Iceland in January

4–5 h of light, storms, ice caves and auroras; keep buffer days.

• Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanesstorm or typhoon risk

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

• South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlónstorm or typhoon risk

  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 Fjordscool

  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.

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.

• Christmas and New Year big impact

  24–26 Dec, 31 Dec – 1 Jan

  Shops and restaurants close from mid-afternoon on the 24th and 31st; huge private fireworks on New Year's Eve.

• Þorrablót

  Late Jan – Feb

  Midwinter feasts of preserved foods; some restaurants offer Þorri platters.

Crowds · Iceland

Low

Prices · Iceland

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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Better another month

• Reykjavík and the south-west

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

• South coast

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