When to travel to Iceland: Summer or Winter?
Both seasons offer wonderful experiences and stunning landscapes. You won’t be disappointed whatever you choose.
Below is an article with comparison photos of Iceland – Summer vs Winter, so that you can decide what the best option is for you.
Visiting Iceland in Summer or Winter – Summary
Iceland in Summer/Autumn (May to September)
When travelling around Iceland during Summer, you will be able to see moss covering the lava and waterfalls flowing full force.
Weather will change several times during the day but you can expect temperatures between 10 and 15°C on average (50 to 59°F).
My favorite month is September.
Below are a few pictures to give you a glimpse of what to expect.
Before all my photos + tips, here are my favorites to plan your Summer Iceland trip:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: Discovercars
My favorite places to stay around Iceland:
- Reykjavik, the capital, of course: Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel
- Vik to explore the South Coast: Hotel Vik i Myrdal
- Lake Myvatn, in the north: Hotel Laxa
- Borgarnes, between Snaefellsnes and Silver Circle: Hotel Hamar
My favorite bus tour from Reykjavik (Summer): Amazing Snaefellsnes Peninsula
My favorite activity around Iceland (Summer): Whale watching from Husavik (best) or Reykjavik or Akureyri
My favorite platform to book travel-packages in Iceland: guidetoiceland
Iceland in Winter (November to March)
When travelling around Iceland during Winter, the snow will highlight the shapes of some of the dark rocks. It is a world in black and white. And icicles form around some of the waterfalls.
Weather will change several times during the day but you can expect temperatures around 0°C (32°F).
My favorite month is February.
Below are a few pictures to give you a glimpse of what to expect.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites to plan your Winter Iceland trip:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: Discovercars
My favorite places to stay around Iceland:
- Reykjavik, the capital, of course: Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel
- Vik to explore the South Coast: Hotel Vik i Myrdal
- Lake Myvatn, in the north: Hotel Laxa
- Borgarnes, between Snaefellsnes and Silver Circle: Hotel Hamar
My favorite bus tour from Reykjavik (Winter): Chasing Northern Lights even without guarantee of seeing them
My favorite activities around Iceland: Visiting an ice-cave and Walking on a glacier
My favorite platform to book travel-packages in Iceland: guidetoiceland
April and October
Those months are really shoulder months. Conditions will vary.
Already at the end of September, access to the Central Highlands will close.
It is difficult to tell you what those months will look like.
Comparison of Summer and Winter in Iceland
- Driving – it is much easier to drive around Iceland in Summer. In Winter, roads may be closed because of snow or wind or ice. Plan longer hours for driving in your itinerary.
- Accessibility – Most main sites around the Ring road remain accessible in Winter. Paths are maintained but can get slippery, so you should get spikes or crampons (see options) . However, the Central Highlands are not accessible, and the West fjords are difficult to access.
- Scenery – Iceland is as beautiful in Summer as in Winter. In my opinion, North Iceland is better in Summer, but the East fjords are better in Winter. And for the other regions, I can’t choose…
- Weather – Well, in Iceland the weather changes constantly. The most difficult part, both in Summer and in Winter, is the wind. In Winter temperatures are lower but they are not as low as what people think thanks to the Gulf Stream. You just need proper layers of clothes.
- Price – There is not much difference in my opinion – Summer has more tourists but more accommodation options so the ratio creates a similar price range.
- Bonus in Summer – you can enjoy the Midnight sun in June, more whales, the puffins…
- Bonus in Winter – you can enjoy natural ice caves and you have more chances to see the Northern lights
When should you go?
You are not going to like it, but I think it is worth visiting Iceland both in Winter and in Summer.
Start with Summer as it is easier, and then visit in Winter.
However, if you love your freedom and driving in the snow stresses you, then visit in Summer.
Iceland Summer vs Winter – Scenery Comparison
Iceland South Coast – Summer vs Winter
In my opinion, the South coast does not differ that much. Of course, the mountains are covered in snow and all is in black and white.
But the waterfalls are still flowing, the beaches are still black, and the lagoons are quite similar, with more or less icebergs.
The main differences I observed were:
- It is hard to realise the presence of the lava fields around road 1 in Winter. The snow hides them a lot.
- You cannot walk behind Seljalandsfoss. The path is closed in Winter for safety reasons
- At Jokulsarlon: you have access to natural ice caves in Winter but not in Summer. However, you can take a boat to the glacier in Summer but not in Winter.
- The lagoon of Fjallsarlon is frozen in Winter
Below are comparison photos for Skogafoss and Jokulsarlon.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula – Summer vs Winter
I love the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It is Iceland in miniature and offers some magnificent sights. However, the atmosphere is quite different in Winter and in Summer, in my opinion. The main differences I have noted are:
- The falls of Kirkjufell freeze partially
- Access to some craters and beaches are complicated or closed
However, the lava formations are as spectacular and instead of the green moss to contrast with the dark rock, you have the white snow.
Below are the examples of Kirkjufell and Londrangar with Winter and Summer pictures:
Silver Circle – Summer vs Winter
I think the Silver Circle is more grandiose in Winter:
- The unique waterfalls of Hraunfossar through the lava are radiant in Winter
- The lava tunnel of Vidgelmir has ice stalagmites forming inside
Golden Circle – Summer vs Winter
The Golden Circle is majestic both in Summer and in Winter. But I think I have a preference for Winter.
- At Gullfoss, you cannot get up close at the lower level, but all the other platforms are open (pictures below)
- For the geothermal area of Haukadalur, it does not change much. The Strokkur geyser still erupts every 3 to 7minutes (pictures below)
- And for Thingvellir, you can still walk in the fissure of the Almannagja canyon. However, the other walking trails are not maintained, for example the one to Oxararfoss.
North Iceland – Summer vs Winter
North Iceland is my favorite region in Iceland. And I prefer it in Summer. However, there is one location I prefer in Winter: Godafoss.
The main differences I observed:
- Dettifoss is not accessible in Winter
- The landscape around Lake Myvatn feels post-apocalyptic in Summer with all the cracks and rough edges of the lava. But in Winter, the snow is covering all that, so it does not offer the same experience.
- Many walking activities around Lake Myvatn are less accessible.
- Godafoss is partially frozen and is a Winter wonderland!
Below are pictures of Godafoss, the Hverir geothermal field and the Dimmuborgir lava formations, to compare between Summer and Winter:
You can find all my pre-selected locations to see in Winter and in Summer in my road trip guides – no need to wonder what is open or not:
Plan your dream trip to Iceland with my guides!
- 8 easy-to-plan maps
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates
- Useful planning tips
- 130+ large photos
- 6 easy-to-plan maps
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates
- Useful planning tips
- 115+ large photos
Special Activities in Iceland – Summer or Winter
If there is something specific you want to see in Iceland, it might be the criteria to help you choose when to visit.
Specific to Winter:
- Reindeers come down to the East Fjords
- Access to Natural ice caves in the glaciers (see my guide to choose your ice cave tour)
- Frozen waterfalls
Specific to Summer:
- Boat tours on Jokulsarlon Lagoon
- Better chances to see the whales
- Presence of the puffin birds
- 4WD experiences in the Central Highlands
About the Northern lights
You have more chances to see the Northern lights in Winter because the nights are longer.
However they can still be seen in the end of August and in September.
You cannot see them in June because the nights are extremely short.
Swimming in a fissure in Thingvellir
Snorkeling and diving in the Silfra fissure are possible all year round – Learn more and book
You can see more information about the best time to see specific sights in my article about the best time visit Iceland.
Driving in Iceland – Summer vs Winter
It is way easier to drive in Iceland in Summer considering that:
- There is no snow, you can see the state of the road
- All side roads are open
- There is no ice and risk of slipping
However, Iceland is used to this weather, and they are quick to clear the roads of the snow in Winter.
You just have to remain vigilant. Road closures can always happen due to snow and wind – regularly check out the status on road.is.
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Other criteria – When to visit Iceland – best season
- Festivals – There are great festivals both in Winter and in Summer
- Crowds – Summer is much more crowded than Winter
- Hiking – Many more hiking opportunities in Summer, especially in the Highlands
- Camping – The cold makes it difficult to camp in Winter
- Time to visit – In some Winter months, days are really short. Therefore, you will have a lot less time to explore the beautiful scenery
- Accommodations – Many guesthouses or special accommodations close during the Winter. You have more choices in Summer.
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
Iceland in Summer – useful articles
Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?
- Tips to plan your Iceland road trip – read article
- Tips to rent a car and drive around Iceland – read article
- 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures – read article
- The best stops on the Ring Road – read article
- The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
- 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article
- Top 5 places to see around Myvatn – read article
- 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland – read article
- The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – read article
- The Golden Circle – read article
- The Snaefellsnes peninsula – read article
To plan your itinerary, you can check out:
- My general post about planning an Iceland road trip
- My suggested itineraries for 5 days in Iceland
- My suggested for 7 days in Iceland itineraries
- My 4 itineraries to spend 10 days in Iceland
- And my favorite itinerary for 14 days around Iceland
- or get one of my practical eBook to help you plan your ideal itinerary:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
Iceland in Winter – useful articles
Want to see more of Iceland in Winter:
- Best things to do in Iceland in Winter – read article
- 35 pictures of Iceland in Winter – read article
- Iceland Ice Cave Tours and tips – read article
- 7 Iceland waterfalls in Winter – read article
- Tips for visiting Iceland in Winter – read article
- Planning an Iceland Winter Road Trip – read article
- Iceland Winter itinerary suggestions – read article
- Driving in Iceland in Winter – read article
- Where to stay in Reykjavik: see my selection of best hotels
Planning a trip to Iceland in Winter
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
Want to see more of ICELAND?
All articles about Summer/Autumn:
All articles about Winter:
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