The days are short, and the nights are long, which makes a fun reason to visit Iceland in February! It can get a little cold, which you can handle with the proper clothing (so maybe it is time for some shopping). And there is usually plenty of snow, so you can immerse yourself in a true Iceland experience!

Your Friend in Reykjavik wants you to dress in layers and join us for February frolics across our favorite city! We can show you around and share tips on what to do, indoors and out, in Iceland!

February Weather in Iceland

When we said before that the weather gets a little cold, we were not kidding. After all, it is still winter! The average temperature is around 32-34°F (0-1°C), and there is a good chance that it will rain or snow, so you should pack appropriately. But with the white snow comes reflective light to help brighten the long nights! 

Northern Lights and short days for February

February puts us well into winter in Iceland, but the extremely short days are getting a little longer. With sunsets around 5 pm and sunrises around 10 am, there’s plenty of time to get out and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. We take advantage of these long nights for exciting festivals, which we will tell you about below, and there is still enough daylight for outdoor activities like whale watching or hiking. Or you may want to head indoors every once in a while on a food tour of Reykjavik!

Unique outdoor fun in Iceland in February

In February, our beautiful Reykjavik Pond often freezes over. This means it’s time for some ice skating or maybe even a game of ice hockey! Or you could head to the harbor area for some whale watching. You can do this any time of the year, but in February, sightings of minke whales, orcas, and pilot whales are more common. We recommend you check out our combo City Walk and Whale Watching tour!

For those looking for more natural outdoorsy adventures, you may want to visit Vatnajokull National Park. Located along Iceland’s southeast coast, this massive park offers hiking, boating, and other activities, including checking out the Svartifoss waterfall pouring down in the snow; if you want a truly “immersive” Icelandic experience, head to one of our community swimming pools!

February festivals light up Iceland

If you plan on coming at the beginning of February, you may be able to catch the end of the Reykjavík International Games, where athletes from around the world converge to compete in such sports as swimming and karate, as well as darts and CrossFit. Around the same time, the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival brightens up the capital with brilliant light installations, art walks, and other activities. If you are heading to the east coast of Iceland, the town of Seyðisfjörður has a similar festival, Art in the Light, with artists from all over creating art with light across the landscape.

Photo: Juliette Rowland / Winter Lights Festival

For those visiting Iceland towards the end of the month when Lent falls in February/March, you can dig into cream buns for our version of Carnival, Bun Day! Then there is more feasting until Ash Wednesday, which may remind many of Halloween as the kids (young and old) dress up in costumes and beg for candy for Öskudagur! Read all about those three days here.

What to pack for your Iceland visit in February

It will probably be cold. Or rain. Then again, it may snow. There will be sun sometimes. There are a lot of possibilities to prepare for, so prepping with clothing that you can layer is your best bet! Start with some thermal underwear and work your way to a weather-proof coat or jacket. Also, comfy shoes are always vital — more hiking all-weather types if you plan on heading out of the city. Don’t forget swimwear if you want to dip in a thermal pool! And there are essential sunglasses, lip balm, and moisturizers to protect from the sun and cold. 

Let Your Friend in Reykjavik show you our February fun!

Your Friend in Reykjavik is ready and waiting to show you the bright nights and stunning days of Reykjavik on one of our many walking tours. We have a wide range of walks, from folklore to food, where our knowledgeable and friendly guides will show you the highlights and hidden gems of our hometown. Have a specific experience in mind? We also have private walking tours of Reykjavik, which we can personalize to your schedule. Ready to plan your trip to Reykjavik? Call us today!

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Explore Our Tours

South Coast Tour & Glacier Hike

Whale Watching Adventure by Speedboat

Luxurious Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavik

Hunt the Northern Lights via Cruise Ship

Glacier Hike Discovery on Vatnajokull

Explore the Ice Caves of Vatnajökull

Climb the Glaciers of Vatnajökull

Hike across the Glaciers of Vatnajökull

Horseback riding in Iceland

Black Beach Horseback Riding Tour