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Do you love to travel? Will you be open to seeing some of the best wonders the world has to offer? do you want to know the best time to visit Iceland? If yes, Iceland is a must-visit destination for you. The landscapes, culture, and 'natural' phenomena, such as the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun, make this country a picturesque canvas to explore.
If you come to Iceland, you will be privileged to visit the Golden Circle, a route that connects the country’s most popular and beautiful sights. On the Golden Circle, you can traverse the Thingvellir National Park and enjoy the allure of the Geysir Geothermal Area. You can also bask in the beauty and elegance of the Gullfoss Waterfall. You can visit these attractions at any time, but what's intriguing is that the experience will always differ relatively to the four seasons. We've helped with some of the things you need to know if you want to travel to Iceland. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is the Best Month to Go to Iceland?
You can visit Iceland any time in a year and still be enchanted with the attractions of the country. However, we believe that the best month to visit is July, which is the mid-summer month. In the summer, from June to August, the country enjoys long days of sunlight, called the midnight sun. The temperature of the country is also warm, allowing you to enjoy the sites better, as the sun sets for about three hours only.
On the other hand, the winter season offers the best view of the Northern Lights, but the intense cold of Iceland puts a lot of people off. Basically, if you want to enjoy the waterfalls and spend time in the wild of Iceland, you should come in the summer months. This does not mean you will not see the Lights of the country; you will see them. However, this is best viewed in the winter while taking a soak in the geothermal baths since the nights are longer than the summer months.
What Is the Best Month to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Northern Lights also known as the Aurora Borealis or simply the Aurora, occurs from late September to late March every year. This natural phenomenon is one of the most magnificent wonders of the world. The winter months are the best months to view the Aurora Borealis—December being the best of them all. The winter months allow for longer nights, which means you can bask in the Lights for as long as you want. However, you need to be prepared for the cold, as Iceland can be really cold in the winter. Experiencing the Aurora Borealis is something you can never forget.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Visit Iceland?
Iceland is a pricey country due to its natural and cultural attractions. Compared to other European destinations, you may have to pay a lot for food, tours, accommodation, et cetera. However, just because you are short on money or are cautious about spending excessively does not exclude you from enjoying the Icelandic ambience. You can enjoy the wonders of the country without painting your account balance red. The cheapest time to visit Iceland is during its off-peak season, that is, from September to November and from January to May. You can choose any of these months to spend some time in Iceland, as tourists are rarely around to increase the price of essential commodities.
How Many Days in Iceland is Enough?
Iceland has a lot of natural wonders that will continue to wow you during your stay. The range of activities you can engage in is astounding, and in one day, you could enjoy the see a waterfall, experience the ferocity of a volcano, visit a glacier, and so much more. You can spend as many days as you want, but 7 days is enough to visit and enjoy a lot of the natural treasure the country offers the world.
Within the 7 days, you can explore the museums, shops, and restaurants of Reykjavik. In this same city, you can visit a Volcano, enjoy the Wonders of Iceland exhibition and have the Flyover experience. Within your 7 days holiday, you can visit the Westfjords to see its masterful waterfalls and hot springs or enjoy an exhibition of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. You can also go hiking or kayaking along the coast of Isafjordur and later sit on Látrabjarg cliff.
In these 7 days, you can walk the golden sands of Rauðisandur, enjoy the lava fields and the eponymous stratovolcano at the Snæfellsjökull National Park, and still have enough time to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Now that's a lovely country ride.
a. Iceland in January
January is one of the coldest months in Iceland. You should expect snow and frost, so prepare accordingly. The temperature in Iceland ranges between 27°F (-2.78°C) to 35°F (1.67°C).
b. Iceland in February
The average temperature of Iceland in February is between 26°F (-3.33°C) to 34°F (1.11°C), with just about 7 to 10 hours of daylight. February is very unpredictable, as you can have snow, rain, sleet, or sunshine.
c. Iceland in March
The amount of sunlight you get each day increases in March, although the weather still remains unpredictable. The temperature ranges between 28°F (-2.22°C) to 38°F (3.33°C).
d. Iceland in April
The average temperature is between 34°F (1.11°C) to 45°F (7.22°C), and you get about 13 to 16 hours of daylight. You can consider the month of April as Spring in Iceland.
e. Iceland in May
You can get almost 24 hours of daylight in May, as summer approaches. The trees start showing signs of life. The average temperature is between 40°F (4.44°C) to 50°F (10°C).
f. Iceland in June
The average temperature in June is between 48°F (8.89°C) to 59°F (15°C), signifying summer. June is the month of the midnight sun, as the sun never fully sets.
g. Iceland in July
Typical of an Icelandic summer, July is warm with a nice breeze. The average temperature is about 50°F (10°C) to 59°F (15°C). You should still prepare for rain, even though it is the month least likely to have one.
h. Iceland in August
The hours of the day begin to reduce in this month, going from 18 hours in July to 14 hours. Some parts of Iceland are warm but others will begin to get cold. The average temperature of Iceland this month is 46°F (7.778°C) to 55°F (12.78°C).
i. Iceland in September
The amount of daylight you experience in this month reduces drastically. At the beginning you get 14 hours, but by the end of the month, you get 10 to 11 hours of daylight. The average temperature is about 41°F (5°C) to 50°F (10°C).
j. Iceland in October
Iceland in October has a temperature range of 36°F (2.22°C) to 44°F (6.67°C), with 8 to 11 hours of sunlight. Heavy rainstorms threaten to fall this period.
k. Iceland in November
You get about 8 hours of sunlight in this month and unpredictable weather. The average temperature ranges from 30°F (-1.11°C) to 38°F (3.33.C).
l. Iceland in December
The average temperature is about 27°F (-2.78C) to 36°F (2.22°C), which is very cold and chilly. You only get about 4 to 5 hours of daylight, making December the darkest and coldest month of the year.
Conclusion
There is really no best time to visit Iceland, but Iceland in the summer attracts more tourists than the other times in the year. If you do come in the winter months, you should prepare for the cold and the overwhelming magnificence of the Northern Lights. The best time to visit the country is always, and you should make sure to plan your trip now.