Winter Iceland

Another dimension

Many people who travel with us in the summer often ask us whether winter in Iceland is different, but also what my favourite thing to do is in terms of travel. That is difficult to answer because every season in Iceland has something. Only the months of December and January have very short days.

But from February onwards the days quickly become longer again, longer than in the Netherlands anyway! The weather is also often more stable than in the preceding months. A little more snow certainty, although there are also serious winters in Iceland in which there is hardly any snow. Especially in the south where it is always slightly warmer than in the north. Myvatn, for example, is almost always covered with snow in winter.

Something that benefits the snow fun but can also make it more difficult for you!

Weather conditions

When we started our winter trip in March 2020, there was a nice layer of snow everywhere. The falls were frozen due to cold weeks before. What a difference from a trip I did in March 2018 when we visited the seals near Hvammstangi in the north.

It was windless, the sun was shining and it was about 15 degrees! But honestly: I haven’t experienced that again, fortunately, although it was nice at that moment of course. You come for the winter conditions. Although it was beautiful as you can see below.

Back to 2020, the year in which we were able to carry out our last winter trip. We really wanted to have 2021, but unfortunately the virus hit and we had to cancel everything. That’s why we are very happy that we can do it again this year! The first and second trips are already full and only March is still bookable.

Closed roads and mountain passes

Many people who travel themselves, without a travel organization, logically have a tight schedule. You want to do as much as possible and see as much as possible. And sometimes that is very possible! But it may also be the case that roads or mountain passes are closed to all traffic. Something we also experienced on the way to Egilsstadir and then road no. 1 was also closed to Myvatn. If your planning goes wrong and you have your flight back a few days later, that is of course very annoying. Luckily we were able to adjust our schedule a bit and did other fun things and most importantly, we had the best day of the trip snowmobiling!

Waterfalls

You may need some luck for this. But when it is cold for a while, you will really marvel at this! Even the waterfalls we skip in the summer are now worth seeing. Also in the summer, of course, but with waterfalls such as Gullfoss, Skogáfoss and Hengifoss, to name just a few, you can see a lot of impressive things. Sometimes photos say more than… That’s right 😉

p.s. I think the Godafoss, between Myvatn and Akureyri, is my favorite!

If you don’t travel with us

We think that is a shame, of course, but what we would like to tell you is: don’t plan too much ahead. Especially in winter, there is always a place to sleep nearby. Activities can almost always be booked a day in advance, with some exceptions of course. And what about clothes? Layers, you will often see that you have to take something off or put something on. It’s like that wind that rises or dies down. The sun that may or may not shine. Our winter trip page contains some tips and the packing list as we have put it together for our travelers. But you can and may download it too.

Hopefully you now know a little more, whenever you go: Iceland is always something to fall in love with!

Some photos to conclude then?

We almost forgot that the Northern Lights are of course also on your list!

But we already wrote a blog about that, that’s why.