May is the first month when the Northern Lights are no longer visible in the Icelandic sky. But Mother Nature is offering us another exciting show in the sky: the midnight sun! 

After six months of darkness, neverending days are much needed here in the North. For visitors, this phenomenon is either unique or strange. Locals are enjoying summer as much as they are enjoying winter. Or maybe more than winter. 

It is the early start of the summer season here in Iceland, although the days are getting longer when the sun rises at 4:53 am and sets at 9:58 pm at the beginning of the month (17 hours of daylight). Later, at the end of the month, the sun rises at 3:25 am and sets at 11:27 pm; this means 20 hours of daylight.  

In the old Icelandic calendar, the first summer day was celebrated every year on the first Thursday after the 18th of April. Icelanders celebrate it every year with a day off dedicated to the growing daylight and pleasant weather. 

During May, it is also the end of the shoulder season when places are less crowded, and you can find more availability for hotels and activities.

In this period of the year, many activities become available, and you can explore more parts of Iceland than during winter. You have more time to spend sightseeing and doing some memorable activities. To name a few: 

Whale watching

Whale watching is an all-year activity, but it is available only in certain places in Iceland during winter. During summer, there are many places where you can go whale watching, including Reykjavik. 

Once the summer season is coming, the marine life in the Atlantic ocean comes back around Iceland for breeding. The summer season for whale watching started this year on the 1st of April. Check this blog to find the best places to see whales in Iceland.

Puffin watching

Puffin watching is a popular summer activity. In some parts of Iceland, puffins are coming earlier. This year, people spotted some puffins in Borgarfjörður Eystri at the beginning of April. Starting in May, many puffin watching tours are available all over Iceland. 

Check this blog to find the best places to see puffins in Iceland. 

Geothermal baths

There is no right time for a geothermal bath. And it is a must-do in Iceland. Check our blog to see where they are the best places to relax like a true Viking. 

Also, if you plan to come to Iceland in May, book your ticket now.

Boat tours

The warmer weather allows us to do some exciting activities here in Iceland. Some of those activities are boat tours. On the glacier lagoons or to the Vestmannaeyjar, boat tours are the most adventurous activities you can do. 

Check these blogs to find out more about the boat tours in Iceland.

Snorkelling at Silfra

The site at Silfra is a unique place where one can snorkel between two continental plates. However, you have to meet some conditions to do this, and you can find all those details on our blog about Snorkelling between two continents. 

You can even go exploring an ice cave. 

Ice cave exploration

The temperatures are rising, and the ice caves at Vatnajökull glacier have become dangerous to explore. However, some ice caves are available for exploration all year. 

One ice cave is the Katla ice cave in South Iceland. It is located in the Kötlujökull glacier, part of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. 

And the other one is the ice cave at Langjökull glacier. The ice cave at Langjökull is artificial, so there has been an entire process to carve into the glacier and form the tunnel. Local authorities opened the ice cave to the public in 2015, and the tunnel inside the glacier is 550m long and goes 30 meters into the glacier. 

If you want to explore some ice caves, these are some excellent options. 

There are many activities you can enjoy doing in Iceland during May. Some of them are Atv tours, glacier hiking, museum visiting, snowmobile tour, dog-sledging, helicopter tours, lava cave exploring, zipline and many more. Find all those activities on our website. 

May is the best time for sightseeing and enjoying activities in less crowded places.  

There are some festivals and national days celebrated during May. You can take part if you want. 

Labour Day-1st of May

Like many other European countries, Iceland celebrates Labour Day on the first day of May. This day is a National Holiday in Iceland, and many people have a day off. Trade unions and other groups will organise parades on this day and march through towns all over the country. Stores will be open on this day.

DesignMarch festival, Reykjavik

The festival is the most significant design festival in Iceland, and this year will be at the first weekend of May in Reykjavik. The event’s official website states, “DesignMarch brings together participants and guests with progressive design and innovation. The festival heralds new and surprising approaches and is a vibrant platform for ideas, diverse perspectives and knowledge driving force that enriches and enhances society.” (DesignMarch.is)

The festival takes place in Reykjavik from May 4th – 8th, 2022. 

Check the official website of DesignMarch for more information and updates. 

Ascension Day

26th of May

Ascension day is the oldest Christian holiday still celebrated in Iceland with days off from work and school. Many Icelanders spend this day with family doing some outdoor activities, and the most religious ones will go to church. 

Visit Iceland at the beginning of the Summer and enjoy the beauty of the Land of Fire and Ice.