Visiting Iceland in January means visiting the island during its winter wonderland phase. You might’ve just missed the festive season, but there’s still plenty of holiday spirit doing the rounds, and we can’t think of a more exciting place to start a new year with so many interesting things to see and do.
If you’ve always wanted to visit Iceland but can’t decide when to plan your trip, or you already have a trip planned for January and want to be prepared, read on. We tell you everything about what to expect from January in Iceland.
Is January a Good Time to Go to Iceland?
If you’re still wondering whether going to Iceland in January is a good idea, you’ll need to dive into your own personal preferences, holiday budget, and Iceland bucket list to make that final call. To help you make the decision, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons for a quick scan to see if traveling to Iceland in January is the right fit for you:
Pros
- Visiting Iceland after most of the New Year celebrations are in the rear-view mirror means you would’ve missed most of our festive season crowds. So, if you’re not one for too many people, January might just be the perfect time to schedule your trip.
- With most of the peak season crowds gone, you also don’t need to worry about those peak season prices. In fact, when traveling to Iceland in January, you’re more likely to find all sorts of specials and festive season sales.
- There’s a reason why we refer to Iceland in January as a winter wonderland. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with a thick blanket of snow and sparkling icicles everywhere, and visiting things such as our waterfalls will make you think that Elsa from Frozen has just visited as the scenes lie seemingly frozen in time.
- With fewer daylight hours, the darkness increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in January.
- There are also a few seasonal activities here on the island, so when you visit the island in January, you might get to attend some of the ski events Iceland hosts or go explore the ice caves (most of which are kept closed during the warmer months of the year).
Cons
- If your dream has always been to travel to Iceland and do a road trip around the country, you might hit a few snags in the month of January. The road conditions can be tricky to navigate with all the ice, snow, and other extreme weather conditions, especially if you’re not used to driving in such conditions. You’ll also need to deal with annual road closures in certain regions as well as sudden road closures, which can impact your plans.
- Although breathtakingly beautiful, our winter wonderland is the result of the winter weather (which can get pretty extreme at times). Not only are temperatures below freezing, but you might encounter blizzards or our legendary Icelandic winds.
- Iceland is a constant balancing act of daylight hours and natural phenomena. And as the scale dips in favor of the darkness, increasing the odds of seeing the Northern Lights, it decreases your odds of seeing another natural wonder: the Midnight Sun. This occurs in June when the sun sets, but darkness never really falls. With this phenomenon requiring more than 20 hours of daylight to experience, it will elude you during your trip to Iceland in January.
The Weather in Iceland in January
If you’re wondering what Iceland’s weather in January will be like, we’ve got the detailed lowdown for you. Here’s what you can expect:
Temperatures in Iceland in January
How cold is Iceland in January? That’s usually one of the first questions we get from anyone considering a trip to the island during this month. The answer is that Iceland’s temperature in January ranges between -10 and 5 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in Iceland in January is around the 0-degree mark.
Rainfall in Iceland in January
January is one of the wettest months of the year, clocking in at an average of 55 mm of rainfall, which equates to about 19 rainy days throughout the month. You’ll also have to deal with some sleet (a mix between rain and snow).
Snowfall in Iceland in January
As you can imagine, a trip to Iceland in January is guaranteed to bring snow. Depending on your luck, the snowfall can range from soft to raging blizzards, but ultimately, the landscape will continuously be covered in about a meter of snow.
Wind Speeds in Iceland in January
January is one of the windiest seasons in Iceland, so you’ll need to be prepared for our legendary winds, which can reach speeds of more than 35 kilometers an hour, but the average in January is around 26 kilometers an hour.
Daylight Hours in Iceland in January
Daylight in Iceland in January is scarce (which is exactly why the odds are so good to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland in January). However, daylight hours will already be on the increase from around mid-January. So, from the start of January to the end of the month, daylight hours will range from around 4 hours to roughly 7 hours a day, with sunrise occurring at around 11:00 and sunset occurring at around 15:00.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in January
With so few daylight hours and potentially extreme weather conditions in the month of January, you’ll need to plan your trip itinerary properly as well as be flexible for any spur-of-the-moment changes.
But that doesn’t mean that you won’t be spoilt for choice when it comes to all the interesting things to see and do here on the island. So, if you’re still wondering what to do in Iceland in January, these are a few of the things you can consider adding to your trip itinerary:
Go Camping
Yes, we know what you’re thinking; January sounds like the worst time to go camping. But it can also be the best thing to do if you’re clever. You will find plenty of campgrounds that remain open during Iceland’s winter season, and these are usually practically on the doorstep of some of our most spectacular attractions.
Not only does camping offer some of the best views and access here in Iceland, but it’s also the most affordable accommodation option, especially if you also take advantage of our Camping Card. On top of that, if you rent a motorhome in Iceland, you also don’t need to worry about all the extreme weather conditions, because you will be camping in comfort.
Explore a Glacier
We have a catalog of some pretty impressive glaciers, including the largest in Europe, Vatnajökull. Visitors can explore these glaciers in a variety of ways, from riding in Super Jeeps and snowmobiling across the icy surfaces to hiking across the icy landscape. Just keep in mind that due to safety concerns, this can only be done via guided tour.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Not many know that skiing and snowboarding are much-loved activities here in Iceland, and that Iceland actually plays host to some international events and competitions. But whether you want to learn how to ski or just be a spectator, Blafjöll and Stafdalur are good resorts to consider.
Visit our Waterfalls
There are over 10 000 waterfalls in Iceland, so it will be impossible to visit them all during your trip to the island, but there are a few that are considered to be must-visit spots, and that during the winter season make for incredible sights as they seem almost frozen in time with their icy tentacles dangling from the cliffs. Some that need to be on your trip itinerary are Seljalandsfoss, Dettifoss, and Svartifoss.
Explore the Ice Caves
The wintertime is the best time to visit the island if you’ve always wanted to explore our ice caves. Iceland’s ice caves are like portals to other worlds as you enter huge caverns with bright blue yet somehow translucent walls which still have streaks of black ash from past eruptions embedded in them.
Since the caves are constantly evolving, melting during the warmer months and then re-freezing, the same cave you visited last year also might not be the same cave you visited this year. Check out Crystal Cave or the Glacier Cave at Katla.
Dive or Snorkel the Silfra Fissure
This might seem like an odd thing to do during the winter season, but since the water you’ll be diving/snorkeling in is freezing glacier water and can only be done by wearing a dry suit, it really doesn’t matter when you take the plunge.
Diving or snorkeling the Silfra means diving or snorkeling in between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, so you can literally lie suspended between two continents. Just remember that diving will require a valid diving license and experience while snorkeling is available to everyone.
Visit Our Interesting Museums
Iceland has some of the most interesting museums in the world. You can learn more about our history intertwined with myth and legend at the Saga Museum. Or, if you’re unable to visit our ice caves out in “the wild”, you can walk through a real one at Perlan. You can also get your Harry Potter on by diving into Iceland’s magical history at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft.
Go Shopping
One of the best things to do in Reykjavik in January is hit our infamous shopping street, Laugavegur. Here, you will find anything from souvenirs and clothes to home décor and outdoor gear. And there are plenty of little cafes and restaurants to replenish your energy throughout your shopping spree.
Spend Some Time with Our Icelandic Horses
If you don’t know, Iceland boasts its own horse breed called the Icelandic Horse. These are incredible creatures. Not only can they perform an extra gait, but they look more like ponies than full-grown horses and have very friendly natures.
When you visit Iceland in January they will also be sporting their thick, fluffy winter coats. Icelandic Horses can be found all across the island, and you’ll have the option of visiting (even feeding them) at some of the farm stays or breeding farms, or you can go on a horseback riding tour to explore the area (whichever it may be).
Become a Viking (Temporarily)
If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be a Viking, you’ll get your chance during your trip to Iceland in January. Visit our authentic Viking Village and indulge in a real Viking feast, set sail on a traditional Viking ship, or dress up in traditional garb and gear and have your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios.
Soak in a Hot Spring
Because of all the volcanic activity on the island heating up our underground water supply, you can find natural hot springs all across the country. Some can be enjoyed in their natural form while others are used in our geothermal pools.
Except for soaking in the warm waters being incredibly relaxing, the waters have also been proven to have healing properties due to the minerals in the water. Some of our most famous hot springs include Blue Lagoon and the Myvatn Nature Baths.
Take a Stroll on a Black Sand Beach
Okay, so this one might get a bit windy, and you obviously don’t want to visit during bad weather, but you simply cannot visit Iceland and not go to any of our famous black sand beaches. The black sand is testimony to thousands of years of volcanic activity on the island as the black sand is actually eroded lava. Be sure not to miss Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach as well as Diamond Beach (the latter being exceptionally pretty this time of year).
Driving in Iceland in January
As mentioned earlier, driving in Iceland in January can be tricky due to extreme weather conditions, sudden road closures as well as annual road closures that could impact road trip plans. It especially impacts plans to explore the Highlands and the Westfjords in Iceland with all the F-roads being closed.
When it comes to taking on the roads during the month of January, we highly recommend getting a 4x4 vehicle. And if you were planning on renting a motorhome, don’t worry, you will have 4x4 options to choose from. When renting a vehicle during our winter season, it’s important to chat to your rental agent about your planned routes, so they can ensure that you have the right accessories such as snow tires, and have sufficient rental insurance for the conditions you might face.
If you would like to stay on top of things during your trip (especially before heading out for the day), you can keep an eye on the Iceland weather forecast and the Iceland road conditions. If you would like to play it safe, you can choose one of our popular road trip routes, which are our main roads that are paved and well-maintained:
- Ring Road
- Golden Circle
- South Coast Way
Icelandic Festivals and Events in January
If you would like to add a few of our exciting festivals or events to your social calendar while on the island, we highly recommend the following:
Porri
Porri is an old-school celebration based on the old Icelandic calendar. This midwinter festival is synonymous with fun, traditional Icelandic food such as fermented shark and boiled sheep heads, and, of course, celebratory drinks. This festival is definitely one for the books if you want to immerse yourself in the authentic Icelandic culture.
Dark Music Days
The Dark Music Days festival is for all the music lovers out there, specifically those who enjoy contemporary and experimental pieces. The festival is held in the capital city of Reykjavik every year and lasts for a few days.
What to Pack and Wear when Visiting Iceland in January
For a comprehensive list, you can read our article on what to pack for a trip to Iceland, but when it comes to what to pack for a trip to Iceland in January, there are a few key things that cannot be forgotten. These include:
- Sunglasses – This may intuitively feel like an accessory for the warmer months, but when the sun reflects off the snow, ice, or water surfaces here, it can be a killer on the eyes.
- Sunscreen – This is pretty much for the same reason as above. You haven’t felt completely ridiculous yet before you boast a sunburnt face mostly caused by the sun’s reflection.
- Enough T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts to layer – The biggest challenge when it comes to what to wear in Iceland in January is not the cold, but the big difference in temperatures you have to deal with between the outdoors and the indoors. If you wear layers you know you’ll always have something to take off or put on.
- Raincoat – As one of our wettest months, this is a must. Don’t bring an umbrella, as our winds will destroy it.
Iceland in January: The Frosty Weather Doesn’t Freeze the Fun
Visiting Iceland in January offers a uniques experience with snowy landscapes, fewer crowd, and the chance to see the mesmerizing Northern Lights. It is a great time to explore the stunning beauty of the country in its winter wonderland state, and it’s still possible to take advantage of our affordable campsites that get you close to the action without having to “rought it” when renting a motorhome in Iceland.
As you can see from this guide, our frosty season doesn’t curb the fun on the island, and now that you know what Iceland is like in January, the only thing left to do is to book that trip and start your winter wonderland adventure!
