The number of daylight hours in Iceland varies enormously per month. In the middle of winter; daylight is scarce with only 4.5 hours of light per day, and in the middle of summer; daylight is abundant with 21 hours of light per day!
The number of light hours determines how much time you have to explore Iceland. The advantage of low light hours is that it is more likely to see the Northern Lights! Are you curious about how many daylight hours you have in the month that you go to Iceland? Below you will find an overview per month.
Daylight and sunshine hours in Iceland
January
This month is the coldest month in Iceland, which means we are right in the wintertime. This affects greatly the daylight hours in Iceland. This month, the average of daylight hours is about 5 hours in early and mid-January to about 7 by the end of the month. The sunrise is around 11:00 am and it sets approximately at 16:11.
February
The sunshine hours start to increase this month. In February, the daylight hours are about 7 hours per day in early and mid-February to about 10 hours by the end of the month. Sunrises at 9:30 approximately and it sets around 18:00.
March
There will be more and more daylight. In March, the daylight hours are about 10h per day in early and mid-March to about 13 hours by the end of the month. The sun is up at 7:58 and dusk is at about 19:45 by the end of March.
April
This month, the average of daylight hours is about 13,5 hours in early and mid-April to about 16,5 by the end of the month. Sun usually rises at 6:00 and sets at 20:00. As you can see, now we have days that probably look a lot more to the ones you are used to in your home country.
May
In May, the daylight hours are about 16,5h per day in early and mid-May to about 20 hours by the end of the month. Daylight hours’ average is around 18-20h per day.
June
Finally, the midnight-sun! It means the sun never really sets. Therefore, daylight during June is about 20-21 hours, which is almost the whole day! Although at the latest hours, the light is not very bright. It sorts of looks like never-ending dawn.
Sunrises at 3:00 and ‘sets' at 23:55 approximately.
July
The average of daylight in Iceland is about 20h with the sun rising at 3:58 and setting at 23:00.
August
The days are getting shorter again. The daylight then decreases down to 15-16 hours per day. Sunrise time is 5:11 and sunset time is 21:40 approximately.
September
Daylight is reduced to 14,5 to 11,5 hours per day. The sun rises at 6:41 and sets at about 20:00.
October
The days are getting shorter, winter is coming! In October, the daylight hours are about 11,5h per day in early and mid-October to about 8 hours by the end of the month. Sunrise time is 8:00 and sunset time about 18:19.
November
Winter is around the corner and with it also the darker days. The month starts with 8 hours of daylight hours and ends with only 5! The sun comes up at about 9:45 and sets approximately at 16:11.
December
Winter! Just about 5 to 4,5 hours of daylight per day! Sunrises at 11:22 approximately and sets at 15:29.
If you are also looking for great accommodation in Iceland, be sure to check out our recommendations!
Plan accordingly
As you can see, the months in Iceland are very different. Therefore, plan each day according to the number of hours of daylight, so that you are not surprised by the sudden dark! And also determine what is the best month for you to plan your trip based on what you want to do in Iceland.
We went in September of 2019 and it was amazing. You wake up early in the morning and go to bed in the evening without missing sunlight or having too much of it 😉
Plan tomorrow’s adventure today. Search all destinations. Book with flexibility with Skyscanner!
More Travel Inspiration: Visiting Seljavallalaug, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland
