Do you dream of going on a trip to Iceland? So you are probably wondering when to go there to make the most of this magnificent island with its many beauties. Visiting this country between June and August will allow you to enjoy the summer sun with its very long days where the light almost never disappears (especially the weeks before and after the summer solstice, normally on June 21), to see the nature awake after the snow melting, to discover the multiple birds of the country (more info on the wildlife of Iceland), and especially to take advantage of the cool summer climate of Iceland which will allow you to avoid the suffocating heat of the big French cities.
Traveling to Iceland in summer is a great experience, because you will enjoy the most beautiful season in this country. On the other hand, leaving during the summer season is also to suffer the disadvantage of the strong tourist traffic and to have higher prices, as well for the flights, as for the car rental or for your accommodation.
Why travel to Iceland in summer?
Going to Iceland during the warm season is quite logical in many ways, as you can enjoy the relative mildness, travel the whole country and take advantage of the very long days offered by the country’s latitude.
Benefits
- The climate during the summer season with an average temperature of 15°C in the afternoon, even going up to 20 to 25°C for the hottest days. It generally rains little, and above all the sunshine is more important.
- The length of the day which, around June 21, reaches 20 hours in the country, even more in the north. It is never even close to daylight. Even at the end of August, you can enjoy quite long days.
- You will be able to discover the whole country, even the highland areas which are closed outside the summer because of impassable tracks. Be careful, however, before mid to late June many trails are still closed, including some that go to Landmannalaugar.
- Discover the magnificent landscapes and the sometimes incredible colors that the land and the mountains of this country can have with still snowy zones on the summits.
- This is the ideal period for birdwatchers (to see the famous puffins for example) or for those who want to see whales.
Disadvantages
- Summer is the busiest time of the year for tourists, so you will have to put up with a lot of tourists in Reykjavik, in the Golden Circle, in Blue Lagoon and along the south coast.
- Prices for hotels, car rentals and air travel are often higher during this season. Going off-season can save you between 10 and 30% of the cost of the trip.
The summer climate
Iceland is not known for its warmth and sunshine, so don’t expect very good weather, even in the middle of summer. However, the Icelandic weather in June, July and August is relatively pleasant, with less rain, less wind and more sun, as well as daytime temperatures often between 12 and 20°C. Sometimes, when the south wind blows, it is possible, especially in the north and east of the country, to exceed 25°C. On the other hand, you will very rarely be hot, because the maximum temperature in Iceland is 30.6°C in the eastern fjords, but only 25.7°C in Reykjavik or 29.4°C in Akureyri.
As far as precipitation is concerned, it is almost exclusively in the form of rain, except above 600 to 800 meters where it can sometimes snow even in summer. It rains less in June and July than in August, when the first storms can appear again. As far as sunshine is concerned, it is also between June and July that it is the most generous, but the sky is also often cloudy.
In any case, it should be remembered that Iceland has a subarctic oceanic climate, even polar in some areas. We should therefore not expect heat or sunshine for several weeks, even if anticyclonic blocking situations may bring this type of weather to the country or part of the country. You will have to deal with the unexpected weather during your trip, but the weather that changes often and very quickly (it can rain and be sunny 10 minutes later) is part of the charm of the island and sometimes gives unique and sublime colors to the Icelandic landscapes.
Getting ready to go to Iceland in summer
You have decided to discover Iceland during the summer season? So, maybe it’s time to prepare yourself, because to make a trip to this island, there are a lot of things to think about.
Book your flight to Iceland
One of the first things to do when you decide to go to Iceland is to take your plane tickets. There are several companies that offer a flight between Paris and Reykjavik, but also other cities in France (Lyon and Mulhouse) or other French-speaking countries (Montreal in Canada, Geneva in Switzerland or Brussels in Belgium). The main airlines that fly to Iceland from these cities are :
- Air Canada
- Icelandair
- Transavia
You can find more information about flights to Iceland on this page and you can inquire or book directly below!
Getting around: car or other means
After the plane, you will have to ask yourself how to get around on the spot, because Iceland is a rather vast country with often remote tourist sites. The issue of transportation in the country is therefore paramount. In summer, you can travel :
- By car: this is the most practical way to get to your destination, which ensures great flexibility and time savings, but the cost is far from negligible. You will have the choice between a passenger car or a 4×4. If you just want to stay on the road 1, the passenger car is enough, but to go to Landmannalaugar or in the Highlands, the 4×4 is mandatory.
- By public transport: especially convenient if you don’t plan to travel long distances or if you have a tight budget, there are bus routes between the airport and Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon, but also between Reykjavik and most of the major tourist sites (Golden Circle, Landmannalaugar, Thormorsk, etc.).
- By bike: some great sportsmen do a part of Iceland by bike, but it is not easy because of the relief, the rain or the wind.
- Hitchhiking: if you are patient and don’t have a lot of money, this is a great way to travel around the country. Many locals and tourists do not hesitate to take hitchhikers with them.
What to bring?
You are going to leave for several days or weeks in Iceland during the summer, but what should you put in your suitcase?
- A windproof jacket, because it blows in all seasons and the wind chill can be impressive
- A K-way or a raincoat, as well as waterproof pants, because it can rain in any season
- All-season hiking clothes: short and long sleeve t-shirts, hiking pants. The goal is to have clothes that dry quickly.
- Tights if your legs get cold
- Fleeces or sweaters to withstand cooler temperatures
- Lightweight gloves, scarf and hat
- A hat or cap for the sun
- Sunglasses, because it’s hot even at midnight
- Sunscreen, as sunburns can be violent
- A hiking backpack
- Hiking shoes that have already been used to avoid blisters
- The bathing suit to bathe in the natural warm waters that the country offers
Where to stay?
During the Icelandic “warm” season, the choice of accommodation is much wider than during the other seasons, as all campsites, hostels, cottages, bnb’s and hotels are open between the end of June and the end of August. The offer is therefore important, but the number of tourists is also important, so it is better to book your accommodation in advance.
You can find more information about accommodation in Iceland by looking at our different pages dedicated to hotels, hostels, campgrounds or motorhomes.
What to do during the summer season?
Going on vacation in Iceland during the months of June, July or August allows you to discover the whole country or almost and to do many activities, except those in winter!
- Take a road trip in Iceland for a few days or a few weeks that will allow you to discover a region or the whole country. Discover for example the following roadtrips:
- Discover the country’s greatest sites in the different regions:
- The West of Iceland with the Northwest Fjords or the Snæfellsnes or Reykjanes peninsula.
- The south of the island with magnificent landscapes including those of the Golden Circle, the coast or Jökulsarlon.
- The East of the country with its beautiful fjords.
- The north of Iceland and the lake of Myvatn.
- The center of the island with the Highlands including Landmannalaugar or the Askja Caldera.
- Visit Reykjavik and browse its streets, museums and harbor
- Hiking in beautiful places or even more treks of several days
- Walk on a glacier or in it!
- Take advantage of Reykjavik’s nightlife during the summer to discover the bars and some festivals.
- Bathe in a hot water pool under the midnight sun or enjoy a well-deserved break after a good hike in a boiling water spring in the middle of nature.
- Discover the midnight sun and the almost perpetual day between June 5 and July 10
- Take a picture and approach the beautiful puffins
- Whale and dolphin watching in the deep waters of Iceland
- Travel the country on horseback or take a simple horseback riding tour
- Admire the flowers that cover Iceland during this season, including the beautiful Alaskan lupines.
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