Reykjadalur hotspring, Iceland.
Secret Lagoon, Iceland.
Waterfall Hraunfoss in autumn Iceland.
Horse riding in Iceland.
Waterfall Svaritfoss in national park Skaftafell, Iceland.
Rettir in Iceland.
Waterfall Gullfoss in autumn, Iceland.

Autumn in Iceland

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Iceland with fewer visitors then in the summer, leaving many areas of the country free to explore and enjoy at lower prices. Wild landscapes, beautiful autumn colors, and northern lights are just some of the reasons why you should visit Iceland in the fall.

It does not matter if you travel to Iceland on your own or in a group with a guide, you will be amazed by the diversity of natural wonders that you can see in Iceland during the fall: waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, volcanoes, and much more.

If you visit Iceland in autumn, you will be struck by the beauty of the landscape and the autumn colours. In addition to the expected tones of yellow, orange, and red, Iceland also offers pink, purple, and magenta. The colours are also a beautiful contrast to the blue glaciers and the gray sea. If you like photography, autumn in Iceland is really special.

Autumn is also an exciting time to visit Reykjavík. The days get colder and shorter, which creates a cosy atmosphere to enjoy Reykjavik and all it offers: restaurants, museums & culture life, shopping, and spa experiences. Although there are fewer hours of daylight and a bit chillier than during the summer months, the weather is usually relatively good in the fall. You can still enjoy many of the popular outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, hiking (September) snorkeling, caving, quad biking, geothermal bathing, and glacier hiking. In the month of September, it is also possible to participate in an event of Réttir, the Icelandic rodeo.

Most inland roads will be closed to all vehicles from early September, but you can still visit the West Fjords and you will have a good chance to see the Northern Lights without getting too cold.

WHAT TO DO & SEE IN ICELAND IN AUTUMN

TAKE A ROAD TRIP

Discover Iceland stunning scenery with a self-drive tour. There’s nothing like an Iceland epic self drive tour in the fall, - cheaper car rental, fewer people on the roads, good driving conditions and beautiful colours!

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Roundtrip in Iceland in autumn.

REYKJADALUR HOT SPRINGS RIVER HIKE

Hike along hot streams and boiling craters to the Reykjadalur hot spring where you can soak in the warm water. Simply astonishing.

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Reykjadalur hotspring, Iceland.

GO ON A SUPER JEEP ADVENTURE TO THÓRSMÖRK

Thorsmörk valley is just stunning in autumn. Enjoy the landscapes amidst the mesmerizing autumn colors. Getting there is an adventure in itself.

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Drive a super jeep in Thorsmörk.

EXPERIENCE A SHEEP ROUNDUP IN ICELAND

Join farmers in Iceland as they gather thousands of sheeps from the mountains at the annual round-up of sheep, Rettír! Check out the nearest information center or contact us for more information.

Round-up of sheep, Rettír in Iceland.

Is autumn the best time for you to visit Iceland?

With our infographic, you´ll get an overview of each autumn month, the daylight hours, the maximum and minimum temperature, the most popular activities, sights and places to visit.

6 reasons why you should visit Iceland in autumn

Kirkjufell in autumn, Iceland.

 

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Fewer tourists and better prices
Autumn is a particularly exciting time to visit Iceland because you can do most of the things that summer offers, but with fewer tourists and at lower prices.

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More space for yourself
With fewer tourists around, you will have more opportunities to enjoy the icelandic wonders for yourself than in a peak season.

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Northern lights
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. In the autumn months you can go on northern lights hunts without the risk of freezing your toes off.

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The Iceland Airwaves music festival
A huge music festival and a must for music lovers. “The hippest long weekend on the annual music-festival calendar”: Rolling Stone magazine.

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Mild weather
The autumn weather, especially in September and October still offers mild weather. If you are lucky you will have some beautiful sunny days in between rainy and windy days.

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A perfect mix of daylight hours and darkness
During the autumn months there is an average of 11-13 hours of daylight. Enjoy day tours with plenty of daylight and catch a glimpse of the northern lights during nights.

EXPERIENCE ICELAND IN AUTUMN WITH US

THE WEATHER IN ICELAND IN AUTUMN

 

Thingvellir in autumn, Iceland.

Autumn daytime temperatures average from 11°C in September to 0°C in November in Reykjavik so bring plenty of warm clothes. Wind chills can make it feel even colder. You should also know that daylight hours shorter and shorter each day during autumn.
 

Sources: The Icelandic Meteorological Office: Time and Date ASNorwegian Meteorological Institute