October is the perfect time of year to visit the land of fire and ice. Expect a festive wonderland with a snow-covered frozen landscape, friendly hospitality, and night skies ablaze with the Northern Lights. We've looked at the most up-to-date weather data for Iceland, covering the last 12 years up to 2022, plus we've asked our team of travel bloggers for their first-hand experiences in order to answer the most frequently asked questions about Iceland weather in October.
What's the temperature like in Iceland during October?
The temperature reaches around 6℃ during the daytime in October, falling away to 3℃ at night. The UV index will be low at this time of year, so not something to worry about. However, if you're going to be outside for long periods it's always a good idea to apply a small amount of sunscreen to exposed skin.
Does it snow in Iceland during October?
Possibly. There's a chance of snow during October but not as much as you might think. Check the local forecast before you leave home so that you can pack appropriate footwear and clothing.
Does it rain in Iceland during October?
On average, there will be 14 rainy days during the month, amounting to 28.6mm in total. That's much drier than we see in England during August, and therefore not something to be concerned about. There's a small chance that you'll catch a thunderstorm during your trip.
Package holidays during October
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Things to do in Iceland
Books inspired by Iceland
Our hand-picked selection of books to get you in the mood for your Iceland holiday
Michael Booth
A well-written and humorous book giving an insight into Scandinavia, its people and the enviably simpler Nordic ways and culture. It covers five countries including Iceland and will have you wanting to move to one of them!
Alda Sigmundsdottir
The perfect book to read before visiting Iceland. It explains the enormous boom in tourism and its impacts; tips and hints for navigating the challenges and cultural differences; and - most interesting of all - what Icelanders think about tourism and the tourists who visit them.
Sarah Moss
A brilliantly-written memoir of a British woman who moved to Reykjavik with her family to teach at the University just after the economic crash. It’s a fascinating look at Icelandic culture as she struggles to fit into the close-knit society.
Alda Sigmundsdottir
An insight into the unique Icelandic people with all their quirks. Covers naming conventions, how hot tubs are the equivalent of British pubs, why Icelanders hate commitment, dating and family, and the shower police at swimming pools.
Yrsa Sigurdardottir
A ghost story set in the Westfjords in the town of Ísafjörður and a remote village in Hornstrandir with two separate but slowly merging storylines. Atmospheric, creepy, and immensely enjoyable!
Halldor Laxness
A humorous coming-of-age novel by Iceland's most revered author. It's about orphan Alfgrimur who spent his childhood in a simple turf cottage with an elderly fisherman and a stream of eccentric house guests. A fascinating insight into a period of extreme change for all Icelanders in the 20th Century.
Iceland Blog posts
From the UK's most popular travel bloggers
14th August 2022 by Hand Luggage Only
Best way to visit the erupting volcano in Fagradalsfjall, IcelandIceland is an incredible country to explore, with many incredible places to see and visit. With gorgeous towns, waterfalls, beautiful Icelandic hikes and of course, erupting volcanoes; it’s a country you don’t want to miss. Now, you might be wondering how to get to Fagradalsfjall? It’s one of the newest and most accessible volcanic sites in Iceland to visit and you’ll get to see it, up-close by following our advice. Honestly, to visit the erupting volcano in Fagradalsfjall, is just wild...
7th April 2022 by Savoir There
Reykjavik spa sensation: Iceland’s Sky Lagoon gives you all the feelsReviewing spas can be a tough job (no, really, stick with me here), for a couple of specific reasons. Most readers, in this case you, are looking for a post about a spa, in this case Reykjavik spa newcomer Sky Lagoon, to check out plenty of photos of the facilities, as well as the concept. But taking photos in a place where people are trying to relax, usually partially clothed (though I’ve been to a few retreats where clothes were very much optional) is a delicate business....
22nd February 2022 by Savoir There
FlyOver Iceland review & the rules of Icelandic Flight ClubWhat is the last thing you want from your first post-pandemic trip abroad? For me the answer was simple: after the digital overload of the lockdown era, I didn’t want another virtual experience. So when I finally said yes to my first foreign adventure since January 2020 I was pumped for all the post-pandemic firsts on the itinerary....
17th January 2022 by Emily Luxton
Sky Lagoon, Reykjavik – the hottest new thermal spa in Iceland!The sun was setting at the end of the world. Golden light diffused through the steam rising off the thermal spa at Sky Lagoon Iceland, as I gazed out at the blanket white of the snowy Reykjavik shoreline. It was hard to tell where lagoon met sea met sky. The steam was so thick in the bitter winter air, and so full of golden light, that all the edges became blurred by that magical, drawn-out winter sunset....
10th January 2022 by Inside the Travel Lab
Your complete Iceland bucket listWhen all is said and done, a bucket list is simply an ugly term for a beautiful wish list. What should you put on your Iceland bucket list? What would you love to see, to taste, to feel, to breathe? Here's a round up of the top things to do in Iceland, so that you can start to make your own plans. ...
3rd January 2022 by Emily Luxton
Reykjavik in winter: Everything you need to knowThinking of visiting Reykjavik in winter? With magical golden hour light and lunchtime sunrises, plenty of quirky indoor attractions, and some gorgeous geothermal spas to warm up in… this time of year is ideal for a frosty getaway in Iceland’s capital! Reykjavik never really struck me as a city break destination – I’ve always thought of it more as a jumping-off point for Iceland’s incredible outdoor attractions....
23rd November 2021 by PommieTravels
3 days in Iceland: Perfect + easy itineraryIceland is becoming a popular stopover destination on flights between North America and Europe, with Icelandair offering free stopovers in Iceland en route across the Atlantic. It’s also just a stunning country in general, so even if you’re not flying to Europe it’s well worth a dedicated trip. If you live in New York the flight time is around 5 hours 45 minutes to Reykjavik (so less than the flight to LA) and if you fly from London it’ll take just 3 hours 15 minutes to get there. ...
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