Iceland in November at a glance
November is the first month where the dark clearly wins. In Reykjavík the sun rises at 9:10 and sets at 17:10 on 1 November, which gives 7 hours and 59 minutes of daylight. By the 15th it is 6 hours and 30 minutes, with sunrise at 9:56 and sunset at 16:27. Typical lows in both Reykjavík and Akureyri sit around or below freezing.
This is a month for evenings. The best plans start after sunset: northern lights, a swim in a heated pool, a concert or a long dinner. Daytime trips still work, but you have to fit them into a short window and drive with care. The highlands are closed, and the Ring Road needs flexible plans.
November weather and daylight
Typical averages for 1991–2020, rounded. They describe two weather stations, not the whole country.
| Station | Typical daily high | Typical daily low | Typical rain in the month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík (south-west) | 5 °C (41 °F) | 0 °C (32 °F) | about 87 mm |
| Akureyri (north) | 4 °C (39 °F) | −2 °C (28 °F) | about 68 mm |
| Reykjavík, 2026 | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November | 9:10 | 17:10 | 7 h 59 min |
| 15 November | 9:56 | 16:27 | 6 h 30 min |
The daylight drops by about an hour and a half within the month. Plan outdoor sightseeing for the hours between sunrise and sunset. Rain and wind are common, so pack waterproof layers. See weather by month for the full year.
Our picks for November
Northern lights by bus or boat and the Katla ice cave by super jeep.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Katla ice cave by super jeep from Vík
A super jeep from Vík, a guided cave visit, crampons and a helmet. The cave changes with the weather, and food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Northern lights cruise from the old harbor
A two-hour yacht trip with Wi-Fi, blankets and seasickness tablets. Drinks and souvenirs are extra, hotel pickup comes only with the matching option, and a sighting is not guaranteed.
Check availability →
Northern lights bus tour with hot cocoa
A guide, transport, hot cocoa and photo stops, with a free repeat if no lights show. It runs in the winter months and depends on the weather, so a sighting is not guaranteed.
Check availability →Tours and day trips in November
Northern lights tours, glacier hikes, whale watching and winter day trips from Reykjavík, with live prices and availability.
Reykjavík in November: festival and pools
The Iceland Airwaves festival lists its official festival days for 2026 as 5 to 7 November. Its home page also names 4 and 8 November for special events that are sold separately. Check the dates before you book flights and rooms, and do not mix up the main festival with the extra events.
The municipal pools are the best answer to the dark. From 5 May 2026 an adult swim costs 1,500 ISK, ages 10 to 17 pay 400 ISK, and children aged 0 to 9 swim free with an adult. A towel costs 860 ISK, swimwear 1,270 ISK, and the full package of entry, towel and swimwear is 2,770 ISK.
The Hallgrímskirkja tower is 1,500 ISK for adults and 200 ISK for ages 7 to 16. The Reykjavík guide covers the city in more detail.
What works in November, and what does not
Evenings, ice and water yes; highlands and long drives no.
Northern lights
The nights are long. You need at least partly clear sky, and no night is guaranteed. The Icelandic Met Office shows clouds and an activity scale from 0 to 9. A tour that does not see the lights may offer a repeat ticket, but not an automatic refund, so read the terms.
Glacier hikes
The Sólheimajökull glacier discovery walk runs all year, starting from 128 EUR. The minimum age is 10, the trip takes about 3.5 hours, and 1 to 1.5 hours are on the ice. Guide and safety gear are included, and you bring clothing and shoes or rent them. Allow about 2.5 hours from Reykjavík and 45 minutes from Vík.
Boats at Jökulsárlón
The boat tours run from 10:00 to 17:00 until 15 November. After that date the season is over. Plan this stop for the first half of the month if you want to be on the water.
Silfra
Snorkeling in Silfra at Þingvellir is offered all year. The water is 2 to 4 °C, so cold-water equipment is required, and the rules of the national park apply on top of the tour. Whether a tour runs depends on weather and safety rules.
Winter driving starts here
SafeTravel warns of ice, snow, wind and little daylight in winter. Four-wheel drive does not stop a car from sliding, and the car and its winter equipment must suit your route. The Ring Road is not a guaranteed loop, because snow, ice, strong wind and short-notice closures all happen. Check the road status, the weather warnings and the SafeTravel advice every morning, and build spare time into every drive.
The studded tire season in Reykjavík starts on 1 November. A distance fee of 6.95 ISK per km applies to cars up to 3.5 tonnes since 1 January 2026, and the new Ring Road section at Hornafjörður costs 1,500 ISK per passage. Read road conditions for warning colors and highland rules.
About 142,000 foreign departures were counted at Keflavík in November 2025, against about 201,000 in October and about 120,000 in December. These are rounded counts, and they do not prove lower prices. Þingvellir visitor center hours change to 9:00 to 17:00 from November to March.
| 2025 | Foreign departures at Keflavík, rounded |
|---|---|
| October | 201,000 |
| November | 142,000 |
| December | 120,000 |
Next to read
The months on either side, the season and the topics that matter most in November.
Iceland in October
Ice cave tours start, nights get long and the highlands close.
Iceland in December
The shortest days of the year and holiday opening hours.
Iceland in winter
Darkness, ice and what a winter trip needs.
Northern lights
What a good night needs and how to plan for clouds.
Where to stay
Which region to choose for the season you travel in.
Iceland in November: common questions
Is November a good time to visit Iceland?
It suits travelers who want dark nights, pools and city evenings and who accept short days and changeable roads. It is not a month for the highlands or for long, tight driving plans.
How dark is Iceland in November?
In Reykjavík the day is about 7 hours and 59 minutes long on 1 November and about 6 hours and 30 minutes on the 15th, from sunrise to sunset.
When is Iceland Airwaves in 2026?
The festival lists 5 to 7 November 2026 as its official days. The home page also names 4 and 8 November for separate special events.
Can I rent a car in November?
Yes, and many people do. You need a car with the right winter equipment, a flexible plan and a daily check of road status and weather warnings. Four-wheel drive alone does not prevent sliding.
Is the boat at Jökulsárlón still running?
The listed season for 2026 runs until 15 November, from 10:00 to 17:00. After that, check with the operator.