If you’ve been dreaming of the winter wonderland landscape of Iceland and have been wondering how to get the most out of the festive season without the bombardment of the festive season crowds, visiting Iceland in November might just be your solution.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this month to see if it’s the right fit for you and your Iceland bucket list, and how to prepare for travels to Iceland in November. So, without further ado, let’s give you the lowdown with some local insights.
Is November a good time to go to Iceland?
Not quite sure whether November is the best time for you to visit Iceland? Check out our summary of pros and cons below to get a general overview to help you make your decision:
Pros
- Visiting Iceland in November means missing all our peak season crowds. By then, our summer peak season crowds will have been long gone, and you’ll also be on your way home by the time our festive season crowds show up on the island.
- You don’t need to worry about peak season pricing whenever you visit Iceland out of peak season. This means that your holiday budget will be able to stretch much further.
- If you plan on visiting Iceland to see the Northern Lights, November is a good time to do so with all its darkness - all while still having enough daylight hours to have a pretty packed trip itinerary.
- By visiting Iceland at the end of November, you’ll be the first to experience our festive season in terms of markets, lights, and more. This means you’ll get all the perks of our festive season without the crowds or the peak season price tags.
Cons
- The drawback to our winter wonderland is the very way it gets created: our winter weather. In Iceland our weather can get pretty extreme during our winter season, and although November isn’t full-blown winter yet, it will essentially serve as the launchpad.
- Winter’s weather and road conditions can cause plans to change at the drop of a hat, so you’ll need to be more flexible with your trip itinerary when visiting Iceland in November. Since many roads, such as the F-roads, are kept closed throughout the colder months of the year, you’ll also need to be flexible when it comes to your road trip routes.
- Since the weather impacts road conditions so heavily, driving can become challenging and downright nerve-wracking for a nervous driver, especially if you come from a country where you never have to deal with ice and snow on the road or gale-force winds.
- Iceland is famous for a number of natural phenomena, one of which is the Northern Lights (which one can see in Iceland in November). Another is the Midnight Sun, during which the sun never sets completely, and there’s never any daylight. This phenomenon can only be experienced mid-summer, so you won’t be experiencing it when visiting the island in November.
Weather in Iceland in November
The weather in Iceland in November is your introduction to Iceland’s winter weather. Here’s what to expect:
Temperatures in Iceland in November
Since winter has only just kicked off, you don’t need to be concerned about those freezing (quite literally) below-0 temperatures when visiting Iceland in November. The temperature will range between 1 and 8 degrees Celsius with an average of about 4 degrees. And don’t be fooled by one of our biggest illusions here on the island when you visit the capital city of Reykjavik in November.
Many think that the city is somehow warmer than its outskirts. This is not the case. While it’s true that the north is a few degrees colder than the southern part of Iceland, the buildings in the city are merely creating a shelter against some weather elements like the wind, making the city feel slightly warmer than its outskirts.
Wind Speeds in Iceland in November
The winter wind speeds will blow you away. Mid-winter brings winds of 35+ kilometers an hour, which have been known to rip car doors straight off their hinges. Although November won’t be quite as rough, it can still be challenging to deal with winds averaging about 30 kilometers an hour.
Rainfall in Iceland in November
Although you may experience some rainfall in November, it’s not one of our wetter months. The average rainfall is about 80 mm, equating to roughly 10 days of the month.
Snowfall in Iceland in November
You will definitely experience some snowfall as the winter season starts. However, it will still not be as much as you should expect mid-winter, and you also won’t need to deal with our blizzards. In fact, November will have roughly 50% less than you will experience mid-season and averages about 8.7 centimeters of snow in November.
What to Pack and Wear when Visiting Iceland in November
It shouldn’t be too difficult to pack for a trip to Iceland in November since it’s typical winter weather. However, that’s precisely why some essential items get left by the wayside. Always remember to pack the following when visiting Iceland in November:
- Sunglasses and sunscreen – you may think these are reserved for the summer season, but these are winter essentials here in Iceland. The sun reflects off the snow and ice here and not only leaves you squinting but can also give you a nasty sunburn.
- Do not bring an umbrella for when it rains here in November. With our winds, you’ll leave the island with the mangled frame of what once was your umbrella.
- Pack a raincoat, waterproof clothing, gear, and hiking boots. These don’t just protect you against any rainfall but also help keep you dry when walking the wet and muddy trails of the hot springs or when visiting Iceland’s powerful waterfalls, which create a lot of mist and spray.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in November
If you’ve been wondering what to do in Iceland in November, and you’re unsure of what to add to your trip itinerary since it’s winter here on the island, the following are a few things you can consider:
Exploring the Ice Caves
The ice caves in Iceland are an incredible experience. Walking in the bright-blue yet somehow translucent caverns with streaks of black ash from eruptions thousands of years ago is truly an other-worldly experience. Since most ice caves are closed during the warmer months of the year due to safety concerns, November is the perfect time to visit Iceland if you have the ice caves on your bucket list.
Go Skiing
Skiing is a much-loved winter activity here in Iceland and another example of an activity on the island that can’t be done during the warmer months of the year. Skiing in Iceland is for young and old, irrespective of experience or skill level. And if you don’t necessarily partake, you can be a spectator at one of the events or competitions (we even host international events and competitions).
Have a Relaxing Soak in a Hot Spring
We have numerous hot springs all over the island because volcanic activity is heating up our underground water supply. Some of these, such as Kvika, can be visited in their natural settings, while others are used in our geothermal pools, such as the Myvatn Nature Baths.
Go Camping
While we won’t recommend going camping in the traditional sense of the word during the month of November, we’d definitely recommend it if you’re planning on renting a motorhome for your trip. Camping is the best way to get as close to the action as possible here in Iceland and is also the most affordable accommodation option. By renting a motorhome, you can get all the benefits of traditional camping, all while “camping” in comfort.
Get a Taste of the Viking Lifestyle
If you’ve ever wondered what it was like living as a Viking here in Iceland, you’ll have ample opportunity to find out during your trip. You can go sailing on a traditional Vikings ship, visit and take part in an authentic Viking feast in our Viking Village, and you can dress up and have your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios.
Visit Our Black Sand Beaches
Another result of the volcanic activity on the island is our black sand beaches. The sand is essentially hardened lava that has eroded through thousands of years of weather, wind, and waves. Visit some of our most famous sites, such as Diamond Beach or Reynisfjara.
Check Out Our Waterfalls
You will find more than 10 000 waterfalls in Iceland. Any attempts to visit them all will most likely result in you almost having to relocate to the island permanently, but luckily, there are a hand-picked few that are considered must-visit sites, such as Dynjandi, Seljalandsfoss, and Dettifoss.
Visit Our Interesting Museums
Iceland has some of the most interesting museums you’ve ever come across. While you can learn more about our seafaring ways at the Maritime Museum, or our natural wonders at Perlan, you can also learn about our magical history here on the island at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft or see the penis of every mammal on the island at The Icelandic Phallological Museum.
Go Shopping
Laugavegur Street in Reykjavik is where your credit card will really feel it here in Iceland. This is our infamous shopping street where you can get anything from clothes and outdoor gear to home décor and souvenirs. You’ll also find plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can take some much-needed breaks in between your shopping sprees.
Experience an Erupting Geysir
You know all about our erupting volcanoes, but have you heard about our erupting geysirs? These bad boys can shoot liters of boiling water up into the sky, and Iceland even boasts the OG of geysirs - the very reason we call them that in the first place.
Dive or Snorkel the Silfra Fissure
The Silfra Fissure is a geological marvel here in Iceland where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates push apart, leaving a tear (aka fissure) in the earth. Today, this tear is filled with glacial water, where one can go snorkeling or diving to lie suspended between two continents.
The Silfra is open all year round since you’ll need to dive or snorkel with a dry suit to combat the cold of the glacial water, regardless of the season. Also, keep in mind that you will need a valid diving license for a dive while snorkeling is available to everyone.
Explore Your Surroundings on Horseback
Become part of nature with one of our horseback riding tours. These tours can be found all across the island and include another unique experience: riding on the island’s own breed of horse, the Icelandic Horse. These horses are incredibly friendly, can perform an extra gait, and will sport a thick, fluffy coat when you come in November.
Icelandic Festivals and Events in November
Want to add even more to your trip itinerary? Then think about including the following events or festivals to your social calendar while visiting the island:
The Reykjavik Book Fair
If you’re a book lover, you do not want to miss the Reykjavik Book Fair in November. This book fair allows you to browse thousands of books and participate in one of the country’s most-loved traditions: Jolabokaflod, which translates to ‘the Christmas book flood’.
Here in Iceland, we love giving each other books for Christmas. That’s why a ton of new books are published and released right before the festive season in the month of November, a so-called “book flood”.
Icelandic Language Day
The Icelandic language is an extraordinary language that deserves to be celebrated. So we do, on the 16th of November each year. The Icelandic language is one of the few languages in the world that hasn’t evolved much from its original form and it’s completely possible for locals to still read archaic documents today.
Driving in Iceland in November
As we already mentioned, certain roads, such as the F-roads in Iceland, are closed throughout the colder months of the year. This inevitably impacts road trips, especially when one wants to explore the Highlands and the Westfjords.
The winter weather can also cause sudden road closures, and road conditions can prove challenging because of strong wind, snow, and ice. This is especially challenging for nervous drivers or those not used to driving in such conditions at all. Chat with your rental agent about your travel plans to ensure that you have the right vehicle and the right accessories, such as snow tires, and that you also have adequate rental insurance.
Iceland in November: Your Early-bird Entry to the Festive Season
As the start of both the winter and festive season, you are able to get most of the winter wonderland festive perks without the drawbacks. No festive season crowds, no peak season pricing, no extreme weather conditions, and much more.
If you rent a motorhome in Iceland, you’ll also have both your accommodation and transport sorted, be able to truly immerse yourself in the Icelandic landscape, as well as ensure you have a budget-friendly, yet comfortable stay. So, what are you waiting for? Use this article as a guide to plan your visit to Iceland in November for the ultimate winter wonderland adventure!
