Iceland is a surprising nation to go to! It’s received 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 received a few of the world’s most unusual landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that usually seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is one of the best time to go to Iceland? Effectively, we’ve received you lined you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular instances of the yr. This manner, you may make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable resolution that’s best for you.
Should 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 manner, you may e-book the greatest 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 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 sometimes the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Because of this there may be seasonal highway closures which will impression any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
Should you determine to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to think about the intense climate you may get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, after we typically couldn’t even make out the highway we have been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are normally in place, and highway 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 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. For example, the shortest sunlight hours in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole purpose 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.
Execs 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 shall 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 circumstances 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 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 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 sunlight hours in Spring. This implies it’s excellent for those who’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and wish 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 circumstances are considerably simpler, and there’s much less probability of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unimaginable.
– Most of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to begin 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 may result in climate that we Brits name ‘depressing’.
– Costs for inns and flights are inclined to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout college 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 top of summer season – which is phenomenal.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Summer time:
– You get an amazing 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 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 for those who plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Street circumstances 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 inns 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 unimaginable by any means, however it’s price 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 suggests 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 all the time advise you to journey in spring or autumn.
Execs 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 simple to drive at the moment of yr, with just some durations of closures, particularly for fundamental 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.
– Similar to spring, it could possibly get somewhat 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 might simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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