Iceland is a surprising nation to go to! It’s received so many unimaginable locations to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, great hikes and, in fact, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally received among the world’s most unusual landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that often seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is the most effective time to go to Iceland? Effectively, we’ve received you coated you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular occasions of the yr. This manner, you can also make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
For those who’re something like me, and I’m guessing you might be, you’ll wish to plan your journey to Iceland nicely forward of time. This manner, you may e book the finest 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 overlaying a good distance when you arrive in Iceland.
Winter: December to March
Let’s begin with the winter months. Travelling to Iceland in Winter might be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of yr when among the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Because of this there might be seasonal street closures which will impression any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
For those who resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to take into account the intense climate you would possibly get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, after 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 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 may 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 might be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. As an illustration, 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 at midnight, however it’s much less so if you wish to discover the pure sights of Iceland in daytime.
Professionals 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 lodge and flight costs might be cheaper.
– It’s a tremendous 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 might 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 season months. That is very true for ice cave explorations just like the one we did right here.
Spring: March to June
Spring is one in every of my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s somewhat quieter than the summer season months however as a result of it has a superb combine of sunshine and darkish hours, which is ideal for exploring and hopefully recognizing the Northern Lights.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– You’ll have round 17 hours, if no more, of daytime in Spring. This implies it’s excellent for those who’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as lots of the nation’s gorgeous sights as potential. You may simply wander round waterfalls and hikes within the night. It’s so particular.
– Driving circumstances are considerably simpler, and there’s much less likelihood of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unimaginable.
– 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 may 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 season: June to September
It’s nonetheless one in every 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Summer season:
– You get an incredible quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you may simply spend 18 hours exterior and even head out on among 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 season months are a good time to go to Iceland for those who plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Highway circumstances are excellent, apart from the occasional day or rain.
– Speaking of rain, the driest month in Iceland is June.
Cons of travelling to Iceland in Summer season:
– Costs can rise for flights as demand will increase.
– You have 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 season.
– As a result of longer daytime, there’s a smaller likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not unimaginable by any means, however it’s value remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is one in every of my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer season, which suggests you get all the advantages of summer season journey with a heap of the advantages of winter journey. Because of this, if it’s your first journey to Iceland, we all the time advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Autumn:
– You get a superb 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 at the moment of yr, with just some durations of closures, particularly for predominant 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 College holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it might probably get somewhat moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, all the time bear in mind that the wind in Iceland might be intense and might simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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