Best Time to Visit Iceland For Weather, Photos Or Northern Lights

When is the best time to visit Iceland? This is tricky because the answer depends on what you are looking for when visiting Iceland.

And many factors can affect your trip. Some of those factors are weather-related. Like what season you should visit, and others are more about the activities you want to do during your stay.

Here’s a rundown of when the best times to visit Iceland is based on our own experience plus recommendations from other travelers.

Best Time to Visit Iceland

The best time to visit Iceland is during spring or summer. Winter is a lovely time to go as well, but there are some things you should know before setting out on your adventure.

If you’re planning a trip in July and August (June being one of the warmest months), be prepared for an influx of tourists from all over the world. Iceland’s location makes it ideal for travelers looking for long days filled with 24 hours of daylight. So plan accordingly and book far in advance if you want to avoid crowds at popular attractions. Such as Geysir Hot Springs Area or Thingvellir National Park.

Because of the warmer temperatures in the summer months, late September is the best time to do many things in Iceland. This includes a lot of outdoor activities, like a road trip through southern Iceland.

Driving through a mountain road, and taking in Icelandic nature is one of the best parts of visiting Iceland in the summer and spring seasons. 

There are a couple of key things to keep in mind if you visit Iceland in a summer month.

First, the daylight hours never end. The sun is up almost 24 hours a day. I’m talking about the midnight sun. 

This is also the high season because of the wonderful weather, so it is more crowded. 

Popular Places to Visit in Iceland in the Summer

• Diamond Beach
• Golden Circle – The most popular road trip in the country. 
• Black Sand Beach
• Westman Island
• Ring Road
• Iceland also has part of the arctic circle. 

Best Time to Visit Iceland Northern Lights for 2022

The Northern Lights season in Iceland starts in September. And goes through April, with the best time to visit Iceland during this period being from September to March.

This is also when the famed winter lights festival takes place. Which is a great bucket list idea. And since it is the low season, it is less crowded in the winter. So if you don’t mind the cold, then visiting Iceland in the winter is a brilliant choice. This means Iceland might be one of the best places to travel to in December.

Best Time to Visit Iceland in Winter

The best time to visit Iceland in winter is between September and April. But there are few daylight hours during the winter months. And it is cold during this time of the year. But you’ll have fewer tourists to contend with. The winds are also more tolerable than they are during the summer months.

Wintertime presents some unique benefits, including uncrowded major sites like Thingvellir National Park (where you can walk along ancient lava fields). And the Golden Circle tour route (which includes Þingvellir National Park).

The average temperature when visiting Iceland in the winter is 32 °F. 

The winter months are the only time you can visit an ice cave. This is something you can’t do in the summer. 

Best Time to Visit Iceland with Family

If you have children and are looking to take them on an exciting vacation, Iceland is one of the best destinations in the world. This country offers endless fun for little ones, whether they’re into natural wonders or just want to run around and get dirty. Here are some great things to do with the kids when you visit.

• Go whale watching
• Experience the aurora borealis (Northern Lights)
• Hike through lava fields
• Swim in geothermal hot springs

Best Time to Visit Iceland for Photography

Iceland is a great place to visit any time of year but sometimes is better than others for photography. While you can photograph Iceland in any season, from west Iceland to south Iceland. And the light and weather offer the best opportunities in a few different windows.

The most obvious choice is summer, which lasts from mid-June through mid-August. During this time, the days are long and bright. And the nights are short and dark. Perfect for photographers who want to capture both sunrise and sunset without having to rush around at either end of the day. It might be a good time brush up on your quotes about the sunrise.

The midnight sun makes for beautiful skies once it gets dark enough for stars to show, and it doesn’t disappear until just before 3:30 am. (That’s not the case in winter.) This means that you have plenty of time after seeing the sights during the day to travel around with your camera at night.

And set up camp somewhere if you’re interested in trying to star trails or other night photography.

If you’re more interested in landscapes and scenery than cityscapes or night photography, spring might be your best bet. This is when Iceland has its beautiful “white nights,” when the sun doesn’t set at all for about two weeks straight.

There aren’t many tourists around during these weeks, so you’ll be able to see more for less money.

best time to visit Iceland’s blue lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s a geothermal spa nestled between lava fields and the ocean, on the southwest coast. This is where you’ll find an infinity pool, a steam room, saunas, and relaxation facilities (and don’t forget to buy a spa package before you go).

The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is during the summer months (June-August). But avoid weekends if possible as this will be busy with locals and tourists alike! The peak season runs from mid-May through October. Perfect for our quotes about October.

The evening or early morning is your best bet for avoiding crowds at this popular attraction-just be aware it can get chilly in winter!

The best time to visit Iceland for whale watching

Whale watching when visiting Iceland is a popular activity, but it’s not always easy to know when to go.

Worried you might miss out on some of the best whale-watching opportunities? We’ve got you covered. You can see whales year-round in this northern country, but some periods are better than others.

We consider April through September a prime time for whale watching. Because this period coincides with the calving season. And the whales are more active as they feed their young. Húsavík in North Iceland is recognized as one of the best places to watch whales in all of Europe.

Because of its proximity to feeding grounds and large breeding colonies. The nearby town has an annual festival. Dedicated solely to celebrating these majestic creatures (think: concerts, lectures, art exhibitions).

Visiting Iceland? Pros and Cons of Summer and Winter.

So the best time to visit Iceland depends on what you are looking to do and see. If you want a road trip, then the summer months are a great time. And you get to experience the midnight sun. 

But if you want to visit the ice caves, you will have to visit them in the winter. I love ice caves! Which is a interesting facts about me. 

I hope this post helped you pick out the best time for you to plan on visiting Iceland. 

There you have it, all the information you need to know about the best time to visit Iceland. We hope this article helped you plan your trip, and it was a great read!