Things to Do in Iceland in Summer – Are you visiting Iceland in the summer? Great, because it’s a great time to enjoy the land of fire and ice. You’ll miss out on seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland (although you can start seeing them again from September onwards), but you’ll enjoy more pleasant temperatures, many hours of daylight, you’ll be able to see the beautiful puffins and access places on the island that aren’t possible at any other time of year. Today I’m going to tell you everything you have to do in Iceland in the summer .
Iceland is an island that varies greatly depending on the time of year you visit it . In fact, if you are a nature lover, once you go to Iceland you will want to come back in another month. I assure you. The plans that the island offers have nothing to do if you go in March or if you go in June. These are the best activities to do in summer in Iceland.
9 Best Things to Do in Iceland in Summer
1. Excursion to the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is one of the most touristic areas in Iceland in summer . The reason is that the area is amazing, never better said. This area has brutal landscapes with colorful mountains that will make you feel like you are on another planet. In addition, you can only visit it in summer, when the F roads open. In Icelandic, mountain is called fjall , and that is why the mountain roads are called F roads .
To give you an idea, Landmannalaugar is known as the pearl of the Central Highlands . In fact, many people say that it is the best of Iceland . The highlight of Landmannalaugar is the contrasts of the mountains, with the most colorful landscapes due to the minerals in the rocks that form it.
It is important to know that the access roads to the Icelandic Highlands are only open from late May or early June until late September . This is the only time of year when you can visit. To access this area you definitely need a 4×4 vehicle . If your car is not 4×4 or you do not want to drive on these mountain roads, you can also do it as an organized excursion from Reykjavik.
2. See Puffins
Iceland is considered the puffin-watching capital of the world . These cute little birds with orange beaks, called puffins in English , are the most adorable. Among the things to do in Iceland in summer , puffin-watching is undoubtedly one of them . In addition, it has become a commercial attraction. You will see lots of puffin-shaped stuffed animals and gifts, especially in Reykjavik.
Puffins spend much of their lives at sea . They only return to land to lay their eggs and spend the summer months raising their chicks. Therefore, the best time to see puffins in Iceland is from late April to late August .
The best places to see puffins in Iceland are the Westman Islands in the south of Iceland and at the cliff of Dyrhólaey , near Vik and the black beach, but there are plenty of other places around the island. If you go to Iceland in the summer it is quite easy to see them.
3. Whale watching
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Iceland in summer is to have the opportunity to spot whales at sea. The most common way to see them is from the north of Iceland , with Húsavík being the most famous place to take a whale watching boat . In fact, this place is considered the whale capital, but you can also set off from Akureyri.
The time to see whales in Iceland is from April to November , more or less, it depends a bit on the year. Another very interesting option that not everyone knows is that whale watching is also possible all year round from Reykjavik .
4. Walk on the glacier
Walking on a glacier is another of the best activities to do in Iceland in summer , although there is a trick to this one and it is that it can be done all year round . You already know that the best thing about Iceland is its nature and the glaciers in Iceland are the most impressive. I am not exaggerating if I tell you that they make your hair stand on end. It was the first time we saw one in Iceland and oh my goodness, how impressed we were.
Iceland’s main glaciers include Vatnajokull and Skaftafell. Most of them offer a company that organises trekking tours on the glacier. Some even have blue caves inside the glacier that can be visited, but this is only possible in winter.
Summer is the best time to walk on the glacier because we are not exposed to temperatures as harsh as the rest of the year. Bear in mind that it is normal for the temperature to drop considerably on the glacier and the wind can also blow very strongly.
Walking on the glacier is essential with a guide, as going without one is risky . This is no joke. Keep in mind that if you don’t know the terrain, you don’t know if there might be caves in the glacier and you could fall. That’s why going with an experienced guide is vital. Even during a guided visit to the glacier, you are warned that there are some risks involved.
You must be well equipped with professional ice axes and crampons . This material is provided to you when you book the excursion. It is also essential to bring sun cream, gloves (even in summer), hiking boots, waterproof clothing and sunglasses (even if it is not sunny at the time).
Before entering the glacier you have to let us know if you have any health problems, for safety reasons. Regarding trekking, you don’t have to be in excellent physical shape to walk on the glacier, but a little bit never hurts. We even saw children doing it. The experience is amazing! Probably one of the activities we liked the most in Iceland . And you can do it in summer. Don’t miss it!
By the way, I’m not going to lie to you, the price of the excursion, like everywhere in Iceland, is high. But if you’re not sure which one to do or if you only have the budget for one, do this one . You won’t regret it.
5. Sailing across the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon by kayak or boat
This lagoon was probably one of the places that had the greatest impact on me in Iceland. It was the first glacial lagoon I had ever seen. Jökulsárlón, like other places in Iceland, varies greatly depending on the time of year you go .
For example, I went to Iceland in April, when the ice was melting. There were icebergs in the lagoon, although some parts were completely frozen. If you visit Iceland in the summer, you can navigate the lagoon by boat or kayak . The image is a mix between a documentary on Channel 2 and a film shot in Antarctica.
The kayak excursion is organised by professional guides who know how to adapt to both experienced tourists and those who have no idea. The excursion is suitable for everyone , although it is always more than advisable to be at least physically fit and to wear warm clothes.
6. Visit the Askja volcano
Another landscape that seems to be taken from another planet is the Askja volcano, one of the most important active volcanoes in Iceland . It is also located in the Icelandic Highlands and that means that it is only possible to visit it in summer , when the mountain roads have already opened. Also, remember that it is essential to do it with a 4×4 car or with a tour.
What makes this volcano so special? Its summit is over 1,516 metres above sea level and the curious thing about it is that there is a lake inside the volcano. The area where it is located is one of the most seismically active in Iceland. In fact, the last time it erupted was at the end of the 19th century and turned the country upside down.
But not only is the volcano incredible, getting here is like enjoying a completely lunar landscape . We were not able to go, but a friend of ours lived in Iceland and for him it is one of the best in the country. In addition, it is an area with several natural hot springs.
To access this remote area of the country, it is best to do so from the north of Iceland , specifically from Lake Myvatn . For safety reasons, I recommend doing it as a day trip, unless you are an experienced driver.
7. Visit the Westfjords
They say that the Westfjords are Iceland’s best kept secret , and I’m not one to say otherwise. This hand-shaped peninsula is one of the most unknown areas of Iceland . Because of its difficult access, its vertiginous coastline and its roads in poor condition, many people don’t decide to come here. In fact, this area has always been somewhat more isolated than other parts of the country.
You can only visit them in summer and if you dare to go, one of its main places is the Dynjandi Waterfall . It is a sequence of 7 incredible waterfalls that can boast of being one of the best waterfalls in Iceland . Although it also has spectacular places such as Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe, great for seeing puffins, Raudasandur beach and Ísafjörður , the largest city in the Westfjords.
In short, if you are looking for remote places in Iceland, with few tourists, off the beaten track and as authentic as can be, I recommend getting lost in the isolated West Fjords .
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8. Enjoy the midnight sun
One of the things that will really catch your eye if you visit Iceland in the summer is that it never gets completely dark . The so-called midnight sun is a phenomenon that only occurs at high altitudes . Iceland is located near the Arctic Circle and is one of the few areas in the world where you can see the sun almost all day in the summer .
What does this mean? Well, several things. First of all, an eye mask is essential . If you are a blinds fanatic like me, either wear an eye mask to sleep or you are a dead man. On the other hand, you will be able to make the most of the days because in Iceland you depend mainly on sunlight to visit places . So you will have much more time in the day to organize your route through Iceland than if you go in the middle of winter.
This midnight sun thing is peculiar, I admit that it’s fine for a few days, but a guy who lived there told us that living in Iceland in summer is complicated. In the end, the fact that it doesn’t get dark for several months is annoying . But well, I guess it’s a matter of taste.
9. Driving on the F Roads
Do you like driving on high mountain roads? Then go to Iceland in the summer. There are signs all over the country that warn you when you are approaching such a road. In this case, as I said before, having a 4×4 vehicle is mandatory .
If you decide to visit this area, you have two options: rent a car or a 4×4 camper or limit yourself to doing so with certain organized excursions to the most touristic places. If you are adventurous and you like hiking routes, I definitely recommend the first option. Beyond the F roads to access the Landmannalaugar or the Askja volcano, you will see others in other parts of the country.
And this has been the selection of the Best Things to Do in Iceland in Summer . I hope you enjoy it! Which one is your favorite?
