Iceland · May
Low seasonIceland · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAXMAX | 3° | 4° | 4° | 7° | 9° | 12° | 14° | 13° | 11° | 7° | 5° | 3° |
MINMIN | -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
Still off-season — flights and hotels significantly cheaper than in June.
May in Iceland at 9°C is too cool for a beach holiday, but suitable for sightseeing and hiking. The best travel months are June, July, and August.
Temperatures reach a maximum of 9°C during the day and drop to 4°C at night — warm layers recommended. The sun shines an average of 8 hours per day; there are 10 rain days with 70 mm total. At 8°C, the water is still quite cool in May — 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 May
- Warme Jacke
- Pullover und warme Lagen
- Lange Hosen
- Wärmende Schuhe
- Sonnencreme LSF 50
- Sonnenbrille
- Sonnenhut
- Leichter Regenschirm oder Regenponcho
- Reiseapotheke
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is May a good time to visit Iceland?
- May is not an optimal month for Iceland (Score: 56/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider June, July, and August.
- How warm is it in Iceland in May?
- In May, Iceland sees daily highs of 9°C. Nights cool to 4°C, with a daily average of 7°C.
- How much rain falls in Iceland in May?
- In May, Iceland receives an average of 70 mm of rain over 10 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.
- How many sunshine hours does Iceland get in May?
- Iceland averages 8 sunshine hours per day in May — above the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Iceland in May?
- Water temperature in Iceland in May averages 8°C — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.
