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Iceland is a spectacular country with some of the most incredible natural sights in the world including volcanoes, thermal hot springs, and magnificent waterfalls. It also has a year-round colder climate with temperatures on average around 12 degrees Celsius in summer and falling to 0 degrees in winter.
I visited in November when the weather actually wasn’t too cold (around 3 degrees) but the wind chill made it feel much colder, and this temperature drops further as you get deeper into winter.
It’s likely that you’ll be spending the majority of your time in Iceland during winter outside visiting the Golden Circle sights, hunting for the northern lights, and exploring glaciers.
Read on to find out what to pack when visiting Iceland in winter.
Packing list for Iceland: Clothing
Thermal base layers
No packing list for Iceland is complete without thermal base layers. This extra warm layer sits against the body helping to keep heat in.
My favourite thermal base layers are top and tights set from ACAI Outdoorwear. These super snug base layers fit easily underneath your clothes and they also have anti-bacterial properties to protect you if you get a bit sweaty.
Good hiking shoes
No matter what time of year you visit Iceland, you’re going to need some good hiking shoes. You’re going to be spending time walking on uneven ground which may be icy so you’ll need some good grips.
You’ll also be doing plenty of steps so you need to make sure your shoes or boots are comfortable. Be sure to wear them in before you travel so that you don’t get blisters during your trip.
Hiking shoes that are warm and waterproof will also be useful.
Swimsuit and towel
Chances are you’ll be doing some hot spring bathing in Iceland so bring your swimsuit and towel so you’re prepared. It’s a very popular pastime with both locals and tourists with lots of spas to choose from including the Blue Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Sky Lagoon.
There are also lesser known swimming pools and hot springs and some of the hotels also have hot tubs or saunas. Even if you don’t have any plans to bathe during your time in Iceland, it’s worth popping a swimsuit in if you have room in case an opportunity comes up.
If you have swimming shoes too, you may want to pop these in.
Although you may be staying in a hotel that provides towels, you may also want to bring your own. I always like to travel with a microfibre towel as they’re quick drying and they fold up small so don’t take up much room in your luggage.
Mid-layers or fleece layer
I love a fleece for keeping warm and I brought a fleece from Passenger to Iceland. It’s really thick and cosy and zips up over the neck to keep you warm here.
Long sleeve t-shirt
The key to keeping warm when it’s cold is to wear plenty of layers and I lovelong-sleeve custom t-shirts for layering. The fabric is quite thin, but the long sleeves add some extra warmth to your arms.
I really like the long-sleeve t-shirts from Passenger as they have some really cool designs.
Buff
I prefer wearing a buff to a scarf when I’m doing outdoor activities as it stays closer to your body. You can pull a buff up to cover your mouth and nose too which will help keep your face warm.
Hat and gloves
It probably goes without saying but your hat and gloves are must-have items when travelling to Iceland in winter. Keeping your head and hands warm is essential as these are where the heat escapes from your body.
I have North Face gloves which were sufficient for travelling to Iceland in November but you could also bring ski gloves for when the temperatures drop further.
Coat
I took a long, puffer-style coat which covered my legs and I think this really helped to keep me warm. A down-filled or synthetic-down coat helps to insulate the body.
The fluffiness of the down creates air pockets which trap air and retain heat, keeping you snug. Make sure the coat you bring is waterproof too as the weather can change quickly in Iceland.
Thermal trousers
In addition to your thermal tights, a pair of thermal trousers will help to keep your extra toasty. I love the ACAI thermal trousers as they have a really flattering fit and they’re super warm.
ACAI thermal trousers are also water resistant so perfect for when the weather is changeable.
Technology and electronics
There are a few bits and pieces of tech that you’ll want to add to your packing list for Iceland.
Smartphone or camera
Of course, you probably don’t go anywhere without your phone anyway so it goes without saying that you’ll want to bring it to Iceland with you. There are so many photogenic spots that if you also have a separate camera, be sure to bring that with you too.
If you want to use your phone abroad, check with your provider if international calls and roaming are included. If not, you could use a travel eSIM like Airalo which is a cost effective option.
Powerbank
Often, you’ll be out for the entire day sightseeing so bring a power bank with you to save you running out of phone battery. Cold weather also might drain your battery quicker than usual.
I like a solar power bank as you don’t need to plug it in to charge it up, all you need is the sun.
Waterproof case for phone
If you’re planning to visit the spas during your trip to Iceland then you may want to capture memories from here on your phone. If so, you’ll need a waterproof case to keep your phone dry.
Travel adaptors
Iceland uses European two-pin plugs so if you’re travelling from the UK, or anywhere else that doesn’t use this plug type, you’ll need to bring a travel adaptor with you.
My top tip is to bring a four way multi-socket extension lead and plug this directly into the travel adaptor. That way, you only need to bring one adaptor with you to plug in all your devices.
Earphones
If you’re travelling to Iceland on your own then earphones are something you should add to your Iceland packing list. I always pack my earphones so I can listen to podcasts and music during car journeys, flights, and if I’m eating dinner on my own.
If you have noise cancelling earphones, they can double as earplugs to block out any noise from the street, or from the other beds if you’re staying in a hostel.
Miscellaneous
Backpack
It’s a good idea to take a backpack with you on your trip to Iceland for taking out with you on day trips. You can pop your additional clothing layers, water bottle and snacks in here.
You can also use this as your hand luggage on the flight which is what I did.
Handwarmers
Your hands are one of the places which feel the cold the most. If you take a couple of handwarmers with you, you can pop these inside your gloves so your fingers aren’t frozen.
You can also add these into your boots if your feet start to feel the cold too.
Reusable water bottle
I always take a reusable water bottle with me when I travel as I aim to keep hydrated and protect the planet from single-use plastics. The tap water in Iceland is not only safe to drink but it is also delicious!
It is some of the clearest and purest water in the world and comes from natural springs.
Checklist – what to pack for Iceland
Here’s a list of everything I’ve been through above so you can tick items off as you go. I’ve also included some generic items that you’ll need to take on most trips.
- Clothing
- Thermal base layers
- Hiking shoes
- Swimsuit
- Swimming shoes
- Mid-layers (fleece)
- Long sleeve t-shirt
- Buff
- Woolly hat
- Gloves
- Down jacket/coat
- Waterproof coat
- Thermal trousers
- Warm socks
- Underwear
- Technology
- Smartphone
- Power bank
- Travel adaptors
- Four way extension lead
- Earphones
- Charging leads
- Tablet or laptop (if required)
- Waterproof case for phone
- Miscellaneous
- Reusable water bottle
- Towel
- Book
- Games
- Passport
- Purse with credit cards for use abroad
- Luggage
- Suitcase
- Backpack
- Bumbag (for passport, purse, phone)
- Toiletries
- Moisturiser and SPF
- Cleanser
- Lip balm with SPF
- Deodorant & perfume
- Make-up & hair products
- Toothpaste & toothbrush
- Medications
- Shampoo, conditioner & shower gel (if not staying in a hotel)
- Period products
More tips to help you plan your trip to Iceland
That’s it for my packing list for Iceland in winter. Here are some more articles I’ve written about Iceland to help you plan your trip.
- Things to do in Iceland
- If you’re heading to Iceland on your own then check out my guide for solo female travellers.
- Iceland is notoriously expensive but can you do Iceland on a budget? These are my top tips to help you save money during your trip.
- Read this before your trip! Things you should know before visiting Iceland
