Visiting Iceland in November offers a unique and enchanting experience, blending the majestic winter landscapes with the possibility of witnessing the magical Northern Lights.
Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland
Icelandic Weather and Average Temperature in November
November in Iceland marks the transition deeper into the winter season. You can expect cold weather with average temperatures ranging from -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 39°F). It’s a time when the winter chill starts to set in, and snowfall becomes more common, especially in the northern and inland areas.
Icelandic Daylight Hours in November
Daylight becomes scarce in November, with the length of the day dramatically decreasing as the month progresses. Early in the month, you might experience around 8 hours of daylight. By the end of November, this can reduce to just around 5 hours. The short days and long nights create ideal conditions for viewing the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, one of Iceland’s most famous natural phenomena.
What to Wear During November in Iceland
Given the cold temperatures and the possibility of wet and snowy conditions, it’s essential to pack warm and waterproof clothing. Layering is key, so bring thermal undergarments, woolen sweaters, a waterproof and windproof outer layer, gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf. Sturdy, waterproof boots with good grip are also a must for exploring Iceland’s rugged terrain.
My Ultimate Packing Checklist is linked in the show notes and will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the winter list, especially toward the end of the month because it is noticeably colder and darker.
Road Conditions & Driving
Driving in Iceland in November can be challenging due to icy and snowy road conditions, especially on less traveled and rural roads. It’s important to check the weather and road conditions frequently (via the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website) and consider renting a 4×4 vehicle for better traction. Always drive cautiously and be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Also, check websites for the weather before you head, like safetravel.is and vedur.is.
Expert Trip Planning Tip for November
November can be a nice winter season month for people to visit who want to avoid the crowds. Driving to different parts of the country is not as difficult as in late December, January, and February, but there will be snow and ice in some areas.
Best Icelandic Rental Car Company for Driving in November
If you plan to explore Iceland on your own when you visit, I highly recommend using Go Car Rental Iceland. They are a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.
I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them. I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.
Camper Van Rental in Iceland in November
If you plan to use a campervan, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your GO Campers van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.
Why You Should Visit Iceland in November
November is an excellent time to visit Iceland if you’re looking to experience its winter wonderland charm without the peak tourist crowds. The possibility of seeing the Northern Lights is a significant draw, as the long nights provide ample opportunity for this spectacular natural display. Additionally, November offers the chance to experience Iceland’s dramatic landscapes with a beautiful winter backdrop, including snow-capped mountains, frozen waterfalls, and icy lagoons.
Top Activities to Do in November
- Northern Lights Hunting: The extended hours of darkness provide a great opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis. Joining a guided tour can increase your chances of seeing this natural phenomenon, as experts know the best times and locations.
- Ice Cave Tours: November is an excellent time for ice cave exploration, as the colder temperatures make the ice caves more stable and accessible.
- Hot Springs and Geothermal Pools: Relaxing in one of Iceland’s many geothermal pools or hot springs, like the Blue Lagoon, is particularly enjoyable when it’s cold outside.
- Glacier Hiking and Snowmobiling: The snow-covered landscapes provide perfect conditions for glacier hikes and snowmobiling adventures.
November Events and Holidays in Iceland
November hosts a couple of cultural events and holidays:
- Iceland Airwaves: An annual music festival that takes place in Reykjavik, featuring a mix of established and up-and-coming Icelandic and international artists. I was able to hear Ásgeir perform one year and that was magical. Feel free to check out my Spotify playlist of Icelandic artists here.
- Christmas Markets: Towards the end of November, Christmas markets start to appear, offering handicrafts, local foods, and festive decorations, marking the beginning of the holiday season in Iceland.
Iceland Trip Planning Resources
Before hopping into the random fact of the episode, I want to share some Iceland trip planning resources. I’ve received many amazing emails from listeners of the podcast and followers on social media asking me for my advice on what to do in Iceland. Due to the high demand for this information, I created some resources. All of the ones I talk about can be found in the navigation panel of this website, which is above. There is a tab at the top called “Trip Planning Help”. Click on that and you will find links to everything I am about to share.
Book a Private Video Consultation with Me to Plan Your Trip
One of the resources is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link. After you fill out a survey and pick a time that is available for both of us, we do a one-hour video chat via Google Meet.
During this time, we chat about your interest, parts of the country you want to visit, how to get the most out of your time, helpful information to know about Iceland before coming, and any questions that you have. I always feel delighted when I hear at the end of the call that people feel even more excited about their upcoming trip because of the consultation.
Make Your Own Itinerary with My Iceland Map
Another great resource is to grab full access to my Iceland map. This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created.
With full access, you get over 260 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.
A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.
Here is a link to my Iceland map: rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.
Random Fact of the Episode
Annually on November 16th, Icelander’s celebrate Icelandic Language Day. In Icelandic it is “Dagur íslenskrar tungu” and the translation of that is “day of the Icelandic tongue”.
This day is held to celebrate and promote the Icelandic language.
Icelandic Word of Episode
Nóvember – November
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