How many tourists visit Iceland each year?

Iceland receives approximately 2 million tourists per year. In 2026, 119,366 visitors traveled to Iceland (year-to-date). This represents a full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, when numbers dropped to just 486,000 in 2020.

What are Iceland's tourist numbers by month?

Iceland's tourist numbers vary significantly by month. Peak months (July-August) see 250,000+ visitors each, while low season (January-February) sees around 80,000-100,000. Summer (June-August) accounts for about 38% of annual visitors. The shoulder seasons (May and September) offer a good balance of weather and fewer crowds.

What is the best time to visit Iceland?

The best time to visit Iceland depends on your interests. Summer (June-August) offers midnight sun, warmer weather (10-15°C), and access to highland roads—this is peak tourist season. Winter (November-March) is ideal for northern lights, ice caves, and snowy landscapes with fewer crowds and lower prices.

Which countries send the most tourists to Iceland?

The United States is Iceland's largest source market, accounting for approximately 25% of all visitors. The United Kingdom is second (~15%), followed by Germany (~10%), France, and Canada. North America and Western Europe together account for over 80% of Iceland's tourists.

How has Iceland tourism changed since COVID-19?

Iceland tourism dropped dramatically during COVID-19, falling from over 2 million visitors in 2019 to just 486,000 in 2020. Recovery began in 2022 and has been strong, with visitor numbers now approaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

How many tourists visited Iceland in 2024?

In 2024, approximately 2,261,391 tourists visited Iceland. This represented continued growth in Iceland's tourism sector following the post-pandemic recovery.

Iceland Tourism Statistics 2025: 2.2M+ Visitors & Monthly Data

Annual Visitor Arrivals (2010-Present)

In millions of tourists

Current/Latest year COVID impact years (2020-2022)

Iceland Tourists Per Year (2010-Present)

How many people visit Iceland each year? Here's the complete breakdown of annual visitor arrivals:

Year	Tourists	Change
2026*	119,366	-94.7%
2025	2,253,157	-0.4%
2024	2,261,391	+2.1%
2023	2,214,182	+30.5%
2022	1,696,785	+146.7%
2021	687,691	+42.6%
2020	482,108	-75.7%
2019	1,986,153	-14.2%
2018	2,315,925	+5.5%
2017	2,195,271	+24.2%

* Year-to-date through January

View complete data back to 2003

Iceland Tourism Statistics: Complete Guide

How many tourists does Iceland get a year? Iceland receives approximately 2 million international visitors annually, making it one of the most visited destinations per capita in the world. So far in 2026, 119,366 tourists have visited Iceland (through January)—a remarkable figure for a nation of just 380,000 residents.

How Many People Visit Iceland Every Year?

The number of tourists visiting Iceland each year has grown dramatically over the past decade. Iceland's annual visitor count increased from approximately 500,000 in 2010 to over 2.3 million at its peak in 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Iceland tourist numbers have recovered strongly, with visitor arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Iceland Tourism Growth (2010-2019)

Iceland's tourism explosion began around 2010, driven by the Eyjafjallajökull eruption's global media coverage, favorable exchange rates after the 2008 financial crisis, and the rise of social media showcasing Iceland's dramatic landscapes. The number of tourists going to Iceland each year quadrupled from around 500,000 in 2010 to over 2 million by 2019.

COVID-19 Impact and Recovery

The pandemic caused Iceland's annual visitor numbers to plummet to just 486,000 in 2020 and 718,000 in 2021. However, Iceland's tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience. How many tourists visit Iceland now? Numbers recovered strongly in 2022-2024 and now approach or exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Iceland Tourist Numbers by Month

Tourism to Iceland follows strong seasonal patterns. The summer months (June-August) see the highest visitor numbers, with July and August each attracting over 250,000 visitors per month. These months offer midnight sun, warmer weather, and access to highland roads. Winter months (November-February) attract fewer visitors but have grown in popularity due to northern lights tourism and ice cave experiences.

Explore More Iceland Tourism Data

Dive deeper into Iceland visitor statistics with our interactive dashboards and monthly reports.

Arrivals Dashboard Hotel Statistics Monthly Reports

How Many Tourists Visit Iceland Each Year?