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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Iceland

North Atlantic · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: Weather flips fast and F-roads into the interior highlands open only roughly late June to September; check road.is and safetravel.is before driving, and never underestimate the wind when opening car doors.
Best months
Jun–Aug
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
couples · adult group · female solo traveler · families with kids · multi-gen
Seasons at a glance
JuneJulyAugust MarchAprilMaySeptember JanuaryFebruaryOctoberNovemberDecember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Iceland month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 28–38°F 6h Moderate (76mm) Off-Peak Dark, wild and aurora-lit with storms, hot springs and empty winter roads.
February 28–38°F 9h Moderate (72mm) Off-Peak Deep winter with strong aurora odds, ice caves and snowy waterfalls.
March 29–40°F 12h Moderate (82mm) Shoulder Aurora season peaks as daylight surges back, a great value shoulder month.
April 33–45°F 15h Moderate (58mm) Shoulder Rapidly lengthening days, waking landscapes and returning puffins.
May 39–50°F 19h Low (44mm) Shoulder Green, mild and bright with nearly endless light and blooming birdlife.
June 45–56°F 21h Low (50mm) Peak Midnight sun, opening highlands and Iceland at its lush, luminous peak.
July 48–59°F 20h Moderate (52mm) Peak Warmest, greenest weeks with full highland access under endless daylight.
August 47–58°F 16h Moderate (62mm) Peak Long light lingers with warm days, wildflowers and lively festivals.
September 43–53°F 13h Moderate (67mm) Shoulder Autumn colour, calming crowds and the aurora's welcome return.
October 36–46°F 10h Moderate (86mm) Off-Peak Shortening days, moody skies and reliable northern-lights nights.
November 31–41°F 6h Moderate (73mm) Off-Peak Winter returns with early ice caves, big storms and the Airwaves buzz.
December 28–38°F 4h Moderate (79mm) Off-Peak Festive lights, long dark nights and prime aurora over a snowy capital.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Iceland, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryOff-Peak28–38°F
  • Hunt the northern lights away from city lights
  • Soak in the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
  • Tour a natural blue-ice cave under Vatnajokull
  • Drive the Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss
  • Explore Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja and Harpa
FebruaryOff-Peak28–38°F
  • Explore a Vatnajokull glacier ice cave
  • Chase auroras on a clear-night tour
  • Soak at the Sky Lagoon's oceanfront baths
  • See frozen Gullfoss and the South Coast falls
  • Snowmobile on the Langjokull glacier
MarchShoulder29–40°F
  • Northern-lights hunt during long dark evenings
  • Walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir
  • Drive the South Coast to Skogafoss and Reynisfjara
  • Snorkel the crystal Silfra fissure in a drysuit
  • Relax in the Secret Lagoon at Fludir
AprilShoulder33–45°F
  • Drive the Golden Circle without winter crowds
  • Watch the first puffins return to coastal cliffs
  • Hike Reykjadalur to its steamy hot-spring river
  • Visit the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls
  • Soak in the Blue Lagoon after touring
MayShoulder39–50°F
  • Watch puffins at the Latrabjarg or Dyrholaey cliffs
  • Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell
  • Hike the emerald Thingvellir and Thorsmork trails
  • Drive the South Coast to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon
  • Whale-watch from Reykjavik's Faxafloi Bay
JunePeak45–56°F
  • Experience the midnight sun on the Ring Road
  • Hike the highlands at Landmannalaugar as roads open
  • Kayak Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon among icebergs
  • Puffin- and whale-watch on Faxafloi Bay
  • Descend into the Thrihnukagigur volcano's magma chamber
JulyPeak48–59°F
  • Trek the Laugavegur trail from Landmannalaugar
  • Circle the full Ring Road with all F-roads open
  • Explore Thorsmork's valleys and glaciers
  • Boat among icebergs at Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach
  • Bathe in the Landmannalaugar geothermal pools
AugustPeak47–58°F
  • Join Reykjavik Culture Night (Menningarnott)
  • Hike the Fimmvorduhals pass between glaciers
  • Explore the Westfjords' remote fjords and cliffs
  • Whale-watch and puffin-spot before they leave
  • Soak in the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
SeptemberShoulder43–53°F
  • Catch the first strong auroras of the season
  • Drive the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in autumn hues
  • Hike Reykjadalur's hot-spring valley
  • Tour the South Coast waterfalls and black beaches
  • Explore Reykjavik's cafes and Hallgrimskirkja
OctoberOff-Peak36–46°F
  • Go northern-lights hunting on dark, clear nights
  • Soak at the Sky Lagoon as autumn storms roll in
  • Drive a quieter Golden Circle loop
  • Visit the Perlan museum's ice-cave and aurora shows
  • Explore Reykjavik's food and design scene
NovemberOff-Peak31–41°F
  • Rock out at the Iceland Airwaves music festival
  • Tour the first natural ice caves of the season
  • Chase auroras away from Reykjavik's glow
  • Soak in the Blue Lagoon under winter skies
  • See Gullfoss and Geysir on a short-day Golden Circle
DecemberOff-Peak28–38°F
  • Celebrate a Reykjavik New Year's Eve bonfire and fireworks
  • Hunt the northern lights on long December nights
  • Explore a blue ice cave beneath Vatnajokull
  • Soak in geothermal lagoons as snow falls
  • Stroll Reykjavik's Christmas markets and Hallgrimskirkja
Where to go in June Where to go in July Where to go in August

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