Iceland is a shocking nation to go to! It’s acquired so many incredible places to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, wonderful hikes and, in fact, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally acquired a number of the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that commonly seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the very best time to go to Iceland? Properly, we’ve acquired you coated you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular instances of the 12 months. This fashion, you can also make probably the most out of your time exploring this unbelievable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable choice 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 properly forward of time. This fashion, you’ll be able to ebook the best Icelandic tours 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 seemingly 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 will 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 likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means there will be seasonal highway closures which will influence any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
Should you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to take into account 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 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 Office website, 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 will be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. As an illustration, the shortest daytime 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, however it’s much less so if you wish to discover the pure sights of Iceland in daytime.
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 shall 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 circumstances will 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 here.
Spring: March to June
Spring is certainly one of my favorite instances to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a bit of quieter than the summer time 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland in Spring:
– You’ll have round 17 hours, if no more, of daytime in Spring. This implies it’s good for those who’ve solely acquired a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as most of the country’s stunning 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 unattainable.
– Lots of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to start out 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 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 accommodations and flights are likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout faculty holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless certainly one of 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Summer season:
– You get an amazing quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you’ll be able to simply spend 18 hours outdoors and even head out on a number 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 time 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 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 have to plan your lodging earlier than your journey, particularly if travelling past Reykjavik. There are restricted accommodations and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer season.
– Because of the longer daytime, there’s a smaller probability of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not unattainable by any means, however it’s value remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is certainly one of 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.
Professionals 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 straightforward to drive presently of 12 months, 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 throughout the College holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it may possibly get a bit of moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, all the time bear in mind that the wind in Iceland will be intense and may simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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