A Local Guide to Visiting Iceland in October 2025

Watch our local video guide to visiting Iceland in October below!

What’s the Weather Like in Iceland in October?

October in Iceland is a special time of year, with crisp autumn air and darker skies setting the stage for a season of contrasts. You can easily experience “four seasons in one day”- sun, rain, sleet, wind, and occasionally even snow. Locals always joke: don’t trust any forecast longer than a couple of hours, and that’s more true than ever in October.

Daytime highs in Reykjavik average 6–7 °C (43–45 °F) in October, while evenings dip close to freezing at 2–3 °C (36–37 °F). Snow is still unlikely this early in the season, but October is among the wetter months in Iceland, with an average of ~14 rainy days (especially along the South Coast). You’ll still enjoy around 10 hours of daylight on average, though the days get noticeably shorter as the month goes on.

The great news? October still packs plenty of daylight for excursions, while the longer nights create the perfect window for spotting the northern lights.

Here’s a snapshot of what to expect from the Icelandic weather in October:

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

For an October trip to Iceland, layers and waterproofs are your best friends. Warm base layers keep you cozy, stylish mid-layers keep you photo-ready, and a good shell keeps you dry on wet days. Some travellers bring ice cleats or microspikes for icy mornings or slippery waterfall paths — not essential in Reykjavik, but worth considering if you want to be extra safe on outdoor adventures.

Here’s my Iceland in October packing list inspiration (for a 3–4 day trip):

• Insulated jacket: I like to think of this as your main outer layer, warm and comfortable enough to wear daily. “A favourite piece of clothing” to wear most of the time.
• Base and mid layers (wool or fleece): for building warmth underneath.
• Rainproof/windproof shell & pants: a shell jacket is essential; pants are a must if you’ll be hiking or exploring waterfalls.
• Warm accessories: gloves, hat, wool socks (and a scarf if you use one).
• Sturdy walking shoes / hiking boots: with good traction for wet and uneven terrain.
• Ice cleats / anti-slip grips: optional but useful if you’re venturing beyond the city and want to be extra safe.
• Sunglasses: both for low sun glare and for looking effortlessly cool in photos ;)
  

Pro tip: I personally like to wear layers (base + sweater + shell) over one bulky parka — it’s easier to adapt when Iceland’s weather flips between sunshine and sleet in a single day. However, if you have a great parka that you like to wear - that works as well of course. Bring a daypack to stash extra layers so you’re always ready for surprises.

Psst: If you forget any clothing essentials we can recommend our favourite Icelandic outdoor clothing brand, 66° North or our friends at Iceland Cover, where you can rent outdoor clothing right in the center of town.

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

Wondering what to do in Iceland in October? Here’s your October Wishlist — the essential activities and must-see places, sprinkled with a little local flavor:

1. Try your luck with the Northern Lights 🌌 October gives you dark skies without the brutal cold = perfect conditions to chase the aurora. Book a Northern Lights tour or a Northern Lights boat cruise, bundle up, and keep your fingers crossed. It’s possible to see the northern lights from Reykjavik - but clear, crisp nights away from city lights are your best bet.

2. Soak in geothermal pools & hot baths 🛁 This should be mandatory on any Iceland trip in October. Warm your body (and soul) at the world famous Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon - or dip into the local neighborhood pools like Sundhöllin or Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik. Relaxation + local life, all in one.

3. Enjoy Icelandic flavors 🍲 Icelandic cuisine is hearty, simple, and delicious. Highlights include: Icelandic lamb, fresh catch of the day and traditional Skyr. Do this on your own, or better — join the Reykjavik Food Walk (our signature tour). Eat your way through our capital with a fun local guide and sample everything from delicious lamb soup to rye bread ice cream (!!).

4. Explore nature - waterfalls, glaciers, caves 🏔️ You’re here for the wild landscapes, right? Pick what excites you most and what fits your trip length. You can’t go wrong with any of these:

• Golden Circle — Iceland’s most famous sightseeing loop: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss.
• South Coast — home to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & Reynisfjara black sand beach.
• Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) — surreal floating icebergs + Diamond Beach.
• Ice caves / glacier hikes — adventure highlight, combine amazing sightseeing with a true glacier exploration.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula — dramatic cliffs, lava fields, and glacier-capped volcano.

5. Dive into Iceland’s culture & quirky museums 🎨 Balance nature exploration and adventures with cozy indoor museum experiences. (especially when weather doesn’t favor outdoor plans). A few favorites:

• Reykjavík Art Museum - Listasafn Reykjavíkur hosts the largest visual arts institution in Iceland. Beautiful space with a vibrant program of contemporary Icelandic and international art.
• Iceland National Gallery - The Listasafn Íslands museum, located next to “Tjörnin” lake in down town, houses one of the largest collections of Icelandic visual art.
  • Psst: Don’t miss the excellent Kaktus café inside the museum building.
• Reykjavik 871±2 / Settlement Exhibition - Viking roots under the city. This museum is seriously cool and especially interesting for history buffs.
• Icelandic Phallological Museum - Yes, the famous penis museum. Weird but I’m not ashamed to recommend it.
• Kolaportið Flea Market (weekends only) - food stalls, secondhand finds, and quirky curiosities.

Which Tours Are Best in Iceland in October?

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 the highest-quality experiences and have rave reviews to back it up.

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

1. Reykjavik Food Walk (our signature tour)

This is our pride and joy — and for good reason. For over 10 years, 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 immersion with a new local friend.

The 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 local legend
• Meet fellow fun travellers
• And most importantly… taste all the best Icelandic cuisine (Lamb, seafood, ice cream and weird local delicacies) at 4-5 different local venues.

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

2. Northern Lights Tour

October kicks off the prime season for chasing the aurora in Iceland. The nights are long and dark - but not yet brutally cold - making it the perfect window to witness this natural wonder.

For the best chance of success, join our Northern Lights tour: local experts track real-time weather and aurora forecasts and know exactly where to go for clear skies. Want to see the lights from a different angle? Check out the Northern Lights Evening Cruise for a magical view from the water.

3. 2-Day South Coast & Ice Cave Tour

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

• Day one: chase waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, walk the dramatic black sand beach of Reynisfjara, and soak up endless glacier panoramas.
• Day two: strap on your crampons for a guided glacier hike, then step inside a shimmering natural ice cave — a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

It’s basically Iceland’s highlight reel brought to life, designed for true adventure enthusiasts.

4. Golden Circle + Lagoon combo

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route — and for good reason. In one day you’ll experience:

• Þingvellir National Park — where history, geology, and breathtaking scenery collide.
• The erupting Geysir hot spring.
• The world-famous Gullfoss Waterfall, thundering into a dramatic canyon.

The Golden Circle is a must-see on its own, but after a day of adventure nothing feels better than sliding into warm geothermal waters. That’s why we’ve created the perfect packages: Golden Circle + Sky Lagoon or Golden Circle + Blue Lagoon. Sightseeing + soaking = the ultimate Icelandic day.

5. Snæfellsnes Peninsula / The “Iceland in miniature” tour In just 10 hours, this power-day adventure takes you across one of Iceland’s most diverse regions. Along the way you’ll see:

• Towering glaciers and ancient volcanoes
• Vast lava fields and dramatic coastal cliffs
• Cascading waterfalls and hidden caves
• Striking black and golden beaches that look straight out of a movie
  

To top it off, you’ll stop for lunch at a charming Icelandic horse farm, where you’ll meet the horses and enjoy a true taste of local life.

This is a fantastic day tour for travelers who want to experience the “Iceland in Miniature” feeling - a little bit of everything, all in one unforgettable day.

💡 Pro tip: Book with confidence. Wake Up Reykjavik tours are flexible (easy re-scheduling if weather disrupts plans etc.) and always small-group, highly rated experiences — no big buses, just authentic adventures.

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

Festivals and Events in Iceland in October

October may be quieter than summer, but Iceland still pulses with cultural life. Here are the top events and happenings to look out for:

• RIFF - Reykjavík International Film Festival 🎬 In 2025, RIFF runs from Sept 25 - Oct 5. This 11-day celebration of cinema showcases indie and emerging films from 40+ countries, plus panels, networking events, and screenings in some wonderfully unconventional venues (think swimming pools or abandoned factories). It’s one of the best chances to experience Reykjavík’s creative side. You can read more about it and find screenings here.
  
• Imagine Peace Tower ✨ Created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon, this powerful beam of light is switched on each year on October 9 (Lennon’s birthday) and shines up into the night sky from Viðey Island through December 8. On clear nights you can see it from many points on Reykjavík’s coastline — or take a short ferry to Viðey for a closer look. It’s both a work of art and a symbol of peace. It is a truly unique sight that you can encounter during an October visit to Iceland.
  
• Halloween / Hrekkjavaka 🎃 Halloween is still relatively new in Iceland, but locals are definitely warming up to it. Expect themed bar nights, staff parties, and some trick-or-treating in neighborhoods. But a similar local tradition is actually Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday) in February, when kids dress up in fun costumes and sing for candy.
  

Fun Facts About Iceland in October

Here are a couple of quirky, useful things to keep in mind during your October stay in Iceland:

• Daylight hours shrink fast: In early October you’ll enjoy over 11 hours of daylight, but by Halloween it’s down to about 8 hours. Iceland loses nearly 3 minutes of daylight per day this month — so plan your sightseeing smartly and savor those crisp, bright mornings.
  
• Sheep return home: welcome to Réttir 🐑 From early September to mid-October, farmers across Iceland gather their sheep back from the highlands where they’ve roamed freely all summer. These roundups, called réttir, are part agricultural necessity, part community festival — often followed by music, cake, strong coffee, and (for the grown-ups) the occasional shot of Jägermeister. In the old Icelandic calendar, late October was even called gormánuður — “the slaughtering month” — marking the start of winter prep.
  

Bonus fact: Icelandic horses are tough cookies. They spend the winter outdoors in open fields, with only riding horses stabled indoors. Snow, wind, sleet — they handle it all like absolute pros.

A Couple of Local Secrets (Because You Read This Far)

First of all - thanks for sticking with me through this long (and hopefully helpful!) October guide. I hope it inspires you to enjoy an absolutely wonderful stay in my home country ❤️ As a little bonus, here are a few of my personal local tips that you won’t find in every travel blog:

• A quiet breakfast or coffee escape ☕ Skip the crowds and start your day at Kaktus Espresso Bar on Vitastígur Street. Cozy atmosphere, fantastic coffee, friendly locals — and if you go early, you might even catch me there.
  
• A hidden cocktail speakeasy 🍸 For true cocktail lovers, ask your Reykjavik Food Walk guide about “Amma Don.” It’s a secret bar with creative drinks and a stylish, speakeasy vibe. Not always on maps, but sure to be a pleasant surprise.
  
• The real local pool experience 🏊 While the Blue Lagoon (and Sky Lagoon) are iconic, don’t miss Sundhöllin — Reykjavik’s original public pool, opened in 1937. This is where locals actually go to swim, soak, and chat. If I could only give you one insider recommendation, this might be it.
  

→ If you’re ready to turn this into an October Iceland adventure you’ll never forget, check out our full Tours Page to start planning.

Takeaway & Closing

So, what does visiting Iceland in October really mean? Think crisp autumn air, auroras dancing across dark skies, fewer crowds than summer, and that perfect balance between outdoor adventure and cozy warmth. In a single trip you might chase ice caves, soak in geothermal pools, taste authentic Icelandic flavors, and even witness a traditional sheep roundup.

If you’re ready to experience October like a local, I’d love for you to join us on our Reykjavik Food Walk - ideally on your very first day in the city. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for your holiday, meet new friends, and start your Iceland journey with full stomachs and happy hearts.

Safe travels, warm layers, and may your October skies be clear!