When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Iceland? - Hand Luggage Only

Iceland is a stunning country to visit! It’s got so many incredible places to see, not least because of its mind-blowing waterfalls, wonderful hikes and, of course, Reykjavik. Not only that, but you’ve also got some of the world’s most unique landscapes, especially with this erupting volcano and the Northern Lights that regularly appear.

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But what about the age-old question of when is the best time to visit Iceland? Well, we’ve got you covered you with the pros and cons of travelling to Iceland at specific times of the year. This way, you can make the most out of your time exploring this incredible country and make the most informed decision that’s right for you.

If you’re anything like me, and I’m guessing you are, you’ll want to plan your trip to Iceland well ahead of time. This way, you can book the best Icelandic tours and scout the key spots you love most. We do this for every trip to Iceland, and it’s honestly so essential, mainly because you’ll likely be covering a fair distance once you arrive in Iceland.

Winter: December to March

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Let’s start with the winter months. Travelling to Iceland in Winter can be icy, to say the least! It’s typically the time of year when some of the coldest weather and larger storms tend to make landfall in Iceland. This means that there can be seasonal road closures that may impact any Icelandic road trip you’re on.

If you decide to travel to Iceland in winter, always make sure you consider the extreme weather you might get.

We’ve visited in Winter twice. The first time, we had severe snow storms, when we sometimes couldn’t even make out the road we were driving on. Although precarious, weather warnings are usually in place, and road closures tend to be opened as soon as possible. So, never take any risks in driving during a storm, especially if the local weather service issues warnings. You can always watch these on the Icelandic Met Office website, which is updated hourly.

Another thing to consider when travelling to Iceland in winter is the longer nights you’ll have. Winter nights can be extended as you’re in the far north of the Northern Hemisphere. For instance, the shortest daylight hours in Iceland in December is around 4.5 hours. This is great if your sole goal is to catch the Northern Lights in the dark, but it’s less so if you want to explore the natural sights of Iceland in daylight hours.

Pros of travelling to Iceland in Winter:

– There’s more opportunity to spot the northern lights, especially during the 18-20 hours of darkness.

– It’s a quieter season to visit Iceland, so some hotel and flight prices will be cheaper.

– It’s an amazing time to visit cities like Reykjavik, as so many of the city’s activities are naturally indoors.

Cons of travelling to Iceland in Winter:

– Road conditions can be precarious.

– More minor, lesser-used roads and tracks are typically closed in the winter months, which makes some sights, like Haifoss Waterfall, inaccessible.

– Some tours only operate in the Summer months. This is especially true for ice cave explorations like the one we did here.

Spring: March to June

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Spring is one of my favourite times to visit Iceland. Not just because it’s a little quieter than the summer months but because it has a good mix of light and dark hours, which is perfect for exploring and hopefully spotting the Northern Lights.

Pros of travelling to Iceland in Spring:

– You’ll have around 17 hours, if not more, of daylight hours in Spring. This means it’s perfect if you’ve only got a short trip to Iceland and want to cram in as many of the country’s stunning sights as possible. You can easily wander around waterfalls and hikes in the evening. It’s so special.

– Driving conditions are significantly easier, and there’s less chance of extreme snow storms during this time, though it’s never impossible.

– Many of the country’s seasonal tours tend to start again in later spring. However, as the weather can change, always be ready for last-minute cancellations.

Cons of travelling to Iceland in Spring:

– It can be a wet time of the year to visit Iceland. Although this is the case in Winter, the freezing temperatures have somewhat thawed, which can lead to weather that we Brits call ‘miserable’.

– Prices for hotels and flights tend to rise, especially around the Easter Holidays or during school holidays.

Summer: June to September

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It is still one of my favourite times of the year to visit Iceland; the summer months are truly spectacular. The country is awash with daylight, with the sun shining throughout the summer. You get between 21-23 hours of sunlight in the height of summer – which is phenomenal.

Pros of travelling to Iceland in the Summer:

– You get a tremendous amount of daylight hours to explore Iceland. This means you can easily spend 18 hours outside and even head out on some of the country’s stunning hikes at midnight. We did this, and we were bathed in glorious sunshine.

– It’s much easier to travel the length and breadth of Iceland. This means the summer months are a great time to visit Iceland if you plan to drive around the whole country or visit the north of Iceland to places like Akureyri and beyond.

– Road conditions are perfect, except for the occasional day or rain.

– Talking of rain, the driest month in Iceland is June.

Cons of travelling to Iceland in Summer:

– Prices can rise for flights as demand increases.

– You must plan your accommodation before your trip, especially if travelling beyond Reykjavik. There are limited hotels and lodgings in some areas, and their availability can change significantly in Summer.

– Due to the longer daylight hours, there is a smaller chance of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s not impossible by any means, but it’s worth remembering.

Autumn: September to December

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Like Spring, Autumn (especially the start of autumn) is one of my favourite times to visit Iceland. You see, it’s technically a shoulder season of Summer, which means you get all the benefits of summer travel with a heap of the benefits of winter travel. For this reason, if it’s your first trip to Iceland, we always advise you to travel in spring or autumn.

Pros of travelling to Iceland in the Autumn:

– You get a good mix of daylight and darkness hours, which is perfect for exploring and seeing the Northern Lights during clear skies and higher solar activity.

– Roads are still pretty easy to drive at this time of year, with only some periods of closures, especially for main artery roads.

– Most activities still run at the very start of Autumn.

Cons of travelling to Iceland in the Autumn:

– It can be a busy time to visit Iceland, especially during the School holidays in October.

– Just like spring, it can get a little wet.

– Temperatures are pretty pleasant. It’s still cold but not freezing. However, always be aware that the wind in Iceland can be intense and can easily change the temperature you feel whilst exploring.