The Best Months To Visit Iceland

Most people that book a trip to Iceland visit in the summer time, which is also the high season. But let me tell you which months I prefer!

Elisa in Iceland

Elisa in Iceland

Iceland

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Of course, the summer in Iceland is great and you'll have the highest chance of having good weather. But it is also the busiest and most expensive time of the year. So why not look at other months to visit?

These are my favorite months for different reasons.

The best winter month in Iceland

If you want to see the winter version of Iceland I would recommend end of Feburary, beginning of March. The days are already a lot longer than in December / January, so you will have a lot more time to actually see things.

Especially if you come to the north in Februay or March you also have a good chance to see some snow and maybe you can go skiing / snowboarding at Hlíðarfjall!

The best months for Northern lights

Unlike many people believe, December and January are not the best months for northern lights. The nights are long, but there is also a much bigger chance to have snowstorms and when it is cloudy, there is no chance to see the northern lights.

March and September are actually the best months to have a chance to see this natural phenomenon.

Want to be 100% sure to see the northern lights? You'll have to visit Aurora Basecamp then!

The best months for lupines

If you like to see he purple flowers all over Iceland, you should visit in June or July. That is when the lupines bloom and will create a purple blanket over big parts of Iceland.

The best month for whale watching

Overal the summer months are best for whale watching (between April - September), but in North Iceland you can spot them year round.

You can book a tour here with 10% discount.

My favorite travel months in Iceland

I personally really like traveling in May and September. It's not that busy (at least not in the north and east) and the weather usually is fine. So if you want to beat the crowds and still have some nice weather, this is the time to go.

In May you can also already spot puffins and enjoy the midnight sun.

In September the Northern lights start to show up again and you get to enjoy all the beautiful fall colors. And this month you will also see a lot of sheep and horses coming back from the mountains for the roundups. So make sure to check if there are any in your area if you visit in September.

I've added the locations and dates for several horse roundups to "My Favorite Riding Tours"-itinerary.

Which Month is best for you?

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