Hi,
Can someone please tell me when the best time of year would be to visit Iceland for a few days?
I've tried one of the Fodors Mini-Guides, but they don't offer Iceland as a destination, unless I'm just not seeing it.
I've heard that Iceland can have over 12 hours of sunlight during certain times of the year, but people I've asked don't seem to know when that is.
Any advice is really appreciated!
Thanks!
I'm Confused About The Best Time Of Year To Go To Iceland.
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Any time you can get to Iceland is a good time!
But, more helpfully, the most sunlight would probably be in June, with July and even August having sunset at about 10:30-11:00 (which means more like about 18 hours of sunlight!) The weather then is terrific, in the 50s and 60s, and a good chance of sunny days. (It does, I have to admit, get its share of rainy days.) But even those are fun.
Never!!!!!!!!
Iceland in the winter is wonderful. Yes it is cold but inexpensive and not crowded. I loved it! the 101 degree geothermal pools in a snow storm is something you'll never forget. Check out the special bargains with www.icelandair.com for winter get aways. I promise you won't regret it.
We went to Iceland in August and loved it. We had long days and good weather. It only got rainy one day in the south. Not crowded since we made a tour around the island clockwise. Several unforgettable places. It is a surprisingly beautiful island.
If you mean midnight sun, it happens at midsummer.I've heard it also happens in the Shetlands.
Iceland's tourist season is June - August. This is the best weather but the most expensive airfares ($1000 US). However the accomodations are numerous and inexpensive because they have the schools throughout Iceland available for tourists. Also lots of camping is available.
In the shoulder season May, Sept, Oct, the weather is still very nice (mixed sunny and rainy) and the airfare prices drop. However, the schools are in use and it may be too cold and windy to camp. The cheapest airfares are the winter airfares.
The "midnight sun" would only be seen in the far northern part of Iceland (that extends north of the Arctic Circle) on June 22. The rest of the summer in Iceland will have very long days (12 or more hours) throughout the summer months.
Often in the shoulder season and the winter you will be able to see the Northern lights.
Iceland is very beautiful at all times of the year. September, after the prices drop and the tourists leave is nice, but be warned that many Iclanders head to the capital for extended parts of that month to shop. So many "tourist" amenities in the outlying areas are closed.
We were there the first week of May, stopping off on our way back from the Netherlands. The weather was cool (50s F), but not cold. A bit windy sometimes, which made it feel colder. Sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast, but no rain. We really enjoyed it for the three days we were there. Air fare from BWI to Netherlands and back by way of Iceland was a real bargain at that time of year.
We went to Iceland for Thanksgiving week one year -- and it remains my favorite vacation of all time.
The people were wonderful, the landscape was breathtaking, the frozen waterfalls were especially gorgeous, and there were no crowds.
The days were already getting short -- but it didn't turn out to be an issue at all.
We stayed at a hotel, did plenty of car/bus tours to interesting spots and went on many day hikes. There are several wonderful places to see not far from Reykjavik.
If you're an outdoor person or are interested in geology, Iceland's a terrific place to visit.
Kate
i went for 5 days in sept 2000 and it was the most fabulous vacation of my life. i happened into a week that had virtually no rain which is very very unusual but lots of wind with temps in the 40s and 50s. i shall never forget that memorable trip and plan to return again in sept as soon as possible.