Yes, for travelers who want hot lagoons, Reykjavik’s church and museum and the waterfalls of the south coast, with afternoons just above freezing at 38°F (3°C) and little sun.
Most campsites open from the beginning of June, so February trips run on hotels and guesthouses, and the daylight is short enough that outdoor stops need planning.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Reykjavik: 38°F (3°C)
- Night low in Reykjavik: 29°F (-2°C)
- Rainy days: 15 (days with at least 1 mm of precipitation)
- Sunshine: 2.2 hours a day in February
- Sea near Reykjavik: 41°F (5°C)
- Organ concert at Hallgrímskirkja: noon, first Saturday of the month
What is the weather like in Iceland in February?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 15 | 0.7 h | 42°F (5°C) |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in (91 mm) | 15 | 2.2 h | 41°F (5°C) |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in (81 mm) | 14 | 3.6 h | 41°F (5°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
February in Reykjavik is cold and damp, with a high of 38°F (3°C) and a low of 29°F (-2°C). Afternoons reach 38°F (3°C) and nights drop to 29°F (-2°C), so the day sits right around the freezing line.
Rain or wet snow falls on 15 days of the month, and the sun shows for 2.2 hours a day on average. Dress in layers with a waterproof shell, and plan the outdoor sights for the middle of the day, when the light is best. Indoor stops such as the museum and the lagoons fit the grayer hours.
Where to go in Iceland in February
Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik
Hallgrímskirkja is both a parish church and a national sanctuary, and it is the largest church in Iceland. It houses the largest organ in the country. The tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavik, the surrounding mountains and the ocean.
Sky Lagoon, Kópavogur
Sky Lagoon, in Greater Reykjavík at Vesturvör 44–48, is a geothermal lagoon by the sea with an optional seven-step ritual. In a month with afternoons near 38°F (3°C), it makes an easy end to a day in the capital.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. The Service Center sits at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, and angling permits can be obtained there on arrival.
Secret Lagoon, Flúðir
Secret Lagoon was made in 1891 at Hverahólmi near Flúðir and is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. The water comes from the hot springs Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir and stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year. In February that is the whole point of the visit.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, on the boundary between Seljaland and Hamragarðar. You can walk behind it, so bring waterproof layers. Gljúfrabúi, about 131 feet (40 m) high, stands nearby on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Dyrhólaey and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a promontory 394 feet (120 m) high rising out of black sand just west of Vík, with an orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 on its highest point. The puffins nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so February is for the headland and the view. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre is at Víkurbraut 28.
What to do in Iceland in February
Organ concert and English service at Hallgrímskirkja
Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, which includes February. An English-language service takes place on the last Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Making of a Nation at the National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland, at Suðurgata 41 in Reykjavik, preserves and showcases the country’s cultural and historical heritage. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation.
With 15 rainy days in the month, this is a solid indoor choice. The museum offers audio guides in 10 languages, so ask for one at the desk.
Geothermal baths: Fontana, Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon
Fontana, at Hverabraut 1 in Laugarvatn, offers geothermal baths and a geothermal bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser. Secret Lagoon has three pools, a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool.
Ice caves and the Katla exhibition near Vík
Mýrdalsjökull glacier offers guided glacier hikes and year-round ice cave explorations. It also has glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. Ice cave tours run all year, which makes them a safe February idea.
In Vík, the Katla centre has a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. Hafnleysa Maritime Museum is at Víkurbraut 17. The Icelandic Lava Show lets visitors safely see molten lava at 1100 degrees Celsius, an indoor stop when the weather turns.
Is Iceland busy in February?
Most campsites in Iceland are open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September. The Grindavík campsite opens in mid-March. In February that leaves hotels and guesthouses as the usual places to sleep. Camping outside organised campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission.
Since January 1, 2025, the lodging tax is 800 kr. per lodging tax unit for hotels and guesthouses with a license in categories II to IV. It is 400 kr. per unit for campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers, pop-up campers and caravans.
Can you swim in Iceland in February?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 41°F (5°C) in February. It is a monthly average, and it is far too cold for an ocean swim. Farther along the south coast, the water near Vík averages 45°F (7°C) and near Höfn 44°F (7°C). That is warmer, but still not swimming weather.
The warm water is on land. Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, Secret Lagoon has three pools, and Fontana offers geothermal baths at Laugarvatn. Dyrhólaey’s black sand beach is for a walk and a view.
What to pack for Iceland in February
February asks for warm layers and waterproofs, with a swimsuit for the lagoons.
- Warm layers and a waterproof shell, for 15 rainy days and afternoons near 38°F (3°C).
- A swimsuit and towel for Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Fontana.
- Waterproof boots with good grip for the Þingvellir trails and for walking behind Seljalandsfoss.
- A warm layer for the evening on Laugavegur, where the bars, clubs and restaurants open in the evenings.
- Leave the camping gear at home, since most campsites are closed until June.
What to know before visiting Iceland in February
At Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon about 98 feet (30 m) deep and 1.2 miles (2 km) long, hiking up the canyon along or in the river is strictly forbidden due to breeding grounds. Stay on the viewing paths.
Is February a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, for travelers who want hot springs, a city of churches and museums, and the waterfalls and ice caves of the south. It is a weaker choice for sunshine, puffins or camping.
March brings more light (3.6 hours of sun a day), but the geothermal baths, ice caves and indoor sights are open in February too.
If you want culture, the National Museum and the monthly organ concert are on the calendar. If you want puffins, wait for late April to mid-August. If you want to camp, wait for June.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
- thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30
- umhverfisstofnun.is (https://www.umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/travel-information/where-can-you-camp/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30