Want to go to Iceland in January?
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 January: quick answers
Is January a good month to travel to Iceland?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. January can be a good month, despite the cold and darkness. The snowy landscapes are magnificent, the Northern Lights more visible (longer nights), and there are fewer tourists. 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 January – summary of conditions
- Weather: highly variable, even on the same day: from sunshine to snowstorms
- Temperatures: -5°C to 3°C (23°F to 37°F).
- Daylight hours: short, between 4 a.m. at the beginning of the month and 7 a.m. at the end.
- 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, 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 January
In January, you can take advantage of the many places open all year round, as well as winter-specific activities.
Winter activities
Thanks to snowy conditions in January, 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 January, you can see it all in one day, even if it’s a short one.
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 January, with the amount of road, and the limited hours of daylight, to explore the coast we recommend at least 2 days, but 3 would be more comfortable.
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 January, 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 January, 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 January – temperatures, snow
The month of January in Iceland is characterized by:
- cold temperatures (but not as cold as people imagine)
- unpredictable weather conditions.
Average temperatures range from -5°C to 3°C (23°F to 37°F).
Precipitation is frequent, with an average of 76 mm, and often falls in the form of snow.
The wind can be strong, giving the impression that the air is colder than the thermometer suggests.
Driving in Iceland in January: road conditions
Road conditions are more difficult in January 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 January, Iceland experiences very limited daylight hours due to its latitude.
- At the beginning of the month, the day lasts between 4 and 5 hours (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
- At the end of the month, the day lasts between 6 and 7 hours (between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.).
The sun stays low on the horizon during the day and never rises very high in the sky.
The Northern Lights in January
As we’ve just seen, the days are short. As a result, the nights are long, which is ideal for seeing the Northern Lights!
On January 1, the sun rises around 11:20 a.m. and sets around 3:45 p.m., so the night lasts 19 hours!
What’s more, the clear, cold nights of January offer excellent conditions for aurora watching.
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 January
To dress appropriately for Iceland in January, 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).
January events in Iceland
In January, there are no recurring high-profile events.
You can take advantage of:
- New Year’s Eve celebrations: Although they technically begin in December, the festivities continue on January 1, especially in Reykjavik.
- Þrettándinn (January 6): festival marking the end of the Christmas season in Iceland, with bonfires, fireworks and folkloric elements.
- Thorrablót (late January to mid-February): a festival with Viking roots and traditional Icelandic dishes.
- Reykjavik International Games: major sporting event held in Laugardalur Park, with various competitions.
- Dark Music Days: Festival of contemporary classical music (towards the end of the month) in Reykjavik.
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Crowds and prices in January
Crowds
January is considered one of the quietest months for tourism in Iceland.
This translates into less crowded attractions and more serene experiences.
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
