There is nothing quite like getting away in spring, especially when you have the travelling bug and want to try something new. Iceland, with its ice glacier rivers, exploding mud pits, lava fields, volcanos and folklore, is a land that is like no other. Sometimes, when you’re hiking through rock formations, things can feel alien-like to the point where you feel you are on a far and distant world. So the question is when is the best time to go to Iceland?
With this in mind, let’s look at why Iceland makes for the perfect spring break and the best way to see this magnificent land.
Iceland in the Spring
Iceland is known for being an expensive country with everything costing that little bit more than most countries in the west. That said, between January to May, prices are lower, and everything becomes that little bit more affordable. This is not just everyday items such as food and accommodation, but flights to and car rental in Iceland are significantly cheaper. Therefore making sping the best time to visit Iceland if you are on a budget.
There are fewer tourist crowds in the spring so you can enjoy things that little bit more and take a bit more time to savour the delights of the country of which there are many.
In terms of weather, May and April in Iceland are approaching the summer months and tend to be a bit warmer than February and March.
Rent a Car Iceland
By far, the best way to get around is to rent a car in Iceland and explore. You can do this from the airport so once you’re clear of customs you can pick up the keys, and off you go. Although the traffic laws are strict, it is a very easy country to get around providing you follow the road rules and don’t try and take a two-wheel-drive vehicle to a remote part of the country.
Many opt for an RV rental in Iceland as it has many advantages. This is a true adventure as it is just you, the road, and a camp under the stars. There are motorhome models available which give you the added advantage of not having to pitch a tent every night, and you have a little more space to relax.
Checkout car rental in Iceland by visiting https://www.reykjavikcars.com as they have a solid reputation for excellence.
Two Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive That is the Question
The question of whether to get a two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive campervan in Iceland depends on where you want to go. You can see much of the country using standard roads. If you are looking for the best time to visit Iceland weather-wise, April is generally decent weather as it is in May, so you’ll be able to get around with no problems.
If you want to explore the more remote areas, then rent a four-wheel-drive car in Iceland and savour the rugged beauty of the land.
So now you’re ready to explore Iceland where to go?
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is the most driven tourist route in Iceland. It has many of the country’s most visited attractions and offers a good sample of Iceland’s most wondrous places. Here is a snapshot.
Geysir Geothermal Field
The Geysir Geothermal Field is best seen in April or May. Iceland receives plenty of tourists, and this attraction can get particularly crowded. It features exploding mud pits and hot springs that shoot water up to 70 metres into the air.
It lays close to a neovolcanic zone, and as it becomes a low-temperature volcanic field, the reaction creates the spectacular sights you’ll see here. There is a visitor centre where you can get your questions answered and learn more about the geothermal field.
Star of the show is Strokkur that shoots water around 20 metres in height every five to ten minutes.
When you’re ready, jump into your campervan or rental car and hit the road.
Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park
Packed full of exciting landscapes with historical and geological significance, Thingvellir National Park is one of the country’s most visited attractions. April and May are good times to come here and appreciate this beautiful and rugged place, again highlighting why spring is the best time to visit Iceland.
This site is the home of arguably the world’s first parliament and laid the groundwork for the country’s cultural identity. Here, the early settlers debated and took decisions on how the country should be run. You can visit Lögberg (Law Rock) where every summer Icelanders would come from all over the country for two weeks to debate and understand what laws had been passed.
Later in the 19th century, Thingvellir became a symbol of Icelandic independence.
Thingvellir sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is a gigantic fissure that stretches between North American and Eurasian continental plates. As the plates shift the country experiences seismic activity and the landscape alters a little.
Other places to visit on the Golden Circle include the Gullfoss Waterfall, and you can pick up the Golden Circle route from Reykjavik.
This country is fantastic, and you should visit as soon as you can.
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