14-08-2024
With warmer weather, long daylight hours and plenty of fun festivals and activities to enjoy, Iceland’s summer really has something special to offer. As an island full of incredible natural wonders, including volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and hot springs, summer is the perfect time for outdoor exploring in Iceland.
Learn all about the best things to do in Iceland during summer in our complete travel guide. We’ll run through some of the pros and cons of visiting Iceland in summer, as well as the weather you can expect and, of course, our top recommendations for unmissable sights to see and things to do. Let’s go!
Iceland’s summer months are June, July and August, with the end of May and start of September offering warm weather, too. Midsummer falls on 21st June, which is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Iceland for a variety of reasons, including the warmer weather, accessibility and range of things to do. Wondering whether summer is the best time for your Iceland trip? Here are some of the things you can expect from an Iceland summer to help you make up your mind.
When considering whether to visit Iceland in summer, keep in mind that summer is the peak tourist season, so places are usually busier and prices are more expensive. You can save time and skip queues by buying your tickets for attractions online ahead of time, which can help to make your Iceland summer trip more enjoyable.
As for the weather in Iceland in summer, you can expect average temperatures of between 10-15ºC (50-59ºF), with temperatures sometimes reaching the 20ºs on the hottest days. Here’s a month by month breakdown of the temperatures in Iceland in summer:
Here are a few things to remember to pack when visiting Iceland in the summer months:
Looking for a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Iceland in summer? Look no further! Here are our top recommendations for activities to do and places to visit during your Iceland summer vacation.
Any keen adventurers out there will love exploring Iceland’s beautiful, vast and wild Highlands. This remote natural wilderness area is a paradise of untouched, pristine nature, with volcanic lava fields and towering, colorful mountains made of rhyolite. Landmannalaugar is the best place for hiking in the Icelandic Highlands – you’ll need a 4x4 to traverse the F-roads to get there.
As we mentioned earlier, the Midnight Sun is a gorgeous natural spectacle that’s not to be missed during your time in Iceland in summer. You can even take a Midnight Sun boat tour to make the most of this incredible phenomena and experience the stunning colors of the sunset at midnight for yourself.
Both these majestic sea mammals and colorful ‘clown’ birds can be spotted in Iceland during summer, making it the perfect time to take an epic whale and puffin tour. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the incredible sights of these creatures in their natural habitat.
Did you know that Icelanders love ice cream? That’s right! No matter the weather, Icelanders can be found enjoying the delicious local ice cream, including the most popular speciality ‘Bragðarefur’. The best ice cream parlors on the island can be found in the capital of Reykjavik, so we recommend touring the capital and trying some ice cream along the way!
You probably know that Iceland is renowned for its stunning and unique nature, but did you know that there are three national parks in Iceland, with the biggest one, Vatnajökull, stretching across 8% of the island’s landmass? The beautiful Snæefellsjökull and historic Thingvellir National Parks are well-worth a visit during your Iceland summer vacation, too.
Iceland’s most popular road trip route is the Golden Circle, which takes you to some of the island’s best natural wonders, including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir geothermal area, Kerid volcanic crater and more! This easy-to-reach and easy-to-drive route is a top pick for Iceland summer road trips.
Stepping onto a volcanic black sand beach for the first time feels like stepping into another world. Reynisfjara black sand beach, close to the picturesque coastal town of Vik, is a must-visit location, with its towering black basalt rock columns lining the beach and crashing waves flowing to shore painting a dramatic and striking picture.
What could be better than bathing in Iceland’s hot springs after a long day of exploring? The most famous of these is the Blue Lagoon, close to Reykjavik, and there are plenty more, including the Hrunalaug Hot Springs. These geothermal pools are full of water infused with natural minerals heated by the Earth herself, providing plenty of benefits for your skin and muscles. Ahhh, bliss!
With countless museums, galleries, cafés and beautiful buildings to visit, such as Hallgrimskirkja, the tallest church in Iceland, Reykjavik has no shortage of wonderful cultural heritage sites to visit. You can easily spend all of your time in Reykjavik and not get bored! Make sure to take a walk down to the harbor for amazing views and yummy street food nearby.
Yes, you can still hike on a glacier during summer in Iceland! Walking across an expansive glacier is one of the best things you can do at any time of year in Iceland, with breathtaking views all around you. Make sure to go with an experienced guide on a tour, such as this brilliant glacier hike at Skaftafell, to keep safe.
Excited to explore Iceland during summer? Get started planning your own Iceland summer adventure by checking out our range of affordable and reliable car rentals in Iceland. With SUVs and 4x4s for all group sizes, you’re sure to find a car that’s perfect for your vacation. Got any questions? Contact us and our friendly team will be happy to help – Iceland is known for its friendly people after all!