Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s received so many unimaginable locations to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, fantastic hikes and, in fact, 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 often seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the very best 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 12 months. This fashion, you may make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable choice that’s best for you.
In case you’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 fashion, you may guide the very best 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 could be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of 12 months when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there could be seasonal street closures which will influence any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
In case you determine to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time ensure you think about 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 often 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 all the time watch these on the Icelandic Met Workplace web sitewhich 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 could be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. For 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 in the dead of night, 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 lodge 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 could 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 instances to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s somewhat 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.
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 wish to cram in as most 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 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. 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 12 months 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 resorts and flights are likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout college holidays.
Summer time: June to September
It’s nonetheless considered one of my favorite instances of the 12 months to go to Iceland; the summer time months are really 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Summer time:
– You get an incredible quantity of sunlight hours to discover Iceland. This implies you may simply spend 18 hours exterior and even head out on a few 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 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 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 time.
– Because of the longer sunlight hours, there’s a smaller probability 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 considered one of my favorite instances 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. 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 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 simple to drive presently of 12 months, with just some durations of closures, particularly for primary 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 might probably get somewhat moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, all the time remember that the wind in Iceland could be intense and might simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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