Summer in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland

See and do more in Iceland in summer under the magical midnight sun! In June, July and August, it is finally summer in Iceland, which means midnight sun, mild weather, and long days of daylight: perfect conditions for exploring this land of fire and ice. 

Summer is the perfect season for you who want to hike, camp, enjoy outdoor activities, and explore off-the-beaten places that are not accessible during other seasons: Askja crater, Kolugljúfur canyon, Brúarfoss waterfall, Landmannalaguar, and Hornstrandir nature reserve, just to name a few. During summer you can also experience the midnight sun, when there is almost no nighttime darkness, giving you plenty of daylight hours to fill with unforgettable experiences. Visiting Iceland in summer has many advantages. However, it is important to know that prices for flights and accommodations are higher and that there are more visitors than in other seasons.

Midnight sun experiences
With many hours of daylight, you can make the most of your holiday in Iceland. Live your very own midnight sun experience: take a nocturnal bath in a geothermal hotspot, visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, or the Jökulsarlon lagoon late at night - all unforgettable experiences all year round, but even more magical under the midnight sun. A hike to Iceland's second-highest waterfall, Glymur is another amazing midnight sun adventure to experience during your visit to Iceland. 

Summer is also the only season when you can venture into the Icelandic highlands when the mountain roads are open. The more adventurous traveler will enjoy a 4x4 self-drive tour to this remote and vast area. The Highlands of Iceland will simply blow you away!

During the summer months, migratory birds and marine animals recover the island's shores to take advantage of its long sunny days. If you want to spot a puffin, the spring and summer months are the best seasons. Puffins arrive in April and depart in August and can be seen around the coast during this period. Some of the best places for bird watching are Cape Dyrhólaey in the south, Westman Islands, and Látrabjarg cliff in the western fjords.

Summer is the time of festivals in Iceland 
Icelanders live long periods of darkness and therefore celebrate the daylight with festivals, exhibitions, and events across the country. One of the most famous is Reykjavik's Secret Solstice festival - Midnight Sun Music Festival - on the 21 st of June each year to celebrate the summer solstice. Gay Pride and Culture Night also draw a lot of visitors.

Glacier adventures still possible in summer
The snow does not disappear completely during the summer, so you can still enjoy a glacier hike, ice climbing, or snowmobiling on a glacier. However, you will not be able to visit an ice cave during summer, as they are not frozen enough yet. If this is an activity that is on your wishlist, you should wait until after November. 

Can I see the northern lights in the summer?
No, you can't. The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is the season with the most hours of darkness, mainly fall and winter. During the summer months, it is not possible to see the northern lights in Iceland, even though they might be there. You need darkness, clear skies and aurora activity. If you visit Iceland at the end of August, check the aurora forecast in Iceland and you might be lucky.

WHAT DO TO & SEE IN ICELAND IN SUMMER

DISCOVER THE HIGHLANDS IN ICELAND

Wanna live an authentic adventure and experience the wildest nature in Iceland? Beauty, raw and dramatic landscapes are guaranteed.

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Highlands in summer, Iceland.

EXPERIENCE THE ARCTIC COAST IN THE NORTH

Go off the beaten path and discover magical places in the north during a 900 km coastal route close to the Arctic Circle. Enjoy dramatic scenery and unspoiled nature.

Arctic Henge in north of Iceland.

GO KAYAKING IN HEINABERGSLÓN GLACIER LAGOON

Get close to the icebergs in this freshwater lagoon with a river flowing into it. The conditions there are excellent and safe for kayaking.

Kayaking in Heinabergslón glacier lagoon, Iceland

EXPLORE A VOLCANO FROM THE INSIDE

You won't find another guided descent into a volcano anywhere else on the planet.

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Thrihnukagigur volcano, Iceland.

GO FOR A SELF DRIVE TOUR TO THE WEST FJORDS

Want to visit the true and impressive nature of Iceland? The west fords is a must-see destination for all nature enthusiasts.

Westfjords in Iceland.

SPOT THE WHALES IN HUSAVIK, NORTH ICELAND

The best place in Iceland to see whales and dolphins as it is the place with the highest probability of sightings.

Whale watching in summer in Húsavik, Iceland

Is summer the best time for you to visit Iceland?

With our infographic, you´ll get an overview of each summer month: the daylight hours, the maximum and minimum temperature, the most popular activities, sights and places to visit.

6 reasons why you should visit Iceland in summer

Summer sunset romance in Iceland.

 

Icon summer

Warmer days
While it rarely gets warmer than 20°C in summer, summers in Iceland are moderately mild and relatively dry.

Ikon 24/7

Longer days
The days are long (+21 hours), and you can do much more sightseeing, activities, and exploring than in other seasons.

Ikon sun

The midnight sun
This unique natural phenomenon makes summertime in Iceland remarkable as the golden light adds an extra dimension to the landscapes and the nature around you.

Ikone F roads

Mountain roads are open
All roads are open and you can explore Iceland in its entirety, even the west fjords, and the highlands.

Ikon road signs

Easier access to off-the-beaten places
During the summer months you can easier access the Icelandic wonders that are off-the-beaten-track.

Ikon shoes

Endless hiking trails
During summer you will have many more hiking trails to choose from than in other seasons. As a bonus, you can hike at night also!

Experience summer in Iceland with us

THE WEATHER IN ICELAND IN SUMMER

Glacier walk in Iceland summer.

The summer climate is pleasant and mild in Iceland, but it never gets hot in Iceland, not even in summer. The average temperature is around 7-14 °C, but some days can be really sunny with temperatures of 20°C. The most remarkable about the summer weather in Iceland is the magical midnight sun, which is visible starting in late May and throughout July. That means that it never gets completely dark at night. In northern Iceland, the days are even longer. You might have some problems sleeping, so pack a sleeping mask. Even though the weather in summer is generally mild, it is very variable and unpredictable, even at the height of summer.