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.
