Want to go to Iceland in September?
Find out if the region is right for you at this time of year, with our comprehensive guide to climate, travel conditions, crowds, prices, attractions and 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.
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Going to Iceland in September: quick answers
Is the weather nice in Iceland in September? Is this a good time to visit?
September is a month of transition in Iceland. Summer gives way to autumn, the colors change and the nights become dark again. Temperatures are dropping, but remain bearable, and tourist numbers are falling sharply.
We consider September to be one of the most interesting months in which to visit Iceland: fewer people, landscapes tinged with red and orange, and the first real chances of seeing the northern lights. On the other hand, some mountain roads are gradually closing and the weather is becoming more capricious. It’s our favorite month of the summer!
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Travelling to Iceland in September: summary of conditions
Temperatures
Temperatures drop significantly in September. In Reykjavik and on the south coast, the thermometer fluctuates between 7°C (45°F) and 11°C (52°F) during the day. In the north, averages are slightly lower, around 6°C to 10°C (43°F to 50°F). Nights cool off markedly, dropping to 3°C to 5°C (37°F to 41°F) on the coast. At higher altitudes, night frosts become frequent from mid-September onwards.
Crowds and prizes
September marks the end of the high season. Attendance dropped significantly, especially from the second week onwards. Popular sites in the Golden Circle and on the south coast remain popular.
Opening conditions
Route 1 (circular road) remains open all year round. On the other hand, the F roads in the Hautes Terres gradually close during September, sometimes as early as the first week, depending on weather conditions. We recommend checking road conditions daily on road.is if you plan to use mountain trails. Most museums, restaurants and hotels are operating normally.
Length of day
The days shorten rapidly in September. At the beginning of September, the sun rises around 6 a.m. and sets around 8:15 p.m., providing around 14 hours of light. At the end of September, sunrise is around 7.15 a.m. and sunset around 6.45 p.m., i.e. around 11.30 a.m. This rapid shortening means that nights are now long enough to observe the Northern Lights.
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
Best attractions in Iceland in September
September offers landscapes transformed by autumn colors. The moss, grasses and bushes take on hues of red, orange and gold. We liked it:
- Tour the Golden Circle in autumn colors: Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
- Hiking in the Þórsmörk valley at the beginning of the month, which is particularly colourful at this time of year.
- Observing the northern lights away from light pollution
- Sailing between the icebergs of the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- Discover the southern waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Svartifoss
- Explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula and its volcanic formations
- Bathing in hot springs to keep warm
- Attend the gathering of sheep (rettir) in the countryside
- Take a whale-watching tour from Húsavík
- Drive Route 1 for a tour of the island’s autumn landscapes
- …
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Climate in Iceland in September – weather forecast
September is a month of climatic change in Iceland. Summer conditions are giving way to more unstable weather, marked by stronger winds and increased precipitation. Temperatures are gradually dropping. Despite this transition, days of good weather do exist and can offer pleasant conditions for hiking and sightseeing. The days of September were remarkably calm and bright, interspersed with grey spells.
On the coasts and in the south
The southern coast is experiencing increasingly autumnal conditions as the month progresses. Showers become more frequent and longer than in summer. The wind is strengthening, especially on black sand beaches and exposed headlands. Daytime temperatures remain between 8°C and 12°C at the start of the month, then drop to 6°C to 9°C by the end of the month.
In the north
North Iceland enters autumn earlier than the south. Temperatures in Akureyri fluctuate between 6°C and 10°C during the day, with nights approaching freezing point at the end of the month. Rainfall remains moderate in the Akureyri region, protected by the mountains. The western fjords are cooling rapidly, and some access trails can close as early as mid-September.
The midges have disappeared from the Mývatn region, making visits more comfortable than in summer.
In the Highlands
Hautes Terres closes gradually in September. The first snow can cover the passes and slopes from the beginning of the month. Temperatures often drop below 0°C at night and rarely exceed 5°C to 8°C during the day. If you want to visit Landmannalaugar or Askja, the first two weeks of September offer the last opportunities before the F roads close. We recommend that you keep a close eye on the conditions on road.is and never venture onto a closed track. Fords can become dangerous after heavy rains.
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN Iceland
- Swimming in the Silfra fissure
- Horseback riding
- Hiking on a glacier
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
Temperatures in September in Iceland
Temperatures in September were significantly lower than in the summer. The gap between day and night widens, and frost becomes a possibility at higher altitudes from mid-September onwards. Here are the averages for three representative cities.
Temperature in Reykjavik
- Average daytime temperature: 10°C (50°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Temperature in Akureyri
- Average daytime temperature: 9°C (48°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Temperature in Vik
- Average daytime temperature: 9°C (48°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 4°C (39°F)
In any case, all year round, you’ll need warmth, windproof and rainproof layers. From T-shirt to full-coverage in no time.
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Rain and Wind
September is rainier than the summer months in Iceland. Atlantic disturbances are strengthening and rainy spells are becoming longer. The south, always the most exposed, receives significant amounts of precipitation. The north remains comparatively drier. We advise you to bring good quality waterproof gear, not just a light jacket: downpours are possible.
- Rainfall in Reykjavik: 60 to 80mm
(12 to 14 days on average) - Rainfall in Akureyri: 35 to 50mm
(on average 9 to 11 days) - Rainfall in Vik: 120 to 170mm
(on average 17 to 20 days)
Snow can appear as early as September on the summits and in the Highlands. In the lowlands and on the coast, it remains rare but not impossible at the end of the month. Glaciers obviously retain their permanent cover.
The wind picks up significantly in September. The first autumn storms can blow between 30 and 50km/h, and even more in intense episodes. Gusts are particularly violent on exposed coasts, in open areas to the south and around glaciers. Be careful when opening your car doors: the wind can damage them in a matter of seconds. The vedur.is website publishes weather alerts by zone, which are essential to consult before going out in September. We recommend that you postpone a hike if a wind alert is issued for the area concerned.
Sunshine and northern lights
In September, the length of daylight decreases rapidly. The sun rises around 6 a.m. in early September and around 7.15 a.m. at the end of the month. Bedtime is changed from 8:15pm to 6:45pm. The days offer between 11:30 and 14 hours of daylight.
Actual sunshine depends heavily on cloud cover, which increases in September. Count on an average of 3 to 5 hours of direct sunshine a day. The north often enjoys clearer skies than the south.
The September light is low-angled and golden, sublimating the autumn landscapes. We’ve found that this light gives mosses, grasses and mountains a remarkable depth of color, ideal for photography.
The return of the dark nights allows us to return to a more natural sleep rhythm than in midsummer. Night masks are no longer necessary. On the other hand, shorter days mean you need to plan your activities more carefully to take advantage of the daylight hours.
September marks the real start of the Northern Lights season in Iceland. Sufficiently dark nights, combined with variable geomagnetic activity, offer reasonable chances of observing this luminous phenomenon.
Crowds and other conditions
September offers a welcome respite from the summer rush. Attendance drops off in the second week, as the European school vacations come to an end. The Golden Circle sites, the south coast and the Blue Lagoon are still visited, but the pressure is diminishing considerably.
In practical terms, Route 1 remains open and passable. A standard vehicle is all you need to tour the island. F roads are gradually closing: if you want to reach the Highlands, plan your trip early in the month and check road.is daily.
Sheep are still grazing along the roads before the autumn gathering (rettir): drive carefully, especially on blind bends. Some campsites close at the end of the month. Guesthouses and hotels remain open.
Rettir – the gathering of the sheep
September is the month of rettir, Iceland’s traditional sheep gathering. Every year, farmers and volunteers travel on horseback and on foot through the mountains and valleys to bring back the sheep that have grazed freely all summer in the Highlands. It’s an age-old tradition, deeply rooted in Icelandic culture.
The sheep are then sorted into circular pens called “rettir”, where each farmer identifies his animals by ear tags. These gatherings take place in different parts of the country between mid-September and mid-October.
September events in Iceland
September offers many cultural and traditional events in Iceland:
- Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF): this film festival, held in late September and early October, screens independent and auteur films from around the world in several theaters in the capital.
- Heritage Days (Menningarminjavernd): as in many European countries, Iceland opens the doors of historic buildings usually closed to the public. It’s an opportunity to discover interiors and places that are not easily accessible the rest of the year.
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September prices
September marks the start of the price decline in Iceland. Rates for accommodation, car rental and excursions are lower than in the high summer season. Iceland remains an expensive destination, but September offers better value for money than June, July and August.
Other months
When to go to Iceland, other months…
- Iceland in January
- Iceland in February
- Iceland in March
- Iceland in April
- Iceland in May
- Iceland in June
- Iceland in July
- Iceland in August
- Iceland in October
- Iceland in November
- Iceland in December
Or read our article on when to go to Iceland (coming soon).
PLAN YOUR SUMMER TRIP TO iceland
- Best of
What to do in Iceland
The most beautiful waterfalls
The most beautiful black sand beaches
Volcanic craters to climb
Lava caves to visit
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Summer travel tips
How to rent a car in Iceland
Driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
What to do in Reykjavik
Best attractions in the Golden Circle
South Coast attractions
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Silver Circle
Lake Myvatn attractions
