Want to go to Iceland in February?
Find out if the region at this time of year will meet your expectations with our comprehensive guide:
- Weather and temperatures
- Crowds, prices, attraction openings
- Road conditions
- Possibility of seeing the northern lights
- Special events
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Visiting Iceland in February: quick answers
Is February a good month to travel to Iceland?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. February can be a good month, despite the cold. The snow-covered landscapes are magnificent. We particularly like the end of the month, with days long enough to explore and nights always long enough for the Northern Lights. And you can enjoy winter activities such as exploring ice caves. Be aware, however, that driving can be tricky, and you need to keep your plans flexible.
Travelling to Iceland in February – summary of conditions
- Weather: highly variable, even on the same day: from sunshine to snowstorms
- Temperatures: -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 40°F).
- Daylight hours: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Northern lights: long nights, good period
- Unique: ice caves
- Road conditions: very variable with possibility of snow and black ice
- Crowds and prices: low season at the beginning of the month, and some lower prices
We’ll tell you more about all these points, as well as other tips and advice, in the rest of the article!
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Best attractions in February
In February, you can take advantage of the many places open all year round, as well as winter-specific activities.
Winter activities
Thanks to the snowy conditions in February, you can enjoy
- visit ice caves – see tour options
- dogsled excursions – see options
- see the northern lights – see the tours from Reykjavik
The main sites of the Golden Circle
Waterfalls, geysers and giant fissures are all on the programme.
Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Haukadalur remain open in winter.
In February, you can see it all in one day.
Find out more (article coming soon).
The south coast
Almost all the sites on the south coast remain accessible in winter, as they are close to Route 1, which is quickly cleared.
On the western half, you can enjoy the magnificent Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls: 60m high waterfalls that don’t freeze but are surrounded by snowy landscapes.
And on the eastern half, you have glacial lagoons such as Jokulsarlon with its diamond beach.
In February, with the amount of road traffic and limited light hours, we recommend 2 days to explore the coast.
Find out more about the south coast in winter.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
In winter, the magnificent Snaefellsnes peninsula is covered in a heavy blanket of white, highlighting its volcanic formations and natural treasures: waterfalls, mountains, lava fields, caves…
We particularly like Kirkjufell and its waterfalls, the lava cliffs at Londrangar and Arnarstapi and the view from the top of Saxholl volcano.
In February, with the short days and two-hour drive from Reykjavik, you need to optimize your time if you only have one day. We recommend two days to see it all.
Read more about it.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
North Iceland
If you have time, don’t miss northern Iceland.
In February, far fewer attractions are accessible, but there are fewer people and the landscapes are really very white (and very different from summer).
You can visit Lake Myvatn with the Dimmuborgir lava field, the pseudo-craters and the Hverir geothermal zone.
And, in our opinion, Godafoss is one of the most interesting waterfalls to see in winter!
Other locations
And so have you:
- the Reykjanes Peninsula with its geothermal zones and the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon
- The Silver Circle with unique waterfalls and a lava cave with ice stalagmites in winter
- Eastern Fjords, sumptuous scenery under a blanket of snow
See our article on the best winter attractions in Iceland.
Weather in Iceland in February – temperatures, snow
February in Iceland is a busy month:
- cold temperatures (but not as cold as people imagine)
- unpredictable weather conditions.
Average temperatures range from -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 40°F).
Precipitation is frequent, with an average of 80 mm, and often falls as snow.
The wind can be strong, giving the impression that the air is colder than the thermometer suggests.
Driving in Iceland in February: road conditions
Road conditions are more difficult in February due to snow and icy conditions. You need to be particularly careful, especially if you’re not used to driving in winter. If you’ve never driven in winter, we don’t recommend you start on this trip.
Main roads like the Ring Road and the Golden Circle are well maintained and cleared of snow, but you can still encounter icy and snowy conditions.
Some roads with passes may be closed on certain days (e.g. access to Seydisfjordur) in the event of storms.
Unsealed roads are not cleared of snow.
The weather can change rapidly, so conditions can vary considerably over the course of a day. Drive slowly!
During snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check road status on Umferdin.
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Length of day
In February, Iceland enjoys decent daylight hours for viewing the landscape.
The days are long enough to explore, especially towards the end of the month.
At the beginning of the month, there are about 7 hours of daylight, increasing to 10 hours at the end of the month.
- At the beginning of the month, the day lasts between 7 and 8 hours (between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.).
- At the end of the month, the day lasts between 9 and 10 hours (between 8.30 a.m. and 7 p.m.).
The Northern Lights in February
As we have just seen, the days are short to medium. As a result, the nights are long, which is ideal for seeing the Northern Lights!
On February 1, the sun rises around 1:10 a.m. and sets around 5:14 p.m., so the night lasts 17 hours!
In addition, the sky is often cloudy, but the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are high.
Chances of seeing the northern lights are high. The Northern Lights are generally most active between 9pm and 2am.
To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, it’s best to get away from the city lights.
See tours from Reykjavik
7. What to wear in Iceland in February
To dress appropriately for Iceland in February, you need to focus on layering. We also recommend
- Base: thermal underwear or long woolen underwear
- Intermediate: a warm fleece or wool sweater
- Exterior: waterproof and windproof jacket
- Pants: waterproof and windproof
- Warm, waterproof hiking boots with good grip. With warm socks.
- Ice crampons for better grip on icy surfaces.
- Warm, waterproof and windproof gloves
- Warm scarf
- Warm hat
- Sunglasses
Find out more in our article on what to wear in winter (coming soon).
February events in Iceland
In February, you can enjoy local traditions:
- Winter Lights Festival Three-day festival in Reykjavik to celebrate the lengthening days and the beauty of winter: illuminated buildings, light shows and cultural events.
- Bolludagur (day of the buns): six weeks before Easter, a Monday during which various round foods are eaten, in particular cream-filled buns, which you will find in many restaurants.
- Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday): Celebrated 40 days before Easter, this day has similarities with Halloween. Children dress up and sing songs to receive sweets (this can fall in March).
- Food and Fun Festival: 5-day culinary event in Reykjavik (February or March)
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Crowds and prices in February
Crowds
February is considered one of the quietest months for tourism in Iceland, compared to summer.
But in the winter months, late February remains a popular time.
Price
The smaller number of visitors can facilitate accommodation and activity bookings, as well as potentially lower prices for certain services.
However, winter-equipped vehicles can be slightly more expensive due to necessary features such as winter tires.
It’s important to note that even if prices are lower, you still have to factor in the extra costs of buying the right winter equipment.
And, as everywhere, prices vary depending on what you’re looking for. Accommodation ranges from youth hostels to 5-star hotels. It is therefore difficult to give a budget.
When to go to Iceland, other winter months
Or read our article on when to go to Iceland (coming soon).
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
