Iceland is a surprising nation to go to! It’s bought 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 bought a number of 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 very best time to go to Iceland? Properly, we’ve bought you coated you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular occasions of the yr. This fashion, you may make probably the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
When you’re something like me, and I’m guessing you’re, you’ll wish to plan your journey to Iceland properly forward of time. This fashion, 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 actually 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 may be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of yr when a number of the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there may be seasonal highway closures that will affect any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
When you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times be sure to take into account the intense climate you may get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, once we typically couldn’t even make out the highway we have been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are often in place, and highway 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’ll be able to 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 daylight 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, but it surely’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 resort and flight costs will likely 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 sometimes 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 considered one of my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a little bit quieter than the summer time 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.
Execs of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– You’ll have round 17 hours, if no more, of daylight in Spring. This implies it’s excellent in the event you’ve solely bought a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as most of the nation’s beautiful sights as potential. 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 likelihood of maximum 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. Nonetheless, 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 considered one of my favorite occasions 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 beautiful hikes at midnight. We did this, and we have been bathed in wonderful 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 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 excellent, 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.
– It’s essential 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.
– Because of the longer daylight, there’s a smaller likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not not possible by any means, but it surely’s price remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is considered one of my favorite occasions 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 at all times advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Execs 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 durations 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 in the course of the Faculty holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it may possibly get a little bit moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, at all times bear in mind that the wind in Iceland may be intense and might simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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