Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s obtained 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 obtained a few of the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that repeatedly seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is the very best time to go to Iceland? Effectively, we’ve obtained you lined 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 unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable choice that’s best for you.
In the event 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 manner, you may ebook 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 possible 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 usually the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there may be seasonal street closures which will influence any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
In the event you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to think about the intense 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 street we had 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’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 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 daytime in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole purpose 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 midnights.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some resort 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:
– 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 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 occasions 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 a very good 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 obtained a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as lots of the nation’s beautiful sights as attainable. 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 maximum snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means not possible.
– 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 might result in climate that we Brits name ‘depressing’.
– Costs for inns and flights are likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout faculty holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless certainly one of my favorite occasions of the yr to go to Iceland; the summer season months are actually 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 amazing quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you may 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 wonderful 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.
– Street situations 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.
– It’s essential to plan your lodging earlier than your journey, particularly if travelling past Reykjavik. There are restricted inns and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer season.
– As a result of longer daytime, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not not possible by any means, however it’s price remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is certainly one 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. For that reason, 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 very good 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 essential 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.
– Identical to spring, it could actually get a bit of moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, all the time bear in mind that the wind in Iceland may be intense and may simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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