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, great hikes and, after all, 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 often seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is the perfect time to go to Iceland? Effectively, we’ve received you coated you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular occasions of the yr. This fashion, you can also make essentially the most out of your time exploring this unimaginable nation and take advantage of knowledgeable resolution that’s best for you.
In the event you’re something like me, and I’m guessing you might be, you’ll need to plan your journey to Iceland properly forward of time. This fashion, you may guide 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 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 usually the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are inclined to make landfall in Iceland. Which means there might be seasonal highway closures which will affect any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
In the event you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, at all times ensure you contemplate the intense climate you would possibly get.
We’ve visited in Winter twice. The primary time, we had extreme snow storms, once we generally 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 doable. So, by no means take any dangers in driving throughout a storm, particularly if the native climate service points warnings. You’ll be able to 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 might be prolonged as you’re within the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. As an example, the shortest sunlight hours in Iceland in December is round 4.5 hours. That is nice in case your sole aim is to catch the Northern Lights at the hours of darkness, nevertheless 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 can 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 might 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 occasions to go to Iceland. Not simply because it’s a bit quieter than the summer time months however as a result of it has a very good 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 if you happen to’ve solely received a brief journey to Iceland and need to cram in as most of the nation’s gorgeous sights as doable. You’ll be able to 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 maximum snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unimaginable.
– Lots of the nation’s seasonal excursions have a tendency to begin 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 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 motels 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 occasions of the yr 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 top of summer time – 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 outdoors and even head out on a few of the nation’s gorgeous 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 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 motels and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer time.
– As a result of longer sunlight hours, there’s a smaller likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not unimaginable by any means, nevertheless it’s price remembering.
Autumn: September to December
Like Spring, Autumn (particularly the beginning of autumn) is one among my favorite occasions to go to Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer time, which suggests you get all the advantages of summer time 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 very good 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 at the moment of yr, with just some durations of closures, particularly for 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 throughout the College holidays in October.
– Identical to spring, it may well get a bit moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, at all times bear in mind that the wind in Iceland might be intense and may simply change the temperature you are feeling while exploring.
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