What to Wear in Iceland

Aah yes, trying to predict the weather in Iceland - you are just as likely to guess the numbers in the lottery. We can tell you approximately what to expect but the best way to prepare is to expect all kinds of weather. Still, I am here to help so let me share my best advice on what to wear so that you stay warm, comfortable and dry on your trip to Iceland.

We often refer to the Icelandic wind as ‘Kári’ or ‘Kuldaboli e’: roughly translated as “Cold Bull”. If you’ve experienced the wind in Iceland, you’ll know what I’m talking about! It often seems as if the weather in Iceland has a very beastly temper.

I will in this section refer to the Icelandic weather as The Beast. The Beast is untameable. It is ruthless and it takes no prisoners. But, sometimes... The Beast is in a good mood and oh the joy that follows. But watch out! The Beast is also quick to change its mind.

In Iceland, a common saying is “if you don’t like the weather just wait a couple of minutes” as the weather is sure to change. So basically, love and enjoy it when The Beast behaves. Keep calm and carry on when it doesn’t. The Beast will change its mind soon enough.

Before I dive into my clothing recommendations for each month of the year, I’m going, to begin with, some tips on what to wear for some of Iceland’s most popular tours and activities, because let’s face it, that’s what’s so special about a trip to Iceland!

It’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland between September and April and of course, only when it’s dark outside. So that means you’ll need to wrap up extra warm. If you’re planning a Northern Lights Tour, prepare to wear the following:

• Thermal long pants
• Waterproof ski pants
• Thermal vest
• A fleece top
• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket
• Buff
• Hat
• Warm gloves
• Wool socks
• Waterproof hiking boots
• A small backpack

Any time of year is a good time to take a tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle. Whether it’s winter or summer, you’re going to need to make sure you pack your waterproofs. Even on a dry day, getting close to any of the magnificent waterfalls could leave you a little soaked! Regardless of what time of year it is, wearing layers is always the best advice. You can never really know what you’re going to get. With that in mind, I recommend you consider wearing the following:

• Thermal long pants
• Waterproof ski pants (winter)
• Thermal vest
• A fleece top
• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket
• Buff
• Hat
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Wool socks
• Waterproof hiking boots
• A small backpack

Tours to the Blue Lagoon run all year ‘round. Even in the coldest months, you can feel quite warm around the Blue Lagoon with the heat radiating off the 40°C. Prepare to wear the following:

• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses
• Towel, bathrobe & slippers (or you can pay to rent them there)
• Remove jewelry
• Water shoes or flip flops (if you prefer your feet covered walking around the water)

Glacier hiking tours run all year round in Iceland. With Arctic Adventures, you’ll be provided with crampons so you don’t need to worry about those. I advise you to prepare to wear the following.

• Thermal long pants

• Waterproof ski pants

• Thermal vest

• A fleece top

• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket

• Buff

• Hat

• Ski gloves

• Sunglasses

• Wool socks

• Waterproof hiking boots

• A small backpack

As you might have gathered from the above, the key to being comfortable in your clothes in Iceland is to be prepared for all weather at all times. However, some months will typically be colder or warmer, wetter or drier than others. With that in mind, here is my guide on what to wear in Iceland for each month of the year.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WEATHER IN ICELAND AND HOW TO DRESS FOR EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR.

Dress warm! The best way to do that is to wear layers. They keep the heat close to your body, but they also make it easy for you to adapt to changing temperatures if the weather shifts or when you move from indoors to outdoors. Wool is great for winter in Iceland, it has gotten us through ice ages so you can count on it to get you through your winter travels in Iceland. Jeans, on the other hand, get cold very easily so they are not recommended if you’re going to be spending much time outdoors.

1. Start with a thermal layer
2. Followed by active pants
3. Wind and/or rainproof pants on top

1. A thermal top
2. Followed by a fleece or sweater
3. With a thick coat or wind/waterproof layer

1. Thick, high quality, warm socks
2. Good sturdy shoes

January is dark and cold but doesn’t be scared, it’s also stunning!

Our winter days might contain limited sunlight but they also bring us the beautiful Northern Lights and crispy glistening snow. The average temperature in Reykjavík is about 0° Celsius or somewhere around 30° Fahrenheit. However, it can vary, quite a lot, so be prepared to give or take 10°Celcius. It’s usually colder the further you go out of the capital. Especially up in the Westfjords and in the North.

 About 4,5 – 7 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between -3°C (about 27 Fahrenheit) and 2°C (about 35 Fahrenheit)

Iceland experiences so much darkness because it sits so far North, close to the Arctic Circle. This means that in wintertime, days and periods of sunlight are short and nights and periods of darkness are long. But don’t be afraid, Icelanders have mastered the art of creating coziness everywhere. The white snow actually helps to create light and we leave all of our Christmas lights on for a very long time to help with the dark. Also, almost every cafe, restaurant or dining facility of any sort offers hot chocolate to warm you right up.

For those interested in self-drive tours, driving in January can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t used to driving in snow or on slippery roads. For anyone who is feeling nervous about this I would always recommend joining a tour where an experienced driver will take care of the whole thing and you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the Icelandic nature show.

If you still want to experience driving in Iceland for yourself, remember to bookmark the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) website. They are quick to update road safety information and which roads are and are not currently accessible.

Dressing for February can be a bit challenging. You pretty much have to be prepared for everything. You can skip bringing shorts and t-shirts but that’s about it. Warm things should fill your suitcase and again layers are key!

I’d advise the same trousers, tops and shoes combos as mentioned above for January. Thermal under layers, wool, and wind and waterproofs. Plus, with a bit of extra sunlight in the skies, bring a pair of sunglasses too - it can be surprisingly bright when the light hits the snow.

In February, it starts to get a little less cold, a little less dark and the days start to get a little longer. However, it’s still a great time to visit if you’re planning to see the Northern Lights. February brings great possibilities for seeing this magical event as well as plenty of other gorgeous snowy sights and winter activities.

It is light for about 7 hours, between 10 am and 5 pm, providing plenty of time to explore and enjoy the awesomeness of Iceland. It’s quite likely to snow and rain, the streets are usually coated with snowdrift and it can get pretty windy. 

About 7 – 10 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between -3°c (about 27 Fahrenheit) and 2°c (about 35 Fahrenheit)

March does not mean spring in Iceland. It’s still winter so again the same rules apply to how you should dress. I might be starting to sound like a broken record but.... LAYERS! And then some layers on top of your layers and then some more layers. More is more when it comes to layers.

One item you might want to prioritize in March however is rain gear. It will likely be rainier in March compared to January and February, so be sure to pack good waterproofs.

And remember: wool means warmth!

Now on to March, the last whole month of Northern Lights and decent snow but the weather can be very changeable.

It’s less snowy and a bit rainier. The wind is high in March and the temperature is about 0-5° Celsius. Although the temperature starts to increase in March, don’t expect it to be warm.

It’s still wintertime in Iceland even though the days are getting longer fast. You will probably notice this changing as each day passes with the difference between sunrise and sunset about 10 hours at the beginning of March compared to 13 hours at the end of March! 

About 10 – 13 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between -2 °c (about 28 Fahrenheit) and 3.3°c (about 38 Fahrenheit)

Now your wardrobe will start to look a little less like you’re about to climb Mt. Everest. You can relax a little bit. In April, you’ll likely experience pleasant days where you will be able to undo a button or two on your shirt. I will still emphasize that thermals are great and will be sure to keep you warm. Hiking shoes are essential for every season in Iceland and a buff goes a long way. You can put it around your neck or use it for your head if you get warm easily.

A windbreaker is a good idea and even though it’s not in the photo below, a swimsuit + sunglasses are a must!

Now we are reaching spring (which is quite ironic as April is the month that we celebrate Sumardagurinn fyrsti or The First Day of Summer). Unfortunately, in Iceland spring can mean rain. April is probably one of the most unpredictable months. April can bring mild weather with sun and nice temperatures around 10° Celsius, but it can also bring a snowstorm. There is something we like to call Páskahret, which basically means ‘Easter cold spell’ with heavy snow or rain which usually lands suddenly and by surprise!

It’s funny how many Icelandic weather types there are that the English language just can’t explain!

An article about the Icelandic words that are missing in English

The daylight will be bright when you wake up and the sunset after dinnertime so this is the perfect month for a full day of exploring before heading out to explore the Northern Lights in the evening. Although you’ll have to wait until around midnight for it to get dark enough to see them,  compared to December to January when you can see them at 9 pm. 

About 13 – 16 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between 0 °C (about 32 Fahrenheit) and 5.7 °F (about 42 Fahrenheit)

Finally, the light jacket can be used. Now you should be packing a t-shirt and maybe even some shorts, but this might depend on where you’re from. If you are used to hot temperatures of 30°C you might want to leave the shorts at home. May is the month we start seeing Icelanders’ skin again after being covered inside their huge parkas and coats throughout the winter season. This is when the swimming pools get busier and you should 100% pack a swimsuit to join in. Pack sunglasses again and a pair of woolen socks, though you probably won’t need as many as in Dec-Jan.

BUT don’t get overconfident in this slightly milder weather. The Beast can still get into a bad mood and if it does, a thick coat will come in handy. So again, yes you guessed it, LAYERS!

Now we will start seeing signs of summer. The grass will start to get greener, the plants will start to grow and Icelanders will start to come out from their hibernation.

Temperatures will be around 5°-10°C (about 40-50 in Fahrenheit) and the daylight is probably going to make sleeping in difficult for those who aren’t used to having sunlight long into the nights and again very early in the morning.

 About 16 – 20 hours of daylight

 The average temperature is between 3.6 °c (about 38.5 Fahrenheit) and 9°c (about 48.9 Fahrenheit)

June, you beautiful month you!

Now we are serious about the t-shirt front. We are switching the jacket out for vests and swimsuits.  June can, however, be windy so you will still need to pack layers so you don’t get cold.

I suggest packing all of the clothing displayed in the photo, which you can see covers everything from shorts and swimsuits to wooly sweaters and hats.  Basically, in Iceland, you always need to be prepared for everything at all times. While I would be very hopeful you’ll get to wear your bathing suit, I am not making any promises, we have seen snow in June.

It’s officially summer in Iceland or at least, what we call summer. This might not count as much of a summer to those of you traveling from a warm country but it sure is different from the dark and snowy wintertime. June is the third warmest month of the year so that’s a good reason to be merry.

This is the month of Solstice, a full day with absolutely no darkness.

June is pretty much the month of bright days and bright nights. It’s the ultimate time of the Midnight Sun.

Another great thing about June is that it is the month with the least rain here in Iceland, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking tours. So overall, it's pretty warm and pretty dry.

About 20-21 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between 6.7 °c (about 44 Fahrenheit) and 11.7 °c (about 53 Fahrenheit)

June, July, and August have quite a similar dress code. It’s necessary to have something warm but not over the top, a couple of thin layers go a long way in July – even better than one thick one. I mean you never know, it might be around 20°C but it could also be 5°C. Whoops, sorry, I might be repeating this quite a lot but the weather varies and so should your clothing.

July is the month you can expect Iceland’s highest temperatures. The average high temperature is around 14°C or 57 in Fahrenheit. This isn’t exactly beach weather but very welcome for Icelanders and people who have been here through the winter. Keep in mind though this is just an average and Icelandic weather does play around going up and down a lot.

The light reached its maximum level in June but you will still have plenty of light in July. The shortest day in July is about 18 hours of light. But as we move through July the light will decrease rapidly.

 About 18 hours of daylight

 The average temperature is between 8.3 °c (about 47 Fahrenheit) and 13.3 °c (about 56 Fahrenheit)

Here you might have a little more use for your raincoat and since it’s starting to get dark at night, pack a warmer overcoat for the evenings and night time. This is usually the last month that we see some serious sun so don’t forget to bring light clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses just in case the weather gods are in a good mood.

Now, this is a tricky one to predict. I have seen it all in August: snow, sun, rain and strong winds but, thankfully the most common weather is quite good. August is my favorite time of year to go camping and during this month it starts to get dark and cozy again. August is also the month when we start to see the first sightings of the Northern Lights again. Especially when in the highlands, like when hiking the Laugavegur Trail.

The daylight time shortens quickly during July and by August we start to see fully dark nights again but no worries, August is Iceland’s second warmest month. With an average temperature of 8-19°C or 47-55 Fahrenheit. August is a little rainier than July. 

About 14 – 18 hours of daylight

Average temperature is between 7.9 °C (about 46 Fahrenheit) and 13 °C (about 55.4 Fahrenheit)

Rain clothes, boots, warm thermals and a warm sweater. You can most probably go without a thick parka but you will need a wind/rainproof jacket and a thick good sweater underneath. You should 100% bring a swimsuit. Bathing in a hot pool when the rain drizzles down on your face. Oh wow! There is no real way to explain this. Expect quick changes in weather: this is the month where the weather is the most unpredictable. Check it here.

Hello, rainy days.

Now we start to see a drop in temperature and an increase in rain but like with anything else when it comes to Icelandic weather this varies. One of the cool things about September is that the Gulf Stream brings the warmest ocean at this time of year and sea swimming, surfing, and other ocean activities can be done in the warmest water possible in Iceland. This is a great time to visit: the crowds get smaller, the weather isn’t too cold and if you are lucky, like we were in 2016, you might get weeks of sun and nice weather.

 About 14 – 11 hours of daylight

 Average temperature is between 5 °c (about 41 Fahrenheit) and 10 °c (about 50 Fahrenheit)

This is the time of year when you might need to start thinking more carefully about driving in unusual circumstances. September can, for example, be very foggy and when driving over mountains and such it’s quite common for that thick fog to slide in forcing you to slow down a lot. Roads might also start to get slippery, especially the further outside of the capital you go, especially north, east or into the west fjords.

If you plan to drive to these parts of the country, we definitely recommend an AWD or 4×4 vehicle.

This is, at least in my opinion one of the most stunning times to visit. HELLO Fall colors! Photographers don’t forget that extra memory card, you are going to need it!

Shoes that will keep your feet dry are important in October. The weather is wetter so rainproof clothing is very helpful. October is a little tricky as you are somewhere in between the wet and the cold months. I definitely recommend thermals for all outdoor activities and a good hat to keep your ears warm. The photo below paints a good picture of what to expect. Dress warm and keep dry waterproof clothing! I would recommend having a scarf or a buff, the winds can bite quickly.

Now we are in that month that is somewhat fall, winter, and summer at the same time. This is one of the coziest months and with the right dressing outdoor activities will be a breeze.

October brings the most stunning sunrises and sunsets. The daylight time drops quickly across the month by about 6,5 minutes a day. It’s not too dark during the day, but the nights are dark enough to see the Northern Lights. 

About 11 – 8 hours of daylight

Average temperature is between 2.2 °c (about 36 Fahrenheit) and 6.8 °c (about 44.2 Fahrenheit)

In November it’s very important that you dress warmly. Keep those layers to hand and make sure your shoes are waterproof. You will also need to pack plenty of socks. Socks are a very important factor and I would ALWAYS recommend wool socks rather than cotton or other materials. There is a reason hikers and backpackers have the saying “cotton kills”.

Go for wool, thermals, thick sweaters, and keep your head, feet, neck, and hands warm. It’s better to wear more and be able to take it off than it is to be shaking with cold and not having anything to put on. Look at December’s clothing photo for inspiration.

The numbers might look mild and not too scary, but keep in mind Iceland is an island and we only live on the coastline. Your travels are also most likely only going to be along the coast so it’s likely going to be quite windy. This makes -1 °C feel like -15 °C and this is important to remember.

The hours of daylight are also getting shorter but this means more chances to see the Northern Lights so we can’t really complain. Here you need to prepare for snow, rain, slippery roads and wind.

 About 8 – 5 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between -1.3 °c (about 29.7 Fahrenheit) and 3.4 °c (about 38 Fahrenheit)

As you can see by the photo, prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Sunglasses are important especially if it snows. When the (little) light hits the snowy ground and the light reflects it can be pretty hard on your eyes. Make sure you have warm socks and waterproof shoes. For in town matters make sure you have something warm around your neck. When the Kuldaboli wind strikes it usually goes for the neck blowing winds inside and around your whole body. Be prepared and protected!

The temperature itself is probably warmer than you might expect, but of course, winds can pick up and temperatures can drop in an instant. Rain or snow is common so be prepared. The best days in December are when it’s super cold, the ground is covered with crisp snow and every house is decorated with Christmas lights. Winter Wonderland really!

December brings days of about 4 or 5 hours of sunlight with beautiful sunsets on offer. Night falls quickly so take care if you’re driving. If you’re not used to driving in snow, heavy winds and slippery roads, then join a tour where a tour guide is specially trained for these circumstances.

 About 5 – 4 hours of daylight

The average temperature is between -2.8 °c (about 27 Fahrenheit) and 2.2 °c (about 36 Fahrenheit)

Now that we discussed how to dress in Iceland, it is important to point out what should you NOT wear in Iceland.

• Light layers - even though Iceland is moderately warm for a country in the Arctic circle location, you should definitely not miss any layers. The wind and rain can be brutal at times, so make sure you wear at least three layers during all seasons.
  
  

• Jeans - jeans are suitable for a walk in a town only, definitely not for hiking or, even more, glacier hiking!
  
  

• Non-waterproof jackets - waterproof outer layers are essential in Iceland during all seasons.
  
  

• Fancy clothes - forget about fancy night-outs and keep it simple. And don't forget to bring your waterproof jacket, just in case!
  
  

• Thin socks - warm socks are essential in Iceland trip clothing. Socks should be thin and preferably woolen to keep your feet warm during a trip.

• Layers are key!

• The weather changes a lot and quickly

• You pretty much have to prepare for any weather at any time of the year

• The temperature is surprisingly mild, it’s the wind that gets you

• Don’t take chances when driving in winter

• Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential for all seasons!

• Waterproof shoes are important.

• Thick wool socks are going in your bag (no matter what season)

• Swimwear is needed for the full Icelandic experience (also no matter what season)

• NO NEED for umbrellas. They’ll be ruined in 5 minutes. Don’t even bother!

If you’re wondering what to bring with you for your travels in Iceland, take a look at our list of essentials.

Now that you know how to dress for Iceland, why not book one of our Iceland day tours?