When is the best time to visit?
Reykjavik’s climate is considerably milder than Iceland's location just south of the Arctic Circle would suggest. This is the result of the Gulf Stream that flows along the southern and western coasts of the country and greatly moderates its winter temperatures. As a result these are just a few degrees Celsius below freezing at their lowest in December and January. However there is no disguising the city’s position during the summer months with the average highs in July and August reaching just 14 degrees Celsius.
Peak season:
The peak season for cheap flights to Reykjavik extends from June to August when there is close to 24 hours daylight per day. July is the best time to book flights to Reykjavik if you want to experience whale and bird watching tours. Various festivals and celebrations also draw visitors to the city, among the most popular are Culture Night in August, the Winter Lights festival in February and the Festival of the Sea (celebrating the sea and the sailors) in June.
Culture Night was both created and enjoyed by the city residents which brings thousands of people together in the city of Reykjavik’s city centre to enjoy a night of cultural activities such as traditional shows, exhibitions and further cultural goings-on. Culture Night was introduced to encourage participants to get involved in a number of diverse cultural events.
By September, prices for accommodation and Reykjavik flights begin to fall and the days start to get much shorter, but the city is the perfect starting point for further excursions and there are a fantastic choice of day tours you can book which can pick you up and return you to the city.
Off season:
Although the Northern Lights are best seen between September and March, December is probably the height of the off-season not only because of the relative cold but also because the days are just four hours long, as a result cheap flights to Reykjavik are much more likely to be found during this period.
Why visit?
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and its position close to the Arctic Circle makes it the furthest north seat of a national government anywhere. However, its climate is not nearly as harsh as its location would suggest. Winter temperatures average just a few degrees Celsius below freezing.
Although the area has been populated since the 9th century, Reykjavik was not founded until the late 18th century making it a relatively young city by European standards. Today its population of about 120,000 enjoys a thoroughly modern city with many natural amenities at its disposal.
Although Reykjavik is sometimes considered to be an expensive city, it’s worth spending some time browsing its shopping areas and you’ll be surprised at how reasonable the prices can be. Visit the Kringlan Shopping Centre for everything from traditional souvenirs and the patterned jumper (lopapeysa) to designer stores. Apart from the shops, Hallgrimskirkja Church, Reykjavik City Museum and Videy Island are all essential sites to jot down on your must-see list. A night out in the city is particularly special when daylight hours are at their peak. Most Icelanders don’t head out until past midnight and the party doesn’t get started until the early hours. It feels natural because it doesn’t get dark which is strange at first, but also very enjoyable. Taking a flight to Reykjavik transports you to another world, one which you will never forget.