If you want to experience drastic landscapes and breathtaking views that make you never want to come back home, Iceland is probably the best spot to visit and explore. This country, located up north, does come with its fair share of misconceptions. Ice and snow-covered mountains are indeed a staple in its landscape, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that is the only thing you witness there. For those planning a trip to Iceland in November, you are in for a ride. But, one thing is for sure, you are going to make memories that last a lifetime. To help with planning a detailed itinerary, we are going to sort you out with some of the best things to do while in Iceland during November.
Weather In Iceland In November
For the tourists who are trying everything on a shoestring budget, November is considered the best time to visit Iceland. The temperature is around 3-4 degrees Celsius, which is a lot more than what you would experts an Arctic country to have. But, since this is an off-season, the price of things is a lot less in comparison to the summer months, which is considered the peak season for visiting Iceland. The temperature is cold, no doubt, but it isn’t unbearable and to be fair, the tourists tend to describe that weather as pleasant, making your trip a worthy visit.
Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Iceland
8 Best Things To Do In Iceland In November
Given that the temperature is quite cold and chilly around, you can shield up and plan your itinerary accordingly. Just make sure that you have all the bookings made beforehand to avoid the last-minute rush around.
1. Explore The Ice Caves
2. Witness The Mesmerizing Northern Lights
3. Explore The Markets Around
4. Try Glacier Hiking
5. Explore A Lava Cave
6. Take A Dip At The Blue Lagoon
7. Visit The Golden Circle Route
8. Attend The Icelandic Airwaves
1. Explore The Ice Caves
Mavlyudov Boris for Wikimedia Commons
November is the peak time when the ice caves are perfect for visiting and exploring. Normally, the temperatures around that time are safe enough for you to go inside an ice cave, but if possible, get a guide who can help you out with it. Witnessing the glacial ice roofs is an experience that you just can’t get with anything else. There are several tours available that you can check out in accordance. Just make sure to go around in groups if you want to save some coins.
Location: Vatnajokull Ice Caves
Entry fee: Varies on the tours
Timings: Mornings
2. Witness The Mesmerizing Northern Lights
Now, before anything, you need to understand that witnessing northern lights with your own eyes isn’t something that you can do every night. They happen out of the blue moon and it depends on your luck to witness it. The multicolored waves of light up in the sky is nothing short of Nirvana. The moment you witness something so beautiful is a moment that you just can’t put forth in words.
Location: Iceland
Entry fee: None
Timings: Night
Related Posts: Iceland Travel Tips
3. Explore The Markets Around
If you are in Iceland in November, it calls for the perfect opportunity for you to indulge in some Christmas shopping. There are several shops, streets and even markets around that are all decked up in the Christmas theme to bring forth an amazing experience for all the interested shopaholics. The local designers and the shops sell some quality items and that too for a very affordable price range, something that you wouldn’t even imagine with the other countries. There aren’t many big brands, but with the kind of quality that you get with the local brands, you wouldn’t regret paying any of it.
Location: Reykjavík
Entry fee: None
Timings: Mornings and Evenings
4. Try Glacier Hiking
If you are an adventure junkie and you want to explore new things while in Iceland, Glacier hiking is one of the best activities that you can indulge in. The combination of the blue and the white in the surroundings make it an amazing experience that is out of comprehension. There are guided tours, so you need not worry about getting lost or getting hurt in the process. Make sure that you dress warmly and appropriately for the hike.
Location: Skaftafell
Entry fee: Varies on the tours
Timings: Depends on the tours, usually morning
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5. Explore A Lava Cave
With the ice cave being a common site of attraction, many forget to mention the lava caves which are just as amazing and one of a kind. The weather and temperature around these caves are always pretty constant, so you need not worry about anything. You can understand every last inch of the volcanic activity in Iceland by walking down deep into the core of the cave.
Location: The Cave Vidgelmir
Entry fee: Can take guided tours
Timings: Varies
6. Take A Dip At The Blue Lagoon
Visiting Iceland in November, taking a dip in a geothermal pool does sound quite soothing, doesn’t it? If you want a wholesome experience being there, make sure to take a rental and drive down there and take a quick dip. The water in it contains silica which has been found to have healing properties in it that further make this worthy visit unlike anything else. Taking a swim in it is touted to have amazing healing impacts on the skin, which is why people from across the world visit this place.
Location: Iceland
Entry fee: 6100 Icelandic Crowns
Timings: Mornings
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7. Visit The Golden Circle Route
One of the must-visit and must do things in Iceland is travel around the Golden Circle Route. The place is a one-stop destination for some of the most popular sightseeing spots in Iceland. This is perfect for the tourists who don’t have a lot of time on their hands. That aside, just make sure that you are driving safely because the ice can make the roads slippery at times.
Duration: 4 Hours
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee Required
8. Attend The Icelandic Airwaves
Yet another amazing thing to witness during the November month is the Icelandic Airwaves which is the biggest music festival in the country. It happens in downtown Reykjavík for a week and witnesses people barreling in from across the world to see the artists perform. It does give an amazing platform to some of the local artists but you can also witness some of the international artists performing there.
Date: Varies every year
Related Posts: Blue Lagoon In Iceland
Tips For Iceland In November
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November is often the best time of the year to visit Iceland if you want to witness the country in its glory. You indeed need to plan and ensure everything in place, but the experience is a good one nonetheless.
Some of the important tips to keep in mind include:
- Carry all warm clothes and extra ones, in case of temperature worsens
- Make the books for the tours beforehand
- Get your medical examination done before travelling
- Carry necessary medication, in case
You May Also Like To Read: Laugavegur Trek
If you have been planning on visiting Iceland in November, we would suggest that you book everything right away. The place is more than just its snow-capped mountains because the landscape and the experience there are one of a kind. So start planning your trip to Iceland and get ready to witness something you have only dreamt of!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Iceland In November
Is it good to visit Iceland in November?
November is the perfect time to visit Iceland if you are on a budget and want to experience the snow and glaciers in the country. The rush of tourists is also not that much.
Can one see northern lights in Iceland in November?
November to March are the best months to witness Northern lights because of them being the darkest months of the year. But, it doesn’t mean that one can witness it every day.
What can one do in Iceland in November?
There are several activities that one can indulge in Iceland in November, especially the ones to do with snow and even the hot springs for relief.
Are jeans enough for the weather in Iceland?
Wearing jeans might be enough but make sure that you have a sweater and mufflers along with that to keep your ears and nose protected from the cold.
How many hours of daylight are available in Iceland in November?
You are likely going to have around 7-8 hours of daylight in Iceland during the November month. So, make sure that you plan your itinerary accordingly.
Is visiting Iceland expensive?
Iceland can be an expensive trip if you visit during the peak season, which is the summer months. The months between November to March are often cheaper because of the extreme cold. The hotels and flights are relatively cheaper during that time.
How many days is enough in Iceland?
If you want the best experience, staying there at least for a week is important. Other than that, 5 days would suffice, but extending it a bit more for northern lights is often worth the experience.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
