The best time to see LUPINES in Iceland

Why? Iceland, known for its breathtaking landscapes, has a vibrant secret that paints its fields in hues of purple and blue - the Lupine flower. With the first seeds being sown in 1885, it wasn't until the mid 20th century that it's cultivation took off with the purpose to halt soil erosion. Due to the exposed and windy nature of Iceland, the plant quickly spread around the whole country and today these tall, spiky flowers have seamlessly woven themselves into Iceland's natural flora and become one of the symbols of Iceland's delicate beauty. When taking photos, they're the perfect prop to encapsulate the essence of Icelandic summer.

When? If you're interested in experiencing Iceland full of lupines, I'd recommend visiting in June and/or July. That's usually when they are in full bloom, decorating the sides of the roads, vast meadows and even whole mountains into kaleidoscopes of purples and blues. It's also the time of year when the Icelandic weather is milder and days are longer providing ample opportunities for photography and exploration. The peak period does vary and depends on the climate each year but from the middle of June to the middle of July you should be very safe.

Where? There's no region or location better than others when it comes to lupines. Even just driving along the ring road you'll be in the company of thousands of lupines. You'll also be able to see them far away since they often cover large areas, hillsides, mountains and valleys. My personal favourites are along the south coast, between Skógafoss and Hjörleifshöfði.

Extra information: But why is it controversial? Lupines are considered an invasive species so they can affect the growth of other types of vegetation. Efforts have been made to manage their spread but with little success. However, this doesn't diminish their beauty in any way and I personally enjoy to see them all around Iceland in the summer months.