A person in a red jacket stands among grassy sand dunes, ready for a hike, with snow-capped mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

ICELAND

The Best Time to Visit Iceland

When is the Best Season to Travel to Iceland?

Between Iceland’s winter aurora sightings and the midnight sun of summer, there’s no bad season to visit the Land of Fire and Ice. Summer sees the most travelers, with mild temperatures perfect for long hikes immersing you in the country’s dramatic landscape of mountains, lagoons, waterfalls, wildflowers, cliffs, geysers, and glaciers—and for the best chance of spotting wildlife like whales and puffins.

But while the Nordic country’s winters are indeed chilly, the cold months can make for the trip of a lifetime—with unforgettable snowshoeing excursions and northern lights sightings among the highlights. Or visit in the spring or fall for fewer visitors and crisp weather. And in every season, expect jaw dropping landscapes and soaks in the country’s iconic hot springs. Read on for more on what to expect during each season in Iceland.

SUMMER: JUNE-AUGUST

Fall: September-October

WINTER: JANUARY-MARCH

SPRING: APRIL-MAY

Destination

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Reykjavík (West)

36°

28°
4.1″

37°

29°
4.2″

38°

29°
4.2″

42°

33°
3.0″

49°

39°
2.4″

54°

45°
2.2″

56°

48°
2.6″

56°

47°
3.4″

51°

42°
4.5″

44°

36°
4.4″

39°

32°
4.2″

37°

29°
4.1″

Akureyri (North)

33°

23°
1.1″

34°

24°
0.8″

35°

25°
0.9″

40°

30°
1.1″

47°

36°
1.6″

53°

42°
1.7″

56°

46°
2.1″

55°

44°
2.6″

49°

39°
3.7″

41°

32°
3.0″

36°

27°
2.0″

34°

24°
1.2″

Húsafell (West)

38°

29°
3.9″

39°

30°
3.8″

44°

34°
2.9″

49°

39°
2.4″

55°

45°
2.1″

58°

49°
2.6″

57°

48°
3.2″

52°

43°
4.0″

45°

37°
3.4″

40°

32°
3.8″

38°

29°
4.3″

Ísafjörður (Westfjords)

32°

24°
2.0″

35°

27°
1.5″

41°

33°
1.6″

47°

39°
1.7″

49°

41°
2.1″

48°

41°
2.6″

39°

32°
3.0″

35°28°
2.0″

33°

25°
1.8″

Two people in pink jackets embark on an adventure, walking through a field of purple lupines with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

ICeland in the SUMMER: JUNE & AUGUST

Why Visit Iceland in the Summer?

Summer is the season for Iceland’s greatest hits—thundering waterfalls, glacier-fed lagoons, black sand beaches, and dramatic coastal cliffs. Temperatures around 50°F make for great hiking conditions with snow-free trails and wildflowers galore, and you’ll get up to 20 hours of daylight in June and July for all the adventuring you can handle.

What to Expect on Our Summer Tours

Ideal for summer travel, our Southern Iceland Expedition or Northern Iceland: Off the Beaten Path adventures will have you stepping into the country’s full technicolor display. You’ll hike along powder blue glacier lagoons and lush green valleys full of purple lupines, and likely spot wildlife like whales or puffins. In the country’s south, you’ll get the classic Iceland experience complete with geothermal vents, a hot spring soak, and time in Reykjavík. Or take the northern road less traveled and you’ll find yourself in an even more otherworldly landscape of volcanoes and black sand beaches. While summer typically means more visitors, Wilderness Travel’s carefully curated itineraries avoid the busiest hours and locations.

Two people stand near the edge of rocky cliffs after a scenic hike, overlooking a large waterfall with colorful autumn foliage covering the surrounding hills.

ICeland in the FALL: SEPTEMBER & OCtOBER

Why Visit Iceland in the Fall?

Early aurora sightings begin in the fall and migratory birds take flight during this transitional season—and you’ll have the benefit of milder weather and the thinner crowds of the shoulder season, along with a bit of fall foliage on the birch trees here and there.

What to Expect on Our Fall Tours

Southern Iceland Expedition trips and small-ship cruise offerings continue through September, so our early fall tours have many of the same offerings as the summer ones. The weather is a bit crisper, the trails are a bit quieter, and you can expect some great wildlife sightings as migrations begin. Your chances of seeing the northern lights increase, too, as nights lengthen.

A snowy waterfall landscape with the northern lights glowing in the night sky above, perfect for an unforgettable winter hike.

ICeland in the WINTER: JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH

Why Visit Iceland in the Winter?

Iceland’s otherworldly landscape becomes even more ethereal when blanketed in snow and ice. Crowds are thinner (though maybe not quite as thin as fall or spring) as you hike through picturesque landscapes of crystalline glaciers or search for the northern lights. And nothing compares to the warmth of a cozy lodge or geothermal hot spring after you’ve just finished a day of snowshoeing.

What to Expect on Our Winter Tours

You’ll experience the best of Iceland’s long frosty season on the Winter Adventures in Iceland tour. A magical hush transforms the country’s scenery as you trek across extraterrestrial landscapes, through volcanic craters and across icy glaciers. At night, you’ll keep watch for the northern lights dancing overhead, and no winter trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the Sky Lagoon.

A glacier winds through green hills under a cloudy sky, inviting the adventurous traveler to hike beneath a rainbow arching over snow-capped mountains in the background.

ICeland in the SPRING: APRIL & MAY

Why Visit Iceland in the Spring?

April and May feel like a secret window, with signs of spring transforming the stark winter landscape into something softer and more alive. Days lengthen, snow melts, and the first wildflowers bloom. Spring is a great time for travelers who value quiet landscapes and intriguing photo ops, and who don’t mind unpredictable weather or the occasional muddy trail.

While Wilderness Travel doesn’t currently run group trips during April and May, spring is a great time to embark on a boutique cruise or plan an independent extension before the summer travelers arrive.

Learn More

Talk to an Expert

Our Europe Specialists know every detail about our Iceland Tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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