Ringing in the New Year here in Iceland means immersing yourself in a magical winter wonderland, where the frosty landscape sparkles like diamonds, and some of our most famous attractions, such as the waterfalls, seem frozen in time.
But Iceland in January is not just famous for its incredible aesthetics. Traveling to Iceland in January has all sorts of perks and benefits for visitors. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this winter month, what to expect from a visit, and how to plan your trip. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Is January a Good Time to Go to Iceland?
Whether visiting Iceland in January is a good idea will be up to your personal preferences, how much you have in your pocket, and what you have on your Iceland bucket list. Checking out the overview of pros and cons below should tell you whether you should start diving deeper into a trip to Iceland in January or whether another month might be better suited to you:
Pros
If you come to Iceland after most of the New Year celebrations have simmered down, you’ll find that the majority of the festive season and New Year visitors have left. Without these crowds, visiting our local sights and attractions is much more comfortable, and making bookings well in advance for things like transport, accommodation, activities, etc., is no longer so essential.
Not only will you not have to contend with any peak or festive season prices, but you’ll be just in time for all the after-Christmas sales and specials.
Spending January in Iceland truly is like being transported into a Christmas card, with its breathtaking landscapes covered in a thick blanket of snow and glistening icicles all around. Most will also keep their festive lights twinkling till well after Christmas.
You’ll have some of the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in January. This is due to the fewer daylight hours and cold conditions giving ample opportunity for the lights to dance across the night sky.
Our winter season also brings certain seasonal activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, and exploring the ice caves (which are mostly closed throughout the warmer months of the year).
Cons
Proper road trips around the island can be tricky during January in Iceland. From extreme weather conditions to all sorts of road closures, driving in Iceland can already be challenging, never mind road-tripping around the island. But more on this a little later.
The same weather that creates our beautiful winter landscape can also be tough to deal with sometimes, especially for those generally used to warmer climates. January is also one of our harsher winter weather months.
When the odds of spotting the Northern Lights increase, the odds of experiencing another of our natural phenomena here on the island inevitably decrease. You will have no shot at experiencing the Midnight Sun, which requires the maximum number of daylight hours.
Iceland’s Weather in January
One of the first questions those who want to visit us during this month in the winter season ask is, “How cold is Iceland in January?” Below, you will find a detailed outline answering that question and many more
Temperatures in Iceland in January
It should come as no surprise that it’s pretty cold during mid-winter here. Iceland’s temperature in January can range between -10 and 5 degrees Celsius, but the average temperature in Iceland in January tends to stay around 0 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall in Iceland in January
As one of our wettest months of the year, January can have an average rainfall of about 55 mm throughout the month. This is the equivalent of about 19 rainy days. But being one of the wettest months of the year is not just due to rainfall. It’s also due to sleet (an icy type of rainfall) and all the snowfall.
Snowfall in Iceland in January
Needless to say, a winter wonderland requires lots of snow, and January certainly delivers on that expectation. You can expect an average of about 1 meter of snow constantly covering the landscape, and, unfortunately, you’ll also need to keep a lookout for our blizzards.
Wind Speeds in Iceland in January
January is also one of our windiest months of the year. With an average wind speed of 26 kilometers an hour that has been known to go up to 35+ kilometers an hour, our winds are not to be played with.
Daylight Hours in Iceland in January
As we already touched on, you need fewer daylight hours for optimal chances of seeing the Northern Lights. But when visiting Iceland in January, daylight hours will luckily have increased from the mid-winter average of 4 to 7 hours of daylight each day. This allows you to not only spot the Northern Lights, but also have a pretty jam-packed trip itinerary.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in January
If all the info regarding the weather in Iceland in January has you seriously questioning why people would ever visit the island during this time, just take a look at what there is to do in Iceland in January, and then you’ll get it:
Explore the Glaciers
This is the icy part of being the Land of Fire and Ice. You will find many glaciers here in Iceland, one of which even has the title of the largest glacier in Europe. But, whether you want to check out Vatnajökull or any of the other glaciers, such as Myrdalsjökull or Snæfellsjokull, you will find a myriad of exciting ways to do so.
You’ll be able to hike a glacier, ride in a Super Jeep, or even cruise across its icy surface on a snowmobile. However, for safety reasons, any activities and exploring on the glaciers themselves will require booking a spot on a guided tour.
Check Out Some of Our Interesting Museums
Iceland probably has some of the most interesting museums you’ll ever find around the world. You will find museums diving into our history, folklore, and legend, such as the Saga Museum; museums exploring our unique landscapes and natural wonders, such as Perlan; and museums celebrating everything weird and wonderful, such as the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft and the Icelandic Phallological Museum.
Turn Yourself Into a Temporary Viking
What better place to become a Viking than in the homeland itself? And you’ll find plenty of opportunities to play the part here. You can go sailing on a traditional Viking ship or partake in a Viking feast in a traditional Viking Village. Or, one of the best things to do while in Reykjavik in January is to get all dressed up in traditional clothing and gear (including “weapons”) and have your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios.
Have a Walk on Our Black Sand Beaches
Iceland’s black sand beaches have become pretty iconic. They become even more impressive once you realize that these are not just beaches looking overly dramatic, but taking a stroll on one of these means literally taking a walk on the past.
That’s because our black sand is yet another result of being the Land of Fire and Ice. It is all that is left of hardened lava from past eruptions, which has been eroded over thousands of years to the tiny grains of sand we see today. Some of the black sand beaches you simply cannot afford to miss out on during your trip are Diamond Beach and Reynisfjara.
Go Camping
Yes, we know what you’re thinking: CAMPING?!?! IN ICELAND IN JANUARY?!?! But hear us out. Going camping in Iceland in January has many benefits to it, and you don’t need to turn into the next Bear Grylls to do it. If you rent a campervan or a motorhome, you’ll be able to “camp” in comfort and warmth.
Camping is probably the most affordable way to stay in Iceland. If you get the Camping Card, you’ll save even further with discounts at campsites all across the country. On top of this, camping is also an extraordinary experience here in Iceland. It’s one way of truly immersing yourself in the Icelandic landscape and, quite literally, end up with some of the country’s most famous attractions right on your doorstep.
Visit Some of Our Most Impressive Waterfalls
Visiting all our waterfalls when going to Iceland in January will be impossible – we have over 10 000 of them! Still, there are a few that you simply can’t miss while traveling on the island, each with their own unique features and characteristics.
For example, Seljalandsfoss is known as the waterfall you can walk behind, Dettifoss has claimed the official title as Europes 2nd largest waterfall, and Svartifoss inspired another famous attraction in Iceland, Hallgrimskirkja.
Dive or Snorkel the Silfra
Diving or snorkeling during the winter in Iceland might seem odd, but when you consider that this is in glacial water and you’ll be required to wear a dry suit in anyway, it starts making a lot more sense.
When you know that this glacial water is what fills the gap or tear between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, meaning that you can literally lie suspended between two continents, diving or snorkeling the Silfra Fissure becomes a must-do irrespective of season. Just keep in mind that diving the Silfra will require a valid diving license and you’ll need sufficient diving experience, while snorkeling the Silfra is available to all.
Shop till You Drop
If you want to buy some souvenirs and take advantage of the after-Christmas sales and specials, head to our famous shopping street in the capital city, Laugavegur.
Here, you will find a wide array of things, ranging from outdoor gear and clothes to home décor, souvenirs, and Icelandic wool. Whenever you start feeling your energy dwindling, you can have a breather and some refreshments at one of the many local cafes and restaurants.
Take a Dip in a Hot Spring or Geothermal Pool
Like our black sand beaches, our hot springs are the result of volcanic activity on the island. The fiery volcanic systems underground heat up our underground water supply. While some of these hot springs can actually be enjoyed in their natural settings, others are used in our man-made geothermal pool facilities.
Needless to say, our natural hot springs have fairly primitive amenities (if any), while our geothermal pools almost equate to small resorts with restaurants and spas on-site. Some of our most famous natural hot springs include the Reykjadalur River and Kvika Footbath. Some of our most popular geothermal pools include the Myvatn Nature Baths and the Blue Lagoon.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
While it shouldn’t be too surprising to find winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding in Iceland, it might be surprising to learn exactly how big Iceland is on these scenes, even hosting a few international competitions and events. But whether you want to watch, learn, or show off your expert skills, you can do so at our famous ski resorts such as Stafdalur and Blafjöll.
Explore the Ice Caves
As we already mentioned, this is another seasonal activity here on the island that’s mostly available during winter. Due to safety concerns, you will also need to book a guided tour to explore our ice caves, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s not to be missed.
Walking inside these massive icy caverns with their bright blue, yet somehow translucent walls is incredible. And realizing that the black streaks are ash from eruptions thousands of years ago, captured inside these walls, is simply mind-blowing!
Go Horseback Riding on an Icelandic Horse
You will find plenty of farm stays and horse riding tours that will allow you to experience what it feels like exploring your surroundings on the back of one of our island’s own breed of horse, the Icelandic Horse (yes, the name isn’t a reflection of our reputation as one of the most creative nations).
The Icelandic Horse is known for its friendly nature, pony-like stature, and ability to perform an extra gait. They’ll also boast their thick, fluffy winter coat when visiting Iceland in January.
Driving in Iceland in January
As mentioned, driving in Iceland in January can be challenging if you want to road trip the island or consider yourself a bit of a nervous driver. The roads can be full of ice and snow, and our legendary Icelandic winds will be howling.
These weather conditions can also cause sudden road closures. These closures will be in addition to the roads and routes already closed annually throughout the colder months of the year here in Iceland, especially impacting those hoping to explore the Westfjords and the Highlands. If you would like to drive around here on the island, please ensure that you have a 4x4 vehicle with all the necessary gear and accessories, such as snow tires and ice scrapers.
You should also chat with your rental agent about your planned routes so they can give you further advice regarding which roads and routes to avoid and what rental insurance to take.
If you would like to do a road trip, it’s also recommended that you stick to our main roads and routes, such as the Ring Road and the Golden Circle, where the roads are paved and kept well-maintained as some of our most important routes when it comes to logistics around the island. You should also keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecast and the Iceland road conditions.
Icelandic Festivals and Events in Iceland in January
As if the above isn’t enough for a jam-packed trip itinerary, there are also a number of festivities that you can add to your social calendar while on the island. Some of these include:
Dark Music Days Festival
If you walk on the alternative side of music genres, the Dark Music Days Festival will be right up your alley. This festival, featuring all sorts of events, concerts, and workshops around experimental and contemporary music, runs for a few days and is held in the capital city of Reykjavik each year.
Porri
Porri is for those wanting to dip into some old-school Icelandic traditions. It is essentially a festival celebrating mid-winter. During this time, you will find plenty of festivities all across the island that include some very traditional Icelandic food such as boiled sheep heads and fermented shark.
What to Pack for Iceland in January
As a winter month, the question isn’t really what to wear in Iceland in January when it comes to packing, but rather what to bring that might not be so obvious and what insider tips there are when it comes to clothes for Iceland in January. So check out the below for some valuable insights:
Ensure you have moisturizer and lip balm. The dry air of Iceland in winter cannot be overstated.
Ensure you pack enough T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts so you can layer up. The contrast between the indoors and outdoors can be pretty extreme when visiting Iceland in January, and by wearing layers, you’ll always be able to put something on or take something off based on the situation.
Bring a raincoat to combat the rain, but leave the umbrella behind. Our Icelandic winds will blow that umbrella into a mangled mess in no time.
Sunscreen is a must. It may not be the Caribbean where there’s a threat of a relaxing tan-gone-wrong, but the sun’s reflective power from the ice and snow is often underestimated, leaving many looking red-faced (from the sunburn as well as embarrassment).
The same goes for sunglasses since the light reflecting off the water, ice, and snow can leave you squinting all day long, especially when all the darkness can make you even more sensitive to light.
Start Planning Your Trip to Iceland in January
Now that you know what Iceland is like in January, and what you can include in your trip itinerary, you’re ready to start planning your trip. If you want to travel to Iceland, but still have some questions, or just need help booking some tours (such as Northern Lights tours in Iceland in January), please don’t hesitate to give us a shout. We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction for what might be the best trip of your life!