Iceland is the single most beautiful country I have ever been to. The sheer drama that the thermal landscape provides is simply unparalleled to anywhere else I have visited. Couple this with millennia old glaciers, jagged mountain peaks and volcanoes hidden under hundreds of meters of ice, and the power of the land will captivate you if the beauty does not.
If that hasn’t whet your travelling appetite, I don’t know what will. But when is the best time to visit this seismic beast in the north? Well that’s the best thing of all! There is something for everyone in every season. Iceland simply does not stop giving whatever time of year you decide to go.
That said, there are some pretty huge changes that occur in the land of ice and fire so some activities may not be available in the winter and some not available in the summer. So, read on to find out when the best time to go to Iceland is for you.
Winter
The first thing you think of when you imagine Iceland is a land covered in ice and snow. Well, if this is the image you want then the winter is the only time to go.
Winter starts at the beginning of November in Iceland and finishes around the end of February.
Even though the glacial ice is permanent, the snow in Iceland is not. So you have to go during the late winter months if that’s what you want to experience.
The days get very short during the winter so you many find yourself pressed for time if you are trying to travel vast distances from attraction to attraction. It could easily take 2 weeks in the winter to experience as much as 1 week in the summer.
However! There are some serious advantages to the cold long winter nights. First and foremost is the incredible Aurora Borealis. You can’t actually see the Northern Lights during the brighter months but the depths of winter will give you the best chance of seeing them. You can even snowmobile across a glacier whilst gazing into the stars hoping for a glimpse!
Some people solely go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights and if that is you then deep winter is the only option you should consider.
Spring
Iceland’s wildlife starts to explode to life during the spring months with massive migrations of sea birds flocking to the famous beaches and cliffs of Iceland’s Fjords and coastlines.
However, there will still be snow about and the temperatures will still be around 0-5 Celsius.
This makes spring the best time to come if you want to experience a little of both worlds, the wonder of winter and the life of summer.
If you go nearer the beginning of spring then there is still a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights and a possibility of seeing the puffins come in to nest. You will even be able to start going on whale watching tours from Reykjavik and Akureyri with better results.
As you can imagine, the best of both worlds always comes with a downside. The chances of seeing the Northern Lights during the spring is less than the winter and the wildlife on display in spring is not as spectacular as the abundance of life during the summer months.
But now for the good news, spring in Iceland is still the down season. This means that flights, accommodation and travel costs are much lower than during the summer months. So you can get a taste of what summer and winter offers in Iceland for much less money.
So, have a think about what you want to get from your trip. If you are looking for something very specific then spring might not be your best option. If you’re looking to get the most out of your trip with longer days, warmer temperatures and a bit of everything then spring in Iceland is the way to go.
Summer
Summer is when Iceland comes alive.
There really isn’t any other way to describe it. Nature transforms the land from a cold white dessert into a lush green paradise reminiscent of the most fantastical of fairy tales.
Festivals start to spring up all over the country and wherever you are there will be a party into the early hours of the morning.
This is the time to make the most of the never ending days (the sun never sets in the summer) and see everything that Iceland has to offer.
You’ll be able to access parts of the country that are not accessible during the winter and discover incredible natural hot springs and sights hidden throughout the Icelandic wilderness.
You’ll be able to easily traverse the country on the 800 mile ring road without fear of ice and blockages in the road. This makes summer the best season to organise an epic road trip.
The ONLY thing you cannot do during the summer is see the Northern Lights.
However, summer in Iceland is also the most expensive time of year so take this into consideration if you are on a tight budget. My best advice is to book early to save any money you can.
Autumn
Autumn in Iceland is kind of like the middle child, a little forgotten. The wildlife is starting to leave, the temperatures are starting to drop and the snow hasn’t quite arrived.
This makes it sound like the worst season to travel to Iceland, and this may be true.
However, in my opinion, there is no bad time to come to Iceland. There are so many activities and sights that are available all year round that make the worst season still better and more incredible than anywhere I have been before.
Geysers erupting out of the ground, fissures in the earth full of pure glacial water, the oranges of autumn mixing with the alien landscape and glaciers breaking off into the sea are just some of the wonders you can at this time of year.
The prices are lower and you’ll still have relatively long days to explore the country at your own pace.
If you are thinking of travelling to Iceland in autumn then rest assured that Iceland will deliver as it always does.
All Year Activities
Below is a list of activities that you can enjoy in Iceland throughout the entire year. If the things you want to do are listed below then you don’t have to worry about when to go to Iceland.
Snowmobiling on a Glacier
The glaciers of Iceland are permanent so you can snowmobile across the icy plains whatever time of year you decide to go. This is the best tour you can do in all of Iceland, hands down. Powering along the ice in amongst the mountains with views for miles around is just incredible.
If there is one thing to treat yourself to whilst visiting Iceland then this is it.
If you go during the winter then you have a chance of witnessing the Aurora Borealis light up the sky whilst you zoom along in the dark.
If you go during the summer then you can book a snowmobiling tour at midnight and enjoy the thrill of the activity whilst basking in the midnight sun! Yes, that’s right; it never gets dark during the summer months.
Bathing In a Geothermal Hot Spring
Geothermal energy laughs in the face of seasons and never slows down. So, you can bathe in one of the many geothermal hot springs dotted throughout Iceland’s wilderness whenever you decide to visit.
There are so many hot springs to choose from that you can even make a whole trip of travelling around the country just to try each one. However, the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are definitely the best two.
Road Trip Around The Fjords
Hiring a vehicle in Iceland is an absolute must to make the most of the country and you will be able to do this all year round.
This is the best way to get to the most inaccessible places on the island and in some cases the only way. In winter it gets a lot more difficult as you go north but the south coast is fine all year round.
Golden Circle
The Golden Circle, Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, are absolute gems whenever you visit Iceland. Considering there is no entry fee to any of them and they are relatively close to Reykjavik, it is incredibly easy to visit the big 3 whenever you visit.
Chasing Waterfalls
Waterfalls in Iceland are more spectacular during the summer because of the volume of water but even during the depths of winter they are beautiful natural landmarks. You can easily make an entire trip of chasing waterfalls whatever season you visit.
Black Sand Beaches
Iceland is home to jet black beaches spanning as far as the eye can see. You won’t be sunbathing in the summer months so it really doesn’t matter when you visit Iceland to see these eerie black landscapes.
In short, Iceland is the epitome of a perfect travel destination throughout the whole year. Whether you’re looking for icy evenings watching the Northern Lights, or midnight sun escapades chasing waterfalls, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time in this incredible country.
