| Month | Daylight in Reykjavík | Typical temperatures | What it brings |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | About 20 to 21 hours (Akureyri nearly 23.5) | 7 to 14 °C | Peak midnight sun; National Day; F-roads not yet open |
| July | About 18 to 20 hours | 8 to 15 °C, above 20 °C on sunny days in the North and East | F-roads usually open; puffins nesting; whale watching at its best |
| August | From about 18 hours down to roughly 14.5 | Highs around 13 °C | Reykjavík Pride and Culture Night; first northern lights late in the month |
What summer is good for
Summer is the only season for the highlands. F-roads typically open between late June and early July, a 4x4 is legally required on them, and standard rental insurance often does not cover F-road damage, so read your policy. River crossings are the main risk: SafeTravel notes that no insurance covers damage to a vehicle while crossing a river, and F-roads are usually closed from mid-September until June or July. The full rules are in how to get around Iceland and the car side is in Iceland car rental. In the highlands, see Landmannalaugar.
Wildlife peaks too. Puffins nest on the South Coast and in the Westfjords from May to about mid-August, with colonies at Dyrhólaey and at Hafnarhólmi near Borgarfjörður Eystri. Whale watching is at its prime in summer, especially in the North, where humpbacks and minke whales are common and blue whales and orcas appear occasionally; see Húsavík and whale watching in Iceland.
Where it is busiest
Visit Iceland says Skógafoss, the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle get crowded at peak hours, and that early morning or late evening helps. For a first trip without a car, the Golden Circle full-day tour with Kerid Crater is the classic summer day: 4.7 out of 5 from 27,992 reviews, from €70 on 6 November 2026. It is not a summer-only product, but summer is when its stops and the long evening light pay off most: Gullfoss is open 24 hours a day, and Geysir has an eruption about every 10 minutes. Parking at both is charged, ISK 1,080 per car.
The weather splits by region: the South Coast is wetter and windier, while the North and the East Fjords are usually calmer and sunnier. That is a reason to put Akureyri and Húsavík on a summer route; Goðafoss is 47.4 km from Húsavík and Lake Mývatn 56.8 km.
Packing for summer
- Layers: a merino base layer, a fleece or lopapeysa mid-layer, and a waterproof, windproof shell with rain pants.
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support.
- A blackout sleep mask for the midnight sun.
- Polarised sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Swimwear, a quick-dry towel and flip-flops for the hot springs; Sky Lagoon is open 9:00 to 23:00 from June 21 to August 20.
- A head net for midges near Lake Mývatn.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking the Golden Circle and the South Coast on the same day: they are separate day tours in opposite directions; compare them in Golden Circle tours compared and South Coast day tours.
- Expecting the highlands in early June: the F-roads are usually still closed.
- Booking late: Visit Iceland advises booking accommodation, rental cars and tours 6 to 8 months ahead, especially 4x4s.
- Expecting northern lights in June or July: they are possible only from late August.
FAQ
How much daylight does Iceland get in summer?
In June, Reykjavík has about 20 to 21 hours of daylight and Akureyri nearly 23.5. In July it is about 18 to 20 hours, and by August it drops from about 18 hours to roughly 14.5.
What is the temperature in July?
Typically 8 to 15 °C, and above 20 °C on sunny days in the North and East.
When do the highland roads open?
F-roads typically open between late June and early July, depending on the snow; check umferdin.is. A 4x4 is legally required.
Can I see the northern lights in summer?
Not in the bright months; they become possible by late August.
When are puffins in Iceland?
They nest in colonies on the South Coast and in the Westfjords from May to about mid-August.
The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
