Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s acquired so many unbelievable locations to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, fantastic hikes and, in fact, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally acquired a few of the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that commonly seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the very best time to go to Iceland? Effectively, we’ve acquired you lined you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular occasions of the yr. This fashion, you can also make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
When you’re something like me, and I’m guessing you might be, you’ll need to plan your journey to Iceland effectively forward of time. This fashion, you may ebook the greatest Icelandic excursions and scout the important thing spots you’re keen on most. We do that for each journey to Iceland, and it’s truthfully so important, primarily since you’ll seemingly be protecting a good distance when you arrive in Iceland.
Winter: December to March
Let’s begin with the winter months. Travelling to Iceland in Winter will be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means there will be seasonal highway closures that will influence any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
When you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time ensure you take into account the acute climate you would possibly get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, once we generally couldn’t even make out the highway we had been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are often in place, and highway closures are usually opened as quickly as potential. So, by no means take any dangers in driving throughout a storm, particularly if the native climate service points warnings. You’ll be able to all the time watch these on the Icelandic Met Workplace web site, which is up to date hourly.
One other factor to contemplate when travelling to Iceland in winter is the longer nights you’ll have. Winter nights will be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. For example, the shortest daytime in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole aim is to catch the Northern Lights in the dead of night, but it surely’s much less so if you wish to discover the pure sights of Iceland in daytime.
Execs of travelling to Iceland in Winter:
– There’s extra alternative to identify the northern lights, particularly through the 18-20 dead nights.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some resort and flight costs shall be cheaper.
– It’s a tremendous time to go to cities like Reykjavik, as so most of the metropolis’s actions are naturally indoors.
Cons of travelling to Iceland in Winter:
– Highway situations will be precarious.
– Extra minor, lesser-used roads and tracks are sometimes closed within the winter months, which makes some sights, like Haifoss Waterfall, inaccessible.
– Some excursions solely function within the Summer time months. That is very true for ice cave explorations just like the one we did right here.
Spring: March to June
Spring is considered one of my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a little bit quieter than the summer season months however as a result of it has combine of sunshine and darkish hours, which is ideal for exploring and hopefully recognizing the Northern Lights.
Execs of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– You’ll have round 17 hours, if no more, of daytime in Spring. This implies it’s good in the event you’ve solely acquired a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as most of the nation’s beautiful sights as potential. You’ll be able to simply wander round waterfalls and hikes within the night. It’s so particular.
– Driving situations are considerably simpler, and there’s much less probability of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means inconceivable.
– Lots of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to begin once more in later spring. Nevertheless, because the climate can change, all the time be prepared for last-minute cancellations.
Cons of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– It may be a moist time of the yr to go to Iceland. Though that is the case in Winter, the freezing temperatures have considerably thawed, which might result in climate that we Brits name ‘depressing’.
– Costs for resorts and flights are likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout faculty holidays.
Summer time: June to September
It’s nonetheless considered one of my favorite occasions of the yr to go to Iceland; the summer season months are really spectacular. The nation is awash with daylight, with the solar shining all through the summer season. You get between 21-23 hours of daylight within the top of summer season – which is phenomenal.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Summer time:
– You get an amazing quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you may simply spend 18 hours exterior and even head out on a few of the nation’s beautiful hikes at midnight. We did this, and we had been bathed in superb sunshine.
– It’s a lot simpler to journey the size and breadth of Iceland. This implies the summer season months are a good time to go to Iceland in the event you plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Highway situations are good, apart from the occasional day or rain.
– Speaking of rain, the driest month in Iceland is June.
Cons of travelling to Iceland in Summer time:
– Costs can rise for flights as demand will increase.
– It’s essential to plan your lodging earlier than your journey, particularly if travelling past Reykjavik. There are restricted resorts and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer time.
– Because of the longer daytime, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not inconceivable by any means, but it surely’s value remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is considered one of my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer time, which implies you get all the advantages of summer season journey with a heap of the advantages of winter journey. For that reason, if it’s your first journey to Iceland, we all the time advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Autumn:
– You get mixture of daylight and darkness hours, which is ideal for exploring and seeing the Northern Lights throughout clear skies and better photo voltaic exercise.
– Roads are nonetheless fairly simple to drive right now of yr, with just some intervals of closures, particularly for most important artery roads.
– Most actions nonetheless run on the very begin of Autumn.
Cons of travelling to Iceland within the Autumn:
– It may be a busy time to go to Iceland, particularly through the Faculty holidays in October.
– Similar to spring, it may get a little bit moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, all the time remember that the wind in Iceland will be intense and might simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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