Worst Time To Visit Iceland For Every Traveler 2025

If you’re planning an exciting trip to the land of fire and ice, you might be wondering, what is the worst time to visit Iceland?

Deciding when to visit Iceland is one of the most important parts of planning your trip. Although it’s a great destination all year round, it’s well known for its ever-changing and dramatic seasons. I personally prefer the summer months but the worst time to visit can vary from person to person, depending on what it is you’re hoping to experience.

That being said, there are definitely certain points in the year that are less desirable because of the challenges they bring. In this post, I break down all the things you need to consider to make sure you get the most out of your trip.

Worst Time To Visit Iceland

There are multiple things that you will need to think about when deciding when to visit Iceland.

What is it that you want to see? If your dream trip to Iceland involves seeing the Northern Lights, then the summer months will be the worst time to visit. The longer days that this time of year brings make it pretty much impossible to see those beautiful green lights moving across the sky.

When we visited, I knew that I just had to see the purple lupins and the midnight sun so summer was the month we chose to visit.

Do you have a budget to work to? It’s no secret that Iceland is notorious for being expensive and the time of year that you visit will make a huge impact on just how much you’ll be spending. The peak tourist season brings with it higher prices, which may be something that you want to avoid.

The low season however will certainly bring more budget-friendly prices, although this comes at the cost of shorter days and plummeting temperatures.

Worst Time For Weather

The depths of winter can be pretty brutal in Iceland and the harsh weather conditions can impact your trip.

December and January are the months that experience the coldest temperatures which tend to sit somewhere between -2°C and 2°C.

They’re also the months that experience the most snowfall. This can potentially cause issues on your trip, especially if you have booked tours or plan to do an Iceland road trip. The snow and ice can cause road closures at short notice and can be dangerous if you’re not used to driving in those conditions.

January is also the windiest month with average wind speeds hitting 15.9mph! Not only are the winds powerful but the arctic chill that comes with them will get right into your bones. You’ll certainly need to pack plenty of thermal and windproof gear if you choose to brave this time of year.

December and January are also the months with the shortest daylight hours. You’ll only have between 4 – 5 hours of daylight each day which doesn’t leave much room to explore. You’ll need to plan your time wisely if there are lots of sights you want to see.

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Most Expensive Time To Visit Iceland

I probably won’t be the first one to tell you that Iceland is expensive. If you’re looking to make your visit more budget-friendly then there are certain times of the year you should avoid.

June, July and August are the high season in Iceland and are the worst time to visit when it comes to high prices.

Iceland is a popular tourist destination all year round, but come the summer months, tourism absolutely booms. With this influx of tourists, prices for accommodation, travel and car rentals go through the roof. You could even end up paying double for flights and accommodation!

There are ways to get around the eye-watering prices and to keep some costs down. Don’t get me wrong, it will still be expensive but every penny counts!

Opting to cook some meals for yourself instead of eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner will save you a ton of money. The cheapest supermarkets to stock up at are Bonus and Kronan and you’ll find these in most towns. We also packed some dry food in our suitcase!

Renting a car and driving to different attractions can work out much cheaper in the long run than booking lots of different tours. Sure, planning tours can be great, but if you’re watching your budget you will need to be picky.

Staying at hostels, campsites, or guesthouses is a much cheaper option than booking hotels. Plus, there are loads of free attractions, sights, and hot springs to check out!

If you want to visit with lower prices and better weather, I recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons. The months of April, May, September and October should give you a bit more of a balance between cost and not having to visit in the dead of winter.

Worst Time For Crowds

You can probably guess what I’m going to say is the worst time to visit Iceland if you don’t like crowds!

The most expensive time to visit Iceland is also the most crowded. The summer months of June, July and August bring warmer temperatures as well as the natural phenomena of the midnight sun. This in turn will attract more tourists.

Once the snow and ice have melted, travelling around Iceland becomes more appealing and this is the time when many people come to drive the ring road. Iceland’s F-roads that lead through the highlands also reopen after being closed for the winter, which attracts more visitors.

Attraction sites and the popular hot springs will be very busy and crowded, especially those in the Golden Circle and along the south coast. If you prefer to avoid big crowds, you could try visiting the attractions either very early in the morning or much later in the evening. The good thing about this time of year is it doesn’t get dark, so visiting at unusual times is still doable!

The West Coast of Iceland is much less travelled and is a great destination to visit during the busier months. There will be fewer crowds than what you’ll find in the tourist hotspots.

Best Time To Visit Iceland

So just like the worst time to visit Iceland will vary from person to person, the same goes for the best time to visit.

If you’re looking for warmer, drier and longer days, then the summertime is the best time to visit. June, July and August are the months when Iceland experiences nearly 24 hours of sunlight, meaning you will have plenty of time to visit all the attractions. Roads are also more likely to remain open making travel a lot more stress free.

The summer season is also when Iceland has its iconic lupin bloom and is covered in thick blankets of purple. The landscape still holds some of its usual characteristics such as glaciers and snow-capped mountains and the scenery is really diverse this time of year.

Although you can see whales all year round in Iceland, summer is also the best time to go whale watching.

If you’re looking for a way to visit Iceland without breaking the bank, then the shoulder season or winter will be the best time to visit. Costs go down quite significantly from September onwards and the colder weather will mean fewer crowds.

The winter months are stunning and the dusting of snow can make Iceland look like a winter wonderland. This is also the best time to book guided glacier and ice cave hikes due to the cold weather making them more stable to explore.

If you don’t feel like visiting in the depths of winter, the shoulder season is the perfect time to visit. You’ll still get plenty of daylight and won’t be fighting through the crowds of the summer months. Weather can still be unpredictable in this period and you will need to pack for all seasons.

This is also the perfect time to visit if seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list as September through to mid-April is aurora season in Iceland.

Where To Stay In Iceland

Budget Recommendation: Kex Hostel

Located in the heart of Reykjavik, Kex Hostel is a great place to stay if you’re on a budget. You can choose to stay in a shared dorm or a private room with a shared bathroom.

There’s a communal kitchen so you can save on eating out, but there is also an on-site bar and restaurant which has live music Thursday – Sunday.

Mid-Range Recommendation: The Green House Hotel

Found in Hveragerði, which is a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik, The Greenhouse Hotel is a unique place to stay while in Iceland. This boutique hotel has everything you need from restaurants, a bar, a local food market and designer stores.

This is also a great location for outdoor activities and is close to the hiking trail to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River.

Luxury Recommendation: Hvammsvík Nature Resort

At Hvammsvík Nature Resort you can book one of four different accommodations each offering their own form of luxury.

Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, these properties are nestled in the stunning Icelandic countryside and are an hour from Reykjavik. Two of the properties have their own private hot tub, while one has its own private hot spring overlooking the fjord.

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, Hvammsvík Nature Resort is a real treat.

Visiting Iceland: FAQs

If you’re thinking about planning your Icelandic adventure, you might have a few questions that you need to have answered. In this FAQ section, I’ve gathered answers to the most common queries that travellers to Iceland often have.

What’s The Worst Month To Visit Iceland?

This probably won’t come as much of a shock but the worst month to visit Iceland is January.

You’ll only get around 4 – 5 hours of daylight in January, meaning that you will have to plan your trip well if you plan on seeing lots of sights. There are a few months that experience these long nights too but there are other reasons I believe January is the worst time to visit Iceland.

January is not only one of the coldest months but it’s also the windiest month. The weather this time of year can be really unpredictable.

Of course, if you don’t mind this, you could certainly wrap up warm and make the most of the cheaper prices and quieter locations.

Related Post: Solo Travel To Iceland: Tips, Tours & Safety

What Is The Rainiest Season In Iceland?

Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable all year round and it can still have bouts of rain even in the summer, although May – August are the driest months.

The rainy season runs from September – March with the wettest month being October.

If you plan to visit Iceland during the wetter months, it’s probably worth investing in some good waterproof gear!

One thing I will say is, don’t be disheartened if the forecast is rain throughout your trip. Wetter weather isn’t always a bad thing! Waterfalls are stunning this time of year and look even more powerful with all the extra water.

What Is The Dark Season In Iceland?

The iconic midnight sun is a distant memory during the winter months!

Iceland’s dark season begins in November and ends sometime during February. This is when the days will be much, much shorter with the shortest day being only 4 hours!

December 23rd is the winter solstice in 2023.

The dark season is the perfect time to visit if you want to see the northern lights! The longer hours of darkness will increase your chances of seeing the auroras. You can actually check the northern lights forecast on the Icelandic Met Office website.

Is Winter A Bad Time To Visit Iceland?

Winter can actually be a great time to visit Iceland as long as you’re prepared for the cold weather and you’re not planning a big road trip!

Yes the days are shorter and the weather can be unpredictable but there are plenty of benefits of visiting this time of year. The landscape is transformed by snow and ice making it look otherworldly and all the main attractions will be much quieter to visit.

If you love Christmas festivities, Iceland is the perfect place to visit! This is the winter wonderland we all envision when we think of Christmas time with lots of snow and reindeer.

Iceland’s traditions are slightly different from some other countries and they don’t have just one Santa. Instead, they have 13 mischievous Yule Lads who visit homes on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas.

Final Thoughts: Worst Time To Visit Iceland

As we’ve discovered through this post, the worst time to visit Iceland will totally depend on the type of trip you want to have.

If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, then I don’t really recommend visiting during the summer months. The attractions can get very busy and prices tend to skyrocket.

If bad weather and shorter days aren’t your thing, then winter definitely won’t be for you. The cold can be biting, and the daylight hours are significantly shorter.

However, it’s worth noting that despite these contrasts, there’s really no right or wrong time to visit Iceland. The country boasts its own unique charm and beauty throughout the year.

Spring and autumn offer a perfect middle ground, where you can find a balance of milder weather, fewer crowds, and cheaper prices. Ultimately, your best time to visit depends on what you’re seeking from your Icelandic adventure.