Best time to visit Iceland

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Iceland

Best time of year to visit Iceland

The best time to visit Iceland runs from June to September, although you can get all four seasons in a day. A bit crowded and pricey, the summer period is considered to be the best for visiting waterfalls, exploring Golden Circle, and watching puffins and whales. This is the season to witness midnight sun and lupin blooming, just book in advance. Shoulder season in May and September sees thinner tourist crowds and lower flight costs. Winters on the land of ice are great if you pack layers: Northern Lights will mesmerize you, Blue Lagoon will warm you up, and the Þorramatur foods will nourish your body. Most of the mountain roads remain closed between September and June, so if you plan to rent a car, you will have to consider the 4x4 drive.

36 THINGS TO DO IN ICELAND (AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 07)

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

September–mid-April  • nature

A rare and spectacular show with colors ranging from blue to green is one of the leading reasons to visit Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

June–September • nature

See one of the greatest wonders of nature, formed as a result of global warming

Waterfalls

Waterfalls

late May–early September • nature

With over 10,000 waterfalls, Iceland literally overflows with torrents and rapids

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

April–October • nature

Millennial work of melting glacier water combined with authentic Icelandic solitude makes for one of the world's most fascinating natural landscapes

Réttir

Réttir

early–mid-September • activity

The Big Round-Up. An event that takes place in the countryside and, as unusual as it sounds, includes sheep and romance

Golden Circle

Golden Circle

June–August (better weather) | September–May (low season) • nature

Follow the legendary trail in the southwest of Iceland and you will see massive waterfalls, shooting geysers, and separating tectonic plates

Atlantic Puffins

Atlantic Puffins

mid-April–August • nature

Watch million cute birds fly around beautiful Icelandic fjords and islands

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

April–October  • nature

A tour of whale watching is fantastic because you can both enjoy sailing and see the whales in their natural habitat

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

April–November • activity

The wreck lies solitary on vast, cold black sand beach, waiting for occasional visitors

South of Iceland

South of Iceland

all year round • nature

Every corner of this country is beautiful in its own way, but its southern tip is blessed with a true collection of landmarks definitely not to be missed

Snorkelling and Diving in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Snorkelling and Diving in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

June–August • activity

Do you feel like diving between the continents? Iceland offers a quite adventurous underwater experience

Glacier Walking

Glacier Walking

all year round • activity

The very name of the country implies this is the land of ice, and you can't leave it without ice walking experience

Inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tour

Inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tour

May 15–October 15 • nature

A trip to Iceland wouldn't be full without exploring a dormant volcano from inside

F-Roads

F-Roads

June–September • activity

These mountain roads in the highlands of Iceland bring danger and adventure, making it one of experiences you will never forget

Glacier Snowmobiling

Glacier Snowmobiling

all year round • activity

A good alternative to explore Icelandic Glaciers—more speedy than ice walking

Myvatn Nature Baths

Myvatn Nature Baths

May–September • activity

Don't neglect a chance to take an open-air hot bath after hiking chilly Iceland

Fresh Lamb Meat

Fresh Lamb Meat

September–mid-December  • food

An Icelandic tradition that makes the lamb taste extraordinary

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar

June–September • nature

Experience Icelandic highlands famous for astounding and breathtaking untouched nature

Quad Biking (ATV Tours)

Quad Biking (ATV Tours)

all year round • activity

A great way to combine Icelandic nature with sightseeing and get a bump of adrenaline

Wild Salmon and Trout

Wild Salmon and Trout

May–September  • food

These two kinds of fish are very popular among the Icelanders and definitely a “must try”

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

mid-May–September • nature

The wonders of Snæfellsnes Peninsula once inspired Jules Verne to write his famous science fiction novel. May your visit be that fruitful too!

Caving in Leiðarendi Lava Tube

Caving in Leiðarendi Lava Tube

all year round • activity

The curious shapes of Leidarendi are the result of millennial volcanic activity

Lobster Season

Lobster Season

mid-May–September • food

Fresh fish, lobsters and reasonable prices is what makes the lobster season so great

Hveradalir in Kerlingarfjöll

Hveradalir in Kerlingarfjöll

late June–mid-September • activity

Discover the odd red mountain landscapes of Kerlingarfjöll with boiling hot springs and glacial rivers

Reykjadalur Hot Springs

Reykjadalur Hot Springs

all year round (best in June–August) • activity

Enjoy a thermal bath in the middle of the mountains

Stargazing

Stargazing

all year round (best from August to April) • nature

Iceland's night sky will impress you with its sheer number of amazing stars

Wild Berries Season

Wild Berries Season

August–mid-September • food

There is not a more lovely way to spend your summer day in Iceland than picking berries with the locals

Gullfoss Canyon Rafting

Gullfoss Canyon Rafting

mid-May–mid-September • activity

The twisting journey from Langjökull Glacier to the South Coast is as thrilling as it is picturesque

Kerid Crater Lake

Kerid Crater Lake

May–October • nature

An unusual caldera lake stuns with its beauty

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

mid-May–mid-August (all year round) • activity

One of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland

Fjord Kayaking

Fjord Kayaking

mid-May–September • activity

Secluded and calm waterways full of wildlife are an excellent location for paddlers

Brimketill (Troll Pool)

Brimketill (Troll Pool)

June–August • nature

Witness this lava rock natural wonder sitting on the coast, west of the town Grindavík

Slátur

Slátur

September–October  • food

A specific and unusual Icelandic dish, but most certainly worth trying

Cycling

Cycling

June–September • activity

The "land of ice and fire" can be observed the best from the saddle of your bike

Surfing

Surfing

early September–late October • activity

Iceland has it all for the average to experience surfer with its arctic kinds of breaks and pointbreaks​

Sea Angling

Sea Angling

May–mid-September • activity

A sea angling trip means a 100% fishing success and delicious fresh fish barbecue on board

20 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Glacier Ice Caves

Glacier Ice Caves

out of rangeNovember–March  • activity

These ice caves will make you wonder if you are in Snow Queen’s kingdom

Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa

Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa

out of rangeNovember–March • activity

Warm up in thermal waters during cold winter days

Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun

out of rangeJune–July • nature

One of Icelandic natural phenomena that will certainly take your breath away

Lupin Blooming

Lupin Blooming

out of rangeJune–July • nature

These beautiful purple flowers bloom all over Iceland providing spectacular views wherever you go

Laufskálarétt

Laufskálarétt

out of rangeSeptember 28–October 2, 2023 • event

Watch a great celebration of local communities, when hundreds of wild horses return to farm homes in the fall

Westman Islands Camping Festival (Þjóðhátíð)

Westman Islands Camping Festival (Þjóðhátíð)

out of rangeAugust 6–7, 2023 • event

A great festival that mixes music, drinking, eating and a little romance

Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon

out of rangeOctober–April • activity

An alternative to a celebrated Blue Lagoon, less advertised but equally enjoyable

Winter Lights Festival

Winter Lights Festival

out of rangeFebruary 1–4, 2024 • event

An amazing event that, besides the Northern Lights, brightens up the Icelandic sky

Menningarnótt

Menningarnótt

out of rangeAugust 24, 2024 • event

One of the most popular events that brin​gs thousands of Icelanders to the capital of the country

Illuminated Gravestones

Illuminated Gravestones

out of rangelate December & New Year's Day • activity

You won't see much difference between the day and night, as it will be freezing all the time. But there is a light at the end of a tunnel, oops, sorry, of a cemetry

Orca (Killer) Whale Watching

Orca (Killer) Whale Watching

out of rangeJanuary–March  • nature

Never seen a majestic killer whale? Now is your high time to do it

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

out of rangeJanuary 6 • event

Light up the bonfires and dance all night!

Christmas Markets in Reykjavik

Christmas Markets in Reykjavik

out of rangemid-November–late December  • event

Reykjavik Christmas markets draw the attention of many tourists thanks to their fairytale atmosphere

New Year's Bonfires

New Year's Bonfires

out of rangeDecember 31–January 1 • event

Experience the traditional Icelandic way of welcoming the New Year

New Year's Eve in Iceland

New Year's Eve in Iceland

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Raise a glass to the future at the sight of glittering Reykjavik

Þorramatur

Þorramatur

out of rangemid-January–mid-February  • food

An old custom left behind the Norse pagan tradition, but still interesting and luscious

Iceland Winter Games

Iceland Winter Games

on holdMarch 20–22, 2020 • event

An open competition for all skiing and snowboarding lovers is a great opportunity to have fun and compete at the same time

Christmas Smoked Lamb

Christmas Smoked Lamb

out of rangeDecember  • food

Another lamb specialty on Iceland, maybe even better that the fresh lamb

Beer Day

Beer Day

out of rangeFebruary 28–March 1 • event

There's a thing called the Beer Day in numerous countries around the world, but the Icelandic one has an interesting story behind it

Bolludagur

Bolludagur

out of rangeFebruary 16 • food

The Bun Day is a fun holiday representing a family tradition and includes yummy delicacies

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