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Side-by-side comparison

United Kingdom vs Iceland: Best Time to Visit

Trying to choose between United Kingdom and Iceland? The right answer almost always comes down to when you can travel. Here's the month-by-month breakdown.

🇬🇧

Bring layers — and an umbrella.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Peak: May, June, July, August

🇮🇸
Iceland

Europe

Midnight sun or northern lights — both, never at once.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October

best
good
shoulder
off-season

Month-by-month: which is better?

MonthUnited KingdomIcelandWinner
JanuaryshouldergoodIceland 🇮🇸
FebruaryshouldergoodIceland 🇮🇸
Marchgoodgoodtie
Aprilgoodgoodtie
Maybestbesttie
Junebestbesttie
Julybestbesttie
Augustbestbesttie
SeptembergoodbestIceland 🇮🇸
OctobershoulderbestIceland 🇮🇸
NovembershouldergoodIceland 🇮🇸
DecembershouldergoodIceland 🇮🇸

Pick United Kingdom 🇬🇧 if you're going in…

Honestly, Iceland edges ahead in every month — but United Kingdom is still rewarding if it's already on your list.

May has long days and the fewest Scottish midges.

Pick Iceland 🇮🇸 if you're going in…

January, February, September, October, November, December

Don't try the F-roads / highlands outside Jun–early Sep — they're closed.

Months where both are equally good: March, April, May, June, July, August.