Iceland is a land of eternal paradox – fire and ice, the Midnight Sun and near-constant night, clear, sunny skies, and dancing Northern Lights. Deciding when to visit Iceland is something that every visitor faces, and unfortunately, there isn’t just a simple, straightforward answer for those wanting to know when is the best time to visit.
The only fair answer is that the best time to visit Iceland depends purely on what you want to experience when you’re there. But fear not – we can help you work this out! In this blog, we’ll walk through the different seasons and help you decide which time to visit Iceland is the best for you.
Best time of year to visit Iceland for: The Midnight Sun, warmer weather, hiking/trekking, wildlife spotting, and road trips
Welcome to summer in Iceland. The days are long, with daylight hours peaking in June around the summer solstice. Nearly 24 hours of daylight allows you ample adventure time and gives you the chance to squeeze out every drop of what Iceland has to offer.
Iceland’s F-Roads, which snake through the Highland wilderness and rural wonders, are also open at this time of year. Having even more of Iceland open to you is another incentive to visit during the summer, as these roads are strictly closed during the autumn, winter, and most of the spring due to inaccessibility as a result of the weather. Hire a trusty 4×4 vehicle (a legal requirement on F-Roads) and see some of the most amazing landscapes on the planet.
If seeing Iceland’s wildlife is at the top of your list, you can’t beat summer. For whale watching, summer is ideal thanks to warmer sea temperatures bringing hordes of plankton, which attracts feeding whales. Species you can see include humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, orcas, and white-beaked dolphins.
Whale-watching hotspots include:
Summer is also a great time to spot harbor and grey seals lounging luxuriously on the shore or playing in the waves. Summer offers the best chance to see seals, as although they can be seen year-round, they’re more active during the summer. For the best chance of spotting them, visit beaches at low tide and bring binoculars.
Best Seal-Spotting Locations in Iceland:
Iceland’s birdlife is also wondrous during the summer. Spot puffins nesting throughout the summer, caring for their chicks during August when they hatch. You can also see fascinating species like arctic terns, razorbills, and Gyrfalcons.
Best Spots for Puffins and General Birdwatching:
Iceland’s summer weather is relatively mild, with average temperatures ranging from 10–15°C (50–59°F), though it can occasionally reach up to 20°C (68°F) on warmer days. While the weather is generally pleasant, it can still be unpredictable, with sudden changes that may bring wind, rain, or cooler temperatures.
Best time to visit Iceland for: Autumn colors chasing, smaller crowds and lower prices
If you want a taste of Icelandic winter but don’t want to commit fully, and if the Northern Lights are a key draw for you, autumn might be the ideal time to visit. As an added bonus, this is a less popular time of year to visit, so there will be fewer crowds at attractions and it’ll be a bit more affordable, too!
While Iceland has a reputation for having no trees, there are definitely some! Thanks to dramatic seasonal changes, there are some brilliant places to see autumn foliage in Iceland.
Top Leaf Peeping Spots in Iceland:
Autumn is also a wonderful time to experience various cultural celebrations in Iceland. From fall festivals to unique holidays, Icelanders love to celebrate.
Best Autumn Festivals in Iceland:
While summer is the most popular time of year for hiking in Iceland, autumn offers some unique opportunities. With cooler temperatures, fewer insects, quieter trails, and autumn colors, this is a better time to hike than you might think!
Check out these hiking trails in autumn:
Autumn in Iceland brings cooler temperatures, typically ranging from 5–10°C (41–50°F), with the possibility of colder nights dipping close to freezing, especially in October. The weather is highly changeable, with crisp, sunny days interspersed with rain or wind.
Best time of year to visit Iceland for: Northern Lights, snow-related activities, glaciers and ice caves
For those keen to experience a winter wonderland, this is definitely the best time of year for you to visit Iceland! Layer up and enjoy the most brilliant displays of the Northern Lights, chances to climb or snow-mobile across glaciers, and explore ice caves.
While autumn does offer the chance to see the Northern Lights, it’s winter that really provides optimal conditions. For the best chances of seeing this natural wonder, join a Northern Lights tour, with experts who will do their best to ensure you catch a glimpse.
Seeing the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed, as it’s completely dependent on weather conditions, but if you want to try to catch them on your own, you can.
Here are some of the best places to view the Northern Lights:
Iceland’s ice caves are natural wonders, formed within glaciers. Each year with the melting and reforming glaciers, these caves take on new shapes. Some adventurers take it upon themselves to explore glaciers each year and find newly formed ice caves.
Ice caves are popular tourist attractions in Iceland, and it’s easy to see why. These natural wonders offer the surreal experience of shimmering blue ice walls, translucent formations, and unbelievable textures formed by the melting and refreezing of water. Winter is the best time to visit ice caves because the colder temperatures stabilize the ice.
Ice caves can only be viewed as part of organized tours, so make sure to plan well ahead if this is something you want to experience in Iceland.
These are Some of the Best Ice Caves to See in Iceland:
Iceland has become synonymous with glaciers, and for good reason. About 11% of Iceland’s landmass is covered by glaciers, offering amazing landscapes of snow, ice, and dangerous crevasses. Winter is ideal for visiting glaciers because the cold temperatures stabilize the snow and ice, allowing for safer exploration.
From glacier hiking to snowmobiling or ice climbing, there’s no shortage of adrenaline-fueled activities you can take part in on one of Iceland’s many glaciers.
These are some of the most amazing glaciers to see in Iceland:
Through Winter, Iceland’s temperatures are more mild for its latitude than you might imagine, ranging between -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 39°F) in most areas. Despite this moderate climate, Iceland is known for having wildly unpredictable weather conditions which can change quickly and dramatically.
Different areas of Iceland have slightly different weather conditions. Southern and coastal regions tend to be milder and with higher precipitation, while inland and northern areas are colder and more likely to get snowfall. The harshest weather conditions can be found in the highlands and the Westfjords, where heavy snowfall and strong winds are not at all uncommon.
Best time to visit Iceland for: Smaller crowds, watching the country wake up from winter, and the days getting longer
Like autumn, spring is a transitional season, meaning there are fewer crowds and better travel bargains. The length of the days begins to increase, allowing more time for exploring, and temperatures begin to warm up.
Waterfall watching is a great activity for this time of year, as spring melts increase the volume of water cascading down the falls.
Some of the best waterfalls to check out include:
Road trips are a great way to get out and explore during the spring, and with a multitude of routes accessible in the spring, even with the F-Roads remaining closed, there’s plenty of adventure to eat up.
Unmissable road trips in Iceland include:
Spring in Iceland brings milder weather as the country moves from winter to summer. Temperatures during spring tend to range from 0–10°C (32–50°F), with cooler days in early April and gradually warmer conditions by May. Nights can still be chilly, occasionally dipping below freezing, especially in inland and northern areas.
Weather conditions are highly changeable, with a mix of sunny days, rain, and the occasional snowfall, especially in early spring.
With all the facts presented before you, you can now make the decision for yourself when you should visit Iceland!