Iceland weather
in May
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 14 rainy days across the month, on average.
In may, Iceland settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around 2°C (36°F), cooling to -2°C after sunset. Rainfall is moderate — around 14 rainy days spread through the month. Long days of sunshine reward early starts.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for Iceland in May
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for Iceland in May
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50Amazon · shop this
- →Polarized sunglassesAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Iceland
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Iceland across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
Iceland in May — FAQ
Q01Is May a good time to visit Iceland?
Is May a good time to visit Iceland?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In May, Iceland averages a high of 2°C (36°F) and a low of -2°C (28°F), with 73mm of rainfall across roughly 14 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in Iceland in May?
What is the average temperature in Iceland in May?
The average high temperature in Iceland during May is 2°C (36°F), with an average low of -2°C (28°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does Iceland have in May?
How many rainy days does Iceland have in May?
Iceland averages approximately 14 rainy days in May, with a total monthly rainfall of about 73mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Iceland in May?
What should I pack for Iceland in May?
For Iceland in May, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is Iceland in May?
How crowded is Iceland in May?
Tourist crowds in Iceland during May are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.