Iceland in May: Things to See & Do

In this article, we unveil it all for you: the best things to see in Iceland in May, our favorite activities to do at that time, and what you can expect of the weather (with a useful packing guide).

We even share our top reasons to make Iceland your next May getaway – just in case you needed more convincing.

Yes! Actually, May is an excellent month to visit Iceland. And we’ve got all the reasons you might need to book your Icelandic getaway in late spring or early summer.

Top 10 reasons to visit Iceland in May:

Not convinced yet? Continue reading to find out what you could get up to and all the amazing places you could visit.

With the arrival of the summer season, there are longer daylight hours to explore and even more outdoor activities to take on.

The best 10 things to do in Iceland at this time are:

From April and May, Iceland opens up after a dark winter and there are plenty of celebrations to join in. In May, you could attend one of the biggest events of the Icelandic cultural calendar, the Reykjavík Arts Festival.

Two smaller festivals may also interest you. There is the Vaka Folk Festival in Akureyri, which welcomes the top folk performers from Iceland and Northern Europe.

Closer to Reykjavík, at Stokkseyrarsel farm near Selfoss, you could attend Saga Fest. It is a music and arts festival based on storytelling and the Icelandic Sagas.

And where should you go if you’re visiting Iceland in May? You have probably heard of some hot spots, but here are our suggestions:

It’s never a bad time to visit Iceland’s capital, but in May the buzzing summer atmosphere starts to set in. You’ll find even more events, festivals, and activities to take part in.

Here are the top things you can do in Reykjavík during the summer months:

You could also book an array of day trips from the capital, from visiting the Golden Circle to taking helicopter rides.

If you’re in Iceland for a shorter period, don’t miss visiting the highlights of this famous route. It is perfect for a city break as it is a fantastic day tour from Reykjavík.

See the wonderful waterfalls of Faxifoss and Gullfoss. Explore Þingvellir National Park, where you can observe the tectonic plates and even go snorkeling between them.

And finally, see the OG of geysers! Geysir isn’t as active anymore, but its neighbor Strokkur erupts columns of hot water in the air every 6-10 minutes.

There are so many highlights to check off your bucket list on the south coast, so we had to include it as one.

Some of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, are located here. Seljalandsfoss is especially popular because you can walk behind the fall, giving you a different perspective.

You’ll also find two of the most famous black sand beaches in Iceland. Reynisfjara is near the lovely town of Vík í Mýrdal. From here you can admire the basalt columns of the cliffs and see the rock formations of Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar.

A word to the wise: be careful of the waves on Reynisfjara. They can come up quickly and the currents are really strong.

Further along, Diamond Beach is a stunner. You’ll be able to admire glistening chunks of ice on the stark black sand. And literally across the road from here, you can admire more icebergs along the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

As you journey from the south coast to North Iceland, you’ll travel along the Vatnajökull National Park. It stretches this far covering nearly 15% of Iceland’s landmass.

With such a diverse landscape, you’ll find plenty to enjoy inside this vast park. The protected area includes 10 volcanoes and a large ice cap. It’s no wonder it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

We recommend you visit the Skaftafell area in the south. Here you’ll find plenty of great hiking trails, with scenic valleys and mountains to explore. In Jökulsárgljúfur, in the north, don’t miss the glacial river canyon and the many majestic waterfalls.

This peninsula stretches 86 kilometers (55 miles) into the Atlantic Ocean from Iceland’s western coast.

It is renowned for being “Iceland in miniature.” It means that in this region you’ll find a bit of everything that makes up the Icelandic landscape. From vast lava fields to grand waterfalls, scenic cliffs to quaint fishing villages, and more.

It is also the location of the Snæfellsjökull National Park and its subglacial volcano.

Points of attractions include:

As May is the start of the hiking season, we recommend driving up to the Westfjords for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. This region, in the north-west of Iceland, is a fantastic destination for coastal scenery.

We recommend you visit the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. It is ideal for long walks with scenic views. Here you’ll also find one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs, Látrabjarg. And from late-April until August, you can observe the cute puffins who make it their home.

You could visit the Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, from Reykjavík, or add it to your itinerary as you visit the south coast.

The main island, Heimaey, is ideal for a day tour to learn about this volcanic island’s history. Don’t miss the crater and lava left from the 1973 volcanic eruption that buried a part of the island.

You could even book a boat tour around the island. This way you’d get to admire the teeming birdlife, including the world’s largest puffin colony, and maybe even spot some whales.

So, you’ve heard of the Golden Circle, but not the Diamond Circle? This is another one of Iceland’s most popular sightseeing routes.

Located in the north of the island, it encompasses the amazing landscapes of the Lake Mývatn area, coastal scenery of the Tjörnes peninsula, and the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park.

Don’t miss:

Did you hear about the fantastic hiking trails located in this remote area of Iceland? They are colorful, memorable, and ideal for hikers looking for their next challenge.

If that’s something you’re interested in, visit between June and August. The roads into the highlands open depending on the weather and are usually only accessible at this time of year. So May is a bit too early.

May marks the beginning of the summer season in Iceland. The country is opening up again with better weather and more travel opportunities. But in May things are only starting to ramp up and therefore quieter than during the peak summer months of June to August. 

May, together with September, is known as the shoulder season. And these are good times to visit Iceland if you want to enjoy decent weather, longer daylight hours, and fewer visitors.

So what can you expect from the weather in May? It is a transitional month between spring and summer, so temperatures are usually mild. The average temperature is around 6 °C (43 °F), with possible highs of 10-15 °C (50-59 °F).

The weather is changeable all year long, so it’s best to be ready for anything when traveling to Iceland.

It is unlikely to snow in Iceland at this time of year. In early May, it may snow in the north, but this is rare. What you’re likely to see are snow-topped mountains on the horizon. It depends on the year’s weather, but at least it makes for a beautiful backdrop.

In May, it is unlikely you’ll see the Northern Lights in Iceland. You need proper darkness to spot them in the sky and the number of daylight hours will make it very difficult.

To see them in summer, your best bet is to visit between late August and September. Or more specifically take a winter trip to Iceland between October and March for Northern Lights galore. Those are quieter months with longer nights, giving you more opportunities to see the famous Aurora Borealis.

As we said previously, even in May, Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable. For that reason, we advise that you pack for all possibilities.

The top tip is to bring plenty of layers. So if it’s cooler or warmer than expected, you can add or remove layers to adapt to the day (even hour!) ahead of you.

In the Nordics, we have the saying: 'There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing'. Keep that in mind and you won’t miss out on any of the great days of exploration and activities you have booked.

Here is a list of packing essentials for your trip to Iceland in May:

What do you want to see most? How do you want to travel? And how long do you want to stay? Answer these questions first and you’ll have a better idea of how to prepare for your journey.

Whether you want to camp, stay in hotels, take a road trip, or guided tours, Iceland has it all. Pick what suits you best and start reserving. Accommodation, tours, and activities can book out early in summer, so make sure to start early.

Or let us help you! Iceland Tours is run by local travel experts based in Reykjavík. We have crafted tours based on popular routes and with plenty of added benefits for you to have a memorable trip.

When you’re ready to make your dream trip to Iceland a reality, get in touch or browse our tried-and-tested packages to pick the one that’s right for you.

It’s simple enough to book via our website. Select your vacation start date and length of travel and then pick your car, accommodations, and activities based on your budget. Then all you have to do is enjoy yourself. See you next May!