VISITING ICELAND IN FEBRUARY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

February is one of the most rewarding months to plan your trip to Iceland. Nestled well into winter, it brings a compelling mix of extended daylight for sightseeing and long nights for aurora hunting, along with unique cultural traditions you won’t experience at any other time of year.

In this guide, we explain why February is a standout month to visit Iceland, what to expect from nature and culture, and how to make the most of your winter adventure.

Why February Stands Out

“Best of Both Worlds”: Daylight for Sightseeing and Darkness for Aurora Hunting

Explore Iceland’s Iconic Landscapes by Day

Northern Lights in February

Þórri – Iceland’s Winter Mid-Season

Bolludagur – Iceland’s Cream Bun Tradition

Practical Benefits of Visiting in February

Final Thoughts – A Month Worth Discovering

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Why February Stands Out

Iceland in February offers a balance between seasonal extremes: days are long enough for exploration, while nights are still dark enough for reliable Northern Lights visibility. This makes February a favorite among travellers seeking both natural wonders and seasonal experiences.

For a deeper dive into when and how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, check out Aurora Reykjavik’s detailed guide to the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland which explains seasonal visibility, peak hours, and expert tips.

Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park, Iceland

“Best of Both Worlds”: Daylight for Sightseeing and Darkness for Aurora Hunting

One of the greatest advantages of visiting Iceland in February is the remarkable balance between daylight and darkness.

By this time of year, Iceland gets approximately 9–10 hours of daylight, which provides ample time to explore iconic landscapes such as the Golden Circle and South Coast at a relaxed pace. At the same time, February still offers up to 14 hours of darkness, creating excellent conditions for chasing the Northern Lights once the sun goes down.

To build your perfect itinerary, consider these tours:

Golden Circle & Northern Lights combo tour – See the Golden Circle by day, then hunt for auroras by night.
Northern Lights Superjeep Tour – Venture into remote countryside for better aurora viewing conditions.

Explore Iceland’s Iconic Landscapes by Day

Iceland’s winter scenery is especially dramatic in February, with snow-covered mountains, icy waterfalls, and sweeping plains creating breathtaking panoramas.

Popular daytime excursions include:

Golden Circle tours – Visit Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.
South Coast tours – Discover waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and coastal views.

These tours highlight Iceland’s diverse geography and provide stunning winter landscapes that are perfect for photography and sightseeing.

Expert’s tip: add a visit to a geothermal spa or lagoon to your itinerary, for the ultimate Icelandic experience. More information here.

Rainbow over Gullfoss, in the Golden Circle

green and purple northern lights flickering over a farm in the Icelandic countryside, with the ocean in backdrop

Aurora in the countryside of Iceland

Northern Lights in February

February sits comfortably within Iceland’s Northern Lights season, which generally runs from late August through mid-April. The combination of long nights and clear winter skies create favorable conditions for aurora displays.

But seeing the aurora isn’t just about dark skies: understanding how aurora activity works can help set your expectations. Aurora Reykjavik’s article What Are the Main Types of Northern Lights? explains the differences in auroral forms and how they influence what you might see during your trip.

Þórri — Iceland’s Winter Mid-Season

February in Iceland traditionally falls within the old Norse winter season known as Þórri, marking the midpoint of winter and the endurance of the darkest months. Today, Þórri is best known through Þorrablót, mid-winter gatherings where Icelanders celebrate cultural heritage through food and social events. The cuisine reflects historical preservation methods and typically includes cured or fermented meats, dried fish, and traditional dairy products, often accompanied by brennivín, Iceland’s signature schnapps. While rooted in history, modern Þorrablót celebrations often adapt these traditions to contemporary tastes.

Cream-filled pastries on display on Bolludagur

Bolludagur — Iceland’s Cream Bun Tradition

A fun highlight during Icelandic February is Bolludagur, also known as Cream Bun Day. Celebrated on the Monday before Lent, Bolludagur is all about enjoying delicious cream-filled buns topped with icing. Bakeries across Iceland prepare special bollur (buns), and both locals and visitors delight in this sweet tradition, making it a tasty cultural experience you won’t want to miss.

Practical Benefits of Visiting in February

Beyond scenic beauty and cultural traditions, February offers practical travel advantages:

Fewer crowds than the summer months, giving you better access to popular sites.
Lower travel costs, as some accommodations and tours are more affordable in winter.
Excellent aurora viewing conditions, with long nights and frequent auroral activity.

Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer exploration, February delivers a complete Icelandic winter experience.

The black sand beach Reynisfjara

Final Thoughts — A Month Worth Discovering

Traveling to Iceland in February combines dramatic winter landscapes, cultural celebrations like Þórri and Bolludagur, and excellent conditions for Northern Lights viewing. From ample daylight for sightseeing to extended nights perfect for aurora hunting, February offers one of the most balanced and rewarding times to visit.

For more inspiration and insider tips on aurora experiences, explore Aurora Reykjavik’s range of Northern Lights blog posts and guides here.

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Small Group Northern Lights Photography tour with free pickup in Reykjavik

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NORTHERN LIGHTS SMALL GROUP TOUR

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FAQ ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

When can I see northern lights in Iceland ?

The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April. During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night. However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.

Can you see the Northern Lights during a full moon?

Yes. Strong auroras remain clearly visible even during a full moon.

What time do the northern lights show up?

Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear). During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm. As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!

How long do the northern lights last?

Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.

Can I see the northern lights when it is cloudy?

Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky and check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.

Do the northern lights only appear when it is cold?

The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.

Are the northern lights visible all over Iceland?

Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.

Are the northern lights really colourful?

Is a new moon better for aurora viewing?

It can help with faint auroras, but solar activity and cloud cover matter far more.

Is the full moon good for aurora photography?

Yes — it often improves landscapes, foregrounds, and image sharpness.

Katarina Raker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: KATARINA RAKER

Katarina Raker is a passionate Northern Lights expert and award-winning photographer based in Iceland. With years of experience chasing the aurora across the Arctic, she combines her love for storytelling with a deep knowledge of the science behind the Northern Lights. As a team member at Aurora Reykjavík, Katarina is dedicated to helping travelers experience the magic of the aurora borealis through expert tips, guided tours, and stunning photography. When she’s not capturing the sky’s most dazzling displays, Katarina enjoys exploring Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and sharing her adventures with the world.