Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s received 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 received a number of the world’s most unusual landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that recurrently seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is one of the best time to go to Iceland? Properly, we’ve received you lined you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular instances of the yr. This fashion, you may make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
For those who’re something like me, and I’m guessing you’re, you’ll need to plan your journey to Iceland properly forward of time. This fashion, you may guide the finest Icelandic excursions and scout the important thing spots you like most. We do that for each journey to Iceland, and it’s truthfully so important, primarily since you’ll doubtless 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 usually the time of yr when a number of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there will be seasonal street closures which will impression any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
For those who determine to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time ensure you think about the acute climate you may get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, once we generally couldn’t even make out the street we have been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are normally in place, and street closures are typically 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 possibly can 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. As an illustration, the shortest daylight in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole aim is to catch the Northern Lights at the hours of darkness, however it’s much less so if you wish to discover the pure sights of Iceland in daylight.
Execs of travelling to Iceland in Winter:
– There’s extra alternative to identify the northern lights, particularly in the course of the 18-20 midnights.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some lodge and flight costs might be cheaper.
– It’s an incredible time to go to cities like Reykjavik, as so lots of the metropolis’s actions are naturally indoors.
Cons of travelling to Iceland in Winter:
– Highway circumstances will be precarious.
– Extra minor, lesser-used roads and tracks are usually 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 one among my favorite instances to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a bit quieter than the summer time months however as a result of it has an excellent 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 daylight in Spring. This implies it’s good if you happen to’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as lots of the nation’s gorgeous sights as potential. You possibly can simply wander round waterfalls and hikes within the night. It’s so particular.
– Driving circumstances are considerably simpler, and there’s much less probability of maximum snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means inconceivable.
– Most of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to start out once more in later spring. Nonetheless, 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 may result in climate that we Brits name ‘depressing’.
– Costs for lodges and flights are inclined to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout faculty holidays.
Summer time: June to September
It’s nonetheless one among my favorite instances of the yr to go to Iceland; the summer time months are actually spectacular. The nation is awash with daylight, with the solar shining all through the summer time. You get between 21-23 hours of daylight within the peak of summer time – which is phenomenal.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Summer time:
– You get an incredible quantity of daylight to discover Iceland. This implies you may simply spend 18 hours exterior and even head out on a number of the nation’s gorgeous hikes at midnight. We did this, and we have been bathed in superb sunshine.
– It’s a lot simpler to journey the size and breadth of Iceland. This implies the summer time months are a good time to go to Iceland if you happen to plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Highway circumstances 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.
– You could plan your lodging earlier than your journey, particularly if travelling past Reykjavik. There are restricted lodges and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer time.
– As a result of longer daylight, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not inconceivable by any means, however it’s price remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is one among my favorite instances to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer time, which suggests you get all the advantages of summer time 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 an excellent 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 straightforward 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 in the course of the Faculty holidays in October.
– Similar to spring, it will probably get a bit moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, all the time bear in mind that the wind in Iceland will be intense and may simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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