Iceland is a shocking 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 unusual landscapes, particularly with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that repeatedly seem.
However what in regards to the age-old query of when is one of the best time to go to Iceland? Properly, we’ve obtained you coated you with the professionals and cons of travelling to Iceland at particular instances of the yr. This manner, you may make essentially 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’re, you’ll wish to plan your journey to Iceland nicely forward of time. This manner, 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 truthfully so important, primarily since you’ll seemingly 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 could be icy, to say the least! It’s usually the time of yr when a few of the coldest climate and bigger storms are likely to make landfall in Iceland. Which means there could be seasonal highway closures that will impression any Icelandic highway journey you’re on.
When you resolve to journey to Iceland in winter, all the time be sure to think about 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 normally in place, and highway closures are typically 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 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 could 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 aim is to catch the Northern Lights at midnight, but it surely’s much less so if you wish to discover the pure sights of Iceland in sunlight hours.
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 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:
– Street situations could 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 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 slightly quieter than the summer time 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.
Professionals 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 for those who’ve solely obtained a brief journey to Iceland and wish to cram in as lots of the nation’s beautiful sights as doable. 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 likelihood of utmost snow storms throughout this time, although it’s by no means unimaginable.
– Most 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 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 likely to rise, particularly across the Easter Holidays or throughout faculty holidays.
Summer season: June to September
It’s nonetheless one in all my favorite instances of the yr to go to Iceland; the summer time months are really 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.
Professionals of travelling to Iceland within the Summer season:
– You get an amazing quantity of sunlight hours to discover Iceland. This implies you’ll be able to simply spend 18 hours outdoors and even head out on a few 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 situations are good, aside 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 motels and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change considerably in Summer season.
– Because of the longer sunlight hours, there’s a smaller likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not unimaginable 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. Because of this, 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 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 right now of yr, with just some durations of closures, particularly for foremost 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.
– Similar to spring, it could get slightly moist.
– Temperatures are fairly nice. It’s nonetheless chilly however not freezing. Nonetheless, all the time remember that the wind in Iceland could be intense and may simply change the temperature you’re feeling while exploring.
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