Iceland in May

By May, Iceland is in the full bloom of spring. The puffins are back on the cliffs, the days run from before 5am to past 10pm by mid-month, and the big summer crowds haven't arrived yet. There are still cold days and spring storms, but May is one of the best months to visit if you want summer light at something closer to spring prices.

May weather: cool, dry and surprisingly sunny

Here's a number that surprises people. Over 1991-2020, May was Reykjavik's sunniest month, averaging about 209 hours of sunshine, more than June or July, according to the Icelandic Met Office. It's also one of the driest, with around 53 mm of precipitation over 11 days.

It isn't warm, though. The typical high is 10.1°C (50°F) and the typical low is 4.0°C (39°F). Dress in layers for temperatures that change through the day, and bring a hat, scarf and gloves for the colder ones.

>> more on weather in Iceland

Daylight

On 1 May the sun rises around 5:00am and sets around 9:50pm. By 31 May it's up at about 3:25am and sets around 11:25pm, which is about 20 hours of daylight (Reykjavik sunrise and sunset times). The nights never get properly dark by the end of the month, so the Northern Lights are off the table until late summer. See experiencing the midnight sun.

Things to do in May

Most of the outdoor activities popular in summer are available in May, including horseback riding, glacier walks, caving, hiking and snorkeling.

• Puffins. Elding's puffin tours from Reykjavik run from 20 April to 20 August, so May is well within the season. Up north, North Sailing runs puffin trips from Húsavík between April and August.
• Whale watching. Reykjavik tours run all year, mostly spotting humpbacks, minkes, dolphins and porpoises. From Húsavík, North Sailing says blue whales are a regular sight early in the season. See Húsavík.
• Road trips. Roads in southwest Iceland are usually clear in May, making it easy to self-drive the Golden Circle, the south coast or Snæfellsnes. Check umferdin.is before longer drives, especially in the north and east.
• Silfra. The 2-4°C water at Þingvellir is the same as always, but standing around afterward is nicer in May than in January.

The one big thing you can't do yet is go into the interior. Highland F-roads typically open in June or July. If the highlands are the point of your trip, wait. See the Highlands.

>> more on what to wear in Iceland in spring

Festivals and holidays in May

Reykjavik Arts Festival (every other year)

You'll still read that the Reykjavik Arts Festival happens every May. It doesn't anymore. The festival was founded in 1970, ran every year from 2005 to 2016, and went back to being held every other year after that. The most recent edition ran from 30 May to 14 June 2026. The next one hasn't been announced yet, so check the festival site before planning around it.

Public holidays

May has a cluster of public holidays, which means some shops and offices close and popular spots get busier with Icelanders on long weekends:

• 1 May, Labor Day
• Ascension Day: 14 May 2026, 6 May 2027
• Whit Sunday and Whit Monday: 24-25 May 2026, 16-17 May 2027

>> more on holidays and events in Iceland

What May costs

May is still shoulder season, and you'll usually find hotel rates well below what they'll be in a few weeks. Some hotels switch to high-season pricing partway through the month, so check the rate for your exact dates before you assume a deal.

Flights cost more than in winter but less than in July. Icelandair flies to Keflavik year-round, and US and Canadian airlines such as Delta, United and Air Canada add seasonal flights. Some summer routes start late: in 2026, Keflavik Airport listed Alaska Airlines' first Seattle flight for late May and Air Transat's first Montreal flight for June. So check whether your route is running on your dates. PLAY stopped flying in September 2025. Fares move weekly, so I won't quote one here.

>> more on flights to Iceland and costs

A note on the Reykjanes peninsula

If a Blue Lagoon visit or a hike to the recent lava fields near Grindavík is in your plans, check Safetravel's Reykjanes page first. The Sundhnúkur crater row erupted nine times between December 2023 and August 2025, most recently in July and August 2025, and in September 2026 the Icelandic Met Office reported the ground there is still rising. Walking on lava flows is prohibited.

>> more on the Blue Lagoon and volcanoes in Iceland

FAQ

Is May a good time to visit Iceland?

It's one of my top picks. You get very long days, a good chance of sun, puffins and whales, and lower prices than June to August. The main downside is that the highlands aren't open yet.

How cold is Iceland in May?

In Reykjavik, highs average about 10°C (50°F) and lows about 4°C (39°F). It's colder in the north and at elevation, and wind makes it feel colder still.

Is there midnight sun in May?

Not quite. By late May the sun is up about 20 hours a day in Reykjavik and it never gets fully dark, and even in June true midnight sun is limited to the far north, such as Grímsey on the Arctic Circle. See Iceland in June.

Photo by chadmagiera