Things to Do in Reykjavik in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Reykjavik
Long-run averages for November
40°F (4°C)
High Temp
31°F (0°C)
Low Temp
3.4 inches (86 mm)
Rainfall
77%
Humidity
13
Rainy Days
0
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Wind chill can drop effective temperature 8-12°F below actual reading
⚠ Black ice forms on sidewalks nightly - walk like penguins with small steps
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Northern lights season peaks. 10pm-2am viewing window with minimal cloud cover on clear nights. Dress like an astronaut. The show is free.
- + Hotel rates drop 35-45% from summer peak. Shoulder season pricing without winter holiday increase. Lock in early. Prices climb again in December.
- + Geothermal pools feel memorable when air temp hits freezing. Steam rises 2m above 38°C water. Your hair ices while your body floats. Surreal.
- + Christmas markets open mid-month but crowds stay manageable. Locals outnumber tourists 3:1. Shop without elbows. Gl tastes better without queues.
Considerations
- − Only 5 hours 15 minutes of usable daylight. Sun rises 10:15am, sets 3:30pm by month's end. Plan like a vampire. Lunch doubles as sunrise.
- − Storm systems roll through every 3-4 days. 50+ km/h winds can shut down Ring Road sections. Check road.is daily. Detours add hours.
- − Sidewalks ice over nightly. The freeze-thaw cycle creates black ice locals call 'banana peels'. One slip and you're airborne. Walk like a penguin.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Northern Lights Boat Tours from Old Harbor
November's 14-hour darkness gives you 6 solid hours of aurora hunting versus 2-3 in September. The boat departs from Ægisgarður pier where city lights create a 20km dark zone offshore. You see green arcs reflected in Faxaflói Bay that land tours miss. Water stays relatively warm from Gulf Stream, so -1°C air feels manageable in survival suits.
Booking Tip: Book 48-72 hours ahead when cloud forecasts clarify. Operators cancel for overcast skies and offer next-night rebooking. Morning departures give better weather windows than evening. Flexibility wins.
Geothermal Pool Hopping Circuit
November transforms Reykjavik's 17 public pools into social hubs. Locals meet at 7am before work, steam creating ghost-like figures against pre-dawn darkness. Laugardalslaug's outdoor lanes stay open when air hits -5°C, and the 50m pool generates its own microclimate. The contrast therapy - 40°C hot pots then 15°C plunge pools - keeps circulation flowing during darkest month.
Booking Tip: Buy 10-swim Reykjavík City Card online. Works at all municipal pools and includes buses. Bring flip-flops. Concrete decks ice over between dips. Cheap comfort.
Cave Tours Under Viðey Island
Low November tides expose sea caves normally underwater. Local guides lead 3-hour expeditions at 11am when tides drop 1.8m (6 ft). You'll scramble through basalt tunnels where 19th-century smugglers stored contraband, emerging onto black-sand beaches with views back to Harpa's glass facade. The 10-minute ferry ride from Skarfabakki pier runs year-round but November groups max out at 8 people.
Booking Tip: Tours run tide-dependent schedule. Book flexible tickets and confirm departure 24 hours ahead. Waterproof boots provided but bring wool layers. Cold feet ruin everything.
November Beer & Food Walks
Iceland's beer prohibition ended November 1, 1989.
Booking Tip: Festival runs November 1-10. Book food walks early as locals claim spots. Tours include samples equivalent to 3 pints. Pace yourself. Hangovers hate cold wind.
Glacier Super-Jeep Day Trips
November snowpack stabilizes Langjökull's surface. Guides drive modified 4x4s onto the ice cap where summer melt streams have refrozen into blue glass. You spend 2 hours exploring ice tunnels carved 30m (98 ft) deep, the compressed ice so clear you see 50m down crevasses. Return via Kaldidalur track closed October-April to regular vehicles.
Booking Tip: Book 5-7 days ahead. Only 6 operators licensed for on-ice driving. Weather cancellations common. Flexible travelers get priority rebooking. Patience required.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
★★★★
Luxury
Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $280 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Packing Checklist
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Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Reykjavik Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book restaurants for 6pm. Kitchens close 9pm sharp and last orders at 8:30pm feel rushed. Early bird eats well. Latecomers eat gas-station hot dogs.
Download 112 Iceland app. November storms can isolate you. It sends GPS to rescuers without cell signal. Free insurance. One click saves lives.
Buy alcohol at duty-free landing. November liquor stores close 6pm weekdays, 4pm Saturdays, closed Sundays. Stock up or stay sober.
The hot dog stand Bæjarins Beztu has November special: lamb sausage with mashed peas and fried onions only locals know to ask for. Whisper the code. Eat like a native.
Avoid These Mistakes
Waiting until 9pm for northern lights. Peak viewing is 10pm-1am, but tours leave 8:30pm and drive 45 minutes to dark zones. Early departure wins. Sleep is optional.
Wearing jeans in rain. Denim takes 4 hours to dry in 70% humidity and you'll sit damp in restaurants. Wet jeans suck. Bring synthetics.
Booking Blue Lagoon for arrival day. November flight delays mean missing timed entry, and you can't rebook same-day. Land first. Soak later.
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