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 original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that frequently seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the most effective 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 manner, you can also make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable resolution 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 effectively forward of time. This manner, you’ll be able to ebook 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 possible 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 may be icy, to say the least! It’s usually the time of yr when among the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means there may be seasonal street closures which will affect any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
For those who determine to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times be sure you think about the acute climate you would possibly get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, after we typically couldn’t even make out the street we have been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are often in place, and street closures are usually opened as quickly as attainable. So, by no means take any dangers in driving throughout a storm, particularly if the native climate service points warnings. You may at all times 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 may be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. As an example, the shortest daytime in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole objective is to catch the Northern Lights in the dead of night, nevertheless 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 throughout the 18-20 nighttimes.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some lodge and flight costs can be cheaper.
– It’s an incredible 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:
– Street situations may 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 somewhat quieter than the summer season months however as a result of it has a great 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 good should you’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as most of the nation’s beautiful sights as attainable. You may 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 maximum snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unattainable.
– Most of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to start out once more in later spring. Nevertheless, because the climate can change, at all times 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 likely 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 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 peak of summer season – which is phenomenal.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Summer time:
– You get an amazing quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you’ll be able to simply spend 18 hours outdoors and even head out on among the nation’s beautiful 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 should you plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Street situations are good, aside 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 need to 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 daytime, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not unattainable by any means, nevertheless it’s value 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 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 at all times advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Autumn:
– You get a great 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 intervals of closures, particularly for major 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 throughout the College holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it will possibly get somewhat moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, at all times bear in mind that the wind in Iceland may be intense and may simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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