It’s hard to say goodbye to the spectacular Icelandic summer sunsets; this year’s were particularly memorable says our Iceland author Lisa Gail Shannen.

I first came to Iceland on holiday back in 1994 and moved here permanently in 2003. I’ve since seen countless sunsets, in all seasons and from untold locations, but I have to say that the best time to catch Icelandic sunsets is between May and August, though around June is the perfect time to witness the famous midnight sun.

                                    Photo: Summer sunset in the West Fjörds 
                                    Credit: Vladimir Rymarenko

During these summer months, the west coast of Iceland becomes an excellent viewing platform for some of the most epic sunsets you’ll see. Reykjavik is particularly well situated for such scenic observations with some fantastic locations to take snapshots, including the lighthouse at Grotta in Seltjarnarnes, or on the waterfront by Sólfar – the Sun Voyager viking ship sculpture, for example. The Pearl building is another great place to see the impressive display of light and colour, often affected by variations in the weather.

In all these years I’ve lived here though, I thought I’d seen it all, until one night in July, when I saw something completely new – a sunset rainbow! Seeing the red and golden blaze reflected in my neighbour’s window was the cue for me to grab my hat and coat, and head for the coast. My focus was, of  course, on the awe inspiring summer sunset; however, when I turned and looked back across the city, a rainbow of solid pink was leading a band of heavy rain clouds towards the fiery edge of daylight. As the sun descended further, the pinkness intensified and was briefly embellished with a golden crest until the sun concentrated into a final point, and then both vanished. I would say ‘awesome’, but its overuse for describing things such as hotdogs etc. has diminished its meaning and power.

As is usual for the time of year the light didn’t completely disappear in a few magnificent moments, because of the country’s high latitude the sun sank just below the horizon and skies remained in a protracted state of glorious, gloaming illumination until around 4am, when the sun rose again.

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