Iceland is a surprising nation to go to! It’s obtained so many unimaginable locations to see, not least due to its mind-blowing waterfalls, great hikes and, after all, Reykjavik. Not solely that, however you’ve additionally obtained a few of the world’s most original landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that usually seem.
However what concerning the age-old query of when is the perfect time to go to Iceland? Nicely, we’ve obtained you lined you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular instances of the 12 months. This manner, you may make probably the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable choice that’s best for you.
When 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 manner, you’ll be able to 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 truthfully so important, primarily since you’ll seemingly be overlaying 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 usually the time of 12 months when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Because of this there will be seasonal street closures which will influence any Icelandic street journey you’re on.
When you determine to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times ensure you take into account 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 street we had been driving on. Though precarious, climate warnings are often in place, and street closures are typically 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 may at all times watch these on the Icelandic Met Workplace web site, 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 objective 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.
Execs of travelling to Iceland in Winter:
– There’s extra alternative to identify the northern lights, particularly through the 18-20 nighttimes.
– It’s a quieter season to go to Iceland, so some lodge and flight costs will probably 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 will be precarious.
– Extra minor, lesser-used roads and tracks are usually 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 a great 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 daytime in Spring. This implies it’s excellent if you happen to’ve solely obtained a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as most of the nation’s beautiful sights as potential. You may simply wander round waterfalls and hikes within the night. It’s so particular.
– Driving situations are considerably simpler, and there’s much less likelihood of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means inconceivable.
– Lots of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to begin once more in later spring. Nevertheless, 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 may result in climate that we Brits name ‘depressing’.
– Costs for accommodations 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 12 months 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 incredible quantity of daytime to discover Iceland. This implies you’ll be able to 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 had 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 if you happen to plan to drive round the entire nation or go to the north of Iceland to locations like Akureyri and past.
– Street 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 time:
– Costs can rise for flights as demand will increase.
– You should 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 time.
– As a result of longer daytime, there’s a smaller likelihood 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 among my favorite instances to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer time, which implies you get all the advantages of summer season journey with a heap of the advantages of winter journey. For that reason, 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 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 at the moment of 12 months, with just some durations of closures, particularly for most important 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 could get somewhat moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nevertheless, at all times bear in mind that the wind in Iceland will be intense and may simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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