When to go · Akureyri
Akureyri in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights). Across Iceland: Long days, puffins, fewer crowds; highlands still closed.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) / 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Iceland overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Iceland overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights). Across Iceland: Long days, puffins, fewer crowds; highlands still closed.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.
- JulyGreatInside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.
- AugustGreatInside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.
- SeptemberGreatInside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.
Weather in May
- AkureyriHighs around 10 °C (50 °F), lows around 3 °C (37 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 50 °F (10 °C), lows around 37 °F (3 °C), rain on about 8 days
- North and east, Iceland · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordsfine
Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Iceland overall
- Medium
- Prices · Iceland overall
- Medium
Iceland overall: Long days, puffins, fewer crowds; highlands still closed.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Akureyri, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Feb: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Night low
May: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Feb: -4 °C (25 °F)25 °F (-4 °C)
Rain days
May: 8 (better)
Feb: 11
Crowds
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Feb: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights). Across Iceland: Long days, puffins, fewer crowds; highlands still closed.
February: Inside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.
Akureyri: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings