In the last couple of years, Iceland has grown as a popular destination. That’s why it was at the top of my list of places to visit for 2019. Northern lights? Blue lagoon? Waterfalls? Sign me up! There is so much to see and do ranging from relaxation to adventure, and everything in between. But, what you want to do most will determine which season is best for you to go.
Read below for what to expect in each season of Iceland!
Winter
*November to March*
Visiting Iceland during this time you can expect colder temperatures (20-30°F) . Although cold, the weather is very unpredictable no matter the season. You can expect anything from a blizzard, rain, or clear skies! Along with colder temperatures, you can also expect shorter days. Leading up to December 21st, the days gradually get shorter and shorter until there is only 4-5 hours of daylight on this day! This marks the Northern Hemisphere’s Winter Solstice, which is when the Earth’s axis is tilted at it’s maximum point away from the sun. After this day, sunlight will start to increase.
Tip: Depending on when you want to go and how many hours of daylight you prefer, view this daily sunrise, sunset and day length calendar to help you decide.
The winter months in Iceland are best for seeing the Northern Lights, exploring ice caves and glaciers, skiing and snowmobiling. You can also see beautiful Christmas lights in December or enjoy the Festival of Lights in February. If you are looking to drive the whole island (Ring Road), I’d advise against visiting Iceland during the heart of winter as many roads can be closed.
It is also important to note that wintertime is considered Iceland’s off-season, meaning you can expect to see less tourists. With this, restaurants and bars do tend to close early outside of the capital, Reykjavík. However, this is the cheapest time of the year to visit so expect cheaper flights, car rentals, accommodations…basically cheaper everything!
I personally chose to visit Iceland the first week of March. Check out my extensive 5 day itinerary to Iceland for more details!
Spring
*April to May*
During springtime, it starts to get a bit warmer out so you can expect temperatures around 40-50°F. Prepare for any weather – again Iceland can be super unpredictable!
With warmer and longer days, spring in Iceland is perfect for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, golfing, etc. Although, you still have a chance to catch the Northern Lights if you are lucky! In addition to enjoying the great outdoors, you can see beautiful purple Lupine flowers springing up from the ground (pun intended). This is also the time of the year that you can start seeing the Puffin birds, which are the cutest little things!
You can still find less crowds and tourists during this time, therefore, cheaper rates. But as you get closer to summer, that will definitely increase.
Summer
*June to August*
Summer in Iceland is considered high-season – tons of tourists and a premium on prices. Why is this the high-season? Because it’s the warmest time to visit Iceland (50-60°F) and daylight is optimal during this time. Around June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, where the Earth’s axis is tilted at it’s maximum point toward the sun. On this day, you can experience the Midnight Sun which is almost 24 hours of daylight since the sun never really sets before rising back up again. Cool right?! To celebrate, Iceland has a music festival called Secret Solstice.
If you opt to visit Iceland during this time, you’ll have more daylight for exploring and outdoor activities like horseback riding, whale watching, hiking, camping, etc. Tour companies will typically have 24hr excursions and restaurants, shops, and bars tend to stay open later too. Additionally, roads around Iceland open back up so this is great for anyone looking to drive the whole island, aka the Ring Road.
Autumn
*September to October*
During autumn in Iceland, you can expect temperatures between 32-50°F. It is similar to it’s springtime, just windier. The benefit of visiting Iceland during this time is the beautiful foliage as the leaves start to change. Also, you can have the chance to see Northern Lights again!
Overall, Iceland is a destination where no matter what time of year you visit, it will be an experience to remember.
Which season would you like to go? Comment below!
