We unexpectedly find ourselves with a week free for vacation in mid-March. I was wondering if anyone has visited Iceland and has any thoughts or recommendations to share. We aren’t terrifically outdoorsy-we enjoy beautiful scenery and pretty walks and drives and easy hikes. This is a splurge vacation, so we interested in lovely accommodations. We are comfortable renting a car if it’s worthwhile and hope to avoid places that are too touristy.
Where to stay: The Black Pearl in Reykjavik
Yes, rent a car, it’s a must and driving around was very easy. If you stay at the Black Pearl, they have underground free parking. If you stay elsewhere, make sure they have parking as it’s hard to come by in the city. You can walk everywhere in Reykjavik but will need a car to explores (which was the best part IMO). Spring for the in car wifi. You will need it for navigation!
There are more spectacular places to see and walk than is possible to list.
Here were our favorites:
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon:
It was a bit of a drive but there are awesome places to stop along the way -
Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the smaller falls around it are a super walk. You can actually walk behind the waterfall (take a change of clothes because the mist carries). Skógafoss waterfall is along this route as well. Black sand beaches at Vik. Diamond beach is in that area as well but we didn’t get there because of dense fog. This would be a full day’s trip but IMO, totally worth it.
The Golden Circle is totally worth driving although a bit more touristy. You will see the tectonic divide, Gullfoss, and the geysers. Closer to Reykjavik. We went twice - once to snorkel in a tectonic fissure (amazingly cool if you are adventurous), and a second time to go white water rafting (but you are probably too early in the season for that).
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Another long day trip but totally worth it! Like the trip to canyon, tons of stopping points to walk and break up the trip. There is the ■■■■■ cave, Helnar Harbor, there is an extinct volcano to hike (with a path), basalt formations, and Kirkjufell mountain and water falls. There is even more to see but we ran out of time: https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/attractions/3286-a-complete-guide-to-the-snaefellsnes-peninsula
If you want a day of pampering and R&R, make an appointment at the blue lagoon.
Things we wished we did - taking a guided hike on a glacier.
We found people to be super friendly and everyone, everywhere, spoke english.
Surprises -alcohol was surprisingly expensive. The cheapest place to buy it was actually at the airport. Suggest picking up some bottles of wine or beer before you head to your hotel! There are an abundance of fantastic restaurants in the city. We ate very well!
Hope you have an amazing time!
Iceland is beautiful but be prepared for the weather especially in March. Hopefully you’ll get to see the Northern Lights. It’s still winter in March and weather can change quickly so be flexible in your plans. We drove the entire island over 2 weeks and we ran into all sorts of weather and this was in the end of May. While in Iceland check their website for road conditions (www.road.is) Also, Tripadvisor forum for recommendations. If you’re not comfortable driving on 2 lane roads outside of Reykjavik you might consider a tour. Outside of the Reykjavik it’s mostly 2 lane roads (one lane in either direction). We actually had a flat tire and were lucky there was a pull out area because some of “Ring Road” doesn’t have shoulders.
Most people will try to see the “Golden Triangle” which isn’t too far for Reykjavik. Its a easy day drive from Reykjavik. You should go early to avoid the other tourists.The 3 main stops on the route are the Þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, with the Strokkur geyser.
You might want to do a walking city tour of Reykjavik. We used Audur who runs the iheartreykjavik walking tour (just search for iheartreykjavik dot net) She also has a lot of good pointers about travel in Iceland
Food is expensive so stock up at Bonus supermarket for road trips and snacks.
It’s a bit touristy but you might want to consider going to Blue Lagoon.
We stayed at the Skuggi Hotel which was nice.
Check the site Icelandguydotcom. Lots of detailed information.
Have fun.
There have been several Iceland travel threads on CC. Even if the travel dates aren’t exact, take a look-- lots of good info there
I’ve been twice. Once in the summer and once over New Years.
I wouldn’t rent a car. We stayed at radisson blu and canopy. Canopy was my favorite.
We took a Segway tour of the town the first day which was a fun way to see the city and get a feel for it. It’s down at the dock. We did whale watching in the summer and a northern lights cruise over New Years. Definitely worth doing.
Eat a hot dog and don’t think about what it is. Lol
I preferred the southern circle to the golden circle. Blue Lagoon is man made and I’d say so Secret Lagoon instead.
Bring a hat!
Make dinner reservations as soon as possible. Grill Market is not to be missed.
I second Grill Market. Best meal we had in Iceland. Better than our meal at Dill.
Thank you all for the detailed suggestions. You have given me a great head start on planning!
Every town in Iceland has a sensational public pool surrounded by spa pools of varying temperatures. (Iceland has no local pottery, because there’s no fuel to fire kilns, but hot water is their most abundant resource.) One-day admission is around $5. Everyone swims, even during winter. It’s fun, and a great way to meet local people and talk with them.
Second (or third) many of the recommendations above: Skógafoss (our favorite, for the hike upstream from it), Seljalandsfoss, Vik, the geysers Strokkur and Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir park. (In Þingvellir, consider a guided dive – wearing a very, very warm suit much like something an astronaut would wear – along the fault line the separates the Eurasian continental plate from North America. We didn’t do that, but the people we met who had just done it were ecstatic about it.) Finding somewhere other than the highly artificial Blue Lagoon to go. Grillmarkadurinn and/or Fiskmarkadurinn restaurants, absolutely, and we liked Dill a lot, too. We also had a very good, much less expensive meal at the Kex Hostel restaurant, which was very stylish and (unlike most less expensive Icelandic restaurants) served actual vegetables. And Matur og Drykkur.
@JHS: Do the public pools require proof of a flu shot ? Or any other vaccine ? Thanks !
I didn’t encounter that when I was there. I certainly didn’t have my medical records with me!
What they did require was thorough showering with soap before entering the pool. This was very strictly enforced by community pressure. Take that into account if you would have a problem with strangers watching you shower and commenting on your soaping technique.
We didn’t have medical records either but yes to ^ about thoroughly showering, sans bathing suit, before entering the pool.
The Blue Lagoon locker room did have more private changing areas and showers with doors for those who are squeamish about public nudity.
We are going late May/early June. Rented an airbnb as I am treating our friends who are joining us.
Not renting a car. We’ve booked 3 small group excursions. Golden Circle with Secret Lagoon instead of Blue Lagoon (which we’ve heard is very crowded and lots of drunk people,) South Coast Tour, and Reykjavik Foodie Tour. Planning on the hop on hop off bus tour of the city, one day of walking around, shopping, etc.
Evenings will be for drinking and dining. 
Not familiar with March, but we liked Vik, Seljelandsfoss, Jokullsarlon Lagoon, Golden Circle. Blue Lagoon was ok, but very commercial. We really liked the elf tour in Hafnarfjordur, near Reykjavik. The best visits were unplanned stops along the highway. (Having Iceland pangs now!)
On the golden circle, check out Fridheimar. This farm grows 20% of all the tomatoes sold in the country under glass, heated geothermally, lights powered by geothermically produced electricity as well. They harvest one TON of tomatoes, every day of the year. Their tomato soup and bread are out of this world–lunch reservations may be necessary. Incredibly interesting.
In addition, they raise about 100 Icelandic horses. There are opportunities to see a demonstration of their abilities, as well as riding.
“I wouldn’t rent a car.”
It could be wintry weather driving in March from what I remember, so that would deter me from renting a car. But for other times of the year when it’s warmer I’ve heard a car can give you considerable flexibility in visiting sites and driving is easy in Iceland.