When is one of the best time to go to to Iceland? That is in all probability our most incessantly requested query. Carefully adopted by, when ought to I e-book? Each questions are nice however usually harder to reply than you would possibly assume. Consider it or not, Iceland is a yr spherical vacation spot! So learn on to be taught concerning the Midnight Solar, Northern Lights, Blue Ice Caves, Glaciers, Volcanoes, Atlantic Puffins and much extra.

The query of ‘when is one of the best time to go to Iceland’ is a surprisingly advanced one. It can be fairly a private one too.

Through the years, we’ve discovered that though there are a lot of causes to journey to Iceland, our visitors are likely to have one large dream that they need to fulfil whereas within the nation. It’s only as soon as an itinerary has been created (and the visitors have chatted to us) that they realise there’s much more to see and do, at any time of yr.

So the query, ‘when is one of the best time to journey to Iceland?’ ought to actually be ‘when ought to I journey to Iceland in order that I’m in a position to obtain my dream?’

Hopefully, by the top of this text, you’ll know when one of the best time of yr for you to journey to Iceland is and when it is best to begin planning (and reserving). Subsequent step is to match the package option that matches.

Hengifoss Waterfall in East Iceland by Norris Niman.

A Temporary Overview Of The Seasons

Every season has its personal distinctive traits that needs to be thought of earlier than beginning to plan your journey. Learn past this to get a extra complete understanding of when it is best to journey to Iceland and to know the way far prematurely it is best to e-book your journey.

1. Springtime tranquility | April & Could
Springtime is the quietest time of yr to journey. Whales, puffins and different migratory birds begin to seem throughout the nation, and the free-roaming sheep with their new-born lambs are let free into the wilderness. It tends to be a bit extra reasonably priced too, primarily based on lodge costs.

2. Summer time below the midnight solar | June, July & August
In summer time, you might be handled to the warmest time of yr and as much as 24 hours of daylight. The common temperature sits round 14 Celsius (57 Fahrenheit) so that you’ll by no means be retreating for the shade after an extended glacier hike or nature stroll. It is a very household pleasant time of yr. The highlands confide in journey, and basking below the midnight solar is one thing that you simply’ll bear in mind for the remainder of your life.

3. Autumn Northern Lights searching (September and October)
Autumn brings with it an elevated likelihood to see the Northern Lights. It’s nonetheless (comparatively) heat in comparison with winter and also you get loads of daylight to match night Northern Lights hunts with invigorating daytime actions like glacier hikes.

4. The lengthy winter with newly found ice caves (November to March)
Shorter days, colder temperatures and loads of snow flip this darkish time of the yr right into a winter wonderland. The common temperature sits round 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit), because of the Gulf Stream, although we’re susceptible to the odd very chilly snap too. The largest draw is the mighty blue ice caves that turn into protected to go to presently of yr.

Vík Church in Summer time Lupin Area. Hidden Iceland. Photograph Norris Niman

When Is The Finest Time To Go to Iceland?

1. Spring | April & Could

The quietest (and most reasonably priced) time of yr

Springtime is the quietest time of yr. Even the Easter holidays don’t deliver as large an inflow as you would possibly assume, with lodges in Reykjavík tending to have area even fairly late within the planning course of. That’s to not say the remainder of the yr is overcrowded however if you happen to’re actually searching for solitude with good ranges of daylight, then coming presently of yr is spot on. Though many providers stay the identical worth all yr spherical, lodges and automobile leases do are likely to drop their costs fairly dramatically in some instances.

Heat and daylight

By mid-April the times are already lengthy, with the sundown not being till round 9pm. By the top of Could, you might be handled to 24 hours of daylight. It’s additionally hotter than winter as you may think about, however you might be nonetheless more likely to be handled to snow capped peaks and the odd dusting of snow. You possibly can nonetheless technically see the Northern Lights within the first few weeks in April too, although this shouldn’t be the only real purpose to journey presently of yr since there’s much less nightime to boost your possibilities.

Wildlife re-emerges

Particularly in April, the wild reindeer can nonetheless be noticed at sea-level, close to the Jökulsarlón glacier lagoon within the south east (summer time is a bit too sizzling for them, in order that they migrate into the mountains). Twenty completely different whale species return to Iceland to mate. Athough the Atlantic puffins are noticed in spring too, the majority of them don’t arrive till late Could. The flora re-emerges with loads of colors popping up throughout the panorama. However the large draw when it comes to wildlife is the birthing season of the lambs. There are extra sheep than individuals, so that you’ll have a fairly excessive likelihood of seeing the odd new-born lamb.

Finest actions to do presently of yr

There are many nice actions you may participate in presently of yr. From an adventurous glacier hike to whale watching to tranquil horse rides. Nonetheless, the one exercise that works finest presently of yr is snowmobiling. The glaciers (the place you do the snowmobiling) are actually lined in thick snow all the way in which all the way down to the sides of the ice. Certain, the lifeless of winter works too when it comes to snowfall, however in springtime you’re extra more likely to get clear skies and nicer climate (pivotal for these breathtaking panoramic views).

When ought to I e-book?

Round 3 months prematurely is mostly effective, even for private tours. This is among the few instances of the yr which you could e-book comparatively final minute and nonetheless have a excessive likelihood of us with the ability to assist. The sooner the higher is at all times most secure after all, however typically if you happen to request a tour for April and Could, greater than a month prematurely ought to have the ability to present one thing great for you.

Wonderful Excursions Snowmobile. Snowmobiling tour.

Whale and Puffin tour. Hidden Iceland

Icelandic Sheep with Hidden Iceland. By Simon Svensson Images (39)-17

2. Summer time | June, July & August

Midnight solar and heat

Witnessing the midnight solar is an expertise not like another. From late Could till mid-August, nighttime disappears…actually. This offers you limitless quantities of time to exlore the nation. The solar will nonetheless set, however solely briefly, ensuring any encroaching darkness is held at bay. Don’t fear although, most lodges have black out curtains that can assist you sleep. Watching the solar set round midnight solely to rise once more shortly after is one thing solely Iceland and different arctic areas can provide. All of this direct daylight brings heat with it too which makes this a good time of yr for multi-generational households.

Life is flourishing

In stark distinction to winter, summer time is bursting with life. The colourful Alaskan Lupine bloom throughout a lot of Iceland’s flat lands, quickly turning the panorama purple. Over 10 million Atlantic puffins name the Icelandic cliff sides dwelling and over 20 completely different whale species come to the shores to mate too. Add within the launch of the 480,000 or so sheep into the wild and also you’d be forgiven for forgetting that you’re on an remoted island on the sting of the arctic circle.

Finest actions to do presently of yr

The heat and daylight of summer time permits you to do most issues that Iceland has to supply however the defining actions which are finest in summer time are puffin excursions, glacier hikes and travelling into the highlands. That is additionally one of the best time to journey across the ring street, whether or not that’s on a private tour, guided by us, or a self-drive itinerary, if you happen to favor to have extra flexibility.

When ought to I e-book?

Not less than 6 months prematurely to be protected. A request any later than January/ February can nonetheless be deliberate, however lodging turns into a little bit of a problem on sure dates in some areas. Summer time is the busiest time of yr for certain, however with your entire ring street, highlands, and islands opening as much as vacationers, there’s definitely loads of room to unfold out. Final minute requests for summer time journey is feasible however is commonly relegated to creating Reykjavík your base and probably asking you to affix our small group tours.

Hike as much as the icefall on Falljökull Glacier by Amy Robinson. Characteristic

Icelandic Horse by Tom Archer.

Puffin recognizing by Mark Hoey.

3. Autumn | September & October

Northern Lights

By autumn, nighttime has actually returned! And with it – the Northern Lights. Certain, you may see the Northern Lights all via the winter and even into early April. However, nearer the Equinox it’s statistically the almost definitely time so that you can see them. The rationale for this anomaly will not be totally defined however a mixture of barely extra particles getting into the ambiance and the next likelihood of getting clear skies and also you gained’t care ‘why’, solely that you simply get to see the sunshine present for your self.

Not ‘too’ chilly but

These months are fairly humorous when it comes to climate. You will get days heat sufficient to put on a t-shirt and different days the place there’s an enormous dump of snow. That’s half the enjoyable of autumn. That is the time of yr the place the trope, 4 seasons in in the future, is most blatant. Most actions are nonetheless achievable in these months and you’ll even get across the island by automobile with out an excessive amount of fear when it comes to ice on the roads, till round mid-October.

Sunsets and rainbows

Our Information & Security Supervisor lovingly refers to autumn as rainbow season. The solar drops low within the sky early presently of yr and provides rise to loads of possibilities for rainbows. Particularly when visiting one of many many waterfalls Iceland has to supply. Should you aren’t fortunate sufficient to see a rainbow, one factor is for certain – these autumn reds, oranges, yellows and mossy greens, actually make the panorama pop.

Finest actions to do presently of yr

Northern Lights excursions are after all primary right here, although not in the way in which you’ll count on. The solar nonetheless doesn’t set till round 8pm, which means full darkness doesn’t arrive till nearer to midnight. So the easiest way to see the aurora is to not be a part of a late-evening tour however slightly to be a part of an in a single day tour the place you sleep in secluded areas across the nation (our specialty). Then you may simply step out of your lodge at any time within the evening and search for.

When ought to I e-book?

Early September can nonetheless have loads of offered out lodges within the extra distant elements of the nation early within the yr, so intention to e-book 4 or 5 months prematurely simply to make certain. October is much less of an issue and might really be requested comparatively final minute relying the dates. Simply bear in mind that luxurious lodging isn’t as prevalent exterior of Reykjavík, so if in case you have your coronary heart set on all luxurious lodging journey, then get in contact as early as you may simply in case there are some offered out nights.

Kirkjufell Mountain | Northern Lights | Snæfellsnes Peninsula | Hidden Iceland | Photograph by Tom Archer. About Us.

Northern Lights by Norris Niman. Aurora Borealis.

Northern Lights by Norris Niman. Aurora Borealis.

4. Winter | November to March

Winter Great

You’ll discover that this ‘season’ is longer than the remainder. It could appear Iceland’s winters can final a very long time. Clearly, some would possibly say. However really, because of the Gulf Stream, the temperature skates across the 2 Levels Celsius mark most of winter (with loads of chilly snaps and heat fronts preserving us on our toes). This implies you’ll nonetheless probably get a winter great however not the fixed sub-zero temperatures that you simply may need anticipated.

Ice Caves

Actually, the rationale this season is so prolonged and effectively outlined is for one the actions that we take into account a should see – the ice caves! Successfully, from November to March (and even into April) it’s thought of protected to enter these lovely blue ice buildings. They will vary from snake like tunnels to mighty cathedrals. Each season is a bit completely different from the final.

Northern Lights

Regardless of autumn being the ‘finest time’ to see the Northern Lights, winter can also be an outstanding time too. Apart from the Festive interval, it tends to be fairly a quiet time too. Despite the fact that you’re barely much less more likely to see them than in autumn, it does get darkish as early as 3:30pm on some days, so there’s loads of nighttime to play with. That is the time of yr the place your time for supper can usually get interrupted by an excited vacationer shouting that they’re ‘proper exterior the window’.

Finest actions to do presently of yr

It’s already been stated – ice caves and Northern Lights. However really, sitting in a heat sizzling pool with snow surrounding you can also be a favorite of a lot of our prospects too. The distinction between the cold and hot is simply as breathtaking as seeing the aurora, although perhaps in a barely extra visceral means.

When ought to I e-book?

Excluding the festive interval (twentieth of December to tenth of January), you might be fairly relaxed with this. November and January are the quietest instances (comparable numbers to spring) however even in February and March, that are thought of key ice cave instances, we’re probably to have the ability to have the ability to say sure to most requests as late as 3 months out. Final minute request are welcome too, although we would simply should be a bit artistic with the order, lodge decisions and actions.

Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull Nationwide Park, with photograph by Sarah Rodgers

Sapphire Ice Cave Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photograph by Helen Maria Björnsdóttir

Ice cave on Falljökull glacier by Tom Archer. Characteristic

Actions that may be completed all yr spherical

Nonetheless undecided? Here’s a run down of a number of the actions that may be completed all yr spherical:

1. Glacier hikes might be loved all yr spherical. The pristine blue ice in winter makes for some nice footage however the crunchy white ice in summer time permits for extra journey. The temperature has little impact on the enjoyment of a glacier stroll.

2. Horse riding is nice enjoyable no matter whether or not you might be trotting via recent snow, black sand or volcanic lava fields. The horses are pretty and heat regardless. Simply don’t name them ponies, they get offended.

3. South Coast sights. This space is the least affected by the altering climate of the seasons. Though the remainder of the nation is open yr spherical, except for the highlands, the south coast tends to get much less snow and ice on the roads. Fortunately our award successful 2 day tour to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon can also be on this area.

4. The Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes are should see areas. Snaefellsnes has essentially the most photographed mountain within the nation (Recreation of Thrones anybody?) and the Golden Circle has a geyser that erupts each 10 minutes. Each are simply accessible all yr spherical, every potential as a day journey from Reykjavik.

Have you ever determined when is one of the best time to go to Iceland but?

Hopefully, one in all these seasons has caught out a bit greater than one other for you. Should you now have a most well-liked time of yr in thoughts or need much more particulars you will get in touch any time. Let’s begin planning the right itinerary collectively.

Try our private tour page for a customized deliberate itinerary.

Hello, I’m Ryan Connolly; Co-Founder and Advertising and marketing Supervisor of Hidden Iceland.

I’ve guided in a number of nations around the globe and stepped foot on all 7 continents. My ardour for the outside, science, nature, glaciers and volcanoes has led me to check and write about Iceland. I’ve been interviewed in Forbes, Conde Nast Traveller and Travel Pulse on varied topics.