For visitors
Iceland guides
Short, sourced answers to the questions visitors ask before a trip to Iceland: what to pack for your month, what to wear today, and the details — boots, ice cleats, rain gear, daylight, the summer light and the northern lights. The climate numbers come from what the Icelandic Met Office's own stations measured at 12 places from 1991 to 2020; daylight is calculated from the sun's position.
Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020Reviewed 19 October 2026
Pack and dress
Weather and packing by month
Questions visitors ask
- Can you wear jeans in Iceland?Yes in town, no on the trails. How often it rains or snows in Iceland each month, why wet denim fails, and the trousers to pack instead — from Met Office data.
- Do you need crampons or microspikes in Iceland?Crampons no, microspikes yes — when. How cold Iceland's nights get each month around the country, where paths ice over, and where to buy ice cleats.
- Do you need hiking boots in Iceland?What shoes to wear in Iceland: why waterproof boots with grip matter all year, hiking boots vs snow boots in winter, and when trainers will do, with rain and snow data.
- Do you need rain pants in Iceland?Yes — here's why. How many days it rains or snows each month around Iceland, the wettest places, rain pants vs snow pants, and what to wear underneath.
- Should you bring an umbrella to Iceland?No — Iceland's rain comes with wind. Average wind and gale days for 12 places from Met Office data, the windiest spots, and what Icelanders use instead.
- What should you wear to the Blue Lagoon?A swimsuit, warm layers for the walk and conditioner for your hair. Shower rules, the silica and your hair, jewellery, and how cold the air is each month.
- Is Iceland cold in summer?Cool, not cold. Typical summer highs and lows for 12 places around Iceland, the warmest days ever measured, whether it snows, and what to pack — from Met Office data.
- How many hours of daylight does Iceland get?From about 4 hours in December to 21 in June. Daylight on the 15th of every month for Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Vík, with sunrise and sunset times.
- Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in summer?No — the nights are too bright from late April to mid-August. Hours of darkness each month in Reykjavík and Akureyri, when aurora season starts, and the best months.
These are the usual conditions, not a forecast. Before you set off, check the latest forecast and warnings on Iceland Weather or vedur.is, the roads on umferdin.is and travel alerts on safetravel.is. In an emergency, call 112.