Iceland in April 2025: Weather and Travel

Iceland in April is cold, but there is much sunlight and low or moderate rain/snowfall. There are long days, and you might glimpse an aurora late at night. We recommend visiting Reykjavík, Akureyri, Höfn, and the southwestern coastal natural highlights.

Read on for our guide to travel and weather in April in Iceland, including average temperatures, rain/snow, humidity, places to go, travel tips, and what to wear.

Iceland Weather in April: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 0–6°C (32–43°F)
• Total rain/snow: 7 cm (3 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 11
• Humidity: 75%
• Sunshine hours/day: 5 hours

April Climate Comparison (Averages) for Iceland's Top Tourism Areas

In April, Iceland is cold along the coast. Snowfall is less than in March, and rainfall is low or moderate.

Southern Iceland: Reykjavík, Vestmannaeyjar and the southern coast are at about 64° latitude and southward. There is an average of about 15 hours of daylight. At low elevations, the average high is about 7°C (39°F), the low is 1°C (34°F), and the humidity is about 75%. The south starts to see spring-like conditions.

Northern Iceland: Akureyri and other tourist towns are at latitude 65.5° and northwards and are very close to the Arctic Circle. Húsavík is at latitude 66°. There are 15½ hours of daylight on average, and in April, the weather is similar to Reykjavík's, though you can still ski in the north.

The Best Places to Visit in Iceland in April

Touring in April features longer days for excursions and sightseeing, hiking, experiencing Icelandic culture, watching whales, and skiing. Each day provides about 17 hours of daylight and twilight for excursions in the wild exotic subarctic.

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1. Reykjavík — Visit the Capital Highlights and Nature Such as Volcanoes

Reykjavík is an unusually interesting capital city to visit because there are many exotic natural wonders around it such as big geysers, geothermal pools, active and recently active volcanoes, and glaciers. There is on average about 5 hours of sunshine to highlight the natural wonders and urban sights.

Reykjavík has an average daily high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F). The rainfall is low. The 74% humidity makes frost and slippery pavements. When the weather is inclement, you might want to see the National Museum of Iceland to learn their history.

National Park is near the city for hiking. You could hike on a continental plate rift. Litli-Hrútur is a volcano about half an hour away from Reykjavík. If conditions permit, you can hike a path for about 6 hours to get near the lava vent. It was active in 2023.

2. Höfn — Enjoy Walking on a Huge Glacier, Hiking, and Seafood

Höfn is a tourist town on the southeastern coast of Iceland with an easily accessible and hikeable low-elevation glacier nearby that is bigger than any in Western Europe. It measures about 8,000 sq km (3,127 sq miles). This is the area of three states of Rhode Island.

As you hike on it, you might see blue ice caves, light-blue ice peaks, and other ice topography. The Jökulsárlón Lake area is about 70 minutes from Höfn. Blue ice floats in the blue lake.

April is low season in Höfn, so there are fewer tourists and lower prices. On average, there are 5 hours of sunshine, highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 0°C (32°F) and moderate rainfall. It rains or snows almost half of the days of April.

3. Akureyri — See Whales and Auroras and Ski

Akureyri is a town of 20,000 people that is in a big scenic fjord along the north coast. There is an average of 17½ hours of daily daylight and twilight, so there is much time to take cruises to see the subarctic scenery and watch for several species of whales.

Akureyri is one of the best towns for whale-watching tours and also for staying in to catch sight of any of the last Icelandic auroras for the year since there are only about 7 days of rain on average in April and semi-arid weather.

Prices and crowds are relatively less in April. In April, there is an average 4 hours of sunshine, a high of 7°C (45°F), and a low of 0°C (32°F). Depending on the weather, you could both downhill ski and cross-country ski at adjacent Hlíðarfjall.

4. Southwestern Iceland — Enjoy Sightseeing during Low Season, Volcanoes, and Geysers

Conveniently only a few kilometers from Iceland's main airport and about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Reykjavík, the Sundhnúksgígar volcanoes have been putting on occasional lava displays in 2024 with people seeing the glowering clouds and smoke shimmering red. You might be able to watch from the nearby Blue Lagoon.

To see the volcanoes and vents spewing gases, you could hike or go on a helicopter tour close-up. Volcanoes have become one of Iceland's main travel highlights since 2022. Staying in Iceland during low season, you might be able to stay longer in hopes of seeing an eruption.

You might also want to see the Geysir Hot Springs area. This geothermal area is about 100 km or 60 miles from Reykjavík.

Low Tourism Season: Touring Advice for April

April provides much daylight, about 15 hours a day, and low tourism season prices for flights and hotels unless Easter falls in April. If Easter is in April, the Icelanders use the four days of public holidays for extended vacations, and international visitors arrive.

During their vacations, many Icelanders want to ski at the ski resorts. Others want to travel internationally to warmer climates. So, there is an increase in flight ticket prices and also an increase in prices for accommodations.

There is generally low tourism in April in Iceland's city and towns. The low tourism and the 15-hour days, about 5 hours of sunlight daily on average, and slightly warmer spring-like weather help you experience the best of Iceland's highlights. The glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, and mountain paths are more accessible.

Public Holidays in April:

• First Day of Summer is April 24, 2025 and April 23, 2026. It is a day off for the general population. Schools and most businesses close. It is a traditional Icelandic holiday.

Easter Holidays

If Easter is in April as it will be in 2025, 2026, and 2028, then there is a vacation period spanning 4 legal holidays: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Schools and businesses close.

Good Friday celebrates the death of Jesus and Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection, though the holidays are more a historical tradition and a time to relax than a faith-filled observance for Iceland's 85% nominally-Christian population.

Easter holidays are times of high travel and tourism. It is high season for the ski resort areas. You might want to book ahead if you are planning to go around the holidays.

Aurora Watching in Iceland

Iceland's auroral highlights are only visible about 8 months a year from early September to the middle of April. You might see auroras in the first half of April. By the end of April, the skies are generally too bright.

Because of meteorological and geophysical circumstances, far northern Iceland is the best location, and March and September are the best months for fantastic aurora highlights. Sometimes, the aurora belt contracts and concentrates over the far northern latitudes such as over Akureyri and Húsavík.

There is less rain and light pollution in the north than in the south, and the skies are clearer.

What to Wear in April

Iceland's weather in April is changeable and unpredictable. Both rain and snow fall. Keep an eye on the weather reports. It is best to be prepared for rain wherever you go.

Dress in layers and wear waterproof shoes with good traction. Bring raingear wherever you go in Iceland. Bring swimwear too because geothermal pools, hot springs, and heated pools are common.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Iceland:

• Warm waterproof boots with good traction for the outdoors. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Rain gear
• Coat and warm hat
• Cardigans or thermals
• Gloves
• Swimwear for hot springs and spas
• Polarized glasses for the glare

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Iceland

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