Iceland
Travelers come for volcanic fields, glaciers and wildlife, and for the long drive around the island, where the season shapes the whole trip.
Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is its capital and largest city, and it is the northernmost national capital in the world. With about 396,000 residents, Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Most of the interior is cold and empty, a mix of sand, mountains and lava fields, and the island has about 30 active volcanic systems. Glaciers cover roughly a tenth of the country.
Most travelers come for the volcanic and glacial scenery, the coast and the wildlife. Whale watching is popular, especially in summer, and Atlantic puffins nest on the sea cliffs. Summer brings long daylight and open highland roads. Winter brings northern lights, short days, and snow and ice that make many roads hard to drive. Cars are the main way to get around, and Route 1, the Ring Road, is 1,332 km long. A week fits Reykjavík and the South Coast, while a full loop of the island needs more time.
Five things to know before Iceland
- Check your passport, then expect EES at the border
Many passports need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180 across Schengen. UK advice says EES registration is free and replaces passport stamps, so allow extra time on arrival and departure. Visa checker
- Check road and weather warnings every morning
UK advice says the weather can change quickly and make driving challenging. Check road and weather information from the Icelandic Road Administration and the Met Office forecast before you drive. Road conditions
- Stay on marked roads
UK advice says off-road driving is strictly controlled. Many highland tracks are open only for a short part of the summer, and some interior roads need four-wheel drive.
- Stay back from the waves at Reynisfjara
Safetravel warns that sneaker waves come with zero warning and can sweep an adult out to sea in seconds. Keep well away from the waterline, even when the sea looks calm. South Coast
- Book rooms along your route before anything else
Rooms outside Reykjavík are limited, and villages on the loops are small. Fix your nights first, then book tours around them. Where to stay on Snæfellsnes
Iceland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Light, auroras, road conditions and crowds by month.
Read the guideReykjavíkWhere to stay, eat and swim in the capital.
Read the guideGolden CircleÞingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in a day.
Read the guideSouth CoastWaterfalls, black beaches and glacier walks.
Read the guideSnæfellsnesKirkjufell, a glacier volcano and fishing villages.
Read the guideAkureyri and the northWhales, Goðafoss and the Diamond Circle.
Read the guideThe WestfjordsDynjandi, Látrabjarg and Hornstrandir boats.
Read the guideSoutheast IcelandSkaftafell, Jökulsárlón and Höfn on Route 1.
Read the guide
Destinations in Iceland
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- ISK 9,000
- Food
- ISK 10,000
- Transport
- ISK 1,600
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- ISK 25,000
- Food
- ISK 22,000
- Transport
- ISK 6,000
- Sights
- ISK 12,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- ISK 45,000
- Food
- ISK 45,000
- Transport
- ISK 18,000
- Sights
- ISK 30,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuarySnow19 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Dark, aurorasJanuarySnow
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, auroras
- FebruarySnow18 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Auroras, stormsFebruarySnow
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Auroras, storms
- MarchRain18 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Auroras, snowMarchRain
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Auroras, snow
- AprilRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Lighter, coolAprilRain
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Lighter, cool
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Long daysMayRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Brightest nightsJuneRain
Best
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Brightest nights
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Warm, puffinsAugustRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, puffins
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Auroras returnSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Auroras return
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Auroras, stormsOctoberRain
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Auroras, storms
- NovemberRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°Dark, windyNovemberRain
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, windy
- DecemberSnow18 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°DarkestDecemberSnow
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Darkest
Average daily high and low in Reykjavík, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Iceland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 46 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Reykjavík
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°9°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue10°6°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed8°4°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu9°5°82%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Fri8°4°41%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sat8°7°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun8°1°81%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 81%.
Updated 04:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 121.8 ISK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
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- AugReykjavík PrideReykjavík
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Before you go to Iceland
Iceland FAQ
Do I need a visa for Iceland?
Not on many passports, including UK and Canadian ones: up to 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Check your own passport in the visa checker: Canadian and Australian passports also get up to 3 months in Iceland beyond the Schengen 90 days. You register in the EES at the border. ETIAS is currently not in operation.
When can I see the northern lights in Iceland?
From about September to early April on dark, clear nights. Get away from Reykjavík's lights and check the aurora and cloud forecasts each evening.
Do I need a 4x4 in Iceland?
Not for the Ring Road or the Golden Circle in summer. You need one for highland F-roads, which open only in summer, and winter tires matter from October to April.
How many days do I need in Iceland?
Four days covers Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Allow 8–10 days to drive the full Ring Road.
Do I need cash in Iceland?
Rarely. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so carry a card with a PIN and keep a little cash only as a backup.