Summer vs Winter: When’s the best time to visit Iceland

GuidesImport
A man rugged up in a jacket and hat in front of a waterfall in Iceland.
15/08/2019 / By / , , , , / Post a Comment
When you think about Iceland, it’s likely you imagine one of two scenes: the magical Northern lights, dancing in the night sky above a frozen waterfall, the ground covered in freshly fallen snow. Or sweeping swathes of green mountains, cut with rushing rivers; Icelandic horses stand by munching on grass, and a puffin or two soars overhead.

Iceland is a year-round travel destination, but travellers tend to lean towards visits in the wintery off-season, when crowds are fewer (but days are shorter), or the summer months, that bring hordes of travellers from all corners of the globe, eager to make the most of the 24-hour sun.

EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE OF SMALL GROUP TOURS IN ICELAND NOW

Both seasons have their pros and cons. Here are our thoughts on the best time of year to travel to Iceland.

SUMMER TRAVEL

Weather

A man walking along a black sand beach with ferocious waves in the background

Believe it or not, this is summer in Iceland. Photo by Damien Raggatt.

Summer in Iceland is somewhat of an oxymoron. When I was there in July, the temperature didn’t get any higher than 15 degrees Celsius. And while we had 24 hours of daylight, we rarely got any actual sunshine; most days, an endless grey cloud hung low, bringing occasional downpours. Strong winds blowing in from the Arctic are bone-chillingly cold, and I was thankful for packing my thermals.  (That said, a friend travelled from Akureyri to Reykjavik a week after I left and experienced blue skies and temperatures in the 20s. Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so be prepared for all conditions!)

RELATED: YOUR ULTIMATE ICELAND PACKING LIST

Midnight sun

A man pretending to kick a soccer ball while eating a hotdog in Iceland

Akureyri has great hot dogs, great street art, and a LOT of daylight. Photo by Damien Raggatt.

The midnight sun makes Iceland a much more accessible destination than during winter. You can visit sites at almost any hour (most of Iceland’s beautiful natural wonders are on public land, and don’t have closing times or visitor fees), which can be a great way to avoid the summer crowds.

Be prepared for crowds

A yellow building and a red building in Iceland.

Head away from the tourist spots for a *real* Icelandic experience. Photo by Damien Raggatt.

Iceland is very popular, so be prepared for more traffic on the road, higher prices in restaurants, expensive accommodation (which is why recommend our small group tours!), and more people at those iconic waterfalls and hiking trails. If you’d rather give the hordes a miss, consider travelling off the tourist trail; sure, the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon are beautiful, but so is the rest of the country. Head north-west of Reykjavik to the rugged Snaefellsnes Peninsula, then around to the tiny picturesque fishing village of Siglufjordur, and onto Akureyri for a taste of what Iceland is really like.

RELATED: 8 ESSENTIAL THINGS TO DO IN ICELAND, ACCORDING TO A LOCAL 

It’s Green. Everywhere.

Iceland in summer is a photographer’s dream. You’ve got the magical light, of course; taking ‘sunset’ photos at midnight, as the sun kisses the horizon before rising again, makes for some pretty incredible shots! But you’ll also see the country shrouded in green; the hills come alive with lush grasses, yellow wildflowers, and bright bursts of purple lupine. Puffin season is between April and August, so a visit to Latrabjarg cliffs is a must for bird lovers.

WINTER TRAVEL

Weather

A woman in a puffer jacket looks out over the snow in Iceland

If you can brave the cold, winter is a wonderful time to travel. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.

Iceland in winter is cold, but this can be a beautiful time of year to travel for those willing to brave the chilly conditions. While temperatures in Reykjavik tend to hover around the 0 degree Celsius mark, it can get down to -15 degrees Celsius in the country’s northern regions. Not exactly inviting, but seeing the country under a blanket of snow, or those powerful waterfalls frozen mid-stream, is wonderful. It goes without saying that you should expect ice, sleet, rain and wind with that snow, so be sure to pack accordingly (particularly winter boots that have good grip!).

The Northern Lights

A person watches the Northern Lights in Iceland

Lucky travellers in winter may get a chance to see the Northern Lights.

Auroras are formed when electrically charged solar particles collide with gases in the earth’s atmosphere, creating celestial displays of blue, pink, green and white light, mirroring each other and dancing across the night sky.  The Northern Lights can be seen from countries across the polar north, but are often spotted above Iceland. Head out of Reykjavik (and away from any light pollution), rug up in a warm jacket, pack yourself a thermos of hot chocolate, and prepare for an out-of-this-world performance.

* Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural – and elusive – phenomenon, and there’s no guarantee of seeing them.

RELATED: THE BEST COUNTRIES TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Dark days ahead

In contrast to summer’s lingering twilight, the winter months only see between four to five hours of light each day. You’ll have less time up your sleeve for visiting waterfalls and glaciers, but more time for soaking in thermal pools and sampling the local ales in one of Iceland’s many (top-notch) breweries. Your tour leader can give you tips on which brews are best!

SUBSCRIBE TO PEREGRINE’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION AND SPECIAL OFFERS

Fewer crowds to contend with

A horse standing in a snowy field in Iceland

You’ll see Icelandic horses no matter when you travel. Photo by 1tomm, Shutterstock.

The lack of sunlight and chilly conditions keep many travellers away, so there won’t be as many people shouldering you out of their selfies at popular sites.

RELATED: WHY YOU SHOULD VENTURE BEYOND ICELAND’S RING ROAD TO THE WESTFJORDS

A NOTE ON RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Regardless of when you travel in Iceland, it’s important to follow the instructions of your tour leader and obey signs at landmarks and on hiking trails. Don’t climb over fences, into roped-off areas, or off paths for ‘the perfect photo’; these areas have been isolated to regenerate and/or protect plant life, or to keep you safe.

Iceland is a beautiful destination, and worthy of a visit at any time of the year. Join us now on a premium small group adventure with an expert local leader. Explore our range of tours now.  

Feature photo by Damien Raggatt. 

Emily Kratzmann

When I'm not riding a camel into the desert, robot dancing in a weird Venezuelan bar or kayaking through dugong-filled waters in the Philippines, you'll find me writing about travel, reading about travel, and planning my next travelling escapade. I choose destinations based on how cute/terrifying the wildlife is and alpacas are my power animal.

You Might Also Enjoy Reading

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
The 5 most important sites in Vietnam to learn about the war
10/12/2019
Where to find the best food experiences in Vietnam
03/12/2019
locals on Lombok dancing in traditional dress
The magic of visiting a traditional village in Lombok
24/09/2019
A traveller takes photos in Antarctica
How to be a responsible Antarctic traveller
20/09/2019
A woman looks out over Halong Bay at dusk
What to expect on an overnight cruise in Halong Bay
19/09/2019
Komodo Dragon
Coming face-to-face with Komodo Dragons in Indonesia
22/08/2019
group of travellers take a selfie at sunset
How I overcame my fears about joining an Adventure Cruise as a solo traveller
21/08/2019
A man on a motorbike in Vietnam
Travelling to Vietnam? Here’s how to safely cross the road.
29/07/2019
Close up portrait of a lady in a sari making chapati in India
A guide to portrait photography on the road, as told by an amateur with the skills of an expert 
22/07/2019

Leave a Reply