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, great hikes and, after all, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally received a few of the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that usually seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the perfect time to go to Iceland? Nicely, 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 probably the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
If you happen to’re something like me, and I’m guessing you might be, you’ll need to plan your journey to Iceland properly forward of time. This manner, you possibly can guide 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 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 may be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there may be seasonal street closures which will impression any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
If you happen to resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times be sure you contemplate 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 had been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are normally in place, and street closures are typically 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 possibly can at all times watch these on the Icelandic Met Workplace web site, which is up to date hourly.
One other factor to think about 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 sunlight hours 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 sunlight hours.
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 resort and flight costs can 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:
– Street situations may 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 certainly one of my favorite instances to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a bit of 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– You’ll have round 17 hours, if no more, of sunlight hours in Spring. This implies it’s good in the event you’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as lots of the nation’s beautiful sights as attainable. You possibly can simply wander round waterfalls and hikes within the night. It’s so particular.
– Driving situations are considerably simpler, and there’s much less likelihood of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means not possible.
– Lots 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 inclined to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout college holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless certainly one of 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 season:
– You get an amazing quantity of sunlight hours to discover Iceland. This implies you possibly can simply spend 18 hours outdoors 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.
– Street 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 season:
– 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 season.
– As a result of longer sunlight hours, there’s a smaller likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not not possible by any means, however it’s value remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is certainly one of my favorite instances to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer season, which implies 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 at all times advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Professionals 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 straightforward to drive presently of yr, with just some durations of closures, particularly for 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 throughout the Faculty holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it could get a bit of moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, at all times remember that the wind in Iceland may be intense and may simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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