Golden Circle weather and what to wear

South Iceland is mild for its latitude but rarely warm, and conditions change quickly. Layers, a wind- and waterproof shell and shoes with grip cover most days on the Golden Circle, in every month.

Snowy landscape with a row of pointed snow-covered peaks under a pastel pink-and-blue sky — Snow-covered peaks under a pale winter sky. Photo: Shawn / Unsplash

5 min read Updated October 2026

The Icelandic Met Office explains that a branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the south and west coasts and greatly moderates the climate. The same pattern brings more rain to the south and west than to the north. The Golden Circle lies inland, away from that coast, and old records from the Met Office station at Þingvellir include January means of around −4 °C, colder than on the coast. Conditions change quickly, so plan for more than one kind of weather on the same day.

The numbers, roughly

There is no current long-term average for a weather station on the Golden Circle that we could use, so take the following as a guide only. Visit South Iceland gives the region a mean of about 1 °C for December, January and February, with average highs around 4 °C and lows around −2 °C, and about nine snow days in each winter month. For June it gives a mean of about 10 °C, highs around 14 °C and lows around 6 °C, and still mentions the possibility of night frost. In the depth of winter, Visit South Iceland describes temperatures that often hover around freezing and roads that may be wet, snowy or icy.

Wind is what makes the cold bite. Safetravel warns that strong winds and drifting snow can make driving dangerous even on roads that look clear. Check the forecast at vedur.is in the morning, and the road map at umferdin.is if you drive.

Layers for every season

Visit South Iceland sums it up: the key to dressing well in Iceland, at any time of year, is layering. Its packing list starts with a rainproof and windproof jacket and rain trousers, waterproof walking shoes with a good grip, and a swimsuit and towel. Sunglasses are on the list for every season and matter most in winter, when the sun stays low and you may be driving into it.

In summer, prepare for wind and rain anyway. Temperatures are moderate rather than hot, especially in the evenings, and Visit South Iceland recommends sunglasses and sunscreen for the long days.

In winter, wear wool close to the body with a wind- and waterproof outer shell, and add a hat and gloves. Ice cleats, ice grips or anti-slip soles give your shoes better traction on frozen paths. With only four hours of sun around the solstice, a small torch or headlamp helps on the first and last stops.

Geyser eruption under a dark stormy sky, spray and steam rising high over mineral-coloured ground — An eruption in the Geysir area under a stormy sky. Photo: Bernd Dittrich / Unsplash

Hot pools

A swimsuit and towel belong in the day bag whenever a lagoon is on the plan. At the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, swimsuits and towels can be rented for a fee, and several combination tours list swimwear among the things they do not include.

Silfra

The water in the Silfra fissure stays at 2 to 4 °C all year. The national park requires full cold protection for divers, with hood, gloves and neoprene boots or socks, and snorkellers wear a drysuit or a thick wetsuit. The snorkelling tours provide the drysuit and equipment and serve hot drinks afterwards. What to wear under the suit differs by operator, so follow the clothing list that comes with your booking, and keep a dry set of clothes in the car.

On the glacier

For trips onto Langjökull, the tour operators provide the outer layer. Snowmobile tours hand out overalls, helmets, gloves and a balaclava, and the Golden Circle day with snowmobiling adds goggles. For the ice tunnel, one operator lists warm layers suitable for glacier conditions, waterproof and windproof outerwear, sturdy walking shoes with good grip, and a hat and gloves. Sunglasses help against the glare on clear days.

Riding clothes

Iceland protects its horses strictly. The food and veterinary authority MAST forbids the import of used riding equipment such as saddles, bridles and whips, and used riding gloves. Used riding clothes and boots must be machine-washed or dry-cleaned before you arrive, and items you cannot wash must be cleaned, disinfected and left for at least five days before they come near Icelandic horses. The simplest answer is to use the equipment the riding tour provides. More on the tours is on the horse riding page.

For when to go, see the best time to visit, and for winter road advice, driving the Golden Circle.

Questions travellers ask

What should I wear on a Golden Circle tour in winter?

Wool or synthetic layers close to the body, a wind- and waterproof outer shell, a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes with a good tread. Visit South Iceland also recommends ice cleats or anti-slip soles for icy paths.

Do I need waterproofs in summer?

Yes. Visit South Iceland says to be ready for wind and rain in every season and lists rain trousers and a rainproof jacket on its packing list. Summer temperatures are moderate rather than hot, especially in the evening.

What do I wear under a Silfra drysuit?

The snorkelling tours provide the drysuit and the rest of the equipment. The water is 2 to 4 °C all year, and what to wear underneath differs by operator, so follow the clothing list that comes with your booking.

Do I need my own gear for snowmobiling?

No. The Langjökull tours provide overalls, helmets, gloves and a balaclava. Bring warm layers, a hat and sturdy shoes, and sunglasses for the glare on the snow.

Can I bring my own riding clothes to Iceland?

Used riding equipment such as saddles and bridles may not be imported at all. Used riding clothes and boots have to be machine-washed or dry-cleaned before you arrive, so it is simpler to use the equipment the tour provides.

Where these facts come from

Dates, opening hours and rules change. We checked these pages in October 2026; the official source has the final word.