Iceland is a surprising nation to go to! It’s received so many unimaginable locations to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, fantastic hikes and, after all, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally received among the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that recurrently seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is the very 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 12 months. This fashion, you may make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable determination that’s best for you.
Should you’re something like me, and I’m guessing you’re, you’ll wish to plan your journey to Iceland nicely forward of time. This fashion, you’ll be able to ebook 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 probably 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 might be icy, to say the least! It’s sometimes the time of 12 months when among the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Because of this there might be seasonal highway closures that will impression any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
Should you determine to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to contemplate the acute 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 had been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are normally in place, and highway 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 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 might be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. As an illustration, 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, but it surely’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 through the 18-20 midnights.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some resort 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:
– Highway circumstances might 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 one in all my favorite instances 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 an excellent 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 good when you’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 likelihood of maximum snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unattainable.
– Lots 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 motels and flights are likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout college holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless one in all my favorite instances of the 12 months 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 season:
– You get an incredible quantity of sunlight hours to discover Iceland. This implies you’ll be able to simply spend 18 hours outdoors and even head out on among 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 time months are a good time to go to Iceland when you plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Highway circumstances 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 motels 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 unattainable by any means, but it surely’s value remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is one in all 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 time 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.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Autumn:
– You get an excellent 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 right now of 12 months, with just some durations of closures, particularly for predominant 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 College 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. Nevertheless, all the time bear in mind that the wind in Iceland might be intense and may simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
Verify Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
