The best time to visit Iceland very much depends on what you’re looking to see and do. The seasons in Iceland change a lot, which means that you get completely different vacation experiences and tour opportunities throughout the year.
Summer in Iceland is the most popular time to travel due to the milder weather, broad range of outdoor activities, and the captivating midnight sun. Winter offers the opposite experience, with shorter, darker days, and colder temperatures, but it also provides the opportunity to see the ethereal northern lights or try out snow sports.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Spring sees the blankets of white snow melt away, and slowly turn into into vibrant green landscapes. It’s perfect for nature lovers thanks to the abundant wildlife sightings. Fall is also a beautiful time of year in Iceland with its bold colors and longer nights that mark the start of northern lights season.
While each season in Iceland offers something unique, many experiences aren’t dependent on seasonality.
Our swimming pools, natural hot springs and the new breed of design-led geothermal baths inspired by the Blue Lagoon are popular no matter the weather. All that geothermal activity gives us hot water to soak in any time we fancy (and keeps our buildings toasty warm when the temperature drops).
The capital city of Reykjavík also has year-round magic. There are first-class museums, restaurants, cafes, and bars to investigate. Plus, Reykjavik has a range of festivals to brighten up every month, from New Year’s Eve fireworks to November’s showcase of local music, Iceland Airwaves. As a start or end point for a road trip, for a collection of short excursions, or as a city break, Reykjavík is perfect no matter the season.
However, we appreciate that sharing all there is to do in Iceland throughout the year may not help you narrow down your vacation planning! Below, we explore each of the seasons to help you decide on the best time of year to go to Iceland.
Don’t be nervous about traveling to Iceland in winter. Iceland’s winter weather can sometimes pose a challenge, but the temperature doesn’t drop as low as in many parts of Europe and North America, often hovering around 0°C (32°F). There’s a lot to love about the long nights and northern lights, plus traditional celebrations around Christmas and New Year.
You can walk or snowmobile on a glacier all year round, but if your dream is to visit an ice cave you should plan your trip between November and March.
Skiing is possible from around December to April-May, depending on conditions, but when daylight increases from February is usually best. Easter skiing is popular with locals, and Tröllaskagi in North Iceland is a winter paradise of snowy landscapes.
You might even like to join in the uniquely Icelandic festivities such as Þorrablót, when the local cuisine shows its oddball side.
Winter is Iceland’s northern lights season
Winter is often considered to be the best time to visit Iceland for those hoping to see the northern lights. There aren’t a lot of daylight hours for ‘daytime exploring’ in winter (especially in December and January, with four to seven hours of light), but the abundant dark skies bring a greater chance of viewing the aurora.
You need dark, clear skies to see the lights in action, so visiting Iceland from September to March is ideal. However, you might get lucky with the colorful aurora filling the skies anytime from late August to April. Read more about planning a northern lights trip.
Nature gets a boost in spring, when white turns to green around the country. Temperatures are varied, from cold in March (an average of 0.3°C / 33°F) to relatively mild in May (averaging 6.3°C / 43°F). As the months progress, the increasing daylight is noticeable, from 10 hours of daylight in early March to 20 hours in late May. Visiting Iceland in May offers generally good conditions for outdoor activities while being less busy than the summer peak.
Easter festivities fall in spring, too, and the onset of Lent brings some fun, food-centric celebrations. Not long after, nature brings some of our favorite seasonal visitors.
The irresistible puffins come to nest in Iceland from late April to August. Viewing puffins is great throughout the summer, including in June and July when they’re active and feeding their chicks.
Whales have a similar schedule. From about April to September is the best time to go to Iceland for whale watching. You can see them on boat tours, but also from the shoreline if you’re lucky.
Iceland’s summers are glorious. Warmer weather and near-endless daylight mean that summer is one of the best times of year to go to Iceland. It may be peak season, but it’s worth it for the popular adventures on scenic highland roads and hiking trails. Puffins and whales are also reliable summer visitors, keeping animal lovers happy, and the phenomenon of the midnight sun is sure to delight. The purple lupines are in bloom around the country in June and July, making this a boom time for photographers!
In terms of the best months to go to Iceland, June and July are perfect for exploring outdoors. Hiking and horseback riding trips are most fun in Iceland’s summer weather, so any time from July to September is recommended. Late May and June can work for some parts of the country, but after the snow has melted is best for exploring the highlands and mountains.
Summer is the ideal time for road trips around Iceland, too. The long daylight hours allow for endless exploration on the open road, letting you take in breathtaking views as you venture off the beaten track. We offer flight and car rental packages to make the process even easier.
The summer season in Iceland also brings a fantastic range of festivals. Locals and visitors delight in events centered on live music, sport, the arts, and more. Visiting Iceland in August means you might catch Pride festivities in Reykjavik. The city is alive with color and celebration of diversity, and it’s a joy to witness.
How warm does it get in Iceland?
Summer in Iceland is the warmest time of year, with the average temperature for these months around 9°C - 10°C (50°F). This might not seem particularly warm to you, but when the sun is shining and there’s little wind, it truly is T-shirt weather (we promise!).
Summer temperatures can even top 20°C (68°F) in many parts of the country, so it’s definitely the best time to visit Iceland if you enjoy milder weather and fear the cold!
Dark nights return (and the locals can catch up on sleep) when fall rolls in. The temperature also drops (average temperatures range from 7.5°C / 46°F in September to 1.3°C / 34°F in November). Fall also marks the time when the northern lights begin their dark-sky appearances, and things get cozy and colorful before winter sets in.
Many outdoor activities and excursions are still offered throughout the fall season in Iceland, and you’ll likely find that tourist attractions such as geothermal pools are less crowded than during the summer.
Photographs captured at this time of year are particularly striking, with bold autumnal hues creating the ideal backdrop for any shot. Photographing the northern lights in fall is also best as the weather is much less harsh than in the depths of winter.
Fall festivals are exciting to get involved in, too. The annual sheep roundup, known as the réttir, is held around the country in September. It gives great insight into rural Icelandic life, plus some context to all those lovely lopapeysas (woolen sweaters) you see.
Other festivals include Reykjavík’s jazz, literature, and film fests, including the Reykjavík Film Festival (affectionately known as RIFF) and Iceland Noir, which celebrates darkness in all its literary forms – it began with a focus on crime fiction but has spread its wings. One of our favorite times of the year is November, when Reykjavík hosts the annual Iceland Airwaves festival: three days of incredible music from homegrown and international artists.
With all this to enjoy, fall is undeniably one of the best times of year to visit Iceland if you’re hoping to have a magical experience while beating the high-season crowds.
We hope this guide has helped you plan the best time to visit Iceland for your ideal vacation. However, if you still can’t decide, check out more resources offering info about travel to Iceland:
