What's the best time to visit Iceland?

You could say that there are four entirely different versions of Iceland - one for each season. Each season unveils a unique possibilities of experiences, presenting both advantages and considerations. As a local for 35 years I've grown a very good understanding of the seasonal differences and the pros and cons of each. Note that the best time will be different for every one so here's a guide to help you decide the best season for your Icelandic journey:

Summer (June to August)

PROS:

• Midnight sun: Want to explore until you drop? There's nothing stopping you! Experience the phenomenon of nearly 24 hours of daylight, providing endless time for exploration. I'd even recommend using the night time to visit some of the most popular spots.

• Mild weather: Iceland rarely gets HOT but summer is nice with it's milder temperatures, making outdoor activities and road trips easier and more comfortable.

• Lively atmosphere: Summer brings a vibrant energy, with various events, festivals, and a bustling social scene. Here's a schedule of events https://www.visiticeland.com/annual-events-in-iceland/

• Beautiful colours: Incredible greens, blue skies, purple lupines, yellow flowers, orange mountains, geothermal areas... Iceland basically turns into a rainbow during summer.

• Accessibility: Late summer is usually the time when most places in Iceland are accessible (even the highlands). You will still need a 4x4 to reach many of those places but at least the weather isn't stopping you.

• Waterfalls: Summer and fall are the seasons when you have the most power in the waterfalls due to the warm weather and fall rain making sure the rivers run high and mighty.

CONS:

• Crowds: Summer is the peak tourist season, leading to more crowded popular attractions. There are definitely workarounds and I made a specific Travel Tip teaching you to beat the crowds.

• Higher prices: Accommodation and tours may be pricier due to increased demand. Also, make sure you book everything well in advance. If you're in trouble, feel free to send me a message and I'll see what I can do.

• Too much light? Not sure there is such a thing, but if you're looking for blue hour magic, stars or Northern Lights, you'll be out of luck in Iceland during the summer months. It can also be hard to sleep during the bright nights so bring a sleeping mask!

Fall (September to October)

PROS:

• Autumn colors: The peak moment of the vibrant autumn colours can be tricky to time since it's never exactly the same and it's also different between regions on Iceland. But whether you catch Iceland still with it's leaves hanging or not, you'll always get to enjoy the beautiful yellow and orange palette during fall.

• Fewer tourists: As soon as summer is over we see a drastic trop in crowds so it can be a great time to experience a more peaceful Iceland and more time with yourself out in nature.

• Northern Lights: You need darkness to see the Northern Lights and they become more visible as the nights grow longer. That being said, even though you have more darkness during winter time, the most active Northern Lights are usually found during the autumn and spring equinox (end of September and end or March).

• Waterfalls: The glaciers have been melting throughout summer and now we're adding some fall rain to the mix. You're bound to get some great waterfall action during this time of year.

CONS:

• Cooler temperatures: Weather begins to cool, and daylight hours decrease.

• Wind: You might encounter a storm or two during your Iceland trip in fall - nothing crazy but just bring a coat and check the forecast before heading out at https://en.vedur.is/.

• Variable conditions: Early fall can bring unpredictable weather that can impact road conditions. Make sure you check https://road.is/ and safetravel.is before heading out.

Winter (November to February)

PROS:

• Northern Lights: Due to the amount of darkness, winter is prime time for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. All you need is a clear sky, darkness and of course - the Northern Lights.

• Snow-covered landscapes: I love Iceland during winter with it's all-white landscapes, crisp and cold air, frozen waterfalls and ice caves.

• Winter adventures: You have many options of different types of adventures during winter like snow mobile tours, skiing, ice caving, glacier hikes and more.

• Cozy atmosphere: Enjoy the warmth of geothermally heated pools and the cozy ambiance of winter accommodations.

• Solitude: Winter is the time of year when the fewest people make their way to our big lonely island in the north making it the perfect time to visit if solitude is what you're after.

CONS:

• Limited daylight: Shorter days mean less time for exploration so plan accordingly.

• Challenging roads: Winter weather can lead to icy roads and challenging driving conditions. Rent a capable 4x4 with studded tires and make sure you check https://road.is/ and safetravel.is before heading out. Drive safely.

• Weather: This is going to be a lottery since it's impossible to predict Iceland weather longer than a few days. You might get beautiful and calm winter days where everything goes smoothly, or you might get stuck in you hotel for a few days while a storm passes (not super likely but it happens). All you can do is prepare for anything and see what happens. And just know if you're hit by one of those storms, you're getting the rawest form of Iceland - so just enjoy it!

Spring (March to May)

PROS:

• Longer days: Days start getting longer with around 6,5 minutes of daylight adding each day so you'll have more and more time for exploration. Take this into account when aiming for sunset and sunrise.

• Milder weather: Temperatures are slowly getting warmer and the weather milder but I'd still recommend you bring some solid clothes during spring.

• Fewer people: This is the second quietest season in Iceland after winter.

• Northern Lights: The most active Northern Lights are usually found during the autumn and spring equinox, end of September and end or March, so you still have a good chance of seeing them during the first half of spring.

CONS:

• Variable conditions: Early spring may still bring winter-like weather, affecting road conditions and making things challenging.

• Limited greenery: While nature begins to bloom, it usually takes full spring some time to appear.

Choosing the best season depends on your preferences and the experiences you seek. Whether it's the vibrant energy of summer, the tranquility of fall, the winter magic, or the blossoming of spring, each season in Iceland offers a distinct and unforgettable adventure.