Iceland month by month
The short answer: May, September and October give the best mix of price, access and weather. July has everything open but costs the most; February is the strongest aurora month with usable daylight.
January
- Daylight
- 5–6 hours
- Weather
- Cold, windy, frequent storms; −2 to 3°C
- Room prices
- Lowest of the year after New Year
- Crowds
- Quiet
Peak aurora season with ice caves open. Keep drives short.
February
- Daylight
- 7–9 hours
- Weather
- Similar to January, slightly brighter; −2 to 3°C
- Room prices
- Low
- Crowds
- Quiet
The best balance of dark nights and usable daylight for aurora trips.
March
- Daylight
- 10–13 hours
- Weather
- Changeable, snow and rain; 0 to 4°C
- Room prices
- Low, rising at Easter
- Crowds
- Building
Last reliable aurora month with proper daylight for sightseeing.
April
- Daylight
- 13–16 hours
- Weather
- Mild but wet and windy; 2 to 7°C
- Room prices
- Shoulder
- Crowds
- Moderate
Snow retreats, waterfalls run high, puffins begin to arrive late in the month.
May
- Daylight
- 17–20 hours
- Weather
- Drier than average, cool; 4 to 10°C
- Room prices
- Best value before summer
- Crowds
- Moderate
Arguably the best month: light nights, low prices, most roads open.
June
- Daylight
- Nearly 24 hours
- Weather
- Mild, often bright; 8 to 13°C
- Room prices
- High
- Crowds
- Busy
Midnight sun and the solstice. Highland F-roads start opening mid-month.
July
- Daylight
- 20–22 hours
- Weather
- Warmest; 10 to 15°C
- Room prices
- Highest
- Crowds
- Busiest
All roads open, all tours running. Book accommodation months ahead.
August
- Daylight
- 16–19 hours
- Weather
- Warm, wetter late in the month; 9 to 14°C
- Room prices
- Highest
- Crowds
- Busy
Highlands fully accessible; first faint aurora possible at the very end.
September
- Daylight
- 12–15 hours
- Weather
- Cooler, autumn colours, more wind; 5 to 11°C
- Room prices
- Falling
- Crowds
- Moderate
Excellent value. Aurora returns while roads are still easy.
October
- Daylight
- 9–12 hours
- Weather
- Wet and windy, first snow inland; 2 to 7°C
- Room prices
- Low
- Crowds
- Quiet
Good aurora, cheap rooms; highland roads close.
November
- Daylight
- 6–8 hours
- Weather
- Dark, stormy, icy roads; 0 to 4°C
- Room prices
- Lowest
- Crowds
- Quiet
Ice caves open. Restrict driving to daylight.
December
- Daylight
- 4–5 hours
- Weather
- Dark and stormy; −1 to 4°C
- Room prices
- Low, spiking at Christmas and New Year
- Crowds
- Quiet, then busy
Christmas markets and long aurora nights. Book festive dates early.
How to choose
- Northern lights: late September to early April, best in February and March.
- Highlands and hiking: July and August only.
- Lowest prices: January, November and early December.
- Best all-round value: May, September and October.
- Midnight sun: mid-June.
Before you book
Check current conditions, road status and the Iceland handbook for costs and itineraries, then browse all destinations.