November in Iceland is cold, dark and quiet, and that suits a lot of travellers. Reykjavík averages 1–8°C, daylight shrinks from eight hours to about five, and the Northern Lights, ice caves and hot springs are all at their best. You also get lower prices and smaller crowds than in summer, and Iceland Airwaves fills the capital with music on 5–7 November 2026.
New to Iceland? Read our guide for your first time in Iceland.
Weather in November
Reykjavík usually sits between 1°C and 8°C in November. Outside the capital it is colder, and inland and in the north it is often below freezing. Expect a mix of rain, sleet, wind and snow, sometimes in the same afternoon. Weather changes quickly, so check vedur.is each morning.
Wind matters more than temperature. A 3°C day with a strong gust feels far colder, so pack a windproof outer layer. Our winter packing list covers what to bring.
Daylight in November
The days shorten quickly. On 1 November 2026 the sun rises in Reykjavík at 09:11 and sets at 17:11, exactly 8 hours of daylight. By 30 November sunrise is at 10:43 and sunset at 15:49, just over 5 hours. Plan your sightseeing for the middle of the day, and leave driving after dark for the main roads only.
The long nights are the good part. There is plenty of time for aurora hunting in the evening after a full day out. See our daylight hours guide for the month-by-month picture.
Northern Lights in November
November is one of the best months for the Northern Lights, along with October, February and March. Nights are long and the skies are often clear enough. You need darkness, a clear sky and some solar activity, and none of these can be promised.
Go out of Reykjavík for the best chance. Þingvellir is a short drive from the capital, and the south-east coast often has clearer skies. A guided tour follows the forecast and moves to whichever area has gaps in the cloud. For a guide just for your group, see our Northern Lights private tour from Reykjavík. Read more in our Northern Lights guide.
Ice caves and glaciers
November is when the natural ice cave season gets going. Our Crystal Ice Cave tour in Vatnajökull runs from October to April, from 19,190 ISK, but the caves are usually most reliable from November to March, once the weather has turned cold. The Katla ice cave under Mýrdalsjökull operates all year: the Katla Ice Cave Tour from Vík takes about 3 hours, from 23,990 ISK, for ages 6 and up.
The Langjökull tunnel at Into the Glacier is man-made and also open all year, and can be done as a day trip from Reykjavík. Every natural ice cave needs a certified guide because of hidden crevasses and unstable ice. Tours can be cancelled in unsafe conditions, so leave a spare day in the south-east if you can. See our ice cave tours and glacier hiking tours.
Hot springs and lagoons
Soaking in hot water while the air is close to zero is the classic November treat. The Blue Lagoon is open every day, from 08:00 to 22:00 in winter, and suits a stop near Keflavík. Sky Lagoon, on the edge of Reykjavík, sells two passes, Saman and Sér. The Secret Lagoon at Flúðir is an easy add-on to the Golden Circle, as on our Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour, from 15,590 ISK. Book your slot ahead. See our Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon comparison to choose.
Golden Circle, South Coast and whale watching
The Golden Circle and South Coast run all year and are quieter in November. Gullfoss can be icy, and paths at waterfalls can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Whale watching tours from Reykjavík continue through the winter, with fewer boats and colder air, so wrap up warmly.
Glacier hiking and snowmobiling are also available on most days when the weather allows.
Events in November
Iceland Airwaves 2026 runs from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 November, with separately ticketed special concerts on 4 and 8 November. More than 100 artists play at seven downtown venues: Kolaport, City Hall, IÐNO, NASA, Fríkirkjan, LEMMY and Rosenberg. One wristband gets you into all of them. When we checked on 19 October, a three-day festival pass cost ISK 17,400 and a day pass ISK 11,900, with a warning that prices would rise. Hotels are busier that week, so book early. See our music festivals guide for more.
16 November is Icelandic Language Day, the birthday of the poet Jónas Hallgrímsson. Advent begins on Sunday 29 November 2026, and late November is when Reykjavík's Christmas lights, the Austurvöllur Christmas market and the Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village usually open. The 2026 dates had not been announced when we checked.
Read our Iceland in December guide if you are planning a slightly later trip and want the festive season.
Driving and roads in November
The highland F-roads are closed by November, and it is illegal and unsafe to drive on them. Main roads such as the Ring Road stay open, but ice, snow and wind can close sections at short notice. Check umferdin.is, the Road Administration's live map, before you leave, vedur.is for warnings and safetravel.is for alerts. Our weekly road conditions update sums up the week ahead.
Studded winter tyres are allowed from 1 November to mid-April, and earlier if conditions require. Ask your rental company what is fitted, and leave more time between stops than you would in summer. Read our guide to driving in Iceland in winter. If you would rather not drive, a guided day tour or a package removes the stress. Our 8-day winter Iceland tour goes around the Ring Road with someone else at the wheel, and the 6-Day Iceland Winter Package combines an ice cave, a glacier hike and Northern Lights hunting. See also our winter Ring Road tours. Our self-drive tours in Iceland include the rental car (a 4x4 from October to April) and hotels with breakfast. The 6-day Northern Lights and ice cave self-drive and the 10-day winter Ring Road self-drive are planned for this season.
Tours to book
If you want November's dark skies and ice without the winter driving, these fit the month well. Our 5-day winter itinerary shows how to fit them together.
- 8 Day Iceland Winter Tour Around the Ring Road: the whole country, with long nights for aurora hunting along the way.
- 5 Day Iceland Itinerary: Northern Lights, Ice Cave and Glacier Lagoon: a short winter trip with transfers, an ice cave and an aurora tour arranged.
- Crystal Ice Cave in Iceland: November is the start of the most reliable months for natural ice caves in Vatnajökull.
- Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon: the classic day out, with a warm soak at the end.
Questions people ask
Is November a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, if you want Northern Lights, ice caves and hot springs with fewer crowds and lower prices. It is cold and dark, so it suits people who plan around the short days.
How much daylight does Iceland get in November?
On 1 November Reykjavík gets 8 hours of daylight, from 09:11 to 17:11. By 30 November it is just over 5 hours, from 10:43 to 15:49.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland in November?
Yes. November is one of the best months, thanks to long nights and often clear skies. Sightings depend on clouds and solar activity, so allow several nights.
Are ice caves open in November?
Yes. Natural ice caves in Vatnajökull, such as the Crystal Ice Cave, are visited with a certified guide from about October to April, most reliably from November to March. The Katla ice cave near Vík is open all year.
When is Iceland Airwaves 2026?
The main festival is 5–7 November 2026 in downtown Reykjavík, with special concerts on 4 and 8 November.
