Iceland: When to Go

Every year after 31 August, someone puts on the brakes and Icelandic tourism grinds slowly to a halt. Outside the capital, many hotels, hostels and camping grounds close; bus services are severely reduced or stop completely until May or June the following year; the interior highlands become inaccessible; and even the puffins fly off and the whales swim away. But Iceland's amazing scenery never shuts down. If you're prepared for short, dark days and icy weather, there are still plenty of bus tours from Reykjavík, and extra wintry delights to see, such as the ethereal Northern Lights.

Weather

Despite its name and latitude, warm Gulf Streams keep southern Iceland snugger than many a central European country. Summers are pleasant but don't make particularly enviable postcards, with average July temperatures around 12°C (53°F). Winters, however, are significantly blunted and while fresh enough to put some rose in your cheeks, it will not be freezing them solid. The higher altitudes and northern coast face early-year Arctic winds so are naturally colder. Snow turns to rain around spring but is never too heavy.