When is the best time to go to Iceland?

Iceland can be visited all year. Those wishing to discover the country during the summer can visit during peak season, which extends between June and August. During this period, tourists arrive in large masses to admire the midnight sun and the endless days. The northern summer is indeed a good time to soak up the nature or observe the migratory birds that congregate around lakes and other water sources. However, due to the large influx of tourists, it is advisable to book accommodations, activities and other places on the cruise in advance in order to enjoy the great offers. The high season observes a rising in prices and therefore, an increase in one's travel budget.

Although less popular than the northern summer, the rest of the year allows for the discovery of other Icelandic facets. Transitional seasons respectively allow for the enjoyment of nature, whether it be awakening or falling asleep. In winter, the endless twilights allow spectacular sights that compete in beauty with the aurora borealis and are visible between the months of September and March.

So, when is the best time to go to Iceland? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • The weather is good across more than 0% of the territory of Iceland throughout the year
  • The best months to go to Reykjavik are July and August
  • On average, the warmest months in Reykjavik are July and August, and the coldest month of the year is December
  • The rainiest months in this city are January, February, March, September and October



Where and when to go based on the weather?

East of Iceland
Hofn, Vatnajökul National Park, Seyðisfjörður...

All year round
31°F to 58°F°C
4 to 14 days
43°F to 52°F

North of Iceland
Akureyri, Siglufjördur, Raufarhöfn...

All year round
27°F to 58°F°C
2 to 12 days
36°F to 50°F

South of Iceland
Landmannalaugar, Selfoss, Vík í Mýrdal...

July and August
49°F to 59°F°C
5 to 9 days
54°F
January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December
25°F to 56°F°C
4 to 16 days
47°F to 52°F

South West of Iceland
Reykjavik, Grindavík, Keflavík...

July and August
56°F to 58°F°C
6 to 7 days
54°F
January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December
36°F to 54°F°C
5 to 13 days
41°F to 52°F

West of Iceland
Borgarnes, Snaefellsnes, Ólafsvík...

July
54°F to 58°F°C
4 to 6 days
50°F to 54°F
January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November and December
34°F to 58°F°C
4 to 13 days
36°F to 54°F

Westfjords
Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, Djúpavík...

All year round
32°F to 56°F°C
2 to 13 days
38°F to 52°F

To get all the information about the climate and weather in Iceland for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:

Iceland in january Iceland in february Iceland in march Iceland in april Iceland in may Iceland in june Iceland in july Iceland in august Iceland in september Iceland in october Iceland in november Iceland in december


Best time to travel to Iceland by cities

Chargement en cours
East East North North South South South West South West West West Westfjords Westfjords

See full list of cities


Climate and Weather in Iceland

As opposed to what one would generally imagine, the temperatures in Iceland never fall very low, even if the climate remains difficult. In fact, the not-so-extreme climate of Iceland has a rather oceanic temperate, thanks to the Gulf Stream. In the end, only during the winter, or on certain inland summer nights, does the temperature drop into the negatives. Throughout the rest of the year, the general temperature is described as fresh and warm when the summertime arrives. With cool summers and relatively mild winters covering most of the territory, Iceland's weather is not half bad!

Iceland: La cascade de Skogafoss

Be careful, as the climate in Iceland can change very quickly and sometimes within the same day, making it quite difficult to organize walks or hikes. In other words, the sun can peek its way through the clouds in the morning, then give way to a large rainfall or even severe fog in the following hours.

In general, the east coast of Iceland is much sunnier than the west coast, closer towards Reykjavik. The summer is warm however, it is often compromised by wind and rain. Despite such, this freshness and frequent rain is compensated by unique weather phenomenons such as the midnight summer sun in Norway, or the northern lights. In June, the entire northern coast including the city of Akureyri, knows absolutely no night - the sun actually never leaves the sky. Moreover, during the winter, when the weather is clear it is possible to admire the greater North.


Temperatures and rainfall in Iceland

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Iceland and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Reykjavik, Akureyri, Borgarnes, Djúpavík and Grindavík, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Iceland

Find out when Iceland has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Iceland

The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Iceland is high in: July and August.

  • Very low season in Iceland: January, February, March, April, November and December.
  • Low season in Iceland: May, June, September and October.
  • Peak season in Iceland: July and August.

Figure: Visitor index for Iceland month by month


Average price for flights to Iceland

A return flight between New York City and Reykjavik is generally cheaper if you go in october ($ 378 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 206 more for your airline ticket to Reykjavik if you go in july.

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Iceland




Where to go in Iceland?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Cities jan.feb.mar.apr.mayjun.jul.aug.sep.oct.nov.dec.
Reykjavik38°F38°F38°F43°F49°F54°F58°F58°F52°F45°F40°F36°F
Akureyri29°F31°F31°F38°F45°F54°F58°F56°F49°F40°F32°F29°F
Borgarnes38°F38°F38°F43°F49°F54°F58°F58°F52°F45°F40°F36°F
Djúpavík34°F34°F34°F40°F47°F54°F56°F54°F50°F41°F36°F32°F
Grindavík41°F41°F41°F43°F47°F52°F56°F56°F52°F47°F43°F41°F
Hofn40°F40°F40°F41°F45°F50°F54°F54°F50°F45°F41°F38°F
Ísafjörður32°F32°F32°F36°F41°F49°F52°F50°F47°F40°F34°F32°F
Landmannalaugar34°F36°F38°F41°F47°F52°F54°F54°F50°F43°F38°F34°F
Ólafsvík40°F40°F40°F41°F45°F50°F54°F54°F50°F47°F43°F40°F
Patreksfjörður32°F32°F32°F36°F41°F49°F52°F50°F47°F40°F34°F32°F
Raufarhöfn36°F36°F36°F38°F43°F49°F52°F54°F49°F43°F38°F36°F
Selfoss36°F38°F40°F43°F49°F56°F59°F58°F52°F45°F40°F36°F
Seyðisfjörður32°F34°F34°F40°F45°F54°F58°F56°F50°F41°F34°F31°F
Siglufjördur32°F32°F34°F40°F45°F54°F56°F56°F49°F41°F34°F31°F
Snaefellsnes36°F36°F36°F40°F47°F52°F56°F54°F50°F43°F38°F34°F
Vatnajökul National Park34°F36°F38°F41°F47°F52°F54°F54°F50°F43°F38°F34°F
Vík í Mýrdal34°F36°F38°F41°F47°F52°F54°F54°F50°F43°F38°F34°F
Arnarstapi40°F40°F40°F41°F45°F50°F54°F54°F50°F47°F43°F40°F
Asbyrgi Canyon36°F36°F36°F38°F43°F49°F52°F54°F49°F43°F38°F36°F
Askja29°F31°F32°F38°F45°F54°F58°F56°F49°F40°F32°F27°F

Legend:

tolerable weather

bad weather

very bad weather


About Iceland

What can I do in Iceland?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife




Is this weather information for Iceland reliable?

Climate data for Iceland has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Iceland allows us to determine the average for each month in Reykjavik, Akureyri, Borgarnes, Djúpavík, Grindavík, Hofn, Ísafjörður, Landmannalaugar, and 46 other cities.

So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.

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