Is Iceland dark for 6 months in winter time? Short days during winter

We all want to feel worldly. We apply what we know from grade-school geography class wherever we can, and we have Google at the ready when in doubt.

If planning a trip somewhere, though, it’s important to fact-check to be sure you’re prepared for your destination (and all its particulars).

For instance, it’s a common notion that Iceland is dark for months, if not half the year. The thinking is that, with its location along the arctic circle, the sun sets one day and six months of darkness unfold. But this is not quite right. Iceland does have extremely short days during winter, but how short and for how long might surprise you.

How long does the darkness last in Iceland?

One of the most common questions about Iceland is: how long does it stay dark in Iceland in winter? This is answered instead by explaining how long it stays dark each day and how long the season of short days lasts.

Iceland daylight hours in the wintertime fall as low as four hours per day (from roughly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), but after the solstice the days grow longer again by a few minutes every day.

“How dark does it get in Iceland” can also be answered with another question—how bright does it get when there is sun? The sun does come up in the winter, and reflected off the snow it can be brilliantly white. The hours of sunlight are greatly enjoyed by both locals and visitors because everything around is suddenly bright white. Wearing a cap and a good pair of sunglasses is essential or you’ll be blinking hard in this environment.

Of course, Iceland daylight hours by month become gradually longer after that. In the summer, Iceland has the opposite experience, with up to 22 hours of sunlight in a single day. These summer sunlight hours lead up to what is called the “Midnight sun” Iceland season from May to August, where the sun sets right before midnight (and the lingering light lasts until well after midnight). It hardly gets truly "dark" at all.

Can you travel to Iceland in the winter?

You can absolutely travel to Iceland in the winter. What really is the best time to visit Iceland, though? The answer could very well be winter; it just depends on what you want to do.

For example, in winter you’ll have the best luck seeing the Northern Lights. Iceland gets dark enough that the phenomenon is clearest in winter skies in Iceland. Do take into account that, while seeing the Northern Lights in winter has its benefits, it also requires standing outside for an extended period after the sun is down. It will be cold. Be sure to dress accordingly (for instance, long johns are essential).

You can also see what’s called the "Arctic golden hour" during wintertime. Because of where Iceland is situated (on the Arctic circle), the sunrise and sunset in Iceland can last for almost an hour during winter. That, coupled with the darkness of the season, and the golden glow of the falling sun accentuates all colors and elongates shadows for a dramatic scene. When the sun is low at the horizon like this, this is precisely when your cap and sunglasses will come in handy again.

During winter, you can also visit touristic and natural sites that would interest you in any season based on your priorities when you start planning your trip to Iceland. You can enjoy all the cross-country hiking all over the country. There is still daylight in Iceland in the winter, after all, just shorter windows of it.

Whatever activities you choose during the winter in Iceland, it’s important to dress warmly when the sun is gone. Icelandic wool has been a cultural treasure and a practical necessity for centuries, and it’s at night in winter that you can most acutely feel why.

Make sure to adjust your clothing accordingly with the season.