When is the best time to visit Iceland?

This is a question we get many times and it can be a bit tricky to answer.

Iceland has so much to offer and the four seasons are so different that it merely depends upon one’s interests, which time of the year is best for a visit.

We love every season in Iceland. 

The winter. The cold darker months with the northern lights dancing above us, the stars, the snow storms that we sometimes have and then a warm cup of hot chocolate in our warm houses. Temperatures during the coldest months are around 2C (36F)on average.

The spring. After what some think is a bit too long winter everything starts to wake up, the days get longer, the trees, flowers and the grass change colors and flies that have been sleeping during the winter wake up. Temperatures during the spring can be around 5C (41F)on average.

The summer. Oooo the bright nights with 24 hours of daylight, the green colors everywhere, the warm (15C ;), the festivals in every town, holiday and generally good weather. Temperatures during the summer are around 14C (57F) on average. We get days up to 20C (68F) or even higher, but they are not many.

The autumn. It starts to get darker and the days get a bit shorter every day, we get the beautiful autumn colors in nature, the trees, the moss, everything changes and we start to see the northern lights again. Temperatures during the autumn months are around 8C (46F)on average.

Then there is a big difference in weather and temperatures depending on where you are in Iceland. The highland is usually quite colder than by the shore. Also in which part of the country you are and from which direction the wind is blowing. All these things matter, but even though the weather in Iceland is relatively mild there is one rule and that is to never leave a house without your coat.

So in our minds, every season has its charm, it’s only depending upon one’s interests which time of the year is the best.

It is also a question on which type of traveller you are. For example, if the plan is a “Self drive tour”. That is to rent a car and drive around on your own, we suggest spring, summer or autumn. The road conditions can be very difficult during the winter, especially in the countryside.

Which time of the year one chooses for his/hers visit to Iceland, we guarantee that it will be a vacation to remember.