Why You Should Visit Iceland During The Winter
Why you should visit Iceland during the winter
There are plenty of reasons why you should consider coming to Iceland during the winter time. Of course, that midnight sun and bright blue sky is appealing, but if you ask me, the winter is when the real magic happens.
Better Light
If your aim is to get the best possible photographs, then the winter might just be your best friend. While the day is short in the period from October to February (peaking on December 21st with only 4 hours of daylight), the sun casts a beautiful glow during much of the day.
You wont have to wake up at 4 AM to catch the sunrise, nor do you have to stay awake until 12 PM to see the sunset. Instead, you can sleep in, have a chill breakfast before heading out – all without a single worry about missing out on all the magic... unless we are chasing northern lights of course!
The fact is, that the quality of sun-light during the winter often is better for taking pictures than during the summer when the light is harsh during a big part of the day. The down-side to the winter light is of course the limited supply of sunlight hours.
Fewer People
Beat the crowds and enjoy the unique serenity that Iceland has to offer. The number of tourist significantly increases during the summer time, while in the winter time, you still can get lucky and have some of the main attractions almost all to yourself.
Better Rates
This goes in hand with the previous point. Fewer people means less demand, meaning lower rates. Hotels often have good deals during the winter time as well as do car-rental companies and airlines.
Here are a few exciting options for accommodation that you could consider to stay at during your winter visit:
- Hotel Sigló – which is located in the beautiful town Siglufjörður in the north of Iceland you can find more information about the hotel and the things happening on Hotel Sigló
- Hotel Grimsborgir, which is a gorgeous hotel located close Þingvallavatn and a great way to end a Golden Circle tour.
The same applies for car rentals that often might have better rates. A thing to keep in mind is that road-condtions will be bad and you are going to need a 4x4. Here are few good options:
- ISAK (some of the best modified jeeps in Iceland – great if you plan to do some real into-the-wild type of thing) See more on ISAK 4x4 Rental
- Geysir car rental, which has a good selection of versatile jeeps. See more on Geysir Car Rental. Consider also Átak car rental, link Átak car rental
- For more cars, check out the complete selection of Jeeps and SUV's
Northern lights
For obvious reasons you cannot see the northern lights during the summer (ok I’ll explain it anyway; you will need a dark and clear night sky – meaning no midnight sun for you my friend ).
Northern lights are incredibly amazing and something you likely will remember for the rest of your life (unless you are a Local like me and have seen a ton of these - still gets me super excited every time though).
There are many northern ligths trips and tours you can do, to name a few interesting:
- 6 Day Winter Self Drive Tour | Jokulsarlon, Ice Cave & Diamond Beach - If self-drive is your thing, then consider this trip as it includes many highlights around Iceland and great chances for seeing the Northern lights.
- Northern Lights Holiday by Lake Myvatn | 5 Day Trip - The North part of Iceland is a great place for Northern Lights and this trip will take you to see the northern lights at some of the most beautiful places in the North.
- 5 Day Winter Package | Ice Cave - Northern Lights - Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon - This trip covers the South and many of the highlights in Iceland. Have you ever dreamt of seeing the northern lights dancing over the glacier lagoon? - This trip might just make that dream come true.
Snow!!!
Last but not least, there will likely be snow – if not in Reykjavik, then somewhere else around the country. Again Siglufjörður is almost guaranteed snow – same applies for Snæfellsnes, West Fjords and the North in general. Some of my favourite endeavours in Iceland include snow and ice - it gets me every time.
If snow and total whiteout is your thing, you could consider doing some of the following tours:
Snowmobiling: Golden Circle Jeep Tour with Glacier Snowmobiling
Dogsledding: Dog sledding in Mývatn
A walk inside an amazing glacier cave: Into the Glacier
Still not convinced?
Then let the pictures below convince you!
I hope you will enjoy your Iceland winter advententure!
All the best,
Gunnar
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요쿨살론부터 비크까지, 꽃보다 청춘 5화
드디어 하늘씨과 쓰리스톤즈가 합류했는데요! 설원을 달리는 모습에 저도 아이슬란드가 엄청 그리워졌답니다. 빙하와 빛나는 요쿨살론 첫번째로 향한 요쿨살론(Jokulsarlon)은 아이슬란드의 대표적인 명소 중 하나랍니다. 영어로 Glacier lagoon 이라고도 하는데요. 방송에 나온 것처럼 눈 앞에 보이는 빙하는 빙하수가 흘러서 녹았다 얼었다를더 보기스코가포스 폭포부터 오로라까지, 꽃보다청춘 4화를 따라서
여행 5일째, 포스톤즈가 처음으로 향한 곳은 아이슬란드 남부에 있는 스코가포스 폭포(skogasfoss)입니다. 아이슬란드 남부의 대표적인 폭포 중 하나에요. 방송에서는 들르지 않았지만 스코가포스 거의 바로 옆에 위치한 셀리야란드스포스(seljalandsfoss) 폭포와 함께 같이 들르곤 한답니다. 스코가포스 폭포는 폭포의 물줄기 끝까지 올라갈 수 있단더 보기꽃청춘을 따라서
요즘 인기리에 방영되고 있는 꽃보다 청춘 아이슬란드편! 저도 매주 빼놓지 않고 시청하고 있습니다. 많은 분들께서 포스톤즈의 발랄한 매력과 아이슬란드의 놀라운 경치에 빠져드셨을 것 같습니다! 이번에는 꽃보다 청춘을 따라서 아이슬란드를 한번 가보도록 해요! 사실 아이슬란드가 한국에서 그렇게 가기 쉬운 나라는 아닙니다. 거리도 멀고 항공권도 비싸고! 우더 보기
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