September in Iceland: 7 Reasons It May Be the Perfect Time to Visit the Golden Circle

Ask most people when to visit Iceland and they will probably say summer.

We’re not so sure.

September may actually be one of the best-kept secrets for exploring Iceland – and particularly the Golden Circle. The long summer days are beginning to shorten, the biggest crowds are heading home, autumn colours are appearing across the landscape, and the Northern Lights are returning to the night sky.

Best of all, you can still fit a lot into each day.

Here are seven reasons why September might just be the perfect month to visit the Golden Circle.

1. You still have plenty of daylight

September offers something close to the best of both worlds.

There is still enough daylight for a full day of exploring waterfalls, geothermal areas, hiking trails and hot springs, without the almost endless daylight of June and July.

That means there is no need to rush through the Golden Circle.

Have breakfast, visit Gullfoss and Geysir, stop somewhere for lunch, take a walk around Þingvellir – and still have time for an unplanned detour on the way home.

And in September, those detours are often the best part of the day.

2. The Golden Circle gets quieter

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most famous sightseeing route for good reason.

But in July and August, you are certainly not the only person who has discovered it.

By September, the peak summer season begins to ease. The famous attractions are still very much alive, but the experience can feel noticeably more relaxed.

There is another advantage to staying on the Golden Circle itself rather than in Reykjavík.

When the tour buses are driving out from Reykjavík in the morning, you are already here.

You can visit popular attractions earlier or later in the day and use the busy middle of the day to discover some of the smaller places nearby.

Sometimes the best way to beat the crowds is simply not to travel with them.

3. Iceland starts changing colour

Iceland isn't famous for vast forests, so autumn here looks a little different.

The low vegetation, birch, moss and hillsides begin changing from summer green into shades of yellow, orange and red. Around Þingvellir in particular, the autumn colours contrast beautifully with the dark lava and blue water.

The lower autumn sun also creates softer light, making September a wonderful month for photography.

You may arrive expecting waterfalls and geysers.

Don't be surprised if the landscape between them becomes just as memorable.

4. The Northern Lights are back

This is perhaps September's greatest trick.

During the Icelandic summer, the nights never become properly dark. By September, darkness has returned – and with it, the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

There are never any guarantees. You need solar activity, clear enough skies and a little luck.

But staying in the countryside gives you one major advantage: you don't have to go on a Northern Lights tour to escape Reykjavík's city lights.

Step outside your hotel or cabin, look up – and you may already be in the right place.

At Blue Hotel Fagrilundur and Blue View Cabins, you are surrounded by the open countryside of South Iceland, with far less light pollution than in Reykjavík.

Our advice?

Check the aurora and cloud forecast before going to bed.

And if the forecast looks promising, keep your coat close by.

5. You can have summer and winter in the same day

Well, almost.

September is a transition month in Iceland. One hour can feel surprisingly mild and the next can remind you that you are just below the Arctic Circle.

That is part of the fun – as long as you are prepared.

Bring layers, a waterproof outer shell and good shoes. Don't plan your entire day around perfect weather. Instead, leave some flexibility and check the forecast before setting off.

The Icelandic approach is simple:

If you don't like the weather, wait a little.

Or drive ten kilometres.

6. There is much more to the Golden Circle than the “Big Three”

Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss deserve their fame.

But if you stay in the area rather than racing back to Reykjavík, suddenly you have time for everything around them.

Visit the turquoise water at Brúarfoss. Stop at Kerið volcanic crater. Have lunch among the tomato plants at Friðheimar. Soak in geothermal water. Explore the small villages of South Iceland.

Or do something surprisingly difficult on an Iceland holiday:

Nothing.

Sit outside your cabin with a coffee. Watch the weather move across the landscape. Have a slow morning.

Not every hour in Iceland needs to be an attraction.

7. You can explore Iceland by day – and enjoy Iceland by night

This may be our favourite reason.

In midsummer, Iceland's long daylight encourages you to keep going. There is always another waterfall you could visit.

September brings evenings back.

After a day exploring the Golden Circle, you can return to Reykholt, have dinner nearby and settle into your hotel room or private cabin.

And later, when it gets dark, take one last look outside.

Perhaps there is nothing but stars.

Perhaps there are clouds.

Or perhaps the sky is turning green.

That's September in Iceland.

So, is September the best month to visit Iceland?

There probably isn't one perfect month to visit Iceland.

June has the midnight sun. July has long summer days. Winter brings snow and long nights under the Northern Lights.

But September sits beautifully between the seasons.

You still have long enough days to explore. The roads are generally easy to travel. The summer crowds are beginning to disappear. Autumn colours transform the landscape.

And when the day is finally over, the sky becomes dark again.

For exploring the Golden Circle, that is a difficult combination to beat.

Planning a September trip to Iceland?

Blue Vacations offers two ways to stay right in the heart of the Golden Circle: comfortable rooms at Blue Hotel Fagrilundur or your own private Blue View Cabin in Reykholt.

Stay here, slow down – and make the Golden Circle your neighbourhood rather than just your day trip.