The best time to visit Reykjanes
Summer
Travellers to Reykjanes who arrive during the Icelandic summer can take advantage of two considerable benefits: weather and daylight. The country’s position in the mid-Atlantic leaves it prone to stormy weather, and the relative calm that can be typical of June, July and August can make sightseeing much more comfortable. That’s particularly the case if you plan to spend any time along its dramatic, exposed coastline, where wind speeds can be high year-round.
The warmer temperatures that characterise this time of year in Reykjanes are much more pleasant for outdoor activities such as hiking. If you plan to take a walk to get a closer look at the volcanic landscape created by the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption, you’ll appreciate not having to wrap up quite so snugly against the elements as you do so. Nevertheless, even in summer, it’s possible to experience weather that’s decidedly autumnal, so always seek local advice and double check the weather forecast before setting out.
Summer also brings with it increasing hours of daylight. Around the June equinox, you can expect the sun to set around midnight, but daybreak is just three hours later. Though you’re not likely to want to sightsee for 21 hours a day, it does make planning the day’s activities much easier and avoids the need to rush around ticking off the sights before it gets too dark to see them. If you’re planning to base yourself in Reykjanes and take a few longer day trips, it’s easily doable to tackle Reykjavik, the Golden Circle or the Snæfellsnes peninsula at a leisurely pace and still be back before nightfall.
Spring and autumn
Late spring and throughout autumn can be the ideal time for birdwatchers to come to the Reykjanes peninsula. Many migrant birds arrive in May to prepare for breeding. The later in spring you leave it the better: Krýsuvíkurbjarg accommodates around 60,000 birds by the height of summer. If you’re keen to see Arctic terns, take care not to get too close to their young as they can be fiercely protective. Meanwhile other species arrive when summer’s over, as they make their way back to the Arctic.
Some of the museums and other attractions on the Reykjanes peninsula open seasonally, but this often means from the start of May to the end of September. If you’re not a fan of crowds, you can take advantage of the shoulder seasons and come in late spring or early autumn. For instance, you might want to check out the Folk and Maritime museums in Garðskagi. Surrounded by nature, its exhibits tell the story of how the landscape and proximity to the sea shaped the lives and livelihoods of those who made their home here. Keep an eye out for the dolphins and whales that sometimes pass by just offshore.
Spring and autumn are a great time to explore the Krýsuvík & Seltún geothermal areas. Reykjanes is one of the regions of Iceland which sits on the Mid Atlantic Ridge which means you can see mud pools, hot springs and fumaroles. The colourful scene with splashes of yellow, red and green is a consequence of the sulphur reacting with other minerals that you find here. Pick a sunny day so that you can really appreciate the impact of that vibrant colour palette.
Winter
One of the biggest draws in winter is of course the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Thanks to the relatively sparse population that you’ll find scattered across the Reykjanes peninsula, there’s very little light pollution and you won’t have to travel very far to find somewhere dark enough to spot them. The Aurora Borealis can show up from late August to April, but it’s a fickle thing. Many people choose to chance their luck during winter as the long nights maximise the time when it’s dark enough to see this breathtaking display if it does make an appearance. In December, you’ll enjoy a little more than four hours’ daylight; by the middle of February, it’s more like nine.
Winter visitors to Reykjanes will also find that it’s also a good time to experience popular attractions like the famous Blue Lagoon outside the busy summer period. At peak times, you need to reserve ahead, but if you prefer to be more spontaneous while you’re on holiday, having the pick of the slots is going to be a huge bonus. It’s possible to enter the mineral-rich waters of this geothermal spa whilst still indoors, so the impact of cold weather temperatures is far less significant than it would be at similar baths. Once you’re in, of course, the water’s warm caress will work its magic and as steam billows in the frigid air you won’t want to leave.
If the weather’s more suited to indoor activities, then there’s plenty to keep you amused in Reykjanes. One of its unmissable indoor sights is undoubtedly Viking World, which centres on a replica ship. The Icelander (known locally as Íslendingur) sailed to New York in 2000 as part of the celebrations commemorating Leifur Eiríksson’s epic journey to North America a thousand years before. You can also learn more about the Viking settlement of this part of Iceland as you take a look at archaeological finds dating from the 9th century from nearby Hafnir.
Duus Museum is another that opens year round. This is Reykjanesbær's art and cultural centre and a plethora of historic buildings provide a home for its collections. The oldest, known as the Bryggjuhusið, dates from 1877. This museum is also where you’ll find the Reykjanes Geopark visitor centre, which provides the geological back story to this fascinating UNESCO-listed landscape. Even in the depths of winter you should try and at least get to the Bridge Between Continents, where the rift in the landscape is most noticeable.
The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll caters for a completely different interest, but is equally compelling. Open throughout the year except for Christmas and New Year, it’s the ideal winter distraction if it’s too cold, wet or windy to stay outside for long. Here, you’ll be able to learn about the singers and groups that have made outstanding contributions to the Icelandic music scene, including Björk and Sigur Rós. If you fancy yourself as the next chart-topping sensation, you’ll love the museum’s Sound Lab, a karaoke booth where you can rock out with an electric drum kit, guitar or bass.
As you can see, there are plenty of advantages for visitors coming to Reykjanes no matter what season you choose. From spectacular summers to wonderful winters, this region’s seasons are a real treat.