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Iceland

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Best time to visit

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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.

62 things to do in Iceland

Hveradalir in Kerlingarfjöll

late June–mid-September Activity

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

Fjord Kayaking

mid-May–September Activity

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

Secret Lagoon

October–April Activity

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

Myvatn Nature Baths

May–September Activity

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

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

Glacier Snowmobiling

all year round Activity

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

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!

Sea Angling

May–mid-September Activity

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

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

Caving in Leiðarendi Lava Tube

all year round Activity

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

New Year's Bonfires

December 31–January 1 Event

Experience the traditional Icelandic way of welcoming the New Year

New Year's Eve in Iceland

December 31 Event

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

Inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tour

May 15–October 15 Nature

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

Brimketill (Troll Pool)

June–August Nature

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

Landmannalaugar

June–September Nature

Experience Icelandic highlands famous for astounding and breathtaking untouched nature

Glacier Ice Caves

November–March Activity

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

Menningarnótt

August 24, 2024 Event

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

Westman Islands Camping Festival (Þjóðhátíð)

August 2–4, 2024 Event

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

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

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

Slátur

September–October Food

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

Fresh Lamb Meat

September–mid-December Food

An Icelandic tradition that makes the lamb taste extraordinary

Illuminated Gravestones

late 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

Atlantic Puffins

mid-April–August Nature

Watch million cute birds fly around beautiful Icelandic fjords and islands

Whale Watching in Iceland

April–October Nature

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

Cycling

June–September Activity

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

Þorramatur

mid-January–mid-February Food

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

Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa

November–March Activity

Warm up in thermal waters during cold winter days

Laufskálarétt

September 27–28, 2024 Event

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

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

April–November Activity

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

Bolludagur

February 16 Food

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

Orca (Killer) Whale Watching

February–May Nature

Meet the ocean’s apex predators

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

June–September Nature

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

Midnight Sun

June–July Nature

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

Beer Day

February 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

Winter Lights Festival

February 1–4, 2024 Event

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

Waterfalls

late May–early September Nature

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

Winter

November–March Weather

Despite dark and cold weather this season has its benefits—Northern Lights and Christmas illumination

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

Northern Lights in Iceland

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

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

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

Twelfth Night

January 6 Event

Light up the bonfires and dance all night!

Summer

June–August Weather

Be ready for some chilly, windy and rainy weather during this season

Wild Salmon and Trout

May–September Food

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

Lupin Blooming

June–July Nature

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

Lobster Season

mid-May–September Food

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

Surfing

early September–late October Activity

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

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

mid-May–mid-August (all year round) Activity

One of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland

Kerid Crater Lake

May–October Nature

An unusual caldera lake stuns with its beauty

Reykjadalur Hot Springs

all year round (best in June–August) Activity

Enjoy a thermal bath in the middle of the mountains

Christmas Markets in Reykjavik

mid-November–late December Event

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

Stargazing

all year round (best from August to April) Nature

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

Bubble Hotel

Summer | September-mid April Crowdedness

Get the ultimate sleeping-under-the-stars experience

Iceland Airwaves

November 7–9, 2024 Event

Experience a fusion of genres at one of the world's northernmost music festivals

Reykjavik Marathon

August 23, 2025 Event

Menningarnótt, or culture night, kicks off with an exciting 42-kilometer pre-game event

Imagine Peace Tower

October 9–December 8 | December 21–December 31 | February 18 | March 20–March 27 Event

A beacon of hope, John Lennon's memorial lights up the sky several times a year

Icelandic National Day

June 17 Event

Reykjavik celebrates Iceland's independence with parades, concerts, and festive carnivals

Lava Show

all year round Event

Witness the power of lava up close at this one-of-a-kind exhibit

Krýsuvík

all year round Nature

This magical site showcases the true geothermal wonders of Iceland's volcanic landscape

Fagradalsfjall

all year round Nature

Visit the lava fields and stunning landscapes of Icelandic volcanic wonder

Snorkeling in Silfra

all year round Activity

Experience a bucket-list-worthy adventure by diving between the tectonic plates

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