A Local Guide to Visiting Iceland in November 2025

What’s the Weather Like in Iceland in November?

November marks the first true winter month in Iceland - when temperatures drop, daylight hours shrink, and the landscape often gets its first soft dusting of snow.

The average temperature in Reykjavik in November sits around -1 to 4 °C (30–39 °F). What you’ll feel most is the crisp, fresh chill in the air - wonderful on calm mornings, but biting cold when the wind starts howling. Always check both the temperature and the wind forecast before heading out, as wind chill can make it feel much colder than it looks on paper.

As locals like to say: “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” So pack wisely, layer up, and nothing will stop you from enjoying every minute (see What to Pack for Iceland in November below).

That said, Iceland always keeps us on our toes. November 2024 was unusually warm, breaking several heat records across the country: Reykjavík reached 13°C (55°F), Akureyri saw 20°C (68°F), and the highest recorded temperature in the north/east hit a remarkable 24°C (75°F)! It just goes to show: while we’re sharing long-term averages here, anything can happen when it comes to Icelandic weather - and it’s always better to be well prepared than underdressed.

You’ll likely see a touch of snow during your stay, especially outside the city, though Reykjavik itself doesn’t usually get heavy snowfall this early.

Another thing to keep in mind when planning your Iceland in November itinerary is daylight - or rather, the lack of it. November is when the days start shrinking fast as we move toward the winter solstice on December 21st, the shortest day of the year in Iceland.

This happens because the country sits so far north (close to the Arctic Circle) that the Earth’s tilt limits how much sunlight we get each day. The result? Noticeably shorter days - with each passing week.

Early in November, daylight is still generous enough for full sightseeing days, but it fades quickly:

• November 1: about 8 hours and 20 minutes of daylight
• November 30: about 5 hours of daylight

To make the most of your trip, plan your outdoor adventures between 8:30 and 15:30, then enjoy Reykjavik’s cozy cafés, restaurants, hot pools or nightlife once the sun goes down.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what to expect from the weather in Reykjavik during November:

While daylight gets short, don’t let that scare you - November in Iceland is one of the best months to see the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights & Solar Maximum

We’re currently entering a solar maximum cycle, meaning the Northern Lights activity is at its strongest in over a decade (woohoo!). With long nights and frequent clear skies, November 2025 offers some of the best chances to witness the aurora borealis in years.

Combine that with mild early-winter temperatures (compared to later months), and you’ve got a near-perfect window for aurora hunting. More on that below.

What to Pack for Iceland in November (Packing List + Local Tips)

For a November trip to Iceland, warmth and waterproofing are everything. This is the first true winter month, so pack layers that keep you cozy, dry, and ready for anything - while still looking great for café hopping and dinner in Reykjavik’s restaurants.

Start with thermal base layers to lock in warmth on the coldest days, add comfortable mid-layers for style and flexibility, and top it all off with a windproof, waterproof outer shell that can handle both rain and sleet.

Some travellers also bring ice cleats or microspikes for better grip on frosty mornings or slippery waterfall paths. They’re not essential in downtown Reykjavik, but a smart idea if you’re heading out on nature adventures and want to avoid any slips or falls.

Here’s your “Iceland in November packing list inspiration” (for a 3–5 day trip):

• Insulated jacket or down parka - your best friend for windy days and chilly nights.
• Waterproof outer shell (jacket & pants) - so Icelandic rain or sleet never slows you down.
• Thermal base layers (wool or merino) - to keep that warmth close.
• Mid-layer (wool sweater or fleece) - picking up an Icelandic wool sweater in Reykjavik might just be the coziest (and coolest) souvenir of your trip.
• Winter boots with good grip - sidewalks and trails are often icy this time of year.
• Ice cleats / microspikes - smart if you want extra security on icy days.
• Hat, gloves, and scarf - essential.
• Swimwear & towel - for hot pools and lagoons.

Pro tip: locals dress like onions - layer after layer. Bring a small daypack so you can easily add or remove layers throughout the day as Iceland’s famously unpredictable weather changes.

Best Things to Do in Iceland in November (Top Activities & Must-See Places)

The perfect winter holiday in Iceland is all about balance - a little adventure, a little culture, and plenty of warmth. Spend your days exploring Iceland’s breathtaking nature - waterfalls, glaciers, and steaming hot springs - and your evenings enjoying Reykjavik’s cozy food scene like a local.

We always recommend spending most of your daylight hours out in nature, taking advantage of the short winter days to see as much as possible. Then, as the sun sets, dive into the city’s warm lights, local pools, and great restaurants. And don’t skip Reykjavik entirely - set aside at least one full day in the capital to explore its museums, cafés, and foodie scene (ideally through the Reykjavik Food Walk, our favorite local experience).

Here are our favorite things to do in November - the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and Icelandic flavor:

1. Chase the Northern Lights

November is prime time for the aurora borealis. With long, dark nights and high solar activity, your chances of spotting the northern lights are better than ever.

You might get lucky and see them right from Reykjavik, but for the best experience, join a Northern Lights tour or take a boat cruise from the harbor for a magical view over the ocean.

(Psst: want to learn exactly how to spot them? Check out our full Northern Lights guide.)

2. Soak in Geothermal Hot Springs

There’s nothing more Icelandic than slipping into a steaming pool while the air around you hovers at freezing temperatures. Locals do this daily - not as a luxury, but as a way of life.

You can go casual and local at Sundhöllin, Reykjavik’s oldest swimming pool that opened in 1937, or splash out at one of the country’s spectacular lagoons:

• Sky Lagoon – sleek, oceanfront, and other-worldly.
• Blue Lagoon - world-famous and beautifully atmospheric in winter.
• Sundhöllin – historic, affordable, and filled with locals.

Whichever you choose, this is the ultimate way to warm up after a chilly day of sightseeing.

P.S. If the northern lights are showing, seeing them directly from your jacuzzi is world-class.

3. Enjoy Icelandic Flavors

November is the time for comfort food in Iceland - warm soups, slow-cooked lamb, and fresh fish pans. Our cuisine is simple, hearty, and rooted in tradition, and it truly shines during the colder months.

You can explore Reykjavik’s food scene on your own, but for the best introduction, join the Reykjavik Food Walk - our signature local experience.

It’s a fun, delicious way to discover the highlights of Reykjavik while sampling the best Icelandic dishes, from homemade lamb soup to rye bread ice cream.

Read more about the Best Restaurants in Reykjavik here.

4. Explore Nature - Waterfalls, Glaciers & Ice Caves

You came for the landscapes, and November doesn’t disappoint. With a light dusting of snow and icy contrasts, Iceland’s nature feels extra dramatic.

Here are some amazing routes you can do as day trips from Reykjavik - you really can’t go wrong:

• Golden Circle – Iceland’s iconic loop: Þingvellir, Geysir hot springs, and Gullfoss waterfall.
• South Coast – mighty waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and glacier views.
• Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) – surreal floating icebergs and the Diamond Beach.
• Ice Caves & Glacier Hikes – November marks the start of the ice cave season - one of Iceland’s most awe-inspiring adventures.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula – dramatic cliffs, lava fields, glacier-topped volcanoes & more.

5. Dive into Icelandic Culture & Quirky Museums

When the weather calls for a slower day, Reykjavik’s museums and galleries offer the perfect indoor escape - cozy, creative, and full of stories.

A few personal favorites:

• Reykjavík Art Museum – Listasafn Reykjavíkur, Iceland’s largest visual-arts institution, featuring both local and international exhibitions.
• Iceland National Gallery – Listasafn Íslands, located by Reykjavík’s Tjörnin lake, home to the country’s greatest art collection.
  • Psst: don’t miss the excellent Kaktus Café inside the museum.
• Reykjavik 871±2 / Settlement Exhibition – a fascinating look at Viking-era Reykjavik, built around real archaeological remains - a true window into life during Iceland’s settlement era.
• Icelandic Phallological Museum – yes, that museum. It’s weird, it’s funny, and it’s part of the charm.
• Kolaportið Flea Market (weekends only) – a Reykjavík classic with food stalls, vintage finds, and quirky treasures.

Best Tours to Take in Iceland in November

With so many options out there, choosing tours can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: at Wake Up Reykjavik, we’ve already done the hard work for you. We’ve tested, hand-picked, and partnered only with the very best local operators - the ones we know deliver top-quality experiences and have the rave reviews to prove it.

So, if you’re wondering which tours are truly worth your time in Iceland in November, here are our hand-selected recommendations that will make your trip unforgettable:

1. Reykjavik Food Walk

This is our pride and joy - and for good reason. For over a decade, thousands of guests have joined us to discover Reykjavik through its food, stories, and hidden local hangouts. It’s not just a tour (and definitely not just a meal) - it’s a mini cultural adventure with a new local friend.

This highest-rated tour in all of Iceland takes you on a three-hour walk through downtown Reykjavik, where you’ll:

• Explore the city’s highlights with a fun local guide
• Meet fellow travelers from around the world
• And most importantly… taste the best of the Icelandic cuisine - lamb, seafood, ice cream, and even a few weird but wonderful delicacies that you might not try otherwise.

👉 Hungry yet? Read more about the Reykjavik Food Walk here.

2. Northern Lights Tour

November is one of the best months of the year to chase the aurora in Iceland. The nights are long and dark while temperatures are still not at their coldest - and with the ongoing solar maximum, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights now are higher than they’ve been in over a decade.

For the best odds, join our Northern Lights tour. Expert guides track real-time weather and aurora forecasts and know exactly where to drive for clear skies.

Want a different perspective? Try the Northern Lights Evening Cruise (departs from the harbor in downtown Reykjavik), where you can watch the auroras dance above the North Atlantic. Truly unforgettable.

3. 2-Day South Coast & Ice Cave Adventure

This tour is a total value explosion - the ultimate see-it-all, do-it-all Iceland adventure.

• Day one: Chase waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, walk the dramatic black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and soak up endless glacier views.
• Day two: Strap on your crampons for a guided glacier hike, then step inside a shimmering natural ice cave - one of the most surreal adventures Iceland has to offer.

It’s basically Iceland’s highlight reel brought to life - designed for travelers who want venture further and get a bite of all the best that Iceland has to offer: nature, adventure, and unforgettable beauty. One night and breakfast are included at a warm & cosy country hotel.

👉 Read more about the 2-Day South Coast & Ice Cave Adventure

4. Golden Circle + Lagoon Combo

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most iconic sightseeing route - and for good reason. In a single day, you can experience some of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders:

• Þingvellir National Park – where Iceland’s dramatic geology and Viking history come together.
• The erupting Geysir hot spring – the original namesake of all geysers.
• The mighty Gullfoss Waterfall, crashing into a deep canyon with incredible force.

After a full day of exploring Iceland’s raw landscapes, there’s no better way to unwind than by slipping into a warm geothermal lagoon. That’s why we love pairing this route with either the Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon - the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, all in one unforgettable day.

👉 Read more about the Golden Circle + Sky Lagoon

👉 Read more about the Golden Circle + Blue Lagoon

5. Snowmobiling & Secret Lagoon

If you’re after the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, this tour might just be the ultimate Icelandic day.

Your adventure begins as you drive into the highlands and towards Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. There you’ll hop on a snowmobile and cruise across vast white plains surrounded by shimmering ice and mountain peaks. It’s pure freedom: an unforgettable experience that captures the raw beauty of Iceland’s winter wilderness.

On the way back to Reykjavik, you’ll stop in the charming countryside village of Flúðir to unwind at the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring that’s cozy, authentic, and wonderfully peaceful. The contrast between the icy glacier and the steaming lagoon is nothing short of magic.

It’s a full day of action, scenery, and relaxation: the ultimate “hot and cool” Icelandic experience.

👉 Read more about the Hot & Cool Adventure here.

💡 Pro tip: Book with confidence. Wake Up Reykjavik tours are small-group, flexible experiences - easy to reschedule if weather disrupts plans, and always led by the best local guides. No big buses. No crowds. Just authentic Icelandic adventures.

These are just a few highlights - check out our All Tours Page to see the full list of curated experiences we offer from Reykjavik.

Events & Festivals in Iceland in November

While there aren’t dozens of massive festivals this month, one of the city’s largest annual events takes center stage - Iceland Airwaves. Here’s what’s happening:

Iceland Airwaves Music Festival (Nov 6–8, 2025)

Every November, Reykjavík transforms into a music village - bars, cafés, galleries and even unexpected corners (bookshops, basements, rooftops) all become stages for performances. The entire downtown pulses with sound, discovery, and late-night energy.

Iceland Airwaves is celebrated for showcasing both international headliners and the very best of Icelandic talent - with more than half of the lineup made up of the hottest local artists. In past years, legends like Björk, Sigur Rós, and Of Monsters and Men have graced its stages, and the 2025 edition continues that tradition with another standout roster.

Here are a few Icelandic artists worth checking out before your trip: Bríet, Retro Stefson, Ólöf Arnalds, and Valdimar. See the full line up on Iceland Airwaves Official website.

The main stage is set at central Reykjavík venues (e.g. Harpa and other large halls), while “off-venues” (bars, cafés, alternative spaces) host more intimate sets throughout the city. Walk between venues, discover surprise acts, and soak in the festival’s open, exploratory vibe.

Imagine Peace Tower

On Viðey Island just off Reykjavík’s coast stands the Imagine Peace Tower, a luminous tribute to John Lennon created by Yoko Ono.

From October 9 (Lennon’s birthday) to December 8 (anniversary of his passing), the tower shines nightly, projecting a beam of light high into the sky. The base is a stone “wishing well” etched with “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages, and beneath it lies over a million wishes gathered by Ono.

The installation is powered by Iceland’s geothermal grid - fitting in perfectly with the country’s commitment to sustainable energy. On clear nights, the beam pierces cloud cover and reaches heights of up to 4,000 meters.

You can view it from Reykjavik’s coastline or take a short ferry to Viðey for a closer encounter. Guided evening walks are available, blending history, art, and a sense of reflection.

Fun Facts About Iceland in November

Watch the daylight disappear - literally. November in Iceland is a month of dramatic change. On November 1st, you’ll enjoy around 8 hours and 20 minutes of daylight, but by November 30th, it has dropped to just 5 hours. You can actually see the difference as each day passes - the sun rises later, sets earlier, and the golden hours stretch longer. Plan your biggest sightseeing days early in your trip, and notice how quickly the daylight shifts - it’s one of those small but fascinating Icelandic experiences.

Northern Lights season at its absolute peak November 2025 offers some of the strongest and most frequent aurora activity in years, thanks to long, dark nights and the ongoing solar maximum - a natural cycle that boosts Northern Lights visibility roughly every 11 years. You might even catch a surprise aurora display right in downtown Reykjavik, perhaps while strolling back to your hotel after dinner. But to maximize your chances, join a Northern Lights tour - expert guides track real-time forecasts and drive far beyond the city lights to find the clearest skies and the brightest displays. The result? The best possible conditions to witness one of nature’s most unforgettable shows.

Local Secrets (Because You Read This Far)

Since you have read this far, here are a few personal Reykjavik recommendations from me to you, that you won’t find in every guide:

• Coziest local café: Kaktus Espresso Bar (on Vitastígur Street) – warm lights, fresh pastries, the best coffee in town (if you ask me), and real local vibes. Maybe I’ll see you there!
• Brand-new bakery: 280 Bakery opened in mid-October 2025 with big ambitions to be the best bakery in town. The Wake Up Reykjavik team has done some serious “research” already, and we can highly recommend it.
• Icelandic Christmas beers: Icelanders lose their minds in the weeks before Christmas and there are 50+ local seasonal “Christmas brews” on sale. It’s what locals drink through late November and into December. If you’re visiting then, why not try a few?
• Local pool ritual: I always recommend our wonderful swimming pools to friendly travellers. Sundhöllin is the original downtown pool (opened in 1937) with strong Reykjavik vibes. If you want to venture a little further, Laugardalslaug is close to the center and even more local. Great any time of day and maybe the best Reykjavik activity with kids. Visit after dark and you might even catch the northern lights from the comfort of a warm jacuzzi.

Final Thoughts on visiting Iceland in November

Visiting Iceland in November means embracing the season - the first snow, the dancing auroras, the dark skies, and the cozy light of Reykjavik’s cafés. It’s peaceful, authentic, and full of winter magic.

If you want to experience Iceland like a local, start with the Reykjavik Food Walk - the city’s highest-rated experience and the perfect way to kick off your trip with great food, new friends, and local insight while getting familiar with a new location.

See you soon - and we hope you’ll have a wonderful stay in Iceland!

Written by Egill Fannar – Co-Founder of Wake Up Reykjavik

Proudly born in Akureyri but a local in downtown Reykjavík, Egill has spent over a decade helping travelers experience Iceland like locals - from cozy cafés & restaurants to hot pools and hidden adventures across the highlands.