Iceland in May: Weather, What to Do, and Travel Tips

Iceland in May offers a distinct experience shaped by the country’s extreme seasonal variation — from near-24-hour daylight in summer to just 5 hours in December. Here’s what to know before visiting this month.

Weather in Iceland in May

Region	Avg High	Avg Low	Notes
Reykjavík	8 to 12°C	2 to 6°C	Mild maritime climate
Akureyri	1–2°C colder	2–3°C colder	More continental, can be colder
South Coast	Similar to Reykjavík	Similar	More wind and rain
East Fjords	Often drier	Often colder	More continental conditions

Note: These are approximate averages. Iceland’s weather is highly variable — check vedur.is for current forecasts.

Daylight Hours

Iceland’s daylight varies more dramatically than almost anywhere in Europe:

• June: Approximately 22–24 hours of light (midnight sun)
• December: Approximately 5 hours of daylight
• Equinoxes (March/September): Approximately 12 hours

Check vedur.is for exact sunrise/sunset times for your travel dates.

Best Activities in May

Puffin watching, hiking, glacier walks, whale watching. Highland bus starts.

For a full breakdown:

• Glacier walks: Available year-round at Sólheimajökull and Skaftafell. Best conditions May–October; year-round with guide.
• Whale watching: Best June–August from Húsavík and Reykjavík. Limited winter service.
• Puffin watching: May through early August only.
• Laugavegur trail: Mid-June to mid-September only (hut season).
• Ice caves: November through March (natural ice caves inside Vatnajökull).
• Northern Lights: Late August through early April when nights are dark.
• Skiing at Hlíðarfjall: November through April.

Northern Lights in May

Northern Lights season is ending — meaningful darkness returns only from late August. May is too light for aurora viewing.

Practical Northern Lights advice: You need two conditions simultaneously — clear skies and solar activity (KP3 or higher). Check vedur.is for both. Aurora forecast shows cloud cover maps and KP index predictions. Most tour operators run trips when conditions look good; a resail guarantee applies if aurora isn’t visible.

Road Conditions

Check road.is before every drive. Key seasonal notes:

• Highland F-roads (Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk by road): Closed November–May
• Mountain passes: Can close temporarily after snowfall September–May
• Winter tyres: Mandatory November 1–April 15 (fitted to all rental cars)
• The Ring Road (Route 1): Generally plowed and open year-round

What to Pack for May

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (mandatory at all times of year)
• Warm insulating layer (fleece, down jacket)
• Hat and gloves (even in summer for evening walks and exposed coastal areas)
• Sturdy waterproof footwear
• In winter: thermal base layers, microspikes for icy paths
• In summer: eye mask for sleeping (needed June–July)
• Sunscreen: yes, even in winter — glacier and snow UV is significant