Iceland Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 20 July 2025

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, has been attracting tourists from all over the world due to its breathtaking landscapes, Nordic culture, and numerous adventure activities.

How many tourists visit Iceland each year?

Over 2.26 million international tourists visited Iceland in 2024. ¹

• In 2019, Iceland welcomed a total of 2.01 million tourists. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a decline in international tourist arrivals, totalling approximately 490,000 visitors.

• International tourist numbers reached 1.70 million in2022, and this rose by 30% in 2023 to 2.21 million.

• In 2024, international tourist numbers reached 2.26 million, up 2.3% from 2023 and up 32.9% from 2022.

How many tourists visited Iceland in 2025?

• From January to May of 2025, preliminary data shows 758,788 tourists have arrive at Keflavik Airport, the main entrance of tourists to Iceland. Note: This is preliminary data and may change with future updates. 

2025 Monthly Arrivals to Iceland

Month	Visits
Jan	159,384
Feb	146,063
Mar	148,263
Apr	146,063
May	159,015

How many tourists visited Iceland in 2024?

• Iceland welcomed a total of 2.26 million international tourists in 2024, which indicated a 2.3% increase from 2023 and exceeded the 2019 figure by 12.4%.
  

How much do tourists spend in Iceland? 

International tourists generated $4.20 billion in expenditures in 2024.

• In 2019, foreign tourists spent $2.69 billion during their trips to Iceland. Due to travel restrictions, this figure decreased in 2020 to $0.65 billion.

• In 2021 and 2022 international visitors spent $1.30 billion and $2.47 billion, respectively.

• A total of $3.10 billion was spent by tourists in 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure (2019) by 15%.

• In 2024, international tourist spending reached $4.20 billion, up 35.5% from 2023 and up 56.1% from 2019.

How much did tourists spend in Iceland in 2024?

• International tourists generated a total of $4.20 billion in expenditure while visiting Iceland in 2024. This represented a 35.5% increase from 2023 and a 56.1% increase from 2019.
  
  

How much does it cost to visit Iceland?

• On average, an international visitor to Iceland spends about $1,858 per trip. With a typical stay of 4.22 nights (9.54 million nights ÷ 2.26 million visitors), spending reached $440 per night.
  

Which country visits Iceland the most? 

Most tourists in Iceland come from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and France in 2024.

• The USA was the top source of visitors, accounting for 27.5% of the market share with a total of 620,396 visits (down 1.4% from 629,015 in 2023). The UK also contributed 266,246 tourists (11.8%, down 4.6% from 279,059 in 2023).

• Germany accounted for 6.3% of the market share with 141,879 visits (up 3.9% from 136,490).

• Poland and France made 108,486 (4.8%, down 19.3% from 134,427) and 95,589 visits (4.2%, down 3.7% from 99,208), respectively.

How long do visitors stay in Iceland?

In 2024, the average length of stay for international visitors was 4.22 nights, compared to 6.6 nights in 2023, a decrease of 36.1%.

• In 2018, tourists enjoyed an average stay of 6.3 nights, which rose to 6.6 nights in 2019, and 6.9 nights in 2020.
  

• The average length of stay peaked at 8.2 nights in 2021, before experiencing a slight decrease to a still impressive 7.4 nights in 2022.
  
  

Iceland Travel Resources

What are the peak tourist months in Iceland?

• August 2024 marked the peak month with 281,000 international tourist arrivals, due to optimal summer weather conditions and a series of cultural festivals.

• July attracted 277,000 visitors, aligning with Iceland’s peak summer season and one of the warmest months.

• Early autumn in September drew 223,000 visitors, as the weather remained mild and tourism activities were sustained post-peak summer.

• October maintained high visitation rates totaling 213,000, driven by the autumn landscape and nature-related attractions.

• June rounded out the top five most visited months with 212,000 arrivals, reflecting the traditional start of Iceland’s high season.

When is the best time to visit Iceland?

• June to August is the best time to visit Iceland with warmest weather, midnight sun, full access to sights, highest crowds and prices.

• May & September: Fewer tourists, mild weather, lower rates, chance to see Northern Lights.

• October–March: Best for Aurora and winter activities, colder temperatures, limited daylight, and lower travel costs.
  

How popular is Iceland as a tourist destination?

• Various tourism businesses in Iceland have consistently received the Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award, indicating high traveller satisfaction.

• Blue Lagoon Iceland was honoured with the 2024 Responsible Tourism Incentive Award for its efforts in sustainability and circular economy practices.
  
  

What are the main reasons people visit Iceland?

In 2023, 93% of trips in Iceland were “holiday” visits which amounted to 2 million visits.

• “Business purposes” accounted for 2.5% (55,591 visits) of international trips.

• “Visiting friends or relatives” made up 2.3% of visits, totalling 51,144 trips.

• Other personal reasons, including study, sports, shopping, and health, comprised 2.6% or 3,579 visits.
  

What are the top destinations to visit in Iceland?

• The Capital Region, including Greater Reykjavík, draws 97% of visitors in 2024, featuring cultural sites like the Blue Lagoon.

• Geysir/Gullfoss, in Haukadalur Valley, attracts 59.4% of tourists with its erupting geyser and waterfall.

• Þingvellir, visited by 50.4%, lets tourists walk between tectonic plates at an ancient meeting site.

• Vík, Iceland’s southernmost village, captivates 47.4% with its black sand beaches and seabird cliffs.
  
• Skógar, visited by 43.6%, is renowned for the Skógafoss waterfall and cultural museums.
  
  

Iceland Outbound Tourism Statistics

How many people from Iceland travel overseas?

• In 2019, Icelanders made 611,000 international trips and spent over $1.51 billion on these vacations.

• For Icelandic tourists travelling abroad, Spain has traditionally been the top preference.

• 2024 data for trip purposes isn’t available yet and will be updated once released.

Where do Icelandic residents travel to?

• The list of top destinations for residents of Iceland includes Spain, Denmark, the UK, Sweden, and France. 
  
  

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References

1. FITB: Tourism in Figures of Iceland – 2018 to 2024 – ↩︎