Iceland November — aurora borealis lighting up Markarfljótsgljúfur canyon with distant city glow on the horizon

Iceland · Iceland

November

Dark, cold, very cheap — aurora opportunities grow as nights lengthen toward winter.

Best match

#8 of 12 months

There are better months for Iceland — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

4°C

Low

-1°C

Rain

81mm

Sun

3.5hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How November scores in Iceland

Weather
Below average
Value
Outstanding
Crowds
Outstanding
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Very good

What you gain in November

  • Aurora windows increasing as nights approach their longest — multiple sighting chances per week
  • Cheapest month for accommodation and flights after the October dip
  • Genuine winter Iceland atmosphere with almost no other tourists at key sites

What you sacrifice

  • Only 3.5 hours of sunshine daily — sightseeing is severely restricted; what you see you see in the dark
  • Cold and wet: wind chill, ice, and heavy rain make outdoor time challenging
  • Limited tourism services: some guesthouses, tour operators, and restaurants on reduced winter hours

How November compares to September (best month)

FactorNovemberSeptember
Weather
3
6
Value
9
6
Crowds
9
7

November in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Iceland, not across destinations. Methodology →