When to visit Ísafjörður without the crowds
Ísafjörður (Iceland) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
Late August, as the cruise ships leave.
Tip
The Westfjords have gravel roads: in winter, fly in.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 1 °C (34 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 2 °C (35 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 1 °C (35 °F) | Aldrei fór ég suður festival (Easter), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, +1 |
| April | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 4 °C (39 °F) | First Day of Summer |
| May | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 7 °C (45 °F) | May Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, +1 |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 10 °C (50 °F) | Icelandic National Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 12 °C (53 °F) | |
| August | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 12 °C (53 °F) | Commerce Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 9 °C (49 °F) | |
| October | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 6 °C (43 °F) | |
| November | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 4 °C (38 °F) | |
| December | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 2 °C (35 °F) | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day, +1 |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Westfjords roads often close because of snow (Nov–Apr).
What to see, and when
- Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights.
- Puffins nesting on the cliffs (May–Aug).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, all of Iceland, 2022,2023,2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Ísafjörður without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February and November (crowds 1/5). In November the average high is 4 °C (38 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Ísafjörður most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. Late August, as the cruise ships leave.
What is the weather like in Ísafjörður?
Average highs range from 1 °C (34 °F) in January to 12 °C (53 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Ísafjörður?
Westfjords roads often close because of snow (Nov–Apr).
What is there to see in Ísafjörður by season?
Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights. Puffins nesting on the cliffs (May–Aug).
What festivals are there in Ísafjörður?
The main ones: Aldrei fór ég suður festival (Easter) (March).
More places in Iceland
- Reykjavík calm in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Akureyri calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Vík calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Húsavík calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Höfn & Jökulsárlón calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Stykkishólmur (Snæfellsnes) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Egilsstaðir & Seyðisfjörður calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Mývatn calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August