Iceland Travel Guide: Best Time of Year to Visit for Every Type of Trip
Iceland is unique in the fact that its weather and daylight can get quite interesting. In the summer, they experience weeks of straight daylight, with the sun never truly setting. In the winter, they barely get any sunlight at all. The weather doesn’t get too warm there, but it also doesn’t get as cold as you might think. The temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the day either. When we were there, the temperature span only ranged a few degrees during the day. In the midwest, we can literally see 30 degrees span of temperature in one day.
When deciding the best time to go, it really depends on your goals for the trip, what you want to do, and your budget.
Best Time to See The Northern Lights
The best time to see the Northern Lights is definitely during the winter months, from November to March. In December and January, there are only about 4–6 hours of daylight. It will be cold during this time, but you’ll almost certainly catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
The downside of visiting in the winter is the potential for road closures due to ice and snow, which can delay or cancel certain activities. When we were there in October, a major road was actually closed due to strong winds, so we had to adjust our plans, just something to keep in mind.
A big perk of traveling to Iceland in winter (besides the Northern Lights) is how magical everything looks covered in snow. It feels straight out of a fairytale. Other winter activities include glacier hikes, exploring ice caves, and relaxing in cozy hot springs.
Best Time for Hiking and Lush Landscapes
Summer is probably the best time to visit Iceland if you want to hike, see lush green landscapes, and enjoy the long daylight hours. It’s also perfect for golfers! Iceland is surprisingly popular for golf since there’s 24-hour sun during the summer months.
Waterfalls are flowing beautifully this time of year, puffins are nesting, and it’s prime whale-watching season. Plus, travel across the country is easier since roads are open and weather conditions are milder.
The downside? You won’t see the Northern Lights, it’s the busiest season, and also the most expensive time to visit.
Best Time for First Time Visitors
For first-time visitors, I think the shoulder seasons, May and September (even early October), are the best. There tend to be fewer tourists, prices are lower, and the weather is still decent.
In May, the days start getting longer and the countryside begins to bloom. In September, you’ll see the fall colors come to life, the Northern Lights start to appear, and the temperatures are still comfortable. By October, it cools down a bit. When I went in early October, it was a little rainy and temperatures were in the high 30s to 40s°F. We did experience one road closure due to wind, but overall, we still felt very comfortable hiking and exploring.
The shoulder months really give you a nice balance. If you want to see all of Iceland, May or September is probably best. If you want to experience the 24-hour sun, summer is for you. And if you want the full winter wonderland, ice caves, glacier hiking, and Northern Lights, then winter in Iceland would be absolutely magical (and probably my pick next time I go).
If you have any questions about Iceland or need help planning your trip, reach out!