If you’re looking for the best time to visit Iceland, summer is hard to beat.
With almost endless daylight, milder temperatures, puffin colonies, open Highland roads and ideal driving conditions, summer is the most popular season to explore the Land of Fire and Ice.
We’ve travelled around Iceland during the summer months, including driving the entire Ring Road, and it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with the country at this time of year.
Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime road trip or a long weekend in Reykjavík, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Iceland in summer.
When Is Summer in Iceland?
Summer in Iceland generally runs from:
June to August
Each month offers something slightly different:
June
- Longest daylight hours
- Midnight Sun
- Puffin season
- Quiet start to summer
- Excellent road-trip conditions
July
- Warmest month
- Highlands fully open (weather permitting)
- Peak tourist season
- Fantastic hiking conditions
August
- Slightly fewer crowds
- Puffins still around early in the month
- Warmer sea temperatures
- Northern Lights season begins towards the end of the month
Is Summer a Good Time to Visit Iceland?
Absolutely.
Summer is ideal if you want to:
- Drive the Ring Road
- Explore the Highlands
- Visit waterfalls
- Go whale watching
- See puffins
- Hike volcanoes
- Enjoy the Midnight Sun
- Camp around Iceland
For first-time visitors, it’s arguably the easiest season to travel.
What’s the Weather Like?
Summer temperatures are usually between:
10°C and 15°C
On particularly warm days, temperatures can reach around 20°C.
However, Icelandic weather is famously unpredictable.
You should still expect:
- Rain
- Wind
- Bright sunshine
- Cloudy spells
Sometimes all in the same day!
How Much Daylight Is There?
One of the biggest highlights of summer is the incredible amount of daylight.
Around the summer solstice in late June, much of Iceland experiences almost 24 hours of daylight, with the sky never becoming fully dark.
This gives you far more time to explore than you might be used to.
We’ve found ourselves photographing waterfalls at 11pm in broad daylight!
Can You See the Northern Lights?
Not usually.
Summer nights are simply too bright.
If the Northern Lights are your priority, we’d recommend visiting between September and April instead.
Can You Drive the Ring Road?
Yes—and summer is the perfect time.
Road conditions are generally excellent, making it easy to explore:
- Golden Circle
- South Coast
- East Iceland
- North Iceland
- Westfjords
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
It’s our favourite season for an Iceland road trip.
Are the Highlands Open?
Usually, yes.
Many F-roads open during late June and remain accessible throughout much of the summer, depending on weather conditions.
This allows access to spectacular destinations such as:
- Landmannalaugar
- Askja
- Kerlingarfjöll
- Þórsmörk (with appropriate transport)
Remember, you’ll need a suitable 4×4 vehicle for most F-roads.
Summer Wildlife
Summer is the best time to see Iceland’s incredible wildlife.
Highlights include:
- Puffins
- Whales
- Arctic terns
- Seals
- Icelandic horses
- Sheep roaming freely across the countryside
Always drive carefully—sheep often wander onto the roads!
What Should You Pack?
Even in summer, layers are essential.
We’d recommend bringing:
- Waterproof jacket
- Lightweight fleece
- Walking trousers
- Waterproof walking boots
- T-shirts
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Swimsuit
- Power bank
You don’t need a heavy winter coat, but you’ll definitely want waterproof clothing.
Best Things to Do
Summer is packed with opportunities.
Some of our favourites include:
- Driving the Ring Road
- Exploring Reykjavík
- Whale watching
- Puffin spotting
- Hiking
- Glacier walks
- Visiting waterfalls
- Relaxing in geothermal lagoons
- Camping
- Photography during the Midnight Sun
There’s so much to see that you’ll probably wish you had longer!
Is Summer Busy?
Yes.
June, July and August are Iceland’s busiest months.
Popular attractions such as:
- Blue Lagoon
- Skógafoss
- Reynisfjara
- Jökulsárlón
can become busy during the middle of the day.
The good news?
Thanks to the long daylight hours, you can visit early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s much quieter.
Is Summer Expensive?
Summer is generally the most expensive time to visit.
Flights, hotels, campervans and rental cars all experience high demand.
Booking several months in advance can help secure better prices.
Hiring a Car
Summer is by far our favourite season for exploring Iceland by car.
We’ve always had fantastic experiences with Blue Car Rental, giving us complete freedom to explore at our own pace.
🚗 Hire your car here:
https://www.bluecarrental.is/?affiliate=IcelandicAdventure
Explore by Campervan
If we had to recommend one way to experience Iceland in summer…
It would be a campervan.
Travelling with CampEasy allowed us to stay at incredible campsites, cook our own meals and take full advantage of Iceland’s endless daylight.
Book through our link and you’ll also receive an exclusive FREE Easy Start Pack.
🚐 Book your CampEasy campervan here:
https://campeasy.com/?tap_a=107011-a856e5&tap_s=8902128-1989f0
Stay Connected
Reliable mobile data makes road-tripping around Iceland much easier.
We regularly use our phones for:
- Navigation
- Road conditions
- Weather forecasts
- Campsites
- Restaurant bookings
We always use Saily eSIM, which activates before we land.
📱 Save 10% with Saily here:
https://go.saily.site/aff_c?offer_id=101&aff_id=15717
Our Summer Travel Tips
- Book accommodation well in advance.
- Visit popular attractions early or late in the day.
- Pack waterproof clothing.
- Take advantage of the Midnight Sun.
- Watch for sheep on the roads.
- Carry a reusable water bottle.
- Don’t forget your swimsuit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is summer the best time to visit Iceland?
For many travellers, yes.
Summer offers the best driving conditions, longest daylight hours and access to almost every part of the country.
Is Iceland warm in summer?
It’s mild rather than hot.
Temperatures are generally between 10°C and 15°C, although warmer days are possible.
Can you see puffins?
Yes.
Summer is the best season for puffin watching, particularly between May and early August.
Is the Midnight Sun worth experiencing?
Definitely.
Exploring Iceland at midnight in daylight is something you’ll never forget.
Final Thoughts
Summer is one of the most spectacular times to experience Iceland.
With endless daylight, incredible road-trip opportunities, puffin colonies, open Highland roads and some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, it’s easy to understand why it’s Iceland’s busiest season.
Whether you’re driving the Ring Road, relaxing in a geothermal lagoon or watching the sun hover above the horizon at midnight, summer offers unforgettable memories around every corner.
If it’s your first visit to Iceland, summer is an incredible place to start—and we have no doubt you’ll be planning your next trip before you’ve even flown home.
Happy travels!
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