Iceland in May

Long days, puffins, fewer crowds; highlands still closed.

May is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatNear-constant light, open roads, National Day on the 17th; highland roads open late in the month.
• JulyGreatWarmest and busiest; F-roads and Laugavegur trek open; book everything.
• AugustGreatStill peak; puffins leave mid-month; first dark nights for auroras at the end.

• Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanesfine

  Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.Mild and windy: around 32 °F (0 °C) in January, 54–57 °F (12–14 °C) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

• South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlónfine

  The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.

• North and east · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordsfine

  Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.

• Highlands · Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölurcool

  F-roads open roughly late June to early September, dates set each year — check umferdin.is. Snow possible any month.

• East Iceland: South-east coast (Höfn) · Sand and glacier shelf below Vatnajökullfine

  Wettest and windiest part of the region; fog and rain off the glacier are common even in July.

• East Iceland: Hérað and the East Fjords · Inland around Lagarfljót and the fjord villagesfine

  Sheltered inland and among the warmest places in Iceland in summer; fjord villages are cooler and windier.

• North Iceland: North Iceland coast · Akureyri, Skagafjörður, Mývatn, Húsavíkfine

  Colder and harsher than Reykjavík; winter storms can close roads. Midges around Mývatn in summer — check.

• South Iceland: South coast · Þorlákshöfn to Höfnbest weather

  Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.

• Southwest Iceland: Reykjavík and the Reykjanes coast · capital area and peninsulabest weather

  Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), winter near 0–3 °C (32–37 °F). Rain and wind change within hours.Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 54–59 °F (12–15 °C), winter near 32–37 °F (0–3 °C). Rain and wind change within hours.

• West Iceland: Snæfellsnes and the coast · West Icelandbest weather

  May–Sep is the practical window; winter brings wind, ice and short daylight. The peninsula sticks into the Atlantic, so expect wind year-round.

• Westfjords: Westfjords coast · Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, fjord villagesfine

  Short summer window Jun–Aug; wind and rain any month. Mountain roads and passes can close for months outside summer.

• Reykjavík9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 13 rain days
• Akureyri10 °C (50 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
• Arnarstapi10 °C (50 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 5 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 5 rain days
• Blue Lagoon11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain days
• Borgarnes9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 11 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 11 rain days
• Egilsstaðir9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
• Eyrarbakki11 °C (52 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 11 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 11 rain days
• Fossholl10 °C (50 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
• Hafnarfjörður9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 10 rain days
• Hella12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 7 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 7 rain days
• Hellissandur10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain days
• Höfn9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
• Húsavík9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
• Hveragerði11 °C (52 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 7 rain days
• Ísafjörður7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
• Keflavík13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 11 rain days
• Kópavogur9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 10 rain days
• Mývatn8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
• Raufarhöfn9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
• Selfoss12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
• Seyðisfjörður10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 11 rain days
• Siglufjörður11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 4 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 4 rain days
• Skagafjörður11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
• Skógar12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• Stokkseyri10 °C (50 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 11 rain days
• Stykkishólmur12 °C (54 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
• Súðavík11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
• Suðureyri9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 12 rain days
• Vestmannaeyjar8 °C (46 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
• Vík í Mýrdal9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 13 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Labour Day check

  1 May · Reykjavík

  Shops closed; a march downtown.

Crowds · Iceland

Medium

Prices · Iceland

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Iceland, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Reykjavík

  Cool and bright; fewer crowds.

• Borgarnes

  Best months: Jun–Aug for long daylight and open mountain roads; May and Sep are quieter but some highland access closes

• Fossholl

  Best months: May–Sep (guesthouse open, roads clear)

• Hella

  Best months: May–Sep

• Húsavík

  Best months: Jun–Aug for whale season and midnight sun; Apr–May and Sep for fewer crowds

• Hveragerði

  Best months: May–Sep

• Keflavík

  Best months: May–Sep

• Kirkjubæjarklaustur

  Best months: May–Sep

• Selfoss

  Best months: May–Sep

• Skógar

  Best months: May–Sep

• Stykkishólmur

  Best months: May–Sep

• Vík í Mýrdal

  Best months: May–Sep for the full road and long daylight; Feb–Mar and Oct for ice caves with a guide