Is January a good time to visit Iceland?

No — January is not among the recommended months for Iceland (Score: 6/100). Climate conditions are unfavourable. For better conditions, consider June, July, and August.

How warm is it in Iceland in January?

In January, Iceland sees daily highs of 3°C. Nights cool to -1°C, with a daily average of 1°C.

How much rain falls in Iceland in January?

In January, Iceland receives an average of 106 mm of rain over 14 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.

How many sunshine hours does Iceland get in January?

Iceland averages 1 sunshine hours per day in January — below the annual average.

How warm is the water in Iceland in January?

Water temperature in Iceland in January averages 5°C — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.

Iceland · January

Low season

Iceland · Europe

Climate Overview

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
MAX🌡MAX	3°	4°	4°	7°	9°	12°	14°	13°	11°	7°	5°	3°
MIN🌡MIN	-1°	0°	0°	2°	4°	8°	9°	9°	7°	3°	1°	-1°
☀️Sunshine	1h UV 0	3h UV 1	5h UV 3	7h UV 4	9h UV 5	8h UV 5	8h UV 5	7h UV 4	5h UV 3	4h UV 2	2h UV 1	1h UV 0
🌊Water Temp	5°	5°	5°	6°	8°	10°	12°	12°	11°	9°	7°	6°
🌧Rain Days	14d106mm	12d91mm	12d91mm	10d79mm	10d70mm	7d52mm	8d57mm	9d80mm	14d124mm	14d120mm	12d98mm	13d100mm

Best travel time current monthMonthly averages 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data

Deep off-season — very low prices, but weather conditions are suboptimal.

January is the coldest winter month in Iceland — with highs of only 3°C, it holds little appeal for sun-seekers. Better travel in June, July, and August.

Temperatures reach a maximum of 3°C during the day and drop to -1°C at night — warm layers recommended. With 1 sunshine hours per day and 14 rain days (106 mm), this is one of the cloudier months. At 5°C, the water is still quite cool in January — a wetsuit may be useful.

Pack warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Cool temperatures make hiking and cultural trips enjoyable — beaches are off the agenda.

Packing list for Iceland in January

Winterjacke
Thermokleidung und warme Lagen
Mütze, Schal und Handschuhe
Warme, wasserfeste Schuhe
Regenjacke und wasserfeste Schuhe
Reiseapotheke

Frequently Asked Questions

Is January a good time to visit Iceland?: No — January is not among the recommended months for Iceland (Score: 6/100). Climate conditions are unfavourable. For better conditions, consider June, July, and August.
How warm is it in Iceland in January?: In January, Iceland sees daily highs of 3°C. Nights cool to -1°C, with a daily average of 1°C.
How much rain falls in Iceland in January?: In January, Iceland receives an average of 106 mm of rain over 14 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.
How many sunshine hours does Iceland get in January?: Iceland averages 1 sunshine hours per day in January — below the annual average.
How warm is the water in Iceland in January?: Water temperature in Iceland in January averages 5°C — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.