Summer tours in Iceland

Iceland has been one of the best success stories in terms of handling the Covid-19 outbreak. The government has implemented a rigorous policy of tracing, testing and isolating. Because of this, Iceland has had one of the lowest number of coronavirus cases in Europe.

You can keep on top of our travel updates for Iceland and our other Northern European destinations to find out if you are eligible to visit. Additionally, discover what to expect on your trip with our travel safety advice and plan your trip with confidence thanks to our flexible booking terms. 

Iceland's summer season covers the months of April, May, June, July, August and September. 'First day of summer' is an official public holiday in Iceland, held on the first Thursday after 18 April.

The spell from June to August is the most popular time to visit Iceland, with mildest temperatures and longer daylight hours. It can still get chilly in Iceland at this time of year though, so be prepared for all weather!

Top tip: if you can get the vacation time, we recommend visiting Iceland in the 'shoulder season' around April and September. You will still enjoy more daylight hours during your stay, but you also benefit from better rates for accommodation. What's more, with fewer visitors during these months, you can enjoy attractions and activities with fewer crowds.

Iceland’s summer and winter seasons both have their own special appeal. You can decide which season to visit by thinking about the sort of activities you want to do and where you’d like to go.

If having more daylight hours and milder temperatures is important to you, we highly recommend coming to Iceland in summer. You’d also be able to explore the highlands and other destinations that are inaccessible in winter due to road closures.

If you want to chase the northern lights and see Iceland’s landscapes sprinkled with snow, then we suggest you visit Iceland in winter. You could also enjoy wintry activities like ice caving and soaking up the festive atmosphere at Christmas and New Year.

Alternatively, you could enjoy Iceland travel in the shoulder season: April to May and September. These quieter periods still offer you long daylight hours and reasonably mild weather.

Iceland is the sort of place travellers love to return to. So after your first trip, you could always come back to experience the Land of Fire and Ice at a different time of year! Or perhaps even combine Iceland and Greenland for one truly unforgettable summer getaway. 

Explore these classic Iceland holidays for top recommended itineraries, or get more advice on the best time to visit Iceland on our experts’ blog.

In summer in Iceland, the average temperature is 11°C (52°F). However, on really warm days the temperature can reach 20°C (68°F). The highest recorded temperature in August in Iceland was 28°C (82°F), in 2017.

Find out more about the climate and weather in Iceland on our travel guide.

Summer is when Iceland really comes to life, as colourful wildflowers brighten up the countryside and daylight lingers long into the night. You can go along to vibrant music festivals, experience cultural events, and celebrate the summer solstice.

When you explore Iceland in summer, you are more likely to enjoy the best weather of the year. The average temperature is 11°C (52°F) and, although it’s unlikely to ever get hot in Iceland, it can climb up to 20°C (68°F). Of course, Iceland’s climate is changeable so you should prepare for all weather.

As it’s unlikely to be icy in the summer, you can generally expect good driving conditions at this time of year. Plus, Iceland’s F-roads tend to be open in the summer months. That means you can visit those harder-to-reach destinations like the highlands, which is a haven for hiking in the great outdoors.

Another great thing about Iceland in summer is that there are more activities to choose from and you have plenty of daylight hours to enjoy them.

You can pack in a lot of driving and stop at many different attractions on the same day. That’s because the sun rises early and sets late, so you have lots of time to explore.

The days are long in Iceland in summer, ranging between 15 and 21 hours. Visit in mid-June, when the summer solstice takes place, and you’ll experience the longest days of the year with 21 daylight hours. This phenomenon is called the “midnight sun” as it doesn’t really get dark during this period.

In July the daylight hours gradually go down as the month progresses, from over 20 hours to 18 hours. If you’re in Iceland in August, daylight decreases from 18 hours, at the start of the month, to just under 15 hours, at the end of August.

These long daylight hours are good news for you as a visitor because it means you can see more of Iceland in one day. You can find precise sunrise and sunset times on our guide to time and daylight in Iceland.