Where To Stay In Iceland In May?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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May and September are the best time of year to go to Iceland

because they offer lower prices and fewer crowds but without the harsh weather conditions found in the winter. Many people worry about whether Iceland is expensive.

What part of Iceland is best to stay?

Because of the access to so many tour options, restaurants, nightlife, services and shopping,

Reykjavik

is arguably the best place to stay in Iceland, particularly if you're only visiting on a short trip like an Icelandair stopover.

Can I see Northern Lights in Iceland in May?

Can I see the Northern Lights in May in Iceland? Northern Lights tours cease operating around mid-April, but

the Aurora can still be seen in May

. You need darkness to see the Northern Lights, in Iceland from mid-April onwards nightfall arrives very late, making it a bit awkward to operate tours.

Is Iceland crowded in May?


May is still off-season for Iceland, meaning you will miss the largest crowds of tourists

(don't expect to see few fellow travellers, though; even during off-season, Iceland is a popular destination). During the off-season, May is considered by many to be the best month to visit Iceland.

Does it get dark in Iceland in May?

Iceland is the land of the midnight sun.

In Reykjavík it will not get dark at night from May 21 until July 30

, as the sun barely sets in . Around the summer solstice (June 21st), the sun is visible for the full 24 hours in the Westfjords and North Iceland.

What should you avoid in Iceland?

  • Avoid: Busy and expensive hot springs.
  • Do: Go and find quieter or cheaper hot springs.
  • Avoid: Buying bottled water.
  • Do: Drink from the tap.
  • Avoid: Spending all your time in Reykjavik.
  • Do: Get out and explore the rest of the country.
  • Avoid: Expensive day tours.

How many days do you need in Iceland?


A minimum of 1 week in Iceland is ideal, but visiting for up to 2 or even 3 weeks will allow you to see more of this beautiful country in the same trip

. Staying for less than 7 days in Iceland is still doable, but there's no doubt you'll want to come back again to see and do more.

Can you see Northern Lights in Reykjavik?


Yes, it's possible to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

! In fact, Reykjavik is the only capital city besides Nuuk, Greenland where you can see the Northern Lights. Reykjavikers swear they can see the lights from their bedroom windows during bright auroras!

How far is the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik?

Yes, the driving distance between Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík is

47 km

. It takes approximately 41 min to drive from Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík.

How much daylight does Iceland get in May?

Reykjavík Akureyri April 1 06:44 / 20:20 06:25 / 20:08
May 1


04:58 / 21:53


04:30 / 21:50
June 1 03:21 / 23:31 02:32 / 23:31 June 21 (summer solstice) 02:55 / 00:03 01:29 / 00:58

What to wear Iceland May?

For a summer trip to Iceland (between May and September), it is a good idea to bring both

light and warmer layers

with you. Light layers include t-shirts, thin long-sleeved shirts as well as shorts. For your warmer set, make sure to bring some trousers or jeans, and layers such as a fleece or thick jumper.

What clothes to take to Iceland in May?

  • Waterproof hiking shoes. …
  • Waterproof jacket. …
  • Layers of short- and long-sleeved shirts and sweaters. …
  • Hiking pants and rain pants. …
  • Gloves, buff, winter hat. …
  • Sleep mask. …
  • Swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops. …
  • Reusable water bottle and a thermos.

What is the best month to see Northern Lights in Iceland?

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Iceland comes down to 2 factors: time of year and time of day. The best months are between

October and March

. The best time of day would be the hours around midnight.

What is the cheapest month to visit Iceland?

Put simply, the cheapest time of year in Iceland is during its off-peak season; this covers

September to November and January to May

. Visiting Iceland in Autumn or Spring will be kind to your wallet and allow you to visit popular destinations without them being crowded, a win-win!

Is Iceland warm in May?

For many May is one of the best month in Iceland with warmer weather and more sunshine, but the summer is not here quite yet so it can still feel a bit cold especially in the North part of the country. The average temperature in May is around 6,3°C (43,3°F) but the temperature can go as high as 10-12°C (50-53,6°F).

Is there snow in May in Iceland?

The average rainfall in Reykjavik is approximately 42 mm (1.65 inches) in May which is generally the lowest of the year. This precipitation will generally come as light rain with

almost no chance of snow

, unless you are high up in the mountains.

How long can you stay at Blue Lagoon?

Even though the last slot of the day is not as popular, the lagoon will likely remain full as there's

no time limit

. How long to spend at the Blue Lagoon depends on you, though most people opt to spend at least two hours.

What is astronomical twilight?

Astronomical Twilight:


Begins in the morning, or ends in the evening, when the geometric center of the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon

. In astronomical twilight, sky illumination is so faint that most casual observers would regard the sky as fully dark, especially under urban or suburban light pollution.

What is a typical breakfast in Iceland?

Hearty is the name of the game when it comes to breakfast: One of the items most central to an Icelandic breakfast is

hafragrautur, or oatmeal

, according to Serious Eats. To make the dish, oats are simply cooked with water or milk in a pot.

Is Iceland safe for solo female Travellers?

Fortunately,

Iceland is one of the safest and best places for solo female travel

. The combination of Iceland's low crime rates and stellar gender equality makes it the perfect solo female travel destination.

Do and don'ts in Iceland?

  • Do's. Please be considerate and mindful of the locals. Be open-minded and don't yuck their yum. Rent a car! …
  • Don't. Do not be an ugly tourist and stay safe. DO NOT hike glaciers without a guide. Don't assume their horses are ponies.

Is Iceland crowded with tourists?

When travelling around Iceland, however, one can clearly see that

Iceland is not overcrowded

. You can, in fact, enjoy large distances of highways or hiking trails without encountering a single soul, even during the high-season summer months.

Do they speak English in Iceland?

English has been and continues to be taught as a second language in the schools, so

almost every person in Iceland is fluent in English

. Since Iceland is geographically positioned very close to Eastern Scandinavia, Swedish and Danish are not officially labeled as foreign languages.

Is north or south Iceland better?


Most visitors prefer the south as it is more diverse and more accessible

. Visitors can enjoy the Golden Circle, its geysers and its national park, the black sand of Vík and the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls all year round. It is therefore rare to find yourself alone at these sites, even in the winter.

How long does it take to drive around Iceland?

A: The Ring Road which encircles the island is approximately 1,333 kilometers. Assuming that it takes around one hour to complete 100 kilometers, you can drive around Iceland in

12-13 hours

.

Is Iceland expensive to visit?

Is Iceland expensive to visit, or is it possible to travel on a tighter budget? According to Numbeo's Cost of Living Index,

Iceland currently ranks as the third most expensive country in the world

. Local banks have also studied the essential travel costs for tourists, and the numbers are staggering.

What months does it snow in Iceland?

Peak snow months are around Christmas and the New Year. But to be honest, it isn't uncommon for it to randomly start snowing most months of the year, except for

June, July, and August

. If you want to completely avoid snow, then visit during the summer season.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.