What is the best time to visit Iceland?

Best Time to Visit Iceland

The best time to travel to Iceland is during summer (June to August) and winter (November to March).

Summer in Iceland

Summer in Iceland is a beautiful time of year, with long days and plenty of sunshine. The days are warm and pleasant, with temperatures typically ranging from 10°C to 14°C. During this time, travelers can enjoy the midnight sun, which is visible from late May to late July. There are plenty of attractions and activities to enjoy during the summer months, including whale watching, horseback riding, and the Reykjavík Jazz Festival.

Winter in Iceland

Winter in Iceland is a magical time of year, with snow-covered landscapes and the Northern Lights visible in the night sky. Temperatures are cold but bearable, typically ranging from 0°C to 5°C. During this time, travelers can experience a variety of winter activities, including skiing, snowmobiling, and exploring the natural hot springs. There are also plenty of festivals to enjoy, such as the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival and the Yule Town Christmas Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Iceland

Iceland in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in Iceland, with temperatures averaging between -2 and 4°C (28-39°F). Snow is common throughout the month, and the days are short, with only around 5 hours of daylight.

Events

• The Reykjavík Marathon takes place in January, usually on the last Saturday of the month. The marathon is a popular event, with participants from all over the world.
• The Reykjavík International Film Festival is held in January. The festival showcases the best of Icelandic and international cinema.
• The Þorrablót midwinter feast is a traditional Icelandic celebration held in January. The feast includes traditional Icelandic dishes such as cured shark and sheep’s head jelly.
• The Reykjavík Arts Festival is held in January. The festival features a variety of performances, exhibitions and events, including music, theatre, dance, visual arts and film.
• The Reykjavík Fashion Festival is held in January. The festival showcases the best of Icelandic fashion, with runway shows and other events.

Iceland in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in Iceland with temperatures usually ranging from -5°C (23°F) to 5°C (41°F). Snowfall is common throughout the month, and the days are short, with only about 5 hours of daylight.

Events

• Reykjavík International Film Festival: This annual film festival takes place in late January and showcases some of the best films from around the world.
• Winter Lights Festival: This festival takes place in Reykjavík and celebrates the beauty of winter with light installations, music, and other activities.
• Northern Lights: January is a great month to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland. The best time to see them is usually between 9 pm and 1 am.
• New Year’s Eve Fireworks: On New Year’s Eve, the skies of Reykjavík are lit up with fireworks, and people gather in the city center to celebrate the start of a new year.
• Reykjavík Marathon: This annual marathon takes place in mid-January and attracts runners from all over the world.

Iceland in March

Weather

March is the beginning of spring in Iceland, with temperatures ranging from 4-6°C (39-43°F). The days are longer, and the snow is beginning to melt. March is a great time to explore the country, as the winter chill has passed and the summer crowds have yet to arrive.

Events

• Reykjavik International Games: The Reykjavik International Games is held every year in March, and features a range of sporting competitions, including football, basketball, and volleyball.
• Reykjavik Marathon: The Reykjavik Marathon is held every year in March, and is a great way to explore the city and its beautiful surroundings.
• Northern Lights Festival: The Northern Lights Festival is held every year in March, and celebrates the beauty of the Northern Lights with music, art, and performances.
• Reykjavik Folk Festival: The Reykjavik Folk Festival is held every year in March, and features traditional Icelandic music and dance.
• Reykjavik Food and Fun Festival: The Reykjavik Food and Fun Festival is held every year in March, and features a range of food and drink from all around the world.

Iceland in April

Weather

April in Iceland is the start of the spring season, and the weather is usually mild and sunny. The average temperature is around 5-7°C (41-45°F), and there is usually a light breeze. Rain is common, but snow is rare.

Events

• The Reykjavik Marathon is held in April, and is one of the biggest running events in the country. It is usually held on the first weekend of the month.
• The Reykjavik International Film Festival is held in April, and is one of the most popular film festivals in the country. It is usually held on the second weekend of the month.
• The Reykjavik Arts Festival is held in April, and is one of the biggest cultural events in the country. It is usually held on the third weekend of the month.
• The Reykjavik Music Festival is held in April, and is one of the biggest music events in the country. It is usually held on the fourth weekend of the month.
• The Icelandic National Day is celebrated in April. This is a national holiday that celebrates the independence of Iceland from Denmark in 1944.

Iceland in May

Weather

May is a great time to visit Iceland, as the weather is mild and the days are long. The average temperature is around 7°C (44°F), and the days are typically sunny. The sun rises around 4:30 am and sets around 10 pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the country.

Events

• Reykjavik Marathon: Held annually on the first weekend of May, this popular event attracts runners from all over the world.
• Reykjavik Arts Festival: This festival is held in mid-May and features a variety of art exhibitions, performances, and events.
• The Icelandic Horse Festival: This festival celebrates the unique Icelandic horse breed and takes place in the south of Iceland in early May.
• The Golden Circle Tour: This popular tour takes visitors to some of Iceland’s most iconic sites, including the Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and Thingvellir National Park.
• The Northern Lights: May is a great time to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland, as the days are long and the skies are dark.

Iceland in June

Weather

June in Iceland is usually mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). The days are long, with up to 21 hours of daylight in the northern parts of the country. The weather can be unpredictable, however, so visitors should always be prepared for rain and wind.

Events

• The Reykjavik Arts Festival is an annual event that takes place in June. It is a celebration of the arts, with performances, exhibitions, and workshops held throughout the city.
• The Icelandic Beer Festival is held in Reykjavik every June. Visitors can sample a variety of local and international beers, as well as food from local restaurants.
• The annual Solstice Festival is held in June in the town of Akureyri. The festival celebrates the summer solstice with music, dancing, and other festivities.
• The Secret Solstice Festival is a three-day music festival held in Reykjavik every June. It features a variety of international and local acts, as well as art installations and other activities.
• The annual Whale Watching Week takes place in June in the Westfjords region. Visitors can take boat trips to observe whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural habitat.

Iceland in July

Weather

July in Iceland is typically characterized by mild weather, with temperatures ranging from 10-15°C (50-59°F). The days are long and sunny, with the sun setting around 11pm and rising again around 3am.

Events

• The Secret Solstice Festival is an annual music festival held in Reykjavík. It typically takes place in the middle of June and features a variety of international and local acts.
• The Reykjavík Marathon is held in July and is a great way to explore the city and its surroundings. The marathon is open to all ages and abilities and is a great way to experience the city.
• The Reykjavík Arts Festival is an annual event that takes place in June and July. It features a variety of art forms, including visual art, music, theatre, and dance.
• The Icelandic National Day is celebrated on June 17th. The day is marked with parades, concerts, and other festivities.
• The Icelandic Horse Festival is held in July and is a celebration of the Icelandic horse. The festival features horse shows, races, and other activities.

Iceland in August

Weather

August is the peak of summer in Iceland, with the longest days of the year and the warmest temperatures. The average temperature is around 11°C (52°F). The days are usually sunny, but you should be prepared for rain and wind.

Events

• The Reykjavík Marathon takes place in August, with thousands of runners from all over the world. This event is held in the capital city and is a great way to experience Icelandic culture and scenery.
• The Reykjavík Culture Night is a great way to experience the city’s culture and history. This event is held annually on the first Saturday in August and includes music, art, and food.
• The Þjóðhátíð í Eyjum is a traditional festival held in the Westman Islands. It is a celebration of Icelandic culture and heritage, with music, dancing, and food.
• The Reykjavík International Film Festival is held in August. This event showcases the best of Icelandic and international cinema, with screenings, workshops, and discussions.
• The Westman Islands Music Festival is a great way to experience Icelandic music. This event features some of the best Icelandic musicians, as well as international acts.

Iceland in September

Weather

September in Iceland is generally cool and wet. Temperatures range from highs of around 12°C (54°F) to lows of around 5°C (41°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 8-10 days of precipitation per month.

Events

• The Reykjavík International Film Festival is held in September, showcasing the best of Icelandic and international films.
• The Reykjavík Marathon is held in September, with runners from around the world taking part in the event.
• The Reykjavík Culture Night is held in September, with a range of cultural events, performances, and exhibitions taking place throughout the city.
• The Icelandic Beer Festival is held in September, featuring a range of local and international beers.
• The Reykjavík Jazz Festival is held in September, with a range of jazz performances taking place throughout the city.

Iceland in October

Weather

October in Iceland is typically a cold and wet month. Temperatures range from lows of around 33°F (1°C) to highs of around 46°F (8°C). Rainfall is common, and snow is not uncommon in the higher elevations.

Events

• Reykjavík International Film Festival: This popular film festival takes place in late September and early October and features a variety of international films.
• Reykjavík Jazz Festival: This popular jazz festival takes place in late October and features a variety of jazz musicians from around the world.
• Þorrablót: This traditional Icelandic midwinter festival takes place in October and features a variety of traditional Icelandic dishes.
• Northern Lights Festival: This festival takes place in October and features a variety of activities and events related to the Northern Lights.
• Reykjavík Culture Night: This popular event takes place in October and features a variety of cultural activities and events.

Iceland in November

Weather

November in Iceland is a cold and wet month. Temperatures range from around 0°C to 5°C, and the days are very short, with only around 4-5 hours of daylight. Snow is common in the northern and eastern parts of the country, and the weather can be unpredictable.

Events

• The Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) takes place in November. This is Iceland’s largest film festival, and it showcases a variety of international and local films.
• The Reykjavik Marathon takes place in November, and it is a popular event for runners from all over the world.
• The Northern Lights Festival is held in November in Akureyri, in the north of Iceland. This festival celebrates the beauty of the Northern Lights with music, art, and other activities.
• The Christmas Festival is held in November in Reykjavik. This festival celebrates the start of the Christmas season with markets, concerts, and other activities.
• The Icelandic Horse Festival is held in November in Akureyri. This festival celebrates the Icelandic horse with competitions, demonstrations, and other activities.

Iceland in December

Weather

December in Iceland is a cold and dark month. Temperatures usually range from -2°C to 4°C, with occasional snowfall. The days are very short, with only around 4-5 hours of daylight.

Events

• The Reykjavík Christmas Festival is held during the first two weeks of December. The festival includes a Christmas market, a parade, and a variety of performances.
• The Reykjavík International Film Festival is held in mid-December. It is one of the largest film festivals in Europe, featuring screenings of films from all over the world.
• The Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival is held in late December. It includes a variety of art installations, light shows, and performances.
• The Yule Town Festival is held in late December. It includes a variety of traditional Icelandic activities, such as horseback riding, ice skating, and sledding.
• The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Reykjavík are some of the most popular in the world. The celebrations include a variety of music, fireworks, and other festivities.