Things to Do in Reykjavik in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Reykjavik
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
39°F (4°C)
High Temp
29°F (-1°C)
Low Temp
3.2 inches (81 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Northern lights season still active until mid-March, with 12-14 hours of darkness giving you the best odds of catching aurora displays from Seltjarnarnes Peninsula
- + Off-peak hotel rates drop 25-40% compared to summer, making even boutique stays in 101 Reykjavik surprisingly affordable
- + Winter-only ice caves on Vatnajökull glacier accessible through March 20, with crystal-clear blue ice you can't see any other time
- + Puffin colonies return to coastal cliffs starting late March, giving you early access to breeding season before summer crowds arrive
Considerations
- − Sidewalks in downtown Reykjavik become skating rinks after 3 PM freeze-thaw cycles - proper crampons essential for walking Laugavegur
- − Golden Circle tour buses run reduced schedules with longer waits between stops, making self-drive the better option but requiring winter driving skills
- − Restaurant hours shift earlier (last seating at 9 PM vs 10-11 PM in summer), impacting the normally lively Reykjavik nightlife scene
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Reykjavik is a month of transition. The deep winter darkness yields to lengthening daylight. That low, sharp light hits the city's colorful corrugated iron houses and the steely North Atlantic. The air keeps its crisp, clean bite. It carries the scent of sea salt. On certain afternoons, you catch the distant, earthy hint of geothermal steam from the city's heating systems. Locals shed their heaviest layers. They emerge more frequently into the streets. Their conversations are a soft murmur against the crying gulls over the harbor. This is a time for looking outward. The receding ice and snow make the rugged landscapes beyond the city limits more accessible. The lingering cold nights keep the sky dark enough for celestial displays. This shift has a distinct cultural pulse. The Reykjavik Folk Festival in early March is a highlight. For three nights, the century-old Húrra bar becomes a warm, amber-lit spot. It packs to its 200-person capacity with acoustic guitars and haunting Icelandic vocals. The atmosphere is thick with body warmth and the sharp, herbal aroma of Brennivín schnapps. Musicians step down from the low stage to share a drink between sets of traditional ballads and folk-rock. It is an intimate glimpse into the soul of the city's music scene. The emotion in the songs transcends language. A trip now means embracing this duality. Ambitious day trips into the volcanic interior or along the south coast become more feasible. That pairs with the cozy, communal energy of a city shaking off winter. It is a period defined by possibility. You could walk between vast tectonic plates in crystal-clear water by day. Then spend an evening listening to raw music in a cramped downtown bar. All under a sky that still holds potential for the aurora's silent, green dance.
Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
adventureIt is a surreal blue world where you can see the rocky bottom over a hundred meters below. You will drift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Silfra fissure. The glacial meltwater is so pure you can drink it. You will feel the numbing cold seep through your drysuit. Your breath echoes in your snorkel. A guide ensures safety. They capture your journey with professional underwater photos.
This is the only place on the planet where you can snorkel directly in the rift between two continents.
Insider tip: Wear a thin wool base layer beneath the provided drysuit. It gives significantly warmer insulation against the near-freezing water.
Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
otherIt captures the stark beauty of Iceland's south coast, from the deep blue icebergs of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to the crystalline blue walls of a natural ice cave. The journey offers two chances to witness the northern lights. Your guide seeks out the darkest skies far from Reykjavik's glow. There, the aurora often appears as shimmering green curtains reflected in still black water. You spend a night in countryside accommodation. You wake to the sight of glacier tongues spilling from Vatnajökull ice cap.
This private tour condenses the south coast's greatest highlights and the elusive aurora into one complete journey.
Insider tip: Pack waterproof outer layers and sturdy boots. The weather near the glaciers shifts rapidly from cold sunshine to stinging wind-driven snow.
This month: The extended darkness of March nights increases the window for potential northern lights sightings on both evenings of the tour.
Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals
foodIt moves from a sleek espresso bar for roasted coffee to a traditional restaurant for tender, smoky lamb soup. You will hear the sizzle of fresh fish on a griddle. Taste the sharp tang of skyr with crowberry jam. Finish with a creamy sip of licorice-flavored schnapps. Your local guide shares stories of family recipes and fishing traditions throughout.
It transforms the question of where to eat into a meaningful narrative about Icelandic history and modern innovation.
Insider tip: Come very hungry. The tour includes enough shared plates to constitute a full lunch from savory to sweet.
Visit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
private_tourIt is a stark, moss-covered lava field where the earth's power is palpably close. On this private tour, you will walk on crumbled, jagged rock still warm from recent eruptions. You will smell the faint, sulfurous scent of geothermal activity. See the lively oranges and reds of mineral-stained earth around steaming vents. Your expert guide tailors the pace to your group. They explain the dramatic geology that shapes all of Iceland.
It has a privileged, flexible exploration of one of the world's most active volcanic regions, just a short drive from Reykjavik.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the nearby Gunnuhver hot springs. You can see roaring steam vents and hear the powerful roar of escaping geothermal pressure.
Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
guided_experienceIt is led by a photographer who knows how to find clear patches in the March sky. They can compose the perfect shot. You will travel in a comfortable vehicle to secluded spots away from light pollution. Feel the cold night air on your face as you watch. The first faint glow can intensify into swirling green and violet ribbons. The guide will help you set up your camera to capture your own images.
The combination of a private vehicle for agile chasing and professional photographic guidance maximizes your chances. You will both see and capture the aurora.
Insider tip: Dress in multiple thermal layers. You will be standing still in sub-zero temperatures for extended periods waiting for the lights to appear.
This month: March provides a balance. It has longer dark hours than summer and often clearer skies than the stormier peak winter months. This improves visibility chances.
Full Day Golden Circle - Guided Tour
day_tripYou will hear the thunderous roar and feel the misty spray of Gullfoss waterfall. See the explosive sputter of the Strokkur geyser. It shoots a column of steaming water into the cold air every few minutes. You will also visit the historic plains of Þingvellir National Park. Walk along the continental rift. Feel the rumble of the falls through the ground. See rainbows form in the icy spray.
It is the most efficient way to experience the well-known trio of natural landmarks that define the Icelandic interior.
Insider tip: At Þingvellir, take the path down into the Almannagjá gorge. You will feel the immense scale of the tectonic plates pulling apart beside you.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
★★★★
Luxury
Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $280 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Reykjavik Folk Festival
Local musicians pack 100-year-old Húrra bar for three nights of acoustic sets that blend traditional Icelandic ballads with folk-rock. The venue holds 200 people max, creating intimate performances where artists often join audience members between sets for Brennivín shots. Most songs are in Icelandic but the emotion translates universally.
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View Reykjavik Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the Sky Lagoon - locals go to Vesturbaejarlaug public pool for 1,000 ISK instead of tourist prices, same geothermal water plus community hot tubs
Download the 'Aurora Alerts' app - it sends push notifications when Northern Lights appear, saving you from 3-hour stakeouts in parking lots
Book restaurants for 6-7 PM in March - most places close kitchens at 9 PM, and 8 PM tables are the last seating
Fill up rental cars at Costco near Keflavik - gas is 20% cheaper than stations inside Reykjavik, and the food court has the city's best pizza slice
Avoid These Mistakes
Wearing regular sneakers instead of proper winter boots - black ice on Laugavegur sends tourists to emergency rooms every March
Booking Northern Lights tours for first night arrival - jet lag guarantees you'll sleep through the 2 AM aurora alerts
Assuming all attractions stay open - some ice caves and glacier tours close after March 20 regardless of weather conditions
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