Iceland
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Anonymous
I've been there in early spring and late fall. It's a bit quieter, but still fantastic. Better opportunities to see the aurora, and the hot pools are even cozier when it's darker and colder and snowy. Summers are still pretty cool and rainy there - I actually prefer going outside of summer, but it might limit time for things that need daylight like long hikes. |
Anonymous
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The chart at the top of this page has a great breakdown of when to go based on what you are most interested in. I wanted puffins and hiking, so we just went in June. I’d love to go back for a shorter trip to try and catch the northern lights and do some ice cave tours.
https://epiciceland.net/when-to-visit-iceland/ |
Anonymous
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Reykjavik Restaurants:
Dinners - Grill Market, Fish Market, Duck & Rose & Apotek. Brunch- Sanholdt Bakery- a favorite. Lunches- Cafe Rosenberg- cute & Laundromat Cafe-diner-ok. Favorite experiences- eating lunch in a tomato greenhouse- Fridheimer. Sohlestar horse ride and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, and hanging out and shopping on rainbow road visited twice in summer. |
Anonymous
I'm the PP who went to Vik. We went in October, and we managed to see a bit of the northern lights. We got lucky. |
Anonymous
Warning: if you go in the fall/winter, it's brutally windy and cold. |
Anonymous
| We hiked on a glacier... so cool. I believe you need a guide but it was worth it. |
Anonymous
We went for New Year's to experience the fireworks and look for Northern Lights. The weather was an historic blizzard (record cold and wind). I actually hate the cold but it was bearable as long as you dress properly. It was fascinating seeing frozen waterfalls and being on a glacier in a blizzard. I didn't think there's a bad time to visit |
Anonymous
Did you drive around then or do tours? My concern with going in colder weather is driving as I am not used to driving in the snow/ice. |
Anonymous
NP. We reserved a tour guide to do this in a few weeks with our kids! What kind of shoes did you wear? Some tour companies recommend wearing hiking boots that go over the ankle because of the crampons. Our tour company did not say anything either way, just that they'll provide crampons to us. Kids and I have hiking shoes and I'm wondering if those will be too uncomfortable. (It's too late for us to buy new shoes now, so I'm looking at either finding shoe rental there or skipping it.) |
Anonymous
| Dog sledding and horseback riding! Tölting is my kids favorite memory. |
Anonymous
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We went Thanksgiving week (no Northern Lights for us though). Another of what I'd suggest has already been said. I might be the only person in the world who doesn't line the lagoons (sharing a bathtub with thousands of others? No thanks. But my family liked it)
Agree with the tomato greenhouse for lunch (from atlas obscura) Skip snorkeling at Thingvellir National Park - not worth it, walk around and look, water is so clear you'll see the same thing with out the hassle of a dry suit or the cold when it leaks Definitely go snowmobileing on the Glacier if weather allows (you'll go into an ice cave as well) |
Anonymous
| I don't think anyone has mentored Thorsmark which is amazing. Terrific hiking-- so beautiful. |
Anonymous
I have been many times and only winter months (December, January, March). It is VERY windy and not safe to drive a rental car as the weather is unpredictable and weather apps are worthless. You can use the Iceland weather service site for forecasts but still unpredictable beyond three days out. Northern Lights tours are a bit of a scam because they will take you out even if they know the showing will be weak. They only cancel for clouds or precipitation. You can use the Icelandic weather site to lookup the kp index which is a good indicator of a sighting. I’d say it’s better to go hunting in Fall for milder weather. Reykjavik is great in winter. Cafe Loki has great Icelandic food. The south shore is beautiful but Vik beach is dangerous and many tourists have walked too close to the water and only to be pulled in and drown. Icelandic weather and nature can be dangerous for tourists during winter. Splurge on a Super Jeep private tour if you go. |
Anonymous
We traveled in December. Very little daylight, but still just as mesmerizing and beautiful in the winter's blue light. It was suggested that we not rent a car because the roads can be icy and dangerous. We rented an apartment in Reykjavík and did day trips to the Golden Circle (small outfit - not the big tourist busses). We hired a truck to take us up on the glacier. We did Blue Lagoon on arrival and it was fine, but honestly it was not a highlight and I have zero interest in going back. To us it felt like something you do once as an experience and then you can check it off the list. We loved Reykjavik - great places to eat, walk, museums. Weather was cold, windy, wet and snowy. We are thinking of going back next summer to see more of the Iceland and we will rent a car and visit more places beyond Reykjavík. |
Anonymous
| Been there in January- it was cool in both senses. Hot springs, great food, golden circle, northern lights and xcountry skiing. |