6 things you need to know about visiting Iceland in the winter
So you’ve decided to visit Iceland in the winter. You’re all excited, expecting peaceful snow-covered landscapes and ready to see the northern lights.
While both those things may become true for you (fingers crossed!), there is a lot more to Iceland in the winter. Let’s run through some things you should know before setting off on your trip.
Iceland in the winter is as unpredictable as it is beautiful
#1 It can still be crowded
If you’re visiting Iceland’s tourist hotspots in the winter expecting to have them all to yourself, you’ll be in shock. As it turns out, you’re not the only one who came up with the brilliant idea to enjoy Iceland in its harshest season.
You’ll come across tour buses and tour vans at every major attraction. However, it’s still probably much more doable compared to crowds in the summer.
Tourists lining up to see the famous Skogafoss
To make the most of your trip, visit the most popular sites early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Try to also venture beyond the hot spots and discover things that not many people talk or write about on the Internet.
It’s not impossible to enjoy Iceland’s rugged winterlandscapes without crowds, you just have to search a little harder.
#2 The weather is unpredictable & the wind is insane
The weather in Iceland is rather unpredictable. You could get lucky and have long days of beautiful sunshine, clear skies and not even a breeze.
But things could just as easily swing in the opposite direction — rain, hail, snow, freezing cold temperatures, and insane wind — all at once.
Views of the ocean at Dyrhólaey
A windy day in Iceland
And when I say insane wind, I dont mean the “it’s annoying to be outside” kinda wind. I’m talking about the “you’ll struggle to stay on your two feet and everything you’re not holding tightly enough will fly away” kind.
I’ve lived in the Netherlands for more than six years, so I thought I knew a thing or two about strong winds. But no. Iceland takes this concept to an entirely new level.
You need to be especially careful with the doors of your car if you’re renting one. Most insurances don’t cover damage due to strong winds.
#3 Daylight hours are limited
If you’re visiting Iceland in the winter, you’ll need to think about how much time you actually have each day for your activities. Between November and February, daylight hours are pretty limited.
In December and January, expect around five hours of daylight. In November and February, this is typically between six to eight hours.
This means you’ll have to make choices between the activities you want to do and take things at a slower pace than you maybe would in summer.
Sunset at Seljalandsfoss
Pink and orange hues
#4 Many roads are closed
In Iceland, you have these so-called F-roads. These are rough, unpaved gravel roads that lead to more remote spots inland. Officially, they are only open in the summer.
In the winter, they are not maintained and pretty much impossible to drive on unless you have a very specific type of vehicle (and skills).
Paved roads, which includes the main highway no. 1 (also known as the Ring Road), are generally open. However, some might close on a short notice if the weather conditions are particularly bad.
Paved roads in Iceland generally stay open in the winter
You can always find the latest information about road closures on the website of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
#5 You can book activities on the spot
Should I book all the adventure winter activities in Iceland in advance or can I book them on the spot? That’s a big dilemma I had before my own trip. Every single advice I found on the internet was telling me to book everything as far ahead as possible. So I igonerd it.
Do I regret my decision? Not at all! There are so many providers and so many activities on offer online. Many sound very similar and most of them have good reviews so it’s hard to choose which one to go for.
Ice cave visit
Hiking on one of Iceland’s famous glaciers
If you wait with booking, you can actually speak with people from the tour companies first and see what options they have.
That being said, some activities may be booked out. But there are usually plenty of other options. I have also read that you can save some money if you book activities in advance. How much that is, I wouldn’t know.
#6 Icelanders are kinda hard to come by
Going to Iceland, I was expecting to interact with quite a few Icelanders. So it was a surprise to find out that many people working in customer-facing roles or guiding tours are actually foreigners.
This can be very fun, especially if you happen to come across your fellow countrymen! They have some pretty cool stories about how they ended up in Iceland and what life has been like for them in the land of fire and ice.
Tours are often led by foreigners who have moved to Iceland
If you do meet Icelanders, it’s great to hear some insights about local life or get tips for places you might not have through of visiting yourself.
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Visiting Iceland in the winter comes with its own set of challenges but it’s an absolutely unique and rewarding experience. The landscapes are beautiful and the people you meet, whether locals or expats, are friendly and helpful.
Have you visited Iceland in the winter? What other tips would you add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!