Iceland in September

September deserves to be a more popular time to visit Iceland. You miss the midnight sun, but the weather is still reasonable, the roads are clear, most summer tours are still running, and the crowds thin out once schools go back. It's also when northern lights season gets going.

September weather and daylight

Reykjavik's September averages, from the Icelandic Met Office's 1991-2020 records, run from a high of 11.4°C (53°F) to a low of 6.2°C (43°F). The first week can feel close to summer, and by the end of the month you'll want a proper jacket.

The catch is rain. September averages about 87 mm of precipitation in Reykjavik, about a third more than August, and it rains on about half the days. Pack as if it will rain, and enjoy the days it doesn't.

Daylight is still generous but falling fast. On September 1 the sun rises around 6:10am and sets around 8:45pm. By September 30 it's up at about 7:30am and down around 7pm. The autumn equinox falls on 22 or 23 September, so by month's end the nights are longer than the days. Check your exact dates on timeanddate.com.

>> more on weather in Iceland

What you can do in September

Most of the outdoor activities popular in summer carry on through September: horseback riding, glacier walks, caving, hiking and snorkeling in Silfra at Þingvellir. The Ring Road is normally in good shape, which makes early September a good time for a Ring Road trip.

• Whales: Elding runs whale-watching trips from Reykjavik all year, and its premium tour runs through October.
• Puffins: you're too late for the tours. Elding's puffin trips run from April 20 to August 20.
• Northern lights: the season opens. Reykjavik Excursions and Elding both start their northern lights trips in September. See viewing the northern lights in Iceland.

Watch the highland calendar

If the interior is on your list, go early. Safetravel says the highland F-roads usually close in mid-September. Snow can shut them sooner. Check umferdin.is for the current status and read up on the highlands before you rent a 4x4. Remote parts of the Westfjords get quieter too, so confirm that places you plan to stay or eat are still open.

Réttir: the autumn round-up

Réttir is one of the most Icelandic things you can see all year. Sheep spend the summer roaming free in the mountains, and in autumn farmers ride and walk out to gather them. The sheep are driven into a central pen, the almenningur, and each farmer drags their own animals into a side pen, a dilkur. It's a social day in the countryside, and whole families turn out to help.

The dates vary by district and a round-up schedule is published every year (this is the farmers' newspaper's 2026 list, in Icelandic), so ask your guesthouse or the local tourist office which réttir is nearest and when. Some areas hold horse round-ups too. Many farms welcome visitors to watch, and some let you join the gathering if you ask ahead.

Events in September

The Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) runs for 11 days from late September into early October. The 2026 edition is September 24 to October 4, at Háskólabíó and the Nordic House, with single tickets, multi-film coupon books and festival passes.

Otherwise September is quiet, which is part of its appeal. If you like music, a trip that starts in late August can catch the Reykjavik Jazz Festival (August 25-30 in 2026) before the September quiet sets in.

>> more on holidays and events in Iceland

Flights and prices

September is the start of the off-season. Many hotels and tour companies move to lower rates in September, and flights to Iceland usually cost less than in July and August. The first half of the month is the sweet spot: close-to-summer weather with the crowds mostly gone.

A word on airlines, since this page used to mention several that no longer exist. Icelandair is the main carrier. WOW air and Iceland Express are gone, and PLAY stopped flying on September 29, 2025. See the Keflavik Airport site for current routes.

If you're planning to stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from Keflavik, know that the Sundhnúkur craters near Grindavík erupted nine times between December 2023 and August 2025. The latest eruption ran from July 16 to August 5, 2025, and the Icelandic Met Office says magma is still building up. Check Safetravel for the current situation.

What to pack

You'll want warm clothes for anything outdoors this month. A waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, a hat and gloves, and good boots are essential. Beyond that, most outfitters provide the specialist gear for glacier walks and snorkeling. And bring a swimsuit: the geothermal pools feel best on a cool, grey September afternoon.

>> more on what to wear in Iceland in fall

FAQ

Can you see the northern lights in September?

Yes, especially in the second half of the month, once the nights get properly dark. You need a clear sky and some aurora activity, so check the Met Office aurora forecast every afternoon.

Is September too late for the highlands?

Early September can work, but it's a gamble. F-roads usually close in mid-September, and weather can close them earlier. If Landmannalaugar or the Kjölur route matter to you, go in August instead.

>> see also Iceland in August, Iceland in October and things to do in Iceland in fall

Photo by kanelstrand