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If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Iceland summer or winter as a first timer then this post is just for you. We visited Iceland in summer as well as winter hence can guide you with all the information you need to plan you first trip to the country. Let me tell you before you need to decide to see Iceland in winter vs summer, you need to decide what is it that you want to see. Iceland is gorgeous all year round, but I will recommend ideal month for first timers in this blog post.
Best months to visit Iceland for Northern Lights
If you want to see Northern Lights that too in Iceland then you need to visit Iceland in winter months. You need to know all the are pre-conditions needed to see nothern lights. You can read our blog post here which covers it in detail. The best time to visit Iceland to see Aurora Borealis / Northern lights, is the winter months. During winter, the nights are long so you will have much more probability of seeing aurora.
Iceland Ring Road travel times
If you want to see the entire Iceland, specifically the Ring road or route 1 ( a circular road connects the entire country), then you can not visit Iceland during peak winter months. In Winter, specially the roads in eastern part of the country remains unreachable. You also have to keep in mind, in East and North East Iceland not many people live so getting accommodation or help in need will be tricky during winter months. If you are looking for perfect Iceland ring road travel, then summer times will be your best bet.
Iceland in winter vs summer
If you are planning a trip to the country it is very important to pick a season to travel. Iceland looks completely different in different season. Let me help you to chose which season you want to visit first with few pros and cons.
Iceland in Summer
Pros:
- Weather Iceland is a cold country irrespective of the season you chose from, but summer months will be much better than winter months. Your chances of facing storms reduces, cause wind in Iceland is a thing and in winter month it can go crazy.
- Accessibility All roads including the f-roads and highlands become accessible during summer. You can chose to go for hiking or see the island completely. There will not be any road closures due to snow, and driving will be easier than driving in winter.
- Accommodation All businesses and accommodation will be functional during summer, so you will have plenty of choices. Many businesses remain closed during winter months.
- Midnight sun As Iceland is based in polar region, you can experience midnight sun (24hr sunlight) here. This is one of the great phenomenon, people look forward to experience. We will go back to the country specially to experience this.
Cons:
- No Norther Lights Summer months days are really Long so chances of seeing norther lights.
- Peak Season It is peak season in Iceland specially June and July months. It means you will have many people and higher cost for everything.
Iceland in Winter
Pros:
- Northern Lights If seeing aurora borealis is priority for you then you can target visiting Iceland in Winter. In winter specially in month of December the nights are long. You will only get 2 to 3 hrs of sun light, hence maximum chances of seeing northern lights.
- Snow If you fancy snow and you want to see that all around then peak winter months are your best bet to experience that
- Low Season Winter is not at all touristy in Iceland so you will get cheaper prices for your accommodation and car rental. Also, you will have the most famous places to yourself.
Cons:
- Weather Iceland is cold even in summer so you can imagine the cold in winter months. Also, winter months come associated with snow storms, causing windy gloomy weather. Heavy snow fall, avalanches are quite common so expect road closure and cancellation of your tours or activities.
- Risky Road This is linked to the weather. You can expect icy road conditions, road closure, crazy wind capable to push your car and snow on the road causing confusion where the road ends. Hence driving can be nightmare if you do not have experience in driving in snow.
Iceland activities by season when to visit Iceland
Iceland is not only land of nature and beauty but also land of activities. There are many activities that are available year around in Iceland but some are specific to season. You can find all the vendors through this website to plan your activities.
Activities year around
- Taking a dip in natural hot springs around Iceland
- Boat ride in Glacial lagoon
- Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure
Winter Activites
- Exploring natural Ice caves
- Hunting Northern Lights
Summer Activites
- Puffin watching
- Whale watching
- Hiking Highlands
Best time to visit Iceland as a first timer
Finally, we are here where you can take an informed decision on when to travel to Iceland, don’t worry we will help you with out suggestion. If you are coming from any place other than Europe and visiting first time in Iceland, then mostly you will visit Iceland once in your life. It is and expensive country so you want to make most of your bucks and try to see it all and do it all. This is where we will recommend end of March to April or End of August to September month for your travel. In these months you can cover the ring road as well as you might get a chance to see the northern lights.
Now if you are from European countries and can manage to visit Iceland twice then would highly recommend to visit once in Summer months, and once in winter months. You won’t believe how much this small country has to offer, even after two trips we have so many places we have to get back to this country for.
If you are still confuse and need personal planning with us, do reach out to us.
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