Having just returned from a short trip to Iceland I can honestly say that I was blown away by the country and am already thinking about when to return for a longer, more comprehensive visit. Summer tourism to Iceland is well established but visits in the winter are relatively new, six years ago there were very few winter visitors. Winter is an excellent time to visit, the landscapes are absolutely stunning, covered with snow and so photogenic. There is also a much greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
The days are short. Reykjavik is the most northern capital city in the world and its latitude (64 degrees North), means that in the winter there is a not a great deal of daylight. This doesn’t mean however that there is 24 hours of darkness at any time. Even on the shortest day there are just over 4 hours of daylight, with the sun rising at 11.22am. By the end of January this has increased to around 7 hours. The pace of the day is different, you soon adapt and become much more organised in getting out and about.
It can be cold. It is called Iceland after all. During my visit the temperature was around -6 Celsius with a wind chill down to -12. If you have the right clothing it is perfectly manageable. Make sure you pack appropriately, the temperature won’t necessarily be that low but if you are prepared its much less of a problem. Essentials are waterproof walking shoes/boots with a good tread, it can be snowy and slushy. A wind proof jacket and wind proof thermal gloves. I used the gloves that I use when cycling and they were perfectly adequate. Layering is always a good idea and try to start with a good thermal base layer, I use a merino wool thermal base layer and would recommend them wholeheartedly. Don’t forget a hat and scarf big enough to wrap round your face to protect from the wind. You can of course buy many of these things while you are there but you may find them much more expensive than at home.
You have a better chance to see The Northern Lights. The short days of winter mean that you may get to see the Northern Lights. Of course there is no guarantee, viewings depend on a number of factors such as cloud cover, solar activity and the absence of background light. Trips are available from Reykjavik which run on days when conditions are deemed to be favourable. They usually go to Thingvellir national park, about a 45 minute drive out of the city to an area with no light pollution. You may even be able to book on a subsequent evening if you were unlucky and there was no activity. Reykjavik Excursions run trips at 19.30 and 21.00 each day. The guided tour lasts for 3 hours and costs 4999 ISK.
The weather can be changeable. There had been heavy snow in Reykjavik in the days before I arrived and although main routes were clear side streets were not. Driving in Iceland in the winter requires care, attention and forward planning. Hire cars should be fitted with winter snow tyres to aid traction in snowy and icy conditions. It is possible to visit Reykjavik and do coach tours including around The Golden Circle without the need for car hire. There is also an excellent coach service which links Keflavik Airport with the capital.
There are a couple of websites that can help with road conditions in the country. Safetravel.is covers all aspects of travel in the country as well as giving weather and road reports. Road.is details road conditions around the country and even has webcams showing junctions and stretches of major roads so you can judge for yourself what conditions are like. The weather can change quickly and it is always a good idea to get an up to date weather forecast before heading out. The Icelandic Met Office is the place to look for the latest report.
It’s quieter. Although winter tourism is growing it is still far behind that in the summer. As a result tourist attractions are much quieter and restaurants less busy. Make the best of it while you can. Winter is glorious in Iceland and you won’t be disappointed, the snowy landscapes are absolutely magical.