Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland, Iceland is a place you can go to during any time of the year. You can observe dramatic landscapes and incredible natural phenomena here along with the rich cultural heritage of the land. Therefore, determining the best time of the year to visit Iceland really depends upon what one wants to experience.
Want to know when to chase the Northern Lights, explore the highlands, or experience the midnight sun. We’ll let you know in this guide. We will go in-depth on the numerous seasons and what to expect, activities, events, insights into the weather, and traveling conditions. By the end of this, you will know what time of year to visit Iceland for your interests.
Why go to Iceland?
Let’s start with reasons why one should visit Iceland, and then move on to the how. Icelandic travel definitely gives one unique experiences:
Unique Natural Phenomena: Viewing the Northern Lights or the midnight sun throughout the summertime is an experience hard to find somewhere else.
Diverse Landscapes: Iceland harbors glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and black sand beaches, setting it apart in per capita from other countries with gorgeous sights.
Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, glacier walking, ice climbing, and spotting whales are just a few activities on offer.
- Rich Culture: Icelandic traditions, folklore, and the friendly hospitality of the people give any visit great depth
- Wildlife: puffins, whales, arctic foxes are but a few examples of the wildlife you may be able to experience .
Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland: Season by Season
Winter (December to February),Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
Winter is a special time in Iceland, filled with the extraordinary: otherworldly northern lights, and snow-covered landscapes—but also, short daylight hours and cold temperatures.
Northern Lights
One of the major reasons people come to Iceland in winter is the opportunity to witness the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. The dark evenings create ideal circumstances for a stunning display of natural lights.
- Best Times of Year: From the end of September to mid-April, though December to February are the most popular times.
- Best Places to View the Lights: Thingvellir National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Westfjords.
Guided tours are also available to places that have the least light interference, thereby giving one maximum opportunities of experiencing northern lights and professional insight from the aurora experts.
Winter Activities
Activities unique to this season in winter include:
- Ice Caving: Explore the great, unreal blue ice caves.
- Snowmobiling: Across the glaciers and snowfields, glide for an overdose of adrenaline.
- Whale Watching: Although being cold during this season, it is a good time to see orcas off the coast.
Other activities available during winter are:
- Skiing and Snowboarding: While Iceland is not among the first on the list of skiing destinations, there are some ski resorts where one can make use of the opportunity to practice these winter sports.
- Hot Springs: There is no more Icelandic experience than soaking in a hot spring under the falling snow. The Blue Lagoon and Myvatn Nature Baths are two of the best-known.
- Christmas and New Year Celebrations: Reykjavik is a festive city, with markets and light displays appearing pre-Christmas, and there is always the fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.
Practical Tips
- Daylight Hours: Expect to have about 4-5 hours of daylight during December, January.
- Weather Conditions: It can be really cold, very windy, and snowing. Wear multiple layers and waterproof clothing.
- Travel Conditions: Roads get icy and difficult to drive through, especially in the countryside areas. Get a 4×4 vehicle hire from the car hire companies in the country.
Spring ( March May),Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
Spring emerges as a time of transition whereupon days grow longer and the weather grows warmer. On the other hand, it is just the best time when the island breathes life after the winter hibernation.
Thawing Landscapes
Snowmelt transforms the landscape in Iceland, exposing beautiful vivid green spaces and mighty waterfalls.
- Waterfalls: Spring is the best time to see waterfalls in their full strength, but in the melting of snow from glaciers and the amount of ice, a flood can be caused.
- Wildflowers: Wildflowers blossoming are in late spring, giving these vistas splashes of color.
About that time of the year, lambs are born, and you can even see a newly born lamb running across any field.
Spring Activities
- Hiking: Trails start opening up, so hiking becomes more accessible at this time of the year.
- Bird Watching: Migratory birds, such as the puffins, arrive back in the country during the spring.
- Horseback Riding: You can tour the blossoming landscapes aboard the sturdy Icelandic horses.
Other activities during the spring are:
- Fishing: When the ice melts, fishing season commences, and anglers can cast their casts in many rivers and lakes.
- Cultural Festivals: Reykjavik hosts different cultural festivals during this period. Among these is the Reykjavik Folk Festival and the Children’s Culture Festival.
Practical Tips
- Daylight Hours: By May, the daylight stretches to up to 18 hours.
- Weather Conditions: Spring weather is variable with a mix of sun, snow, and occasional rain.
- Travel Conditions: Most roads are passable, but the highland routes might still be closed.
Summer (June to August),Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
This is the most preferred time of year to visit Iceland due to nicer weather, longer hours of daylight, and more activities.
Midnight Sun
In the period of summer, sun-bathing occurs barely the sun sets down, and thus provides light nearly for 24 hours.
- Best months of viewing: from late May to early August, with peak time around the summer solstice in June.
- Best places of viewing: anywhere in Iceland. Still, it is more or less pronounced in the northern regions.
Due to this situation of continuous brightness, one can extend their time for exploration and activities at any time.
Summer Activities
Summers offer the most varied range of activities and are ideal for outdoor activities:
- Hiking/Trekking: The popular Laugavegur Trail and other Highland roads are open and most accessible at this time of the year.
- Glacier Tours: Explore the ice caps with a guided tour.
- Festivals: Get an idea of Icelandic culture at its highest, esteem specific events like Reykjavik Arts Festival and Secret Solstice Music Festival.
Other summer activities include
- Ring Road and Other Scenic Routes : The Ring Road and other attractive scenic routes are now fully accessible, and hence, road trips couldn’t fit better in the itinerary for this period.
- Camping : The weather is quite welcoming; it’s very mild, which is perfect for camping. Days are also very long at this time of the year. There are several campsites available throughout the country.
- Wildlife Watching : This is the best time of the year to see puffins, whales, and seals.
Practical Tips
- Daylight Hours : The daylight hours are nearly 24 hours long during this summer season, especially in June and July.
- Weather Conditions: With mild temperatures, the general range is from 10-15°C (50-59°F). Be prepared for sudden strikings.
- Travel Conditions: The roads are generally in good condition; all highland routes stay open.
Fall (September to November), Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
Autumn’s arrival is heralded pronominally by color. There will be fewer tourists too, and the Northern Lights return to dancing in the night skies. It is an essential time for those who prefer visiting during the off-season.
Northern Lights Return
Autumn Depending on the traveler’s preference, the darker hours with longer nights also bring back the Northern Lights. As a result, they provide another opportunity to witness the phenomenon.
- Best Seeing Months: September and October are the best months to view the Northern Lights.
- Best Places to See: Same as in winter, in Thingvellir National Park or Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon; The autumn equinox occurs in September, and hence, aurora sightings can be promising.
Activities in Fall
- Foliage Photography: When the colors change, this can make for some really beautiful photos.
- Hot Springs: Leave the crowds behind and soak in geothermal hot springs surrounded by cool weather.
- Horseback Riding: Beautiful autumn colors enhance the experience of horseback riding tours.Other activities that take place during Autumn include;
- Harvest Festivals: Try local food at the harvest festivals and markets.
- Mushroom Foraging: September is the prime time for foraging mushrooms in both woodland and meadows about this land.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Epic Iceland Road Trip Itinerary
Practical Tips
- Daylight Hours: Daylight that continues to grow short, but there’s still a lot of it: November gets about 9-10 hours daylight.
- Weather Conditions: The weather is becoming cooler and the skies are clear, with temperatures ranging between 0 and 10°C (32 and 50°F).
- Travel Conditions: Some highland roads start to close, however, most of the main roads will still be accessible.
Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland According to Interests
Best Time for Northern Lights
The best period to visit Iceland for the Northern Lights is from the end of September to mid-April. Winter contains the longest duration of nights, with the greatest likelihood of seeing this phenomenon. However, September and October still offer milder weather while presenting good, albeit fewer, viewing opportunities.
Best Time for Outdoor Activities
The best time to visit Iceland for hiking, trekking, and seeing the highlands is from June to August, during the summer months. The weather is mild, and there are open trails and long days, which means there is a lot of time for exploration.
Whale-Watching Season
Whale watching is possible throughout the year, though the best time for visiting Iceland to partake in this activity is from April to October. This period allows for sightings of various species of whales, including humpback whales and minke whales.
Best Time for Festivals
Iceland has several annual festivals, but June and July are the ideal months to watch such events in Iceland. The Reykjavik Arts Festival, Secret Solstice Music Festival, and many other local festivals will take place in the month.
Best Time to Travel for Photography
While in every season there are some great photographic opportunities, photographers visiting Iceland will enjoy the best time of year from September to November. The change in colors, together with the Northern Lights, make some phenomenal landscapes and show-stopping skies.
Best Time for Budget Travelling
If you’re going on a budget, consider visiting during shoulder seasons: spring from March through May and fall from September to November. Flight and accommodation prices are more reasonable, hence fewer tourists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best time of year to visit Iceland for seeing the Northern Lights? A: To travel to Iceland and catch the Northern Lights, the most suitable time would be between late September and the middle of April. Winter, with its long nights, provides the greatest chances of seeing this natural phenomenon.
Q: At what time of year should one visit Iceland for hiker’s satisfaction? A: The best time of year to visit Iceland for hiking is during the summer months, with mild weather and access to all trails.
Q: What is the best season to visit Iceland for whale watching? A: The best time of year to visit Iceland for whale watching is from the period between April and October. This offers maximum exposure to various whale species.
Q: When should I travel to Iceland for hot springs and geothermal pools? A: It’s best to visit Iceland during the fall and winter months for hot springs, along with geothermal pools. The weather is colder, so it is an even better time to soak in hot springs.
Q: When is the best time to come and see the birds in Iceland? A: The migratory birds, including puffins, turn up on the island in the spring season, which falls between the periods of April and June, making that the perfect time to visit Iceland for bird watching.
Q: When is the best time of year for visiting Iceland for glacier tours and ice caving? A: The best times of the year to visit Iceland for glacier tours and ice caving are the winter months of November to March. Ice caves are then at their most stable and most easily accessible.
Q: When is this the best time of year to have a road trip in Iceland? A: On the Road in Iceland. The best season for a road trip across Iceland would be during the summer months: June, July, and August. The weather conditions are friendly, and all the roads—including the highland routes—are open for driving.
Q: What is the best time of the year to visit if interested in festivals in Iceland? A: Summer is the best time to visit Iceland for festivals, mostly June and July. Several significant cultural festivals take place in summer, including the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Secret Solstice Music Festival, and Easter, which normally falls in the last part of March or the beginning of April.
Q: When is the best time of year to visit Iceland for photography? A: Most definitely, the best period to visit Iceland for photography would be the autumn season, between September and November. Colorful changes together with the Northern Lights on the background bring breathtaking sights into the landscape and the sky.
Q: When is the best time to visit Iceland on a budget? A: Budget travelers to Iceland fly here during the shoulder seasons of spring, March to May, and autumn, September to November. Accommodations and flights can be got at reasonable prices, and fewer tourists are in sight.
Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
Certainly, the best time to visit Iceland all depends on what one really intends to see. There’s just perfect timing for everything, be it Northern Lights, outdoor, or Icelandic culture. Winter possesses the magic of the aurora borealis and singular ice activities; summer with its continuous light and the possibility to go hiking while festivals are blooming. Spring and fall offer a modicum of both, with fewer crowds to enjoy stunning natural shifts. Plan your journey based on your personal interests and readily changeable Icelandic weather. Whatever the time of going, unforgettable memories are created by stunning landscape and experiences that are hard to grasp elsewhere.
| Season | Highlights | Activities | Practical Tips |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Northern Lights, snow-covered landscapes | Ice caving, snowmobiling, whale watching, skiing, hot springs, Christmas and New Year celebrations | Daylight Hours: 4-5 hours; Weather: Cold, windy, snowy; Travel: Roads can be icy, 4×4 vehicle recommended |
| Spring (Mar-May) | Thawing landscapes, longer days | Hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, fishing, cultural festivals | Daylight Hours: Up to 18 hours by May; Weather: Variable (sun, snow, rain); Travel: Most roads passable, highland routes might be closed |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Midnight sun, mild weather | Hiking, glacier tours, festivals, road trips, camping, wildlife watching | Daylight Hours: Nearly 24 hours; Weather: Mild (10-15°C); Travel: Roads in good condition, all highland routes open |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Colorful foliage, fewer tourists, Northern Lights return | Foliage photography, hot springs, horseback riding, harvest festivals, mushroom foraging | Daylight Hours: 9-10 hours by November; Weather: Cooler (0-10°C), clear skies; Travel: Some highland roads start to close, most main roads still accessible |
Best Time According to Interests
| Interest | Best Time |
| Northern Lights | Late September to mid-April (Winter) |
| Outdoor Activities | June to August (Summer) |
| Whale Watching | April to October (Spring to Fall) |
| Festivals | June and July (Summer) |
| Photography | September to November (Fall) |
| Budget Travel | March to May (Spring) and September to November (Fall) |