Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s received so many unbelievable 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 a number of the world’s most unusual 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 most effective 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 manner, you can also make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable resolution that’s best for you.
If you happen to’re something like me, and I’m guessing you’re, you’ll wish to plan your journey to Iceland properly forward of time. This manner, you possibly can e book the greatest Icelandic excursions and scout the important thing spots you like most. We do that for each journey to Iceland, and it’s actually so important, primarily since you’ll doubtless be masking 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 a number of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Which means that there might be seasonal highway closures which will influence any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
If you happen to resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times 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 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 possibly can at all times 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 daylight in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole objective 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 daylight.
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 might be cheaper.
– It’s an incredible 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 situations 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 every of my favorite instances to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a bit quieter than the summer season months however as a result of it has a superb 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 for those who’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as lots of the nation’s gorgeous sights as potential. 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 inconceivable.
– Most 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 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 lodges and flights are inclined to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout college holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless one in every of my favorite instances of the 12 months 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.
Execs of travelling to Iceland within the Summer season:
– You get an incredible quantity of daylight to discover Iceland. This implies you possibly can simply spend 18 hours outdoors and even head out on a number of the nation’s gorgeous 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 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.
– Highway 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 lodges and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer season.
– Because of the longer daylight, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not inconceivable by any means, however it’s price remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is one in every of my favorite instances 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. Because of this, 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 superb 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 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 through the Faculty holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it may possibly get a bit moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, at all times remember that the wind in Iceland might be intense and may simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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