Winter is Iceland often has many potential visitors shaking in their boots. To be fair, the country is called Iceland, so I understand people being a bit worried about the weather conditions and wondering if winter is a good time for them to visit.

When this episode is published, we are in autumn and winter is fast approaching. While you might be tempted to shy away from exploring this island of fire and ice in the North Atlantic during the winter season, my aim is to share with you why Iceland is worth visit during the winter, despite some potential challenging conditions.

Imagine a world painted in shades of white, blue, and gold. Snow-capped mountains stand against a backdrop of golden-hued skies, with frosted landscapes spanning as far as the eye can see lining the roads.

Fully or half frozen waterfalls look like the works of a sculpture, and steam rises mysteriously from geothermal pools amidst the snowy expanse. This is Iceland in winter – a beautiful wonderland that offers otherworldly landscapes at every turn.

One of the most distinct features of Icelandic winters is the prolonged darkness. With just a few hours of daylight during the peak of winter, you might wonder if it will hinder you from having a great time. While it does mean that you don’t have endless hours of daylight to explore like during summer, dark days have their charm too.

When the sun is up, the soft illumination casts the landscapes in gorgeous hues, making every moment feel like golden hour. During the night, the snowy and ice help to not make it seem so dark. Plus, long, dark nights mean you have more hours to potentially see the surreal northern lights.

Winter in Iceland generally spans from November to March, with December and January being the darkest and coldest months. This is the ideal period to embrace the unique experiences Iceland offers during this season.

I have been doing individual episodes of what to expect during each month in Iceland.  I started it in 2023. For winter, I have already have January, February, and March. Links to those and the ones I do for November and December soon will be linked here as well.

Average Temperature range in the capital area in Iceland during winter is around zero degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a bit chillier in the north, often going below zero. However, we do get cold spells from time to time and I talk about just how cold it has gotten here a little later. You can also expect snow storms and occasional wind storms too.

Most rental car companies put studded tires on their vehicles. They come in handy whether you are driving in the city or in the countryside.

My go-to car rental company is Go Car Rental Iceland. I use them for all of my adventures throughout the seasons. They have a large variety of cars, competitive prices, and great customer service. When you can use my code Iceland10, you save 10% on your full car rental cost with them.

Also, if you are curious about which 4×4 I drive during the winter, it is the Mitsubishi Eclipse PHEV.

Journeying around Iceland in winter can be a magical experience. Roads might take you past ice-laden waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss or through snowy landscapes in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Consider joining guided tours, especially for activities like glacier hiking or ice caving, as professionals will know the safest routes and times.

Often, it is expected that parts of the far North, Westfjords, and Eastfjords will have more intense winter conditions than in the south. For instance, it is uncommon for snow to pile up higher than the top of the front door in remote areas like the West fjords and East fjords.

I have traveled to North Iceland many times during the winter and thoroughly enjoyed it, so please don’t think the whole north is off limits. It mainly depends on the conditions when you are visiting and if there are any storm warnings.

Ah, the pièce de résistance of winter in Iceland! The aurora borealis, dancing across the night sky in ribbons of green, pink, and purple, is a sight to behold. The long nights increase your chances of witnessing this natural wonder, especially in areas with minimal light pollution.

If you want to know more about the Northern Lights, I recommend checking out my episode titled “How & Where to See in the Northern Lights in Iceland“.

Get more packing essentials in my free Ultimate Packing Checklist.

As I mentioned earlier in the episode, Iceland is not as cold as people might expect. BUT, we did have a very cold December last year.

According to Iceladnd Monitor,

“Last December was the coldest December in the country since 1973, or for almost half a century ago, with an average temperature in the country -4.0 degrees Celsius or 24.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

December has not been as cold in over 100 years in Reykjavík, but the last time it was this cold in the capital was in December 1916, according to the Met Office.”

Vetur – winter

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