Iceland in February- Extravaganza in the Nordic Land

Introduction:

A genuinely mysterious country. A country with a name that indicates their weather. A country in a remote corner of this world. A country that has significantly less population. And a country we all want to visit and enjoy its scenic spots. A country called Iceland.

It is a million-dollar question on what could be the best time to visit this Nordic Island State. None want to miss any of that fantastic sightseeing which has been narrated a thousand times. Found below are specific descriptions of the weather in Iceland throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit Iceland

December to February:

It is very chilly and temperature at -30 degrees C. Best to avoid.

February to March:

It's Equinox time, and the Northern Lights put up a fantastic display. It does the same between September and October. The question is, which month is ideal if you consider the full package?

November to January:

Daylight is scarce, and the Aurora never appears. Best to avoid these months.

June - July:

Iceland becomes the land of the midnight sun, thus disallowing sleep. Best to avoid.

September: 

Snow and ice and makes driving difficult. Best to avoid.

February - March:

Apart from the magic spectacle of the Aurora's, the Orcas also swim in these waters. You can be a boat to capture this wildlife moment, which is also rare.

The Verdict:

From the above, it is clear that Iceland in February is the perfect month to visit it. Thermal gear is a necessity. In the passages found below, more clarity is made available to strengthen the case for a visit to Iceland in February.

February weather in Iceland:

Snow does cover the mountain peaks. The weather does start getting warmer in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik.

The Sun does arise late at 10.20 am. Unlike other seasons, it allows seven hours of good daylight, which is enough to cover the scenic spots. The temperature would range between - 2 degrees C and 3 degrees C. It is bound to grow warmer as days pass by. Therefore, it is bound to be cold, but daylight does exist in Iceland in February.

Things to do In Iceland in February

1. THE REYKJAVIK FOOD WALK

Hire a local guide or befriend a local to walk you through one of the best food experiences on offer. The walkthrough would take three hours to get to know local history and visit the best food restaurants.

Imagine tasting Icelandic Icecream in a cold country and wanting more. The famous Icelandic Hot- dog and cheese are on your menu too. Lamb soups and freshwater caught fish for the day fill up your stomach with delight. Exploring Reykjavik cannot be done in a better way than the food walk.

2. HIKING EXPEDITION TO THE WATERFALLS AND GLACIERS:

Exploring Sólheimajökull Glacier that belongs to the imposing icecap of Mýrdalsjökull that is located on Iceland's south coast. It's hardly 100 miles from Reykjavik and easy to climb a glacier. Sólheimajökull is all the way impressive as it descends from Mýrdalsjökull.

Mýrdalsjökull, by the way, has covered up an infamous volcano called Katla, and you should realize that you are on top of it, protected by the thick layer of ice. Sólheimajökull is just a few km off the ring road, which encircles Iceland.

From here, you can make your way to the magical twin waterfalls called Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, which are frozen in February. Yet, it is magic, as you see the Waterfall to Earth, but it's in a frozen state.

3. THE FUR PONIES OF ICELAND:

Iceland is proud of its horses. They protect them in ranches as these horses are unique to Iceland. They are not allowed to breed with the other kind, and they have survived more than 1000 years. The fur automatically grows on them during winter, and they do look lovely. Horse-riding is part of the tour, so enjoy these pony rides.

4. The Golden Circle:

Golden Circle is a term that pops up too often when someone discusses tourism. It's a must-see and is a combination of three spots. You would first visit the Gullfoss Waterfalls is a two-tiered massive waterfall. In February, the waters appear frozen, and the ice glistens. In summer, this Waterfall is the mightiest and has strong currents.

Next are the Geysers—an area of Hot springs. The site has mud pits that are boiling all the time, which causes the Geysers to explode into the air up to 100 feet. The activity occurs every few minutes and is considered one of the most visited spots in Iceland.

The last stop would be the National Park of Iceland, Þingvellir. This is a place where nature resides. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you can do the following there:

• Go Snorkeling at Silfra

• Marvel at the Langjökull Glacier.

• Walk along the Þingvallavatn, which happens to be the largest lake in Iceland.

• Go for a hike in the Almannagjá, which is a gorge lying within the confines of the Þingvellir National Park. Here, you will witness the beauty of the Waterfall that is a must-visit tourist spot when you are in the Golden Circle trip. It’s been made more popular ever since the release of the popular serial Game of Thrones.

You can find the Secret lagoon in the village of Flúði. It is a thermal pool, and the steam rises from the natural hot springs. You can bathe in this pool as the Geysers erupt every fifth minute. There are locker facilities available to change into your swimming gear and bars with food.

The Northern Lights in February

A strange but natural phenomenon occurs sixty miles above Earth. The Earth's atoms are consistently hit by the charged-up particles of the Sun. Photons are released in this chemical reaction and emit many colors in the dark. This display of colors is called ' Aurora' and takes place between 5- 11 pm.

Equinox time in Iceland is the best time to spot these Northern lights. February is Equinox's time in Iceland. The Dancing Aurora's is popularly known as the one massive attraction to tourists in Iceland in February.

Events in February

Some many festivities and events take place in Iceland in February. A few of them are:

• A Festival Called ‘The Winter Lights. 'The theme behind the festival is celebrating all forms of lights and waiting for brighter days.

• Valentine's Day may not be appealing to the locals, but it's the foreign tourists who celebrate by visiting romantic spots

• Yet another music festival called ' Sonar Music ' showcases famous music artists and new talents in this music festival, which lasts three nights.

• Bolludagar precedes Easter by six weeks and is known as bun day. The theme behind this festival is fun and straightforward. People should keep eating meatballs, cream-filled buns, and fish balls and not bother about the quantity.

If this was not enough, the Sprenguidagur Festival, which follows the Bolludagar, is the limit. You need to eat till you burst! And all that happens in Iceland in February.

February Daylight Tours of Iceland

From the first day of February till the last, six minutes of daylight is gained every day. So what about Daylight Tours in Iceland? Here are your options.

• The Northern lights can be seen and enjoyed in February.

• You can enjoy the Ice cave Tours with all those icicles with knife-like points hanging dangerously.

• Explore the Blue Lagoon in Iceland during February that is more of a spa. It's soothing to swim here and natural treatment.

• Watch the Geysers shoot 100 ft into the air while enjoying bath in the hot springs

• Travel north and enjoy a tour of Akureyri. Enjoy those colorful houses and sip a coffee at Hafnarsrtaeti, which is the Main Street of Akureyri.

The other places of interest sound are:

• The Penis Museum, which is unique and has the most extensive collection of all marine and mammal animals' phallus.

• Art Museum of Iceland - The Reykjavik

Popular Museum of Iceland - National Museum

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is February the only month where we can spot the Northern Lights?

A: No. You can view it clearly between September and April, which includes February.

• Can we view the Northern lights from any part of Iceland?

A: Yes, as long as you watch north. It is not only Iceland from where you can see the Northern Lights. Places that are close to the Arctic also get to witness this. Such countries include Northern Canada, Alaska, and some Scandinavian countries.

•  What kind of clothes should one pack when traveling to Iceland in February?

A: The weather is expected to be cold and can go down to 2 degrees C. Here is the list:

• Underwear should be thermal or wool only

• Boots. Hiking boots preferred

• Swimming gear

• Lip balms

• Sunglasses/ goggles

• Thick padded socks

• Gloves and scarves

Conclusion:

A visit to Iceland is indeed a heartwarming experience. It is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places on this planet, and February is an ideal month to visit.