Worst Time to Visit Iceland (and the BEST time)
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Iceland is a beautiful place to visit year-round. However, what is the worst time to visit Iceland? The country is known to be the land of fire and ice, and choosing the time of year you visit will greatly impact your trip experience.
Are you someone who likes to be warmer, do you want to see the northern lights, what about whale watching? Every person is different with what they define as “worst” so we will hit the top points to consider. Let’s dive into these topics to give you more info about the worst (and best) times to visit Iceland.
When is the Worst Time to Visit Iceland?
The worst time to visit Iceland varies by person. They want to see the northern lights and explore in mild weather. Others may want to ski and be around smaller crowds. What you want your experience to be like will determine the best season for you to visit.
Worst Time to Visit For Crowds
If you are anything like me, avoiding crowds is one of the key factors when planning a trip anywhere. I tend to visit destinations in the “off-season” when it comes to tourists because I enjoy more tranquil trips.
If you plan to visit Iceland during the least crowded time of the year, I would avoid June, July, and August. These months are typically the most expensive due to the warmer weather and the midnight sun.
Accommodations and attractions will fill up faster during this time of year, so if you decide to go during the summer months, I recommend planning far in advance. As for the attractions, if you go on tours early in the morning or late in the evening, this is a way to avoid larger crowds. When I was in Iceland during the summer, with the time change of Washington still in my system, I was still running around at 1 am, not realizing how late it was due to the midnight sun.
Best Time for Crowds:
- Late autumn, winter, or early spring
- Try visiting more of the west side of Iceland, fewer big cities = fewer big crowds (if you visit during summer)
Most Expensive Time to Visit Iceland
You have probably heard that Iceland is an expensive place to visit, I will say it can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
With the summer being the most visited time of the year, Iceland’s prices are typically higher. For starters, the flights, accommodations, and rentals are more expensive due to the demand of people who want to explore all that Iceland has to offer.
So – how does one visit Iceland on a budget?
Try to visit in the off-season (winter) for the trip to be cheaper overall due to the influx of summer tourism and rising rates.
Search for accommodations such as hostels, campervans, or more budget-friendly hotels early on so you don’t get stuck in the pickle of a pricey hotel.
Try to find accommodations with a kitchenette or breakfast included, you will be surprised how much you spend on eating out, coffee, or drinks.
Best Tips for Budget:
- Visit during the winter months
- Purchase travel in advance
- Save money on food by limiting eating out
Worst Time to Visit for Weather
Iceland may be a tricky spot for some visitors because it doesn’t get to that tropical or warm temperature that some people chase. It’s fairly cold in the winter, moderate in the summer, and rainy and cool in the spring. Sounds just like Washington, right?
A lot of it depends on what you want to do while visiting Iceland and the weather that you may need for certain activities. Some tours such as snowmobiling, hiking, glacier climbing, scuba diving, and skiing can be done year-round! See some of Iceland’s tours here!
On the flip side, some activities and destinations in Iceland are closed or more dangerous during some parts of the year. If you are interested in visiting the highlands, you will need to do this in the warmer times of the year. The F-roads that you must drive to reach the highlands are closed during the winter due to weather conditions and safety.
Are you interested in driving Route 1 aka “The Ring Road”? Many tourists decide to drive Route 1 in the summer due to warmer weather, better conditions for camping and driving, and the midnight sun. If you want to drive Route 1 during the winter, I advise you to be very flexible with your plans just in case the weather takes a turn. The road may have closures due to wind, ice, snow, or other unfavorable conditions.
Weather Average Temperatures by Season:
- Winter: Wind/snow & ~ 27 degrees Fahrenheit
- Spring: Crisp & ~ 35 degrees Fahrenheit
- Summer: Drier & ~ 50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Fall: Wet/overcast & ~ 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Worst Time to See Northern Lights
Visiting Iceland to experience the Northern Lights is becoming more and more popular. With that being said, what months should you visit Iceland to see the true magic of these lights? The summertime in Iceland would be the worst time to visit if this is high on your priority list.
During the summer, the midnight sun makes it nearly impossible to be able to view the Northern Lights. The photo below that shows me sitting on a red chair in the middle of nowhere…well that was taken at 11 pm. Pretty wild right?
Best Time & Place to Experience the Northern Lights:
- September – April will have the darkest and longest nights
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon or one of the black sand beaches in South Iceland will be the most epic spots
*iPhone Tip: Turn the camera on “Night Mode” and adjust the exposure time to around 10-15 seconds to be able to capture the dance of the Northern Lights
Worst Time to Whale Watch
There aren’t too many places that offer a whale-watching experience like Iceland. The worst time in Iceland for this activity is September through April.
There are typically fewer whales near land during the winter due to whales’ migratory patterns. During April – September, the krill and zooplankton will flourish, making it easier to spot one of the many types of whales in the area. Husavik is a wonderful place to take a Whale Watching Tour and visit the Whale Museum after!
*Fun Fact: Iceland has humpback whales, minke whales, orcas, fin whales, sperm whales, and even the largest animal that exists on Earth, the blue whale. You will also have the opportunity to look for white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and seals.
Conclusion: Worst Time to Visit Iceland
Throughout this post, we have uncovered when the worst time to visit Iceland may be for you. Many different factors can make each season the worst time to visit – high season of tourists, weather limitations, midnight sun reducing ability to view the Northern Lights, or traveling on a budget.
Check out my other posts here for why Iceland is Worth Visiting and Hotels in Vik for some additional insight! ✈️
Happy Trails,
Mindful PNW Travels
