What to Wear For Iceland In April: Tips from an Iceland

Are you wondering what to wear for Iceland in April? 

Well, I can tell ya!

I’ve lived in Iceland almost my entire life so I know how crazy the weather can get! 

In this post, I’ll go over 

• What to pack for Iceland
• If you can see the northern lights in April
• How long the days are.

Make sure to read until the end so you can be prepared for your adventure in Iceland!

Let’s jump into it!

What To Wear For Iceland In April

April in Iceland is the epitome of unpredictable weather. 

One moment it’s sunny and warm, the next it’s a blizzard, and before you know it, it’s raining cats and dogs. 

So, what do you wear to this wild weather party? 

You can also check out our video on what to wear in Iceland in April!

Packing List For Iceland In April

Here’s the go-to packing list

• Thick socks
• Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
• Waterproof outdoor trousers
• Jeans/joggers
• Thick sweater
• Thin sweater
• Hoodie
• Thermals
• A Warm and waterproof outer layer. 
• Beanie
• Medium warm gloves
• Sunglasses
• Nice running shoes for the nice days (hopefully!)
• A swimsuit 
• An adapter 

But why these items?

Thick socks

They don’t have to be super thick, think of running socks. The main thing is that they dry fast.

Waterproof hiking boots with good grip

Now, this is really important. 

You need a good pair of hiking boots for Iceland. As I mentioned April can be pretty wild and you should be ready for fluctuating weather.

And that’s why it’s super important to be wearing good, waterproof shoes. 

Nothing ruins a day as fast as cold and wet feet.

Water-resistant and windproof outdoor pants

You’ll want to be wearing water-resistant outdoor trousers over your regular ones. 

Of course, it’s important to keep your legs dry, but the pants are mainly for the wind.

The wind is one of the main reasons why Iceland is so cold, so don’t neglect your legs!

Jeans/joggers/fleece lines leggings

I personally don’t like wearing a lot of layers underneath my outdoor pants. Of course, you should listen to your own body. 

But if you’re wearing good shoes and a waterproof and warm outer layer, then your legs won’t need a lot of protection.

Sweater/hoodie/Fleece sweater/Wool sweater

Very good to have for windy days.

And a fantastic mid layer. I’ll wear my fleece sweater most days if I’m out and about.

Thin sweater

Good to have for warm days, as rare as they are!

Thermals 

Buy or bring thermals for your trip to Iceland. It’s one of the best investments that you can make! 

If you’re wearing thermals, you won’t need a lot more on even the worst of days. 

I recommend thermals all year round.

A Warm and waterproof outer layer

The key to your outer layer is that it has to be waterproof. 

The name of the game in Iceland is highly water-resistant clothes. It’s the most important thing to check off before coming to Iceland.

Check out our summer coat or insulated raincoat!

Or even the winter parka, depending on the weather! Early April can still feel like winter for sure.

beanie and glvoes

Beanie

Don’t neglect your ears!

Medium warm gloves

No need to bring thick gloves. Just something that can protect you from the wind.

Other things

Sunglasses

If you’re driving around the country, a pair of sunglasses is very nice to have.

Nice running shoes for the nice days

If it’s a good day, it’s nice to be able to wear running shoes. 

A swimsuit 

Bring your swimsuits!

An adapter for the EU outlet

You can buy these all over the island, but if you already have one, bring it!

And there you have it folks, the ultimate April Iceland wardrobe checklist! 

Just remember, the most important thing is to dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to tackle any weather that comes your way. 

Happy exploring!

The weather in April

The weather in April can be all over the place.

It won’t be warm for sure, but it might not be crazy cold.

You can find out how how cold it can get in Iceland in general in this article.

But a brief summary for how warm is Iceland in April;

Temperature: 0-6°C. with lows being close to 0 and highs around 6°C

Wind: Expect wind as always. Likelihood of weather warnings is fairly high compared to the summer months.

Rain: Expect rain, but not a crazy amount.

Northern lights In April

Yes, it is possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland in April. 

And make sure that you dress well for that…wink, wink

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is during the winter months when the nights are long and dark, 

BUT!

They can still be visible in the spring months, including April, when the conditions are favorable. 

However, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and their visibility depends on various factors such as solar activity, cloud cover, and light pollution.

So there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to see them.

And you’ll have to stay up late into the night for the dark. Therefore, it’s not the best time to see the northern lights.

But how long are the days?

Daylight In April

April in Iceland is a magical time, as spring begins to bloom, the days get longer and longer, and longer! 

So, how long exactly do the days last in April? 

On April 1st, the sun rises at around 6:30 am and sets at around 8 pm

As the month progresses, the days get even longer, with the sun rising at around 5:00 am and setting at around 9:40 pm on April 30th. 

So there’s plenty of time for you to explore and enjoy our little island.

But don’t let the long days fool you, Iceland in April can still be cold and windy, so make sure you dress in layers and bring along a good pair of gloves. 

Final words

That’s it!

If you follow the packing list on what to wear in Iceland in April you’ll be ready to tackle any weather Iceland will throw your way.

Check out our selection of rental clothing to prepare for Iceland.

So, pack your bags, grab your friends, and get ready for an epic April adventure in Iceland, where the days are long, the sun is shining, and the possibilities are endless!