Iceland in April: Our Top Tips for Visiting The Overlooked Shoulder Season

Are you planning on visiting Iceland in April? Here’s our ultimate guide, the best things to do, and everything you need to know!

April is definitely an overlooked time of year in Iceland. Despite it being Easter and the end of the Northern Lights season, the country definitely doesn’t see as many visitors during this time of year as in summer or peak winter months.

It’s a bit of an in-between month, to be honest.

You’ll still have some snow, but it’s melting and the greenery is starting to push through. You can see the aurora at the start of the month, but by the end, it’s too bright. You’ll have long days, but still not quite midnight sun.

It’s a time of much more reasonable weather than the unpredictability of winter, and hotel and accommodation prices were often on the more affordable side.

To be honest, we absolutely loved Iceland in April. It didn’t feel too touristy, the prices were fab, and the weather was actually really good when we went. We had cold but blue skies all week, some stunning sunsets, and even saw the Northern Lights!

So, don’t underestimate this time of year – it will almost certainly surprise you! Here’s everything you need to know about April in Iceland.

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Iceland April Must-Do’s!

Short on time? These are 5 bucket-list experiences we recommend doing in Iceland in April! ❤️

Our fave hotel: Center Hotels Plaza

The Weather in Iceland in April

One of the most important factors to consider when visiting Iceland any time of year is the weather. The weather in Iceland is a constant source of unpredictability for both tourists and locals.

You can usually never tell what the weather is going to do until the day before, and even then, it can surprise you!

*Beautiful views along the Reykjanes Peninsula in April*

However, if we look at some averages, in April, you can expect temperatures of around 1°C and 7°C (34–45°F).

Snowfall is still possible, particularly if you travel away from the popular southern coast, but rainfall increases as the month goes on.

You’ll also likely find snow still on the ground in the south, particularly towards the beginning of the month.

There was a lot of ice, too, especially around waterfalls. Skogafoss in winter was a particularly beautiful sight, and we loved Kvernufoss in the ice as well.

A stunning view from behind Kvernufoss waterfall in Iceland, where water cascades down from a rugged cliff into a partially frozen pool below. Sunlight streams through the opening, creating a dramatic glow against the dark rock walls, which are lined with icicles. The surrounding landscape features golden hills and a bright blue sky, contrasting beautifully with the icy foreground. — *Kvernufoss in April*

Throughout the trip, we were super lucky with the weather. We didn’t get any rain during our week in Iceland, but had plenty of strong wind, so wrapping up warm was still really important.

But, as we mentioned, it’s a transitional month between winter and summer, so expect a mix of sun, rain, wind, and occasional snow.

Daylight Hours in April

One of the things we loved most about visiting Iceland in April was how long the days were.

We’ve visited Iceland in January before, where the sun barely rose, and we were getting around 4 hours of daylight, and the transition between these two months is crazy.

A cozy cabin setting at sunset, with a glass of rosé wine and a coffee cup resting on a small table by the window. The view outside showcases a golden sky fading into deep blue over a peaceful landscape of bare trees and grass. A soft chair sits nearby, inviting relaxation in the warm glow of the evening light. — *The sunset glow from our cabin in Iceland*

Even at the start of April, you can expect around 13 hours of daylight, and by the end, this will be up to 16 hours. That gives you so much time to explore Iceland’s magnificent landscapes without feeling rushed.

👉Check out our full guide to the best time to visit Iceland for all our tips.

What to do in Iceland in April

There is so much to do in Iceland in April, as you can still enjoy many of the country’s winter activities, but also the weather is slightly more reliable for hiring a car and exploring further around the ring road.

Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Iceland in April:

Visit the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is one of the most popular places to visit in Iceland, but for good reason.

You can see some of the most iconic spots on the island, including Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss. Plus, it’s all much less crowded than in summer.

You can either get here by car or a guided tour and the tours are very popular. If you opt for a tour, we recommend booking well in advance. This was the first day tour from Reykjavik that we ever did in Iceland and we loved it!

❤️ We highly recommend booking your Golden Circle tour in advance.

Explore the South Coast

We absolutely adore the south coast of Iceland and have spent much of our visits to the country exploring this area. There’s always something more to see.

We highly recommend Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, along with Reynisfjara Beach, the little town of Vik is a great stop (Skool Beans is a fab place to warm back up), and Solheimajokul Glacier.

Skogafoss waterfall in April surrounded by ice

There’s still snow around the waterfalls, but this often makes for stunning contrasts against the black sand volcanic scenery.

Once again, you can reach the south coast either by driving, or taking a guided tour.

❤️ We highly recommend this south coast tour from Reykjavik.

Go Whale Watching

By April, the whale watching tours are in full swing from Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Húsavík. We saw humpback whales breaching on our trip to Akureyri in January, and it was unforgettable.

But, if you’re staying in Reykjavik in winter, this is one of the best things to do from the city. Similarly, when we visited Akureyri, I was a little skeptical about spotting whales, but it turned out to be one of the most magical things we did in Akureyri.

There are typically more whales in the waters as we head towards summer, so this is one of the most amazing things to do in April.

❤️ We highly recommend this incredible experience in Iceland.

Glacier Hikes & Ice Caves

This is one of the best things we’ve ever done in Iceland and a must for your bucket list. A glacier hike is a wonderful expereince, and we can’t recommend it enough.

Two hikers wearing helmets, harnesses, and crampons stand on the icy terrain of Sólheimajökull Glacier in Iceland, smiling at the camera. They hold ice axes, ready for their glacier trek, with the dramatic blue and black ice formations of the glacier behind them. The rugged, frozen landscape contrasts with their warm clothing, highlighting the adventure of glacier hiking.

The guides can either drive you from Reykjavik or meet you at Vik if you choose to travel with your own car.

You’ll typically spend between 3-5 hours on the tour in total, depending on the tour you book and might see crevacies, glacier waterfalls, and even drink water directly from the glacier.

You will likely need to book in advance, though, as availability can be limited.

❤️ We recommend this glacier hike as it truly was an incredible expereince.

Visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

This region is nicknamed Iceland in miniature for very good reason.

You’ll find a lot to do here, from towering mountains to both black and white sand beaches, tiny villages covered in street art, and iconic waterfalls.

he Búðir Black Church stands alone on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, its dark wooden exterior contrasting sharply against the bright blue sky and snow-capped mountains in the background. The small, historic church features a white door and windows, adding a touch of elegance to its minimalist design. The surrounding golden-brown grass and stone wall emphasize the church’s remote and picturesque setting.

It’s a beautiful region, but be extra careful if you’re driving here in April, as the roads tend to be a bit less maintained than the south coast.

❤️ If you’d rather not drive, this is the Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour we recommend.

Head to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is one of the most beautiful areas of Iceland and one of the most unique.

It’s actually become Iceland’s largest lake, but it began as a glacier outlet that slowly started melting. Now, it’s a huge lagoon full of giant icebergs that break off the glacier tongue.

A person wearing a yellow winter jacket and boots sits on the rocky shoreline of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Iceland, gazing at the floating icebergs and snow-covered mountains in the distance. The icy landscape stretches across the horizon under a partly cloudy sky, creating a serene and breathtaking Arctic scene. The contrast between the dark pebbled shore and the bright white ice enhances the beauty of the frozen wilderness.

These icebergs often have super cool formations and float through the lagoon to the nearby Diamond Beach, which is also well worth a visit.

If you time it right, you’ll see the black sand scattered with hundreds of icebergs, and it’s a truly unique sight.

❤️ This is a great tour to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Hot Springs

Can you visit Iceland and not pay a trip to a hot spring?

There are loads of springs and geothermal pools all over the country, from the famous milky waters of the Blue Lagoon to the much more secluded thermal river hike which we did last summer.

We really loved the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik with its 7-step ritual, and the Secret Lagoon makes a fab stop on the Golden Circle.

Either way, be sure to book these in advance if you opt for one of the more popular lagoons. Spots can sell out well in advance, and tickets tend to get more expensive closer to the time, too.

❤️ The Sky Lagoon can be quite popular, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Driving in Iceland in April

Our trip in April was the very first time we’d ever driven in Iceland, and, for the most part, it was pretty easy!

We mainly stuck to the ring road, except for a few little detours for sightseeing, and all along the south coast was clear and free from snow or ice.

We’d heard horror stories of freak weather events and terrible storms, so we’d prepared for the worst. However, we were very very lucky, and driving was pretty straightforward.

The beautiful mountain drives in Iceland

The highlands are still closed during April, so you’ll mostly be on paved roads. We spent around 5 days on the south coast but also headed a little north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

This was the snowiest area to drive during our trip, and the roads were much more icy than the southern coast. But, we took things more carefully, and it was fine.

Snow-covered Icelandic road with mountains and blue sky in the background. — *Snowy roads in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula*

Our rental car was a large van as we were travelling as a party of 6, and it still had winter tyres on in April, so this definitely helped with the grip.

The south coast was completly clear of ice on the roads and the ring road between Reykjavik and Vik was lovely to drive. But, we encountered one other challenge during our road trip which was the road from Vik towards the glacier lagoon.

It was extremely windy here to the point where gravel was being thrown at the car, and several tour buses had to pull over at the side of the road.

View of a straight Icelandic road with a car ahead, under a cloudy sky and vast open landscape. — *The really exposed dusty road when we were driving to the Glacier Lagoon*

It was a very open area, so there was nothing to shelter us from the wind. We had to take this section much slower than the rest of the route, so it added some time to our journey, but it was worth it as the lagoon was one of the highlights of our trip.

Overall, as long as you’re sensible and drive according to the road conditions, April is one of the easiest months to drive in Iceland in winter.

Snow-covered mountain landscape with a winding road and clear blue sky.

Still, we recommend checking the weather conditions before you set off and monitoring road.is for any closures.

April can have rapidly changing conditions, from icy patches on the road to sudden rain and storms, so always be mindful, and you should be fine.

Best Tours to Take in April

Of course, if you’d rather not drive, there are still plenty of tours that you can take in April that will take the driving stress off you completely!

The most popular tours are the Golden Circle tours and South Coast tours.

A powerful geyser erupts in Iceland, shooting a column of steaming water high into the air against a bright blue sky. A crowd of spectators stands at a safe distance, watching the natural phenomenon unfold. The surrounding geothermal area is covered in mineral-rich, rocky terrain with steam rising from the ground.

We did both of these during our very first trip to Iceland in December in 2020, and loved them both.

We also combined our South Coast tour with a glacier hike, which was fantastic and one of the best experiences we’ve had in Iceland to date.

Both of these tours would be fantastic options for April.

👉 INFO: You can read a full review of our Golden Circle tour and South Coast tour expereince here.

The stunning Katla Ice Cave is one of the best things to do in Iceland in April

Another great tour choice for April is the Katla Ice Cave.

This is much less crowded during this time, and since it’s still pretty cold, you’ll get some beautiful ice formations before the summer.

Can you see the Northern Lights in April in Iceland?

Yes! But it’s a bit of a gamble, and you’re only likely to see them towards the start of the month. Towards the middle and end of April, the days are too long and it’s too bright in the evening to see the aurora.

Vivid green and purple aurora borealis dancing across a starry night sky above a small Scandinavian village. — *The northern lights above our hotel in very early April*

So, if you’re visiting in towards the end of March or the first week of April like we did, our advice would be to check the aurora forecast, head somewhere away from city lights, and stay flexible with your plans.

Even if you only catch a brief display, it’s magical.

❤️ If you want to spot the aurora, this is the tour we’d recommend.

👉 Check out our guide to photographing the Northern Lights with an iPhone.

What to pack for Iceland in April

Packing for Iceland in winter involves a lot of layers! It can be a real mixture of weather with wind, rain, snow, and sunshine all in the same day.

The most problematic weather for us was the wind. It was really strong on some days, and we ended up being buffeted around by it, so windproofs are essential.

*What I wore a lot of the time in Iceland in April*

You’ll also likely need reliable waterproofs as, let’s face it, it be pretty rainy in Iceland any time of year!

Here are a few things we recommend you pack:

Waterproof jacket and trousers
Thermal base layers
Warm hat, gloves, and scarf
Sturdy waterproof boots
Swimwear for hot springs
Fleece mid-layers

👉 You can check out our full Icelandic winter packing list here.

Final Thoughts: Is April a Good Time to Visit Iceland?

Personally, we loved our trip to Iceland in April.

The scenery was snowy but starting to melt, so the landscapes were a real mix. The crowds were nowhere near as big as when we visited Iceland in June, the prices were much more affordable, and we saw the Northern Lights!

Driving conditions were good, for the most part- which is surprising for driving in Iceland in winter – and the long daylight hours are perfect for exploring.

It’s just the start of spring in Iceland, so while some attractions are limited compared to summer, it’s still an excellent time for waterfalls, fjords, whale watching, glacier hikes, and so many other activities.

We definitely recommend this time of year and hope this article has helped you decide whether or not to travel in April. But, if you have any other questions, head to our Facebook Group!

👉 Haven’t decided where to stay? Check out our favourite hotels on the South Coast!