is about 250 km from Reykjavík (Visit Iceland); the stops are Þingvellir, Geysir, where Strokkur erupts every 8 to 10 minutes up to 30 metres, and Gullfoss, whose lower trails are sometimes closed by ice and snow.
- Ice caves and glaciers: guided tours keep running in the cold months; the options are compared in ice cave tours and glacier hikes.
- South Coast: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are on the paved Route 1, but ice on paths is common this month.
- Events: Visit Iceland lists the annual beer festival, Food & Fun, Rainbow Reykjavik and the Mývatn Winter Festival under March, without dates, so look up the year's dates before you book flights. The Mývatn festival is described as family-friendly.
- Spring wildlife: golden plovers begin calling across the countryside in late March, and the whale-watching season starts in spring; see whale watching.
A tour to book
Because the Golden Circle is the one big day trip that works in every season without a 4x4, we recommend the full-day Golden Circle tour with Kerid crater: 4.7 out of 5 from 27,992 reviews, from €70 on 6 November 2026. A tour also removes the March driving question for the first day of a trip. The stops are compared in Golden Circle tours.
Where to stay
Reykjavík is the practical base in March because the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the airport are all reachable from it on Route 1. Spring is a shoulder season, and Visit Iceland notes that accommodation and car rental are typically cheaper than in summer. See where to stay in Reykjavík.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking a two-wheel-drive car for a self-drive in March: Visit Iceland strongly recommends 4x4 until early April.
- Planning the highlands: F-roads are closed until about mid-June.
- Going out to look for the aurora at 7 p.m.: the sky is usually dark enough only from about 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Counting on one night for the lights: cloud and solar activity decide, so allow several evenings.
FAQ
How cold is Iceland in March?
Average highs run from 1 to 4°C (33 to 39°F), with snow still common (Visit Iceland).
Can you see the northern lights in March?
Yes. The equinox period is a strong window, usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. on clear nights, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Do you need a 4x4 in March?
Visit Iceland strongly recommends one in March and early April; later in spring a two-wheel-drive car is typically enough for the Ring Road and Golden Circle.
How many hours of daylight does Iceland have in March?
About 11 to 13 hours early in the month, with day and night roughly equal at the equinox on 20 March.
Are the highland roads open in March?
No. F-roads typically do not open until mid-June.
The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
