Iceland is the most iconic country in Europe, hidden in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Famous for its moon-like landscapes, fascinating beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, and volcanoes, this island country is on the bucket list of most travelers in the world.
Experiencing Iceland can be challenging if you come here at the wrong time, e.g., when the mountain roads are closed due to wind, and hours of daylight are limited. You have to prepare yourself for all the possible weather conditions and get familiar with the best time of the year to visit Iceland for the things you want to do and see.
What Is the Best Month to See Iceland?
Depending on what you are planning to do in Iceland, the best month to visit may differ, but for most tourists, these are the summer months. If you are planning a road trip around the Golden Circle, or if you want to see puffins and do whale watching, July and August are the months for you.
This is the peak season when you can do most sightseeing and everything is accessible, from national parks, waterfalls, and geysers, to wildlife and bird watching. Discover this Viking country during its long days.
What Month Is Best to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Even in May and August, the northern lights are present and occasionally visible. However, the best time to see the Northern Lights is from September through April, when the nights are the longest. Winter is the best time for this activity; be ready to wait in the cold for a few hours while the Aurora Borealis performs its magnificent, colorful dance in the sky.
Read More: Top 10 Places to See the Northern Lights
When Is the Best Time to See Whales in Iceland?
More than 20 different species of whales and dolphins can be seen in Iceland. There are excellent chances that you will encounter blue whales, especially in the north during the summer. Iceland is one of the best places to see whales, even in winter.
Although it is possible to see whales year-round, the best months to spot humpbacks, minke, orcas, and others are from March to September. That is also the time of year when it is not too cold to be on the boat sailing through the cold Icelandic sea on whale watching tours.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Reykjavik?
The months of June through August are ideal for travel to Reykjavik. You can take advantage of the warm weather and the never-ending sunset. These are the months of the Midnight Sun, which locals appreciate a lot and barely sleep on those days.
Winter is the best time to visit this country if you want to save money and be there with fewer tourists, but be aware that the sun only shines for four to five hours each day from December to February. However, spending New Year’s Eve in this icy country is an unusual experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, check out our Iceland Travel Guide, where you’ll find a curated selection of articles to inspire you and help plan your trip.
Iceland Breakdown by Month
If you want to understand when is the high season or when is the best time for snowmobiling, keep reading the breakdown by month of the best time of the year to visit Iceland.
January in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 4 to 5 hours
- Average temperatures: 28°F to 39°F (-2°C to 4°C)
- Good to know: peak low season, with the smallest crowds and best rates of the year
Although temperatures in Iceland are often chilly throughout the winter with lots of snow and ice, this is not always the case. Lows on average are barely above freezing. However, strong winds might give the impression that it is considerably colder than it is, especially because January is the windiest month of the year in the nation.
Snow is almost a given in the northern part of the nation. Higher elevation areas also experience a lot of snow in January. However, rain is the norm in other parts of the nation. It’s crucial to dress appropriately for the environment.
This is the best way to travel to Iceland to enjoy winter sports like glacier hiking, exploring ice caves, snowmobiling, and skiing. Even if it is cold outside, you can still enjoy hot springs and the Blue Lagoon.
February in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 6 to 8 hours
- Average temperatures: 28°F to 37°F (-2°C to 3°C)
- Good to know: still low season, with fewer crowds and lower prices than summer
At this time of year, you can search for the Northern Lights and watch the Winter Lights Festival in the capital, Reykjavik. Or try exhilarating activities like glacier walking, ice caving, and snorkeling during the Icelandic winter. The best time to experience Iceland’s highlights in all their serene winter beauty is in February.
Read More: Hotel Húsafell, the Magical Northern Lights Hotel in Iceland
March in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 10 to 11 hours
- Average temperatures: 30°F to 41°F (-1°C to 5°C)
- Good to know: shoulder season is starting, so rates are still lower than summer
Iceland is a stunning country to visit in March. The Northern Lights are still spectacular, in addition to the fact that the weather has generally calmed down. Another plus is that daylight hours are extending and the environment begins to indicate the arrival of spring. The Arctic weather is not as cold, and this is the best time of year to visit frozen waterfalls that are slowly waking up.
April in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 13 to 15 hours
- Average temperatures: 37°F to 46°F (3°C to 8°C)
- Good to know: shoulder season is picking up, with prices still lower than summer
April is a genuine shoulder-season sweet spot. Days are stretching out fast, snow is retreating at lower elevations, and waterfalls swell with meltwater. It’s also one of the last realistic windows for the Northern Lights before the nights get too short, and it marks the start of whale watching season as humpbacks return to feed in Icelandic waters. Crowds and prices haven’t caught up to summer yet, though weather can still swing hard between sun, wind, and snow in the same afternoon.
May in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 16 to 20 hours
- Average temperatures: 36°F to 53°F (2°C to 12°C)
- Good to know: shoulder season, with prices and crowds starting to climb toward summer levels
The nice, long days also mean that the vegetation is beginning to green up, the flowers are beginning to bloom, and the bird life is beginning to return. The Reykjavik Art Festival and the Festival of the Sea are just a few of the entertaining events taking place in and around Reykjavik. Nights are getting too light for the Northern Lights by this point, but whale watching season is ramping up.
June in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 20 to nearly 24 hours around the solstice
- Average temperatures: 45°F to 57°F (7°C to 14°C)
- Good to know: peak season is beginning, with crowds and prices rising
There is plenty of daylight to enjoy and it is not too cold outside, which allows for a wide range of outdoor activities and cultural events. This is also the end of the shoulder season that started in late May, and the last time you can see the South Coast with fewer tourists before autumn.
July in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 20 to 22 hours
- Average temperatures: 48°F to 61°F (9°C to 16°C)
- Good to know: peak season and peak prices, so book well ahead
In July, when the sunny days are longer and the nights are shorter, Iceland enjoys the best of the tourist season. Iceland’s summer and winter contrast so sharply that the two seasons make the country seem like two entirely different places.
The best time to travel to Iceland is July because you can take advantage of the wide range of natural wonders that Iceland has to offer, like hiking trails, volcanoes, and wildlife watching. This is also the month closest to the summer solstice, when nearly 24 hours of daylight make it the easiest month for spontaneous late-night exploring.
August in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 16 to 18 hours
- Average temperatures: 50°F to 59°F (10°C to 15°C)
- Good to know: the busiest month of the year, so book accommodations and tours early
For a variety of reasons, August is Iceland’s busiest travel month. It’s ideal for having a wonderful time in Iceland because of the weather, the views, and the festivals. Visitors are going on road trips, you will see hikers everywhere, and there is little chance of storms happening. Being the warmest month of the year, August offers you the best of Iceland’s weather.
September in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 11 to 14 hours
- Average temperatures: 42°F to 50°F (6°C to 10°C)
- Good to know: low season is beginning, with easing crowds and better rates
The weather is slightly colder and it is the beginning of the low season, but for many visitors, September is the best time to come to Iceland. You can still self-drive the ring road, and go to amazing locations like Snæfellsnes peninsula, Westfjords, Jökulsárlón, and so much more. Nights are finally dark enough for the first Northern Lights sightings of the season.
October in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 8 to 11 hours
- Average temperatures: 36°F to 45°F (2°C to 7°C)
- Good to know: low season, with fewer tourists and lower prices
October in Iceland means that you will experience all kinds of weather conditions. On the same day in October, you can see the sun, rain, snow, and a rainbow. The month of October is regarded as a transitional one because winter has not yet arrived, but the days are still warm and long. However, since mid-October, days have become shorter and colder. Longer nights also mean better odds for the Northern Lights.
November in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 5 to 7 hours
- Average temperatures: 30°F to 41°F (-1°C to 5°C)
- Good to know: low season, good value, but pack for genuine winter conditions
November is the beginning of the winter season, when snowfall is more common. It is not yet as cold as in January, but you have to dress warm and you can expect fog, snow, rain, and sun all to happen within the same hour. It is also the month when one of the biggest music festivals is happening in the country, Iceland Airwaves.
December in Iceland
- Daylight: roughly 4 to 5 hours
- Average temperatures: 28°F to 37°F (-2°C to 3°C)
- Good to know: low season outside the holidays, when prices and demand spike around Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Winter weather is getting its true form, northern lights are often seen, while the days are the coldest and darkest of the entire year. Around the country, snow is accumulating, and the sun only shines for a few hours each day. However, everyone is getting ready for Christmas and a cheerful atmosphere is present everywhere.
If You Go
Getting Around
A rental car is the easiest way to chase good weather and daylight on your own schedule, especially outside Reykjavík. Compare rental options through Discover Cars before booking.
Where to Stay
Hotel Reykjavík Centrum sits on one of the city’s oldest streets, built above the ruins of a Viking-era longhouse, and puts you within walking distance of the harbor, restaurants, and tour pickup points, a solid home base for day trips in any season.
Tours & Experiences
- The Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik covers Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall in a single day, no rental car required.
- A soak at the Blue Lagoon pairs well with either end of a Golden Circle day, and tickets should be booked ahead since the lagoon runs on timed entry.
- For summer visitors, the Reykjavik whale watching cruise departs right from the Old Harbour and regularly turns up humpbacks, minkes, and white-beaked dolphins.
- For the winter-focused traveler, the Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik heads out past the city’s light pollution in search of the aurora, with hot chocolate on board and a free rebooking if the lights don’t show.
Travel Insurance & Connectivity
Since Iceland is an international trip for U.S. readers, an eSIM through Airalo keeps you connected without a physical SIM swap, and travel insurance through Squaremouth or SafetyWing is worth the peace of mind given how weather-dependent Icelandic travel can be.
Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.
Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:
Author Bio: Danijela Horvat is a travel writer who finds inspiration in culture, history, and people. She has a background in journalism, and her passion is reading, writing, and photography. With 10 plus years of writing experience and almost 50 visited countries, she is a citizen of the world.
Want to discover more hidden gems and helpful travel tips? Join our free newsletter for the latest travel secrets and travel articles.
We are reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.
