Iceland in winter: what to expect
Winter is the season of darkness. In December the sun is up for only about 4 to 5 hours in Reykjavík. In return you get dark nights for the northern lights and snow-covered scenery. Temperatures in Reykjavík stay close to freezing, with wind and wet weather as the bigger issue. Akureyri in the north is colder.
Fewer people travel in winter. In January and December 2025 the national hotel room occupancy was below 50 percent. That does not prove the lowest hotel prices, and it says nothing about Christmas and New Year, so compare quotes for your dates.
Winter weather and daylight by month
Typical averages for 1991 to 2020, rounded to whole numbers. They show the pattern and not the weather on your day.
| Month | Reykjavík high / low, °C (°F) | Akureyri high / low, °C (°F) | Rain Reykjavík, mm | Rain Akureyri, mm | Daylight in Reykjavík on the 15th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 5 / 0 (41 / 32) | 4 / −2 (39 / 28) | 87 | 68 | 6 h 30 min |
| December | 3 / −2 (37 / 28) | 3 / −4 (37 / 25) | 95 | 73 | 4 h 12 min |
| January | 3 / −2 (37 / 28) | 3 / −4 (37 / 25) | 87 | 60 | 5 h 25 min |
| February | 3 / −2 (37 / 28) | 3 / −4 (37 / 25) | 91 | 52 | 8 h 38 min |
| March | 4 / −1 (39 / 30) | 4 / −3 (39 / 27) | 81 | 47 | 11 h 42 min |
The weather by month page has the full year. For single months, see December, January and February.
Our picks: winter tours
Northern lights by bus and two ice cave tours.
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 →
Ice cave tour on Vatnajökull from Jökulsárlón
A local glacier guide, a 4x4 vehicle, helmet and spikes. Depending on safety conditions you visit an ice cave or a blue ice formation; hotel transfer, food and drinks are extra.
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 →Winter tours in Iceland
Northern lights tours, ice caves, glacier walks and day trips that run in the dark season, with current prices and availability.
What winter is good for
A tour or an activity in the dark season is never a guarantee. Weather and safety rules decide.
Northern lights
Dark nights make the search possible, and cloud can block the view. The usual window is September to April. The northern lights guide explains how to read the forecast.
Ice caves
One operator at Jökulsárlón starts its 2026/2027 season on 1 October. The trip takes 5 to 6 hours from the main car park, with a glacier transfer of up to 40 minutes. Guide and equipment are included, while clothing, shoes and food are not. The cave the operator visited in the last season has melted, so photos from earlier years do not promise the same cave.
Glacier walks
The Sólheimajökull glacier walk "Glacier Discovery" runs all year. The listed price starts at 128 EUR. The minimum age is 10 years, and the trip lasts about 3.5 hours, of which 1 to 1.5 hours are on the ice. You need a reasonable level of fitness.
Silfra
Snorkeling in the Silfra fissure at Þingvellir is offered all year. The water is 2 to 4 °C (36 to 39 °F), and the national park sets equipment and health rules. Weather and safety rules decide whether a tour goes ahead.
Whale watching
Whales and dolphins are present near Reykjavík all year, and the summer program is bigger. No sighting is guaranteed.
Festivals
The Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavík opened on 5 February in 2026, and the listed events were free. The old month of Þorri, from the second half of January to the second half of February, is the time of the Þorrablót feasts. Check the festival dates for the year you travel.
Driving in winter
Ice, wind and little daylight call for a time buffer on every drive. Four-wheel drive does not stop you from sliding. The car and its winter equipment must fit your route, and the safety service asks for winter tires. Studded tires are listed by the City of Reykjavík for 1 November to 15 April, while one rental company gives 14 April. They are not the same as ordinary winter tires.
The highlands are not open in winter. The usual closure runs from mid-September to June or July, and special tours do not prove that a rental car may drive there. The Ring Road is not guaranteed to be free of snow, ice and short-notice closures all winter. On the Golden Circle, the lower paths at Gullfoss can be closed in ice and snow. Read the road conditions guide before you set out.
Holiday hours differ. Hallgrímskirkja is closed to visitors on 24 and 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027, with visits on 31 December from 10:00 to 12:00. No nationwide opening times for restaurants, shops or tours are confirmed for 24 to 26 December and 31 December, so check each place.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pick a month, then check the roads.
Iceland in winter: frequently asked questions
How cold is Iceland in winter?
In Reykjavík the typical December to February high is about 3 °C (37 °F) and the low about −2 °C (28 °F). Akureyri in the north is colder, with a typical low of about −4 °C (25 °F). Wind and wet weather feel colder than the numbers.
How much daylight is there in winter?
In Reykjavík in 2026, 4 h 12 min on 15 December and 5 h 25 min on 15 January. By mid-March it is 11 h 42 min.
Can I drive the Ring Road in winter?
Many travelers do, but it is not guaranteed to be free of snow, ice, wind or short-notice closures. Plan time buffers and check the road status before every drive.
Is the highland open in winter?
No. The usual closure runs from mid-September to June or July. A special tour is not proof that a normal rental car may drive there.
Are ice caves open all winter?
Seasons depend on the operator. One operator at Jökulsárlón started its 2026/2027 season on 1 October. The cave can change, so the cave in a photo is not guaranteed.
Is winter cheaper than summer?
Fewer travelers come in winter, but that does not prove lower prices. The cheapest time page explains what the numbers show.