What is the best time to travel to Iceland?
A land of striking contrasts, Iceland stands proudly in the North Atlantic, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. This extraordinary island is a true paradise for adventurers seeking thrills and breathtaking landscapes. With its roaring volcanoes and majestic glaciers, hot springs and black sand beaches, Iceland is a place where nature reigns supreme. Even a week in Iceland is enough to make you fall in love with this unique island!
Advice from the Nomads team
- Summer (June to September) is the ideal time for your trip, with mild temperatures and up to 21 hours of sunlight per day.
- Spring and autumn offer beautiful landscapes but more unpredictable weather, while winter allows you to see the Northern Lights, though some roads may be closed.
- For an unforgettable experience, we recommend our rooftop tent road trip in Iceland with the Iceland Nomads! An organized 8-day itinerary where you can go at your own pace. Departures take place from June to September.
Iceland in summer: the perfect time for your adventure
Summer is undoubtedly the perfect time to discover Iceland!
From June to August, the midnight sun offers you nearly endless days to explore every corner of the island. With pleasant temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C, it's the ideal time for a road trip in Iceland. All the roads are accessible, the waterfalls roar in their full glory, and nature bursts with life.
It's during this time that we organize our trip with the Iceland Nomads: imagine watching the sunset at 11 PM from your rooftop tent while puffins fish for their dinner in the crystal-clear waters!
Here are some summer activity ideas we recommend:
- Hiking in Landmannalaugar (feel free to check out the Trek in Iceland offered by Travelbase)
- Puffin watching on the cliffs of Látrabjarg
- Wild camping under the midnight sun
- Swimming in natural hot springs
- Seeing the glacier at Vatnajökull
- Whale watching in Húsavík with a high success rate
Spring: when the island comes out of its hibernation
In spring (April-May), Iceland gradually comes to life. The first migratory birds return to populate the cliffs, newborn lambs dot the meadows with white spots, and the first Arctic flowers color the landscape. It's an interesting alternative for a week in Iceland if you prefer to avoid the summer crowds, but keep in mind that the weather can be quite unpredictable!
Here are some ideas for spring activities:
- Birdwatching
- Photography of waterfalls swollen by snowmelt
- Hiking in the lowlands
- Exploring ice caves (early spring)
- Sea outings to see the first whales
Autumn: Nordic Colors Festival
The Icelandic autumn (September-October) transforms the tundra into an artist's palette, with its golden and purple hues. The days gradually shorten, offering a unique opportunity to admire the first northern lights while still enjoying pleasant days for a road trip in Iceland. It’s also the time of the réttir, the traditional sheep roundup from the mountains!
Here are our suggestions for autumn:
- Watching the first northern lights
- Participating in the réttir (traditional sheep gathering)
- Road trip on the Ring Road with fewer tourists
- Foraging for wild berries
- Swimming in hot springs with a more mystical atmosphere
Winter: the reign of the northern lights
Winter in Iceland (November to March) is an extraordinary experience. The landscapes are draped in a pristine blanket of snow, the sky lights up with aurora borealis dances, and the natural hot springs become even more magical! But be careful: with only 4-5 hours of daylight and sometimes tricky road conditions, it's not the best time for a week in Iceland if you want to explore the island in depth.
Here are some activity ideas for winter:
- Northern lights hunting
- Exploring ice caves
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Swimming in the Blue Lagoon under the snow
