Home Mushrooms What time is the best time to go Iceland. Iceland in “off season”: why go in winter and how to organize everything. When is the best time to fly to Iceland

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What time is the best time to go Iceland. Iceland in “off season”: why go in winter and how to organize everything. When is the best time to fly to Iceland

When to go to Iceland? This question is of concern to all who are going to Iceland. In summer it is warm and less precipitation, but there are white nights and there is no chance of seeing the aurora borealis. Let's figure it out, when is the best time to go to Iceland.

Often people wonder when is the best time to visit Iceland. As you know, nature does not have bad weather; all seasons in Iceland have their own advantages and characteristics. So let's figure it out ...

First, let's break a couple of myths about the weather in Iceland.

First, the winters in Iceland are not as cold as it is commonly believed. The Gulf Stream runs off the coast of Iceland - a warm current that heats up in tropical latitudes, transfers heat to the north and prevents the air from cooling too much. Therefore, the coast remains relatively warm all year round. Conversely, summer is never too hot. So while Iceland has all four seasons, temperatures are not extreme at all. True, sometimes all four seasons change several times a day.

Weather and precipitation in Iceland

In the winter season, precipitation in Iceland, although more, is insignificant. Rainy days in winter are 12-13, and in summer 9. Also in summer it is warmer in Iceland, sometimes on sunny days the temperature can reach 20-25 degrees Celsius in the sun. But most often it is "spring" weather and the temperature does not exceed 15-17 degrees.

In winter, on the contrary, in Iceland you can go to warm up, because here the temperature very rarely drops below 0.

The weather depends very much on the region of the island to which you are heading.

If you are interested in comparing months with each other and deciding when to visit Iceland after all, then take a look at the article Weather and precipitation in Iceland by months:

Now let's take a closer look at all the advantages and disadvantages of the seasons.

Spring in Iceland

Drifting ice floes accumulate off the northern coast of Iceland. The air temperature gradually rises from +4 ° C in March to +10 ° C in May. But the weather remains unstable and can change dramatically every hour.

Daylight hours are also significantly increased. Birds are returning from the south, nesting in Iceland in summer, and the mating season for whales also begins. In the mountains, snow begins to actively melt, the water flows to the sea and all the waterfalls in Iceland are gaining strength, which attracts many tourists.

It should be borne in mind that many roads in the mountainous part of the island may still be impassable due to the large amount of snow and closed.

Spring temperature in Iceland (April-May):

Average maximum: 7-10 ° C
Average minimum: 0 ° C

Daylight hours:

Pros of spring in Iceland:

The snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom.
Nice, but a little cool weather, but there are still not as many tourists as in summer and prices are not yet so high
You may still catch the Northern Lights (in March and early April)
Good daylight hours
Good weather
Less tourists

Cons of Iceland's Spring Season:

This is not your typical warm spring. Often times in Iceland, you may need a coat or a warm jacket.
Some roads are closed

Summer in Iceland

Observations show that the warmest summer month in Iceland is July. The air temperature on a sunny day reaches + 15-20 ° С. July and August are counted in Iceland high tourist season.

Also, from the end of spring, the season of white nights begins, when the sun practically does not set behind the horizon and is light all day long. One of the most amazing places in Iceland is Husavik. It is a small fishing town - port. In summer it is light there almost day and night.

This place became truly famous thanks to the whales, Husavik is called the "whale capital". There is a whale museum in the city, and from the port you can go on a tour and watch whales in the wild. Thanks to modern equipment, the organizers of such tours promise a 98% chance of tourists meeting these huge sea inhabitants. The whale watching season lasts all year round, but if you want to see some of the largest humpback whales, then the watching season runs from mid-April to early September.

Summer temperature in Iceland:

Average maximum: 15-18 ° C
Average minimum: 7 ° C

Daylight hours:

Pros of summer season in Iceland

Long summer days and midnight sun (longest day is June 20th)
More stable weather and greenery around
Many animals and birds - sheep, ponies, puffins and other birds
Best time for whale and killer whale watching
Greater comfort when traveling with a tent
Summer music festivals, many tours, hikes
Highland roads open (access to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, and hiking along the Laugavegurinn, Fimmvörðuháls route)

Cons of Iceland's Summer Season

Peak tourist season / more people at all major attractions
Higher prices for everything
Difficulty finding housing
Light all day long - some people say they can't sleep in the light
Not very "summer" weather, compared to the classic summer. Rather like September - October.

Autumn in Iceland

September in Iceland is still a relatively “summer” month, and in October the weather worsens sharply, which is explained by the passage of cyclones across the ocean. In November, a dark period sets in, when the Sun is very low, and the daylight hours lasts no more than 5 hours.

As a result, prices for tours and excursions in Iceland are falling between September and April.

Autumn temperature in Iceland (September-October):

Average maximum: 7-13 ° C
Average minimum: 2 ° C

Daylight hours:

Pros of the fall season in Iceland:

Golden color of trees (which are almost absent here)
"Normal" daylight (in the sense of both light during the day and darkness at night)
First Northern Lights of the season, possibly the first snowfall
Prices are lower than in summer
Less tourists

Cons of the fall season:

The weather is quite unpredictable - windy, humid and sometimes quite cold
Fall colors can be skipped entirely, depending on the month and weather.

Winter in Iceland

There is no polar night in Iceland, but in the dark, the sun hangs very low above the horizon, and this period lasts from mid-November to early February. In winter, you can see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

On December 24, Iceland celebrates Yule, a midwinter holiday, an analogue of Christmas. On this day, they decorate the Yule tree and drink mulled wine.

The entire period from November to March can be attributed to the Icelandic winter, since the weather is approximately the same all these months. But there are no severe frosts here.

Winter temperatures in Iceland (November-March):

Average maximum: 4-7 ° C
Average minimum: -2 - + 1 ° С

Daylight hours:

Pros of the winter season in Iceland:

Northern Lights! It is in winter, when the sun is below the horizon for a long time, that the probability of seeing the northern lights is greatest.
Golden colors - the time of sunset and dawn lasts almost the entire daylight hours.
Snow walks in beautiful landscapes
Amazing open hot springs bathing experience
Ice caves and glacier tours
Christmas lights, Christmas markets, Christmas decorations, Christmas spirit.
New Years Eve: Reykjavik is ranked 5th in the world among places to watch New Year's fireworks!
Snowy mountains, frozen waterfalls

Cons of the winter season in Iceland:

Darkness - in mid-December, the sun only illuminates the sky for 3-4 hours. It can be quite tiring and the time for exploring the area is very limited.
It's cold and very damp, you need to take care of good clothes.
The weather changes very often, due to this, sometimes even major roads are closed - it is very difficult to plan a trip.
Zero access to mountain roads without dedicated ATVs.

No matter what time of the year you decide to visit Iceland, it will be a great time spent in beautiful nature.

There is hardly a place on earth that resembles the exotic landscapes of the attractive island-state of Iceland. This incredible explosive mixture of glaciers, seething hot springs, volcanoes and the northern lights will surprise even seasoned tourists. Iceland's weather is changeable at any time of the year. But this is a new experience every time. Most tourists prefer to visit the Scandinavian beauty during the peak tourist season from June to September. But this is more likely due to the period of mass vacations. This is the time of white nights, when the sun shines almost 24 hours a day, and the average daily temperature reaches 15 ° C, marking its peak in the middle of the period - up to 20 ° C.

Holidays in Iceland in the fall are an extraordinary play of colors and relative calm. At this time, there are good discounts on accommodation and excursions. Already in October, the climate changes dramatically, due to the cyclones of the Atlantic Ocean.

Winter holidays are also not devoid of impressions, although daylight hours lasts only 4-5 hours. But even in a relatively warm climate from 0 to -3-4 ° C at night, and + 2 ° C in the daytime, strong piercing winds can turn rest into a challenge.

The harsh winter is quite offset by the friendly attitude. And if at this time many museums are closed, you can find a carefully left note with the caretaker's phone, who is ready to come, hospitably open the doors and conduct an unplanned excursion.

Spring is snowy enough. The landscapes allow you to enjoy the view of the bizarre form of drifting ice that collects off the coast even in winter. Therefore, Iceland in the photo at this time is changing every day. Here it is the largest glacier in Europe Vatna Jokul, equal in area to all glaciers of the European subcontinent. Temperatures rise to 2-3 ° C in March, and 8-10 ° C in May.

Despite the severity of the landscape, the flow of tourists to the land of ice does not decrease. They are magically attracted by one of the main attractions - the famous volcanoes. The most popular and most active volcano in Iceland is Hekla, the country's national symbol, "The Gate to Hell", as it was called during the Middle Ages.

From Reykjavik you can observe extinct volcano esya, which attracts lovers of active hiking (trekking). Active today is the Eyjafjallajokull volcano with a crater up to 4 km. Truly, natural wonders - a volcanic eruption under a glacier.

Many geothermal lakes in Iceland were formed as a result of active volcanic activity. And the first line of popularity is occupied by the Blue Lagoon, the water temperature in which is maintained at the same level all year round due to underground sources. The healing properties of sea water have long been known for their rejuvenating effect and curative effect on skin diseases.

Rest and food prices

The northern city of Akureyri on the picturesque shores of the Eyja Fjord is one of the world's centers for sport fishing. And at the Gullfoss waterfall, queues line up to capture it. By the way, here you can buy a special photo tour "Forces of Nature", which will cost almost 245000.00 ISK / per person (standard room) and 345500.00 ISK / person (single) for 9 days / 8 nights.

Those traveling to Iceland should expect a comfortable stay for 300 euros / day. Accommodation in a 4 * hotel - 190 € / for two in a standard room (140 € - in a 3 * hotel), and luxury villa will cost from 390 EUR / per day.

The topic of nutrition is relevant, because the products grown in the greenhouse are very expensive. If you want to eat in a restaurant, be prepared to pay 520-780 rubles for a simple soup, 935-1560 rubles for a meat dish. The prices for drinks are just off scale (a glass of mineral water 200-300 rubles). Well, are you thirsty?

Thus, it is better to cook at the hotel yourself, because in the supermarket you can buy fish for only 10-12 euros / kg (cheaper than cheese - up to 15 euros), rice or make sandwiches.

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Iceland - a unique, mesmerizing mix of ice, volcanoes and hot springs attracts more and more tourists, while remaining unique and unexplored at the same time. The land of ice hospitably welcomes guests throughout the year, here you can always get acquainted with the life of the country and its sights. No matter how many times you visit this country of contrasts, in any period nature will show ...

Iceland, the "ice country", lies in the cold Atlantic, but the northerly nature of the island is very picturesque. It is this exotic that attracts our tourists to rest in Iceland, although there are very few of ours here. Cities, towns and villages are located mostly along the sea coast, more than 50% are concentrated in the south-west of the country. But, despite the apparent remoteness from civilization, life here ...

Summer is considered the best time to travel to Iceland, the period from June to August is characterized by warm weather, as well as such a phenomenon as white nights. The peak of the white nights is at the end of July. Iceland has only four hours of daylight in winter, which is not the best time to travel around the country.

Northern Lights Season in Iceland: From September to April, the best time to catch the Northern Lights is midnight.

Accommodation

There are fewer hotels in Iceland than tourists who want to visit the country, and prices are higher than we would like. There are interesting alternative accommodation options for travelers. For example, private farms, where you can not only stay for the night, but also join farming, fishing or cattle breeding.

Farms and cottages

Unlike hotels, the level of comfort on farms does not differ in stars, but in categories.

You can book a room at the farm on the website: www.farmholidays.is

An equipped room on a farm costs no less than a room in a 3-4 * hotel, but, as a rule, it is more comfortable.

Hostels

There are many hostels in Iceland with varying degrees of comfort. You can book a room (or a place in a room) on the website: www.hostels.com/iceland

Campsites

The most budgetary option for accommodation is setting up a tent in a camping. Special tent sites are scattered throughout the island, the cost of a place is $ 2-3 per night. It is allowed to light a bonfire in the campsites.

Some campsites are equipped with mini cottages and toilet and shower facilities. There is no need to reserve places for a tent, but places in houses are required.

What to put in your suitcase

To make your stay in Iceland as comfortable as possible, we recommend that you carefully consider your luggage. It is advisable to bring thermal underwear, wind and waterproof jacket, warm hat and gloves, comfortable (non-slip) shoes.

You can buy clothes of high quality and relevant for Iceland on the spot, but be prepared for high prices.

First of all

Most tourists arrive in Reykjavik, and even if a stopover in the city is not included in the plans, it is worth stopping by the tourist center located at Reykjavík, Adalstraeti 2.

At the office, you can take tourist and road maps for free, ask questions, book excursions, rent a car and much more. The polite and patient staff speaks good English.

Must see

As with many countries, Iceland has a list of things to do during your trip. It is up to everyone to follow it or not, and we just offer TOP 10 lessons in Iceland:

Drive around the island along Route 1 by bus or car.
Visit the valley of geysers of Hoykadalur and see the largest geyser in the country - Geiser.
Take a bath in the famous Blue Lagoon and buy some expensive bottles of Bluelagoon natural cosmetics.
See the famous Gullfoss waterfall and climb to the mouth of the volcano.
Visit the ice lagoon in the south of the island.
Travel to the Snйfellsnes peninsula to observe puffins.
Stop by Husavik and from there go by boat to watch whales.
Take a horse-drawn excursion to scenic spots.
Buy Icelandic sweater with deer.
And finally, if you have the courage, try the local delicacies: rotten shark meat and a valuable lamb head.

Of course, this is not all the entertainment and attractions on the island, if there is time and the budget allows, you can fly to neighboring Greenland, go on a hiking tour or go dog sledding.

The winter period (from late September to April) in Iceland is considered off-season, although in recent years the number of tourists has been growing regardless of the season. Travelers are scared off by short daylight hours (about four hours), constant storms and bitter cold. True, Iceland is not very cold in winter: the average temperature is above zero (and December 2016 has already broken all records: the temperature was kept in the region of plus 7-8 degrees), thanks to the Gulf Stream!

Probably the most obvious reason to choose the winter season for your trip to Iceland is that it is easier to find cheap tickets to Reykjavik during the winter season. Many airlines (like Icelandair or Wow Air) have very tempting prices. And do not forget that Icelandair, when flying from Europe to America, gives you the opportunity to make a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days absolutely free. I will add that in winter, renting a car, a hotel room or a bed in a hostel is cheaper than in summer.

Iceland becomes a small paradise in winter. In winter, Iceland even has fewer tourists in its most popular destinations, which means your photos won't show the crowds surrounding the geyser or the hundreds of people at Skogafoss Falls. And if you decide to turn off road number one and get, for example, to the less popular in winter north or east of the country, the chances of meeting tourists are minimized.

The only period when tourists overwhelm Reykjavik in late autumn is the Iceland Airwaves festival. This is a unique event for the country: in addition to the main program, where both Icelandic and foreign artists perform, almost every bar and cafe has its own unofficial program. Those who have not bought a ticket to the festival have the opportunity to listen to the performances of famous Icelandic musicians in small bars, a hostel or even a shop! For five days, Reykjavik lives on only for music and parties, and this is the craziest and coolest time of the year.

Another thing that immediately comes to mind is a completely unique light. Yes, daylight hours become very short, but the winter sun, which rises very low above the horizon, illuminates everything with a soft golden light.

As someone who has lived through all the seasons in Iceland, I can say that winter was a real revelation for me. Reykjavik looks absolutely fabulous when it snows and all the tiny colorful houses look like toys. The waterfalls are partially frozen, fresh snow lies in the mountains, and Iceland appears in a completely new light.

Also in winter (and only in winter) tourists have the opportunity to visit ice caves. And this is truly a mesmerizing sight. When you first see them in photographs, it's hard to believe that such places really exist on the planet. For safety reasons, the caves can only be visited with one of the authorized tour operators. The pleasure is not cheap, but really worth it. Iceland's ice caves are considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and where else, if not here, arrange a trip to the heart of the glacier?

The obvious reason for visiting Iceland in winter is also the northern lights. You can enjoy this truly mesmerizing sight even near Reykjavik, the main thing is to choose the least lit area and check the forecast (you should make sure that the sky is clear and the forecast of the radiance on a ten-point scale is at least three).

And finally, probably the most favorite winter pastime of Icelanders is the hot springs. When, if not in winter, can you enjoy them to the fullest? In addition to the city's many outdoor pools, the Blue Lagoon and the Green Lagoon (Lake Myvatn), there are small springs scattered throughout the country. My personal favorite is the hot river in the Reykjadalur Valley, near the town of Hveragerdi (about 30 minutes by car from Reykjavik). Yes, this may not be the most obvious choice (it will take about an hour to get to the river), but I would say that this is a real paradise! Depending on how far up the river you go, it can be warmer or colder, plus the fabulous scenery around. A complete list of all Iceland's hot springs can be found.

Is it hard to get around in winter by car, do you need to rent a jeep, or can you get by with a small car?

Depends on where you are going to go. A circular road can be enough for small ones, all car rental companies change tires on their cars in winter. But if you want Icelandic exoticism (western fjords or, for example, some interesting places in the wilderness), then you need a jeep with studded tires. For example, last March we drove to the western fjords, and the road was either covered with snow or even covered with a thin layer of ice.
We recommend that you check the condition of the roads on the Road.is portal a few hours before departure.

Can you see all of Iceland's main attractions in winter? There are no ones that are closed, cannot be reached or that are covered with snow?

All the most important and popular attractions are open and accessible in winter. The only thing is that you need to accurately calculate the time, it is better to go on any trip after dark - daylight hours are only three to four hours. If you leave at dawn, there is a great chance of not seeing anything. True, you won't be able to see whales in Husavik, because the season there lasts until November.

www.road.is is a portal for road conditions in Iceland.
accommodation.is is a portal about guesthouses, campgrounds and hotels in Iceland.
hotpoticeland.com - All Iceland's hot springs on one map.
en.vedur.is - weather forecast and northern lights.

The first thing you see arriving in Iceland - lava fields. They stretch to the very horizon and it seems that they have no end or edge. On the lava stones - like a carpet of velvety moss, soft and delicate to the touch.

And the first remark many tourists: "But there are no trees!" Not only trees, but also shrubs are rare here. Despite the monotony - such fields stretch for tens of kilometers - the landscape is mesmerizing.

Suddenly the road is sharp turns around and the picture changes. At the water surface of the sea, there are colorful houses surrounded and protected by bizarre mountains. Where there is a fjord, there is life, the fjords were chosen and settled by the ancient Vikings. And around the next turn, an extraordinary beauty waterfall opens, a geyser exploding upward or a pure lake with fragments of a glacier.

Iceland is cooking many surprises. And despite the prices, which, although they fell during the crisis, still remain one of the highest in Europe, the number of tourists is increasing every year.

Last year Iceland was visited by about 500 thousand tourists, which is more than the entire population of the country. The Germans, the British, the Americans, and, of course, the Scandinavians are very fond of Iceland.

Blinds on the windows

In Reykjavik there are about a hundred hotels, guest houses and hostels that are open all year round.

Prices in Reykjavik- from 30 euros for a bed in a 6-bed hostel room, from 50 euros - for a single room without conveniences in a guest house, from 90 euros - in a hotel. In the provinces, prices are the same or even slightly higher, and it is better to book rooms 3-4 months in advance, since there are not many offers.

Rooms are usually tiny, from 7 m2, but very clean. Amenities are usually for 4-5 rooms. There are always blackout curtains on the windows, for those who cannot sleep on white nights. Gasthaus usually have a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and microwave and everything you need to cook.

Iceland is the best travel by car, which can be rented. Public transport is not very developed here (except for Reykjavik), but buses still run in summer. So, if necessary, you can travel the whole country by regular buses, and even easier - by air.

There are several local airports that connect regional cities with the capital. Prices from 40 euros one way, which is comparable to a bus ticket. Planes usually fly to Reykjavik 1-2 times a day.

Cod and oatmeal cookies

Iceland is very expensive country, food prices are very high. Almost nothing grows here.

In greenhouses heated underground heat, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots are grown - up to 80% of these products are locally produced. Iceland is almost entirely self-sufficient in lamb, dairy products and cheese. But still, most of the products are imported.

Reykjavik lunch will cost from 10 euros in cheap Thai restaurants, outside the capital a modest lunch at a restaurant will cost at least 20 euros.

Despite the prices, it is better to try the real Icelandic cuisine. The main ingredients of the dishes are seafood and lamb. The food is very good here. Vegetarians have a difficult time - often restaurants in the provinces do not offer dishes without meat or fish at all. But in Reykjavik there is a cuisine for every taste, including many vegetarian dishes.

Alcoholic drinks(except for weak beer) in Iceland can only be bought from state stores - áTVR. Alcohol is expensive: a half liter bottle of vodka costs from 30 euros. In restaurants, alcoholic beverages are several times more expensive than in stores.

The cheapest grocery shops in Reykjavik and throughout Iceland at the Bonus supermarket chain. True, the assortment in any stores is not very rich: one or two types of salted and smoked fish (salmon, cod, etc.), from meat - mainly lamb and chicken. But all dairy products and cheeses are locally sourced. The traditional oatmeal cookies are worth trying - they are delicious here. And by the way, excellent coffee is always brewed in any, even a roadside cafe.

Two seasons

In Iceland, practically no autumn and spring, only winter and short summer. The tourist season is from early June to mid-September. The best time is July and early August. From the end of August, hotels and gast houses begin to close, bus service stops, and many excursion routes are closed.

Even in summer the sky the sun does not always shine over Iceland, and the daytime temperature rarely exceeds + 20 ° C. But it is imperative to bring a swimsuit, as there are many hot springs with swimming pools. Some of them are quite expensive, like the famous Blue Lagoon (in summer a ticket costs 40 euros, in winter 33), but in small towns pools with thermal water are cheap - from 120 rubles without a time limit.

In June there are real White Nights. It is impossible to distinguish between night and day. The first decade of June is also attractive because birds flock to Iceland for the summer, and from August you can see the northern lights. Icelandic winter is not the best time to travel. Although the temperature in winter is usually slightly below zero, the days are very short, constant winds blow and there are storms. At the end of February, the wind dies down a bit, the day gets longer and the ski season begins.

How to get to Reykjavik

From St. Petersburg to Keflavik airport(Reykjavik) Icelandair operates twice a week from June to mid-September. On the way - 4 hours. Prices from 14 thousand rubles in both directions. You can also fly from Helsinki or with a transfer, for example, via Stockholm or Copenhagen.

From Keflavik to Reykjavik shuttle buses run, tickets can be bought from the driver or in advance via the Internet. There is a delivery service for the main hotels in Reykjavik, which is convenient.