Iceland in February is a perfect place to play in the outdoors, with few international visitors and lower prices. Enjoy traditional winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling, or more unique sports like glacier hiking and ice caving. With the long nights, you can easily view the northern lights, too. Let this monthly guide help you find the best places to visit and things to do.

Weather

February may be one of the coldest months of the year, though only marginally so. Contrary to what many people think, Iceland has a cold temperate (maritime) climate thanks partly to the warm Irminger Current, an offshoot of the Gulf Stream that warms its southern and western coast. As a result, expect a range between 26-34°F (-3-1°C), with the country's north a little colder, darker, and icier. High winds and unpredictable weather, including one or all in a single day: snow, sleet, rain, and sunshine, however, are to be expected, so be prepared for it all and pack wind and waterproof clothing alongside thermals.

Due to Iceland's northern latitude, the days are short and the nights are long. Each day gains about six minutes of sun as the month progresses. If you visit Iceland at the beginning of February, there are about seven hours of daylight, whereas toward the end, you can get upward of 10 hours.

Crowds & Costs

Winter has fewer visitors than spring, summer, and fall, but winter tourism has increased even stronger than the other seasons in recent years. December, January, and February see approximately one-third the number of visitors as the peak months in summer. While you'll have less time to squeeze in all you want to do, you should take advantage of the season when everything seems calmer, quieter, and when the tourist crowds are at their smallest. Plus, winter is the best time to see the northern lights.

Where to Go

Iceland is a country that knows how to make the most of its winter season, and every region has something to offer for those who are willing to bundle up and go with the flow. Most travelers head to Reykjavík—a great jumping off point to popular attractions in the Reykjanes peninsula, like the Golden Circle and South Shore routes.

Join a tour or rent a car (if you're comfortable driving in winter conditions) and visit three of Iceland's best-known sites in the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. Follow the South Shore along the Eyjafjoll mountains with views of Eyjafjallajökull glacier to Vík and the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara. For more ideas on where to go from Reykjavík, read this article.

A short flight (or five-hour drive) takes you to the colorful, though small, Akureyri in Northern Iceland, a gateway to spectacular nature and skiing possibilities. Explore the Mývatn region (volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, caves, and lava fields), Dettifoss waterfall, Goðafoss waterfall, and Ásbyrgi canyon. And head to Siglufjörður at the northern tip for a host of winter sports like skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Keep in mind that some minor highland roads may be impassable due to snow conditions. Traveling around the country this time of year, therefore, takes extra caution and planning and will likely involve short flights, 4WD rentals, or Super Jeep transfers.

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What to Do

Where to begin? Ski season is well underway, and locals are heading north to the number of ski resorts in and around Akureyri, like Hlíðarfjall (open six months out of the year). With little light pollution and close proximity to the Arctic Circle, Northern Iceland affords plenty of opportunities to spot the aurora borealis.

If you're in the capital, head indoors when the weather is especially unfavorable to one of the many trendy boutiques, funky cafés, and informative museums along Reykjavík's cool Laugavegur Street. And if you're here for the northern lights, be sure to stop in at the Northern Lights Center to learn how to adjust your camera to the optimal settings.

Take advantage of the season and climb into the Crystal Ice Cave in Vatnajökull glacier, open for tours from mid-November through March. Here you can explore the ice sculptures and formations in the pretty blue light. For a different experience, strap on your crampons and trek over part of the Langjökull glacier before switching gears and checking out its human-made ice cave, recreated each year because the slowly-moving glacier causes the straight tunnel to move.

Events in February

Winter Lights Festival, Reykjavík. Taking place at the beginning of the month in Reykjavík, this festival celebrates winter and the days getting longer.

Öskudagur, Nationwide (February-Ash Wednesday). Much like Halloween in many parts of the world, Icelandic children dress up in traditional Icelandic costumes during the Ash Wednesday Festival and run around towns and villages singing. In return, residents give them local cream puffs (bollur).

List í ljósi, Seyðisfjörður. This free outdoor Art in the Light event lights up Seyðisfjörður in celebration of the sun's arrival. The town transforms into a buzz of activity with curated artwork from installations, projections, and performances to large-scale immersive experiences for three days in the middle of February.

Stockfish Film Festival, Reykjavík. This small not-for-profit film festival screens up-and-coming art house films at the end of the month in Reykjavík and offers Q&A sessions with international filmmakers and more.

Traveling to Iceland in February? Check out these great itineraries

Iceland Winter Holiday: In the Footsteps of Vikings - 5 Days. Iceland is for you if your dream of a winter getaway involves more ice and snow than sun and sand. Even with five days, you can enjoy its highlights on a road trip around Reykjavík and along the famous Golden Circle to waterfalls and geothermal areas. You can also stop to see full-size replicas of Viking ships, embark on mountain hikes, visit museums, and glimpse the memorable northern lights.

Iceland Winter Highlands Jeep Adventure - 14 Days. Gear up for a rugged adventure that will take you into Iceland's untamed highlands. Meet your expert driver/guide and go off-roading around wildly beautiful landscapes, which include dried lava fields and towering basalt cliffs. When you're not in the Jeep, you'll enjoy other adventures ranging from ice climbing and glacier hikes to waterfall visits and long soaks in mineral hot springs.

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