07-08-2024
Thinking of visiting Iceland in August? With epic volcanic craters, cascading waterfalls, majestic mountains, expansive glaciers, steaming hot springs and many more natural wonders to visit, a trip to Iceland in summer gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the beauty of nature up close!
Check out our complete travel guide for August in Iceland to find out all you need to know for your trip, including pros and cons of visiting Iceland in August, average weather conditions and unmissable things to see and do during your vacation.
As one of Iceland’s summer months, August sees higher temperatures than most other months in the year (along with July) and the best accessibility, with most roads across the country being open and the Highlands in the interior being accessible.
In August in Iceland, you’ll find lush greenery, plenty of amazing wildlife, a whole range of festivals and events and long daylight hours to enjoy all of these experiences.
If you’re thinking about the pros and cons of visiting August in Iceland, you might want to keep in mind that prices are usually higher in August as this is the peak tourist season for the island. Some places and attractions can be busier for this reason, too.
Many visitors wonder ‘what is the temperature in Iceland in August?’, as this sub-arctic island is known for its icy scenery, including expansive glaciers and snowy mountains. However, Iceland does have sunny days and experiences warmth during the summer. Here’s our Iceland in August weather summary to give you an insight into the temperature and weather conditions you can expect.
August is the last summer month in Iceland, when temperatures are slowly beginning to decrease and days are quickly getting shorter. The air is still warm though and there are plenty of sunlight hours to enjoy exploring the island. The average temperature in Iceland in August is 11ºC (52ºF), with temperatures reaching up to 15ºC (59ºF). At nighttime, temperatures can drop to 8ºC (46ºF).
Iceland’s weather in August is better than July in terms of rainfall, with fewer rainy days on average. There are around 23 days of rainfall in Iceland in August and around 60 mm of precipitation. This usually occurs as sporadic light rain showers, with hardly any heavy showers during August and no snowfall either.
Days are an average of 16 to 17 hours long in Iceland in August, with the sunrise occurring at around 5am at the start of August and around 6am at the end of August. As for the sunset, it’s around 10:30pm at the start of the month and around 9pm at the end of the month. August is a great time to watch the world-famous spectacle of the Midnight Sun in Iceland – more on this later on!
Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland in August? Well, to be able to witness the incredible spectacle of the Northern Lights in Iceland, you need clear, dark skies and enough solar activity. For most of August, the skies simply aren’t dark enough to be able to spot the aurorae. However, towards the end of August, the skies become darker and your chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase.
Generally, September is thought of as the start of the Northern Lights season in Iceland, although, if you’re visiting Iceland at the end of August, you may just be lucky enough to spot these colorful dancing lights!
Looking for some Iceland August packing tips? We’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most essential things to remember to bring with you on your vacation, along with the obvious necessities (think underwear, pajamas, medication, toiletries, basic clothing etc).
So, what are the best things to do in Iceland in August? Here are our top recommendations for fun ways to spend your time in Iceland during August.
Of course, the first thing to do in Iceland in August is to watch the Midnight Sun. This phenomenon is at its peak in June and July when the sun is still above the horizon at midnight. Although the sun sets slightly earlier in August, you can still experience some breathtaking late-night sunset views, such as on this epic Midnight Sun Kayaking Adventure, which runs throughout August.
There’s nothing better than soaking in a geothermal hot spring after a long day exploring the sights all across Iceland. From the renowned Blue Lagoon close to Reykajvik, to lesser-known Hrunalaug hot springs, Iceland has no shortage of geothermal lagoons and outdoor pools and springs to enjoy.
August is a fantastic time to drive the famous Golden Circle route in Iceland, with the long days giving you plenty of time to explore each stop along the way. Featuring the historical Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Kerid volcanic crater, Gullfoss and other waterfalls, the Golden Circle route gives you the chance to see some of Iceland’s highlights for yourself on a convenient route just outside of Reykjavik.
Summer is the only time of year that the spectacular Icelandic Highlands in the country’s interior region are accessible, making it the perfect time for intrepid explorers to visit Iceland. If you fancy seeing the colorful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar for yourself, get excited for an epic day of hiking in the Highlands! Just keep in mind that you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle to reach the Highlands, as it requires driving on the unpaved, gravel Icelandic F-roads.
Puffin season in Iceland is between May and August, so you’ll have a great chance to spot some of the island’s colorful puffin population on your Iceland August vacation. Whales can usually be seen swimming around the island’s shores during this time, too, with many tours offering the chance to see both whales and puffins on a single trip, such as this brilliant tour.
Any snorkeling and diving fans will love the opportunity to dive in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park. Part of a rift in the Mid-Atlantic ridge (between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates), Silfra Fissure is Iceland’s most famous diving site and the only place in the world where you can dive between two tectonic plates!
What could be more epic than hiking on a glacier? In Iceland, you can do just that! Many glacier tours run throughout the year, so you’ll have plenty to choose from, such as this highly recommended Skaftafell Glacier hike. Keep in mind that if you want to walk on a glacier, you always need to go with an experienced guide for safety.
There’s so much to see and do in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik, from visiting the largest church in Iceland, Hallgrimskirkja, to exploring the many museums and galleries in Reykjavik, to sampling the famous street food and visiting the lovely harbor. You can easily spend several days wandering around the city, experiencing a taste of all that Iceland has to offer.
An incredibly gorgeous and lesser-traveled area of Iceland, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a top choice for nature enthusiasts and those who prefer exploring places a little off the beaten path. With dramatic landscapes, beaches, caves and a view of the famous Kirkjufell Mountain, Snæfellsnes Peninsula has been called ‘Iceland in miniature’ for all the things it has to offer!
The picturesque fishing village of Vik, with its historic church atop a mountain and colorful, coastal houses, is a must-visit when in South Iceland. Here, you can also explore the otherworldly Reynsfjara black sand beach with its towering basalt columns and tumbling waves.
Summer is a time of celebration and festivity in Iceland, just as much as it is elsewhere in the world! With a selection of lively festivals and fun events to enjoy, Iceland always has something going on in August.
An annual festival held on the weekend before the first Monday in August in the volcanic Westman Islands, Thjodhatid began in 1874 as a sporting event, but steadily evolved into the open-air music festival it is today. The most popular of all Iceland festivals in August, Thjodhatid features concerts, fireworks and camping.
A live music event in the downtown area of Reykjavik, Innipukinn is a 3-day pop music festival featuring talented Icelandic and international artists, plus lots of tasty food! This one is perfect for those who prefer not to camp.
The largest festival in Reykjavik, Mennigrarnott is the anniversary of Reykjavik city, lasting for one day from morning til evening. Held yearly on the first Saturday after 18th August, Reykjavik Culture Night is perfect for all ages and features art exhibitions and musical performances, ending with a firework show by the harbor.
Reykajvik’s annual pride festival is held on the second weekend of August, featuring extravagant floats, live shows, musical performances and some special guests, including previous Eurovision performers.
Verslunarmannahelgi or ‘Merchant’s Weekend’ is an annual public holiday on the first Monday in August that was originally created to give merchant workers a day off, but now sees all Icelanders enjoying time off (apart from those working in shops and other essential workers). There are many festivities to take part in during this weekend, such as outdoor activities, family events, parties and firework displays.
Inspired to plan your own epic Iceland August vacation? Get set with our range of affordable and reliable rental cars in Iceland, perfect for traveling all across the Iceland, exploring wherever your heart desires!