Visiting Iceland in May: Everything to Know
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Last updated on June 26, 2025
If you’re like us and want to avoid peak-season crowds and high summer prices, consider visiting Iceland in May.
When I asked my husband if he wanted to embark on an epic two-week adventure along Iceland’s Ring Road, we knew timing was key. By traveling to Iceland in May, we saved hundreds of dollars while still having an unforgettable experience.
Despite the lingering chill, you can still experience most of Iceland’s top activities—from soaking in hot springs and exploring glacier caves to strolling along black sand beaches and hiking through stunning canyons.
We were nervous to travel to Iceland outside of the peak summer season, but we’re so glad we took this trip before the summer rush. If you’re considering visiting Iceland in May, here’s everything you need to know—from weather, daylight hours, camping options, and must-do activities. Plus, I’ll share a suggested 7-day itinerary to help you plan an unforgettable trip!
Table of Contents
Your Guide to Visiting Iceland in May
Weather is a huge factor when choosing when to visit Iceland. We didn’t want to visit too early when it was still ridiculously cold and snowy, but we also wanted to avoid peak summer crowds and pricing. Thankfully, the weather in Iceland in May was more pleasant than we expected. It was still very cold, and it snowed on us once in the Northern highlands, but with the right clothing (more on that later) it was a very manageable and lovely time to go.
The weather in Iceland in May
The weather in Iceland in May will be reminiscent of spring in colder regions. The grass and flowers have begun sprouting, snow remains on the mountain tops, and there will be chilly, frigid, wet days accompanied by wind and occasional showers.
Toward the end of May, you will start to see sunnier days with warmer weather. We visited the first two weeks of May and had a mix of sunnier weather where all we needed was a sweater and jeans, all the way to snow fall and below-freezing evenings.
However, the weather will really depend on where you are visiting in Iceland. Since we drove the entire ring road, we wanted to share some of the average temperatures across Iceland in May. Always check the official Icelandic Weather Met Office. They use weather stations in various parts of the country and give the most accurate readings of wind, rain, snow, and temperature.
May’s weather in Iceland is similar to September’s but comes with the advantage of fewer crowds. In 2024, approximately 155,000 tourists traveled to Iceland in May, according to data from the country’s official tourism bureau. In contrast, September 2023 saw 218,000 visitors. The peak tourist season runs from June to September, with June attracting 233,000 visitors, July reaching 275,000, and August drawing the highest number at 281,000.
| Month | High | Low | Average Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 49°F (9.4°C) | 40°F (4.7°C) | 45°F (7.2°C) |
| June | 52°F (11.4°C) | 44°F (7°C) | 48°F (9°C) |
| July | 56°F (13.4°C) | 49°F (9.7°C) | 53°F (11.5°C) |
| August | 56°F (13.4°C) | 46°F (7.9°C) | 51°F (10.5°C) |
| September | 49°F (9.6°C) | 40°F (4.7°C) | 45°F (7.2°C) |
💨 Important Tip: Iceland’s weather can change rapidly, so it’s essential to check the forecast before traveling to a new area. The country issues wind advisories when strong gusts are expected, which can lead to road closures and warnings against outdoor activities. If you’re traveling to Iceland in May, keep your schedule flexible to accommodate unpredictable weather conditions.
What to Pack for Iceland in May
Below is our suggested packing list for visiting Iceland in May. You’ll notice a lot of the base layers are Merino wool. We specifically shop Merino for travel and layering because they are temperature regulating, moisture wicking, and naturally antibacterial so they don’t retain odors like other materials. This is great for trips like this where I might not have access to laundry or want to reduce the amount of clothing I have to bring.
- (1) Long sleeve Merino wool base layer light to mid-weight.
- (1) Merino wool thermal leggings or women’s leggings that can double as a base layer.
- (1) Hiking pants to put over thermal leggings (ideally waterproof).
- (1) pair of jeans.
- (1) Nice long sleeve (that can double as a base layer if needed)
- Several sweaters (this mid-layer will go over your base layer).
- Jacket. Liz used this puffy-down jacket. Dennis exclusively wore this mid-weight jacket.
- Warm pajamas
- Heavy wool socks
- A scarf or face buff
- Beanie or winter headband
- Insulated gloves
- Reusable water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho (it rains often so this is a non-negotiable)*
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- 1 or 2 bathing suits
If you’re spending a lot of time in Reykjavik on your trip, bring these fleece-lined stockings and a sweater dress for a nice meal out. I loved having a nicer outfit on my recent trip to Europe in December and stayed super warm in those leggings with the right jacket.
Daylight hours in May
Iceland’s location near the Arctic Circle brings dramatic shifts in daylight throughout the year. In winter, daylight lasts as little as four to six hours. In summer, the sun barely sets. By May, the days are already significantly longer—likely much more so than what you’re accustomed to in your home country ranging between 17 and 20 hours of daylight.
☀️ At the beginning of May, the sunrises around 5:00 am and sets on average at 9:52 pm.
☀️ By the 15th of May, the sun rises around 4:12 am and sets at 10:38 pm.
☀️ Iceland in late May has 20 hours of sunlight, with the sun rising at 3:25 am and setting at 11:28 pm.
The longer days in Iceland in May are great for exploring the outdoors. Plus, since it still gets dark at night, it’s easier to sleep than in peak summer when the sun never really sets. However, longer daylight hours mean it’s not a great month to see the Aurora Borealis. While it’s possible, it’s rare to have a sighting in Iceland in May.
Iceland Camping and Accommodations in May
Most places aside from the Highlands will be open to tourists throughout May. The F-Roads, or off-trail roads that require 4×4 vehicles don’t open until late May or early June depending on snow levels. It’s also worth noting that the camping season is officially open from May 15 to September 15.
Some campgrounds will not open until May 15. Several stay open year-round, so you should have options no matter when you are visiting. However, a few times we camped at closed campgrounds for free because they weren’t open yet for the season.
If you’re not renting a car or van and staying close to Reykjavik on your trip you should have no issue finding accommodations. We found there were plenty of hotel stays throughout the city at a fairly affordable price compared to June through August, which is the peak summer season.
Top 3 hotels in Reykjavik
- Center Hotels Plaza ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.2 rating
- ALVA Apartments ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.6 rating
- Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection By Hilton ⭐⭐⭐, 9.0 rating
Explore all hotels >
You will want to book accommodations along the ring road further in advance. The farther from Reykjavik you go the fewer hotels and bed and breakfast options you will have.
Need help planning an Iceland ring road trip?
Check out our 80-page digital guide! This comprehensive guide shares everything you need to know about planning a 10 – 14-day ring road trip from vehicle rentals, driving tips, cost, route and itinerary, food, and more.
Plus, you’ll gain access to our custom Google Map with 60+ unique destinations to visit across Iceland.
This Iceland ring road travel guide is a ONE-STOP SHOP for everything you want and need to know about traveling Iceland.
Driving in Iceland in May
The road conditions in May are no longer icy or snowy. Outside of 4×4-only F-roads, you should have no issues driving to popular destinations in Iceland in May.
Parking is tricky and expensive in Reykjavik. If you only have a few days to visit Iceland and plan to base your stay in Reykjavik other than a day trip or two, renting a car isn’t worth it. If you want to venture further along the ring road to visit Diamond Beach, for example, or traverse the entire ring road, you will need to rent a car or camper van. We loved our 4×4 camper van rental with Happy Campers.
Things to do in Iceland in May
Now, let’s dive into the fun things to do in Iceland in May! Below are a few of the top activities you could do when visiting Iceland in May. Although, there are plenty more unique activities you can do depending on how long you plan to visit. We spent 14 days in Iceland which was a great amount of time to enjoy Reykjavik and drive the ring road. However, if you have a week or less, I would not recommend driving the ring road.
Enjoy Reykjavik
We loved exploring the city of Reykjavik. This small but charming city has so much history and delicious food to enjoy. We recommend setting aside a full day to see the sights and don’t wait to book this food and walking tour. It was one of the best food tours we’ve been on and we left incredibly full! This tour does sell out, so book this as soon as you buy your airline tickets.
We also enjoyed going to the nearby Sky Lagoon. We personally enjoyed this one over Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous hot spring. But you should definitely add both to your itinerary.
➡ Read Next: 12 Incredible Iceland Hot Springs You Have to Visit ⬅
Drive the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes outside of Reykjavik. Home to Thingvellir National Park you can get huge bang for your buck seeing geysers, relaxing in Secret Lagoon hot springs, visiting an old volcanic crater, cooking your lunch in a lake, and if you want, swimming between two tectonic plates.
Drive the Southern Coast and Waterfall Route
There are dozens of incredible waterfalls all across the southern coast of Iceland. The drive along Highway 1 (the Ring Road) will pass by dozens of waterfalls you can walk up to. Some popular ones we visited on our trip to Iceland were Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui, and Skógafoss. There are loads more but three waterfalls in one day was good enough for us!
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on walking behind Gljufrabui waterfall. You can take a narrow path hopping along rocks to get up close and personal to the waterfall. It’s unreal!
Reynisfjara Beach
Another popular destination along the southern shore is Reynisfjara Beach. This black sand beach is considered the deadliest beach in Iceland lined with incredible volcanic columns. This beach was like nowhere I’d ever visited before.
Diamond Beach + Vatnajökull National Park
If you continue east, eventually you’ll end up at Diamond Beach which neighbors Jökulsárlón Lagoon and Vatnajökull National Park. This was one of our favorite stops on our ring road trip. Not only is the park gorgeous, but it’s where you can walk through ice caves in winter and hike on top of a glacier in summer!
We booked a glacier tour that took us spelunking down a crevasse. It was a bucket list experience and something I will always remember! Just around the corner is Diamond Beach, another famous black sand beach known for having small chunks of iceburgs, or diamonds washed ashore.
Iceland in May 7-day Itinerary Example
I recommend a minimum of 7 days to enjoy what Southern Iceland has to offer. If you can extend your trip to 14 days, I would do the entire ring road and see what the North and West have to offer!
- Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik and get settled into your hotel. I recommend visiting Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon to get acclimated.
- Day 2: Explore Reykjavik and go on a food and walking tour or visit the lagoon you didn’t get to yesterday.
- Day 3: Venture out of town to explore the Golden Circle. Visit Þingvellir National Park, Secret Lagoon, Laugarvatn Lake, and Gullfoss waterfalls.
- Day 4: Visit the black sand beach and stunning Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls.
- Day 5-6: Continue to Vatnajökull National Park and Diamond Beach. You’ll need a full day for hiking the glacier so this is spread across two days.
- Day 7: Return to Reykjavik before flying back home.
FAQ about Iceland in May
Is it cold in Iceland in May?
Yes, it is still quite cold in Iceland in May. We experienced days warm enough for just a sweater and jeans with a base layer and other days when it snowed. Where you are in Iceland will determine how cold it will be.
Is visiting Iceland in May a good idea?
Yes, visiting Iceland in May is a great idea to beat peak season crowds and pricing, and are okay with visiting when it’s still cold. Most activities near Reykjavik and along the ring road will be open, so there is no shortage of things to do.
What are the drawbacks of visiting Iceland in May?
The weather can be unpredictable and is still quite cold. The interior of the island will also be closed. The highlands and most F roads will still be closed though. If that was at the top of your bucket list, you may want to visit in the warmer months of June through August.
