April is known as one of the cheaper months to visit Iceland and for the stunning sunsets and the epic start of summer where the summer and winter seem to be fighting a war. There are so many epic adventures and things to do in Iceland in April and here is the ultimate guide.
April in Iceland offers fantastic opportunities. For the most part, the weather is still quite wintery. However, by increasing daylight hours and a few warmer days, nature is springing into life.
Fabulous contrasts can often be experienced, the bud leaves of springtime, snowy mountains, and the Northern Lights can still paint their visions of color above scenery which is often dusted in beautiful frost and snow.
Little harbor at Dalvik fishing village in Iceland
In a word, yes. This is the time between winter and summer when attractions are opening up, the atmosphere is improving in bars and restaurants, it’s not too crowded and some sites are still cloaked in the beautiful snow.
Northern Lights tour in Iceland
The Northern Lights are seen at night-time. And, as you’ve probably heard, daylight lasts longer in summer in Iceland. So, the best chance to see the Northern Lights in April is early in the month.
In fact, while some winter months have the benefit of darkness for Northern Lights tours, they’re also colder, snowier and wetter than the spring/summer months. And inclement or overcast weather can put a dampener on a Northern Lights tour (no pun intended).
The temperature in Iceland in April is a bit milder than in winter. The average high in Reykjavík is 7° C, with the average low being 1° C, and there is rain or snowfall on fewer days than in the winter.
Hallgrímskirkja - Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland
April often brings quite a variety of weather from minus temperatures to days that are quite warm, with sunshine, rain or snow. With temperatures usually rising and falling quite a lot, snow does not normally lay on the ground for very long, although there are exceptions.
Dressing in layers is the best way to go in Iceland, never more so than in April. We’d also recommend you check out the weather in Iceland before your trip.
Sunrise at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland
In April in Iceland, you'll get considerably more daylight than in winter, even if it's considered to be an off-season. The sunrise on April 1st is usually around 7:00 AM and sunrise at around 8:00 PM. That's about 13 hours of daylight!
Gravel road at sunset with a view of Vestrahorn mountain, Iceland
Even though a lot of roads might be still closed in Iceland in April, the main road, Ring Road, is usually kept open. The road to famous sights, such as the Snaefellsnes peninsula, South Coast, or Golden Circle is quite easy to navigate during this season.
We do, however, advise you to use a four-wheeler for driving in Iceland. And if you want to be extra safe, try out guided day tours or multi-day tours where all you have to do is to sit back and enjoy the scenery!
Hiking in Iceland
Since April in Iceland is still considered to be a cold season, you should pack accordingly. Thermals should be a necessity. Since the weather can change very quickly, layers are always a good idea. Choose a windbreaker for the outer layer in case it gets extra windy (as it often does in Iceland). Comfortable hiking shoes are important all year round.
Panoramic view from Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik
There’s no shortage of fabulous things to do in our capital at this time of year. If you're wondering what to do in Reykjavik in April, here are some of our favorites:
Walking the coastal pathways around Reykjavík will show you the Icelandic nature springing into life. Seltjarnarnes, a fabulous peninsula and suburb on the edge of Reykjavik should not be missed.
Look and listen out for the golden plover, known in Iceland as the “lóa”. This bird arrives in Iceland in Spring and the first sighting is always in April. When you spot your first lóa you know spring has arrived.
Visit Grasagardur, the Botanical Gardens. Whether you can see nature starting to flower, or the ground is still snow-covered, this place always feels so magical in April.
On sunny days find a café or bar with a sheltered outdoor seating area. You will be surprised how lovely and warm it feels when you are out of the wind. Enjoy a local artisan beer, a great coffee or a lazy meal outdoors. There are many great places, like Messinn at Grandadardur 8 or 101 Reykjavík, a fabulous fish restaurant offering outdoor or indoor dining.
Wander between the parades and events on the First Day of Summer, Sumardagurinn fyrsti.
Hire a bike and explore the many kilometers of designated cycle paths that lead around and out of Reykjavík.
Enjoy the art at Kjarvalsstadir and get yourself a coffee or lunch. On sunny days the sheltered area outside the café is very pleasant.
Make the most of the longer daylight to explore in cityscapes and Reykjavík harbor and waterfront in the evening.
Photograph the magnificent sunsets. Those giant canvases of colour will really enhance your shots.
Yes! In fact, this is one of the best times of the year to see these adorable birds.
Icelandic Puffin on a cliff
Iceland has a huge and world-famous puffin habitat, the Látrabjarg bird cliffs. April is the month when the puffins begin to return to Iceland after spending the winter out on the ocean. South Iceland, West Iceland, East Iceland and North Iceland all offer wonderful puffin watching locations. Our Puffin tours are a great way to see the adorable little birds in their natural habitat.
You can read more about puffins in Iceland on our blog.
Farmer taking care of a newborn lamb
Newly born lambs are drop-dead gorgeous. In Iceland, the lambing season begins in April and continues into May. The best way to enjoy the lambs, and to collect some cute moments to cherish, is to stay on a sheep farm out in the countryside.
Apart from puffins, whooper swans, geese, white wagtails and many other bird species who migrate to Iceland for the summer, return in April, sometimes even at the end of March. You won´t miss out on wildlife if you visit Iceland in April.
Public holidays have a small effect on holidaymakers in Iceland, because it sometimes means shops will be closed or have reduced opening hours. Some public services (such as public transport) might be marginally reduced too.
Excited couple travelling in Iceland
It’s worth it, though, as these public holidays also bring lovely events with them, many of which are free.
Easter is always special.
In the capital, the iconic glass-faceted concert hall by the harbor, Harpa, holds an annual concert at this time of year. Top Icelandic opera singers and musicians always feature in this recital. Visitors and locals are welcomed at Easter Masses and Church Services.
Harpa concert hall and conference centre in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Icelandic flag is suspended at half-mast on Good Friday, and the Christian Churches hold special Easter Masses and Services. Although not many Icelanders are regular churchgoers nowadays, Easter is one of those occasions when a few more people like to go. This is a very busy weekend for Icelandic choirs, so if you like choral music, it’s a great opportunity to hear these wonderful singers.
Easter is a movable feast, meaning that dates change every year, but it tends to take place in April. Maundy Thursday (known in some other countries as Holy Thursday), is the Thursday before Easter Sunday and it’s a public holiday in Iceland.
Also known in Iceland as “Sumardagurinn fyrsti”, it is the first Thursday after the 18th of April. So, it will be between the 19th and 25th of April, with the date changing depending on the year.
First Day of Summer street parades is held to mark the occasion. This is usually heralded by an Icelandic flag bearer or several brass bands along with scouts and other organizations marching through the streets of Reykjavík.
This is one of our country’s “Icelandic Flag Days”, which means you will see all of the Icelandic flags at full mast.
Man petting Icelandic horse
Many visitors are surprised when they discover Icelanders celebrate the first day of summer so early in the year. After all, this is not a country famous for its balmy summer weather. However, the settlers of Iceland followed the Norse calendar which was divided into just two seasons, winter and summer. This explains why summer would be celebrated so early.
In ancient times April was known as “Harpa”, which has feminine associations, perhaps linked to the fertility of the earth beginning to manifest new growth in northern climes. And in many ancient cultures, the first days of summer heralded the beginning of the new year.
The First Day of Summer has quite often been graced by falling snow, although, sunshine and chilly temperatures are also common.
Tradition says a hard frost the night before the First Day of Summer is an excellent omen: Apparently, it means that the approaching summer will be pleasant and long.
Tourist attractions are normally open on public holidays. But some, particularly in the countryside, will have reduced opening hours. Most places post these details on their websites and Facebook pages. If you still can’t find the information you need, just phone or message them.
Woman enjoying the pool in Iceland
Swimming pools often have different opening hours during public holidays. In the capital, you will find many pools which are open on public holidays in April. Even in the countryside, you should find a pool open at some point over Easter. Icelanders love to go to the pool whenever they have extra leisure time.
Most regular grocery stores, such as Bónus, never close for the whole of the Easter weekend, they will always be open as normal on Saturday. In Reykjavík and Akureyri, you will find other grocery stores, such as Hagkaup, which are open from Monday to Thursday too. 10 to 11 stores are open for more, but they offer less choice and are more expensive.
AK Extreme, a spectacular snowboarding and music festival, takes place in Akureyri over a weekend early in April.
If you want your trip to this beautiful city to be enlivened by great music and incredible snowboard acrobatics – this is the place to be. The big snowboard hill is built right in the centre of the town beneath the high mountains.
Top international snowboarders come to participate, so invitations to this event are hot property in the snowboarding community. The festival also includes musical events throughout the town.
This far north, you can expect temperatures to be lower than they are in Reykjavík. And yet, spring-like days pop-up unexpectedly in April, usually sandwiched between far colder, but often very bright days.
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