Visiting Iceland in June is the perfect way to explore the country in a unique way. Whether you’re looking for breath-taking waterfalls, amazing wildlife or mild weather, you can find it all in Iceland at this time of year. Here are our top reasons you should be booking your next trip to Iceland in the summer!
The past few years have been a bit of a letdown for travellers, to say the least. But let’s not think about the bad times – Iceland is now open to international visitors and NOW is the time to go!
- 10 Reasons You Should Visit Iceland In June
- 1. There Are More Daylight Hours In June
- 2. You Can Experience The Midnight Sun
- 3. The Whales Return To Iceland In June!
- 4. The Puffins Are Also Nesting
- 5. The Weather In Iceland In June Is Mild
- 6. There Are Fun Camping Opportunities
- 7. It's Easier To Drive In Iceland In Summer
- 8. There Are More Accessible Mountain Hikes
- 9. You Can Go Caving
- 10. There Are Lots Of Fun Festivals!
- What To Pack For Iceland In June
- Where To Stay In Iceland
- FAQs
- Packing List Essentials
There are currently no restrictions, quarantine requirements or limits on social gatherings in Iceland – so you can travel safe in the knowledge that the country is handling everything well, and your plans are not likely to be ruined by last-minute rule changes!
Read more here about the measures the government are putting in place to protect both locals and travellers, and then read the rest of this article to see why you should be planning a trip to Iceland in June!
It might sound like an unlikely pairing, but June is actually a great time to visit Iceland. There is still plenty to see and do, and you’ll be surprised at what else Iceland has to offer during the summer months.
It’s still Iceland, so don’t expect to leave with a bronzed glow and stories of sea frolicking. But there is something magical in the air at this time of year – you definitely shouldn’t discount visiting in summer!
10 Reasons You Should Visit Iceland In June
Let’s face it, you’ll have a great time in Iceland whenever you visit. There are so many cool things to see and do (the famous Golden Circle, glacier tours, mountain hikes, tectonic plate diving, snowmobiling … I could go on!) so if you can only manage to go in winter then don’t worry.
Some people don’t know that there are so many cool things to do in Iceland in June so read on to find out what you’ll be able to do and see at this time of year!
Whether or not you’re visiting Iceland for 3 days or 3 weeks, you’re bound to fall in love with this insane country.
1. There Are More Daylight Hours In June
One of the absolute best reasons to explore Iceland in June is that the days go on FOREVER! The sun doesn’t really ever set so you won’t actually see darkness for your whole time here.
The reason for that is because of the tilt of the Earth during the summer. It’s pointing towards the sun so there’s pretty much always daylight in Iceland from June – August.
It’s obviously completely the opposite in the winter – you’ll only get around 4 – 5 hours of daylight so that’s a massive bonus to coming in summer!
It means that you’ll be able to be out and about for longer, and you’ll be able to see more of the country. During the winter, it’s not advisable to drive in the dark because of the dangerous road conditions, but in the summer you don’t have to worry about that.
You can get up when you want to, laze around for breakfast and start your day in the afternoon if you need to. It’s particularly good if you are suffering from jet lag as you won’t miss out on the day if you sleep after your flight!
You do have to remember that it might be light at 11pm but shops and restaurants will be closed because it’s the middle of the night! Make sure you’re fully stocked up on food and water before you venture out on a hike at 3am! Many gas stations are self-service so you might be able to fuel up but don’t expect the convenience stores to be open.
The summer solstice – the longest day of the year – is in the middle of June and there’s a cool festival to celebrate it in Iceland.
2. You Can Experience The Midnight Sun
The midnight sun is an amazing sight and you should definitely experience it at least once if you’re here in June. Open your thick, light-blocking curtains and see the nighttime world from a different perspective!
A huge benefit to the midnight sun is that you can explore the natural wonders Iceland has to offer in the middle of the night when most people are asleep. If you want to get those beautiful shots with no other tourists around or experience a solo waterfall visit, then come at night time and you’re more likely to succeed.
There are also some incredible tours that are specifically designed to enjoy whilst experience this weird phenomenon. Go on a whale watching tour, hiking or even quad biking! Click here to check out the different types of midnight sun tours you can take.
Read More: Check Out The Midnight Sun Whale Watching In Dalvik Here
Check Availability For These Tours Now!
3. The Whales Return To Iceland In June!
Seeing a whale in its natural environment is just amazing, and you have a high chance of being able to do that in Iceland in June! Humpback whales are the most common, but there are also often sightings of blue and minke whales. You might even be really lucky and spot an orca too! Check out our guide to whale watching in Reykjavik or watch our video below!
The best place to see whales is in the north. A small fishing town, Húsavík is actually world-renowned for its whale-y pals so it’s worth making your way up here. Book your eco-certified whale watching tour here.
You could also visit the nearby town of Akureyri. There are still some great options to see the whales, and a little more to do when you’re back on land.
If you don’t have the time or patience to visit the north of Iceland, then Reykjavik has got you covered because the waters near the capital are also full of tasty treats for the whales.
You’re more likely to see minke whales here, but there have been sightings of humpbacks too, as well as dolphins and porpoises!
A whale watching tour can be booked in advance and you can either go in the morning or at night time. Some tour companies are pretty confident that you’ll see a whale, and offer you the chance to repeat the trip if you don’t.
4. The Puffins Are Also Nesting
A puffin is just one of the cutest animals ever and there are literally thousands to be seen in Iceland in early summer! They arrive at the end of May and leave in September, so there’s no chance that you’ll miss them if you visit in between. Check out our complete guide to seeing the puffins in Iceland here!
Not only that, but there are over six million puffins who return to the place they were born in Iceland every year. If you come in summer and don’t see a puffin, you’re doing something wrong!
There are a few places to see puffins across the country, but some are better than others.
For the biggest puffin colony in the world, take a trip to Vestmannaeyjar (The Westman Islands).
If you want an easy drive to see puffins, go to Dyrhólaey which is on the south coast and not too far from the famous Route 1 ring road. It’s a good place to see the birds if you’re on a road trip and are driving past anyway.
The Látrabjarg cliffs in the Wetfjords are fantastic for bird watching and you’ll see millions of puffins going about their daily business here. However, the Westfjords are far from Reykjavik so make the trip worth it by including other activities whilst you’re there.
When you are puffin-spotting, there are a couple of rules that you need to stick by so that you don’t disturb the birds. It’s tempting to get too close for the best photos and sightings but you really need to keep a little distance! If you’d rather take a tour so that you can learn a little about the birds and do everything safely, click here for more information.
Check Availability For The Best Puffin Tours!
5. The Weather In Iceland In June Is Mild
The weather here at this time of year might surprise you. The northern hemisphere is known for its warm summer months – and Iceland isn’t as drastically different as you may think. The average temperatures for the month are around 9°C (48°F) which isn’t actually that much colder than some summer days in the UK!
Even more weird – the temperatures can actually reach up to 20°C (68°F) which is scorching for a country that is literally the land of ice. Don’t get too worried though – there is plenty of ice left and the chances are that you’ll still be wearing a jumper!
Do yourself a favour and invest in a true Icelandic souvenir for the days where it does get chilly – a Lopapeysa. It’s a sweater made out of local sheep wool and they’re what all the cool kids wear.
The best advice for visiting Iceland at any time of year is to pack layers. In the summer, you can pile on multiple tops in the morning and peel them off in the afternoon sun if it gets too warm. You don’t want to be stuck with only huge hiking jackets and thermals because overheating is never fun.
The warmer weather also means that when you take a dip in the local swimming pools or the Blue Lagoon, you won’t feel as frost-bitten getting in and out of the water.
If you’re from a warm country then you’ll probably still think it’s freakishly cold, but the local Icelanders will be revelling in their hot summery days!
6. There Are Fun Camping Opportunities
Camping in Iceland is a great thing to do but it can’t be a lot of fun during the winter when the rain comes and the temperatures drop below zero. In June however, there are plenty of great opportunities to camp and you’ll wake up to some incredible views!
Luckily, if you’re visiting in June the weather is less likely to be unkind to you, but always check the forecast before you go just in case.
You have the option of pitching up a tent or hiring a campervan and parking in a campsite. You could even hire a car with a rooftop tent! See our whole guide to renting a 4×4 in Iceland here.
For those hardcore campers, rent all of your tent gear and pick a spot for the evening. However, you can’t just camp overnight anywhere.
It is required by law that you spend the night in a designated campsite so that the wild nature isn’t hugely disturbed. Some have full facilities, but some are a lot more basic. Find a site before you arrive and book your pitch here.
It’s really important to not ignore the laws on camping in Iceland. Not only is it disrespectful to the country you’re visiting, but the laws are there to protect both you and the nature as well. You don’t want to be stuck in a remote place with no access to phone signal or cars driving by. If there was an emergency, you would want to be near other people so don’t risk it!
There are also some ‘glamping’ options – glamorous camping for those who can’t hack sleeping on the ground or in a car!
7. It’s Easier To Drive In Iceland In Summer
Driving in Iceland is a great way to explore the country. Hiring a car and driving the ring road is probably one of the most popular things to do in Iceland and it’s so much easier in the summer.
Not only is there are lot more time to see and do everything because of the long daylight hours, but the roads are safer. Even if you’re taking a long drive all the way to the secluded East Fjords, you should be able to navigate your way there without too much trouble in summer.
There are still some risks of course – watch out for roaming sheep – but in general, it’s easier to drive in summer than winter. You’re less likely to find slippery ice patches and the weather will be less dangerous to drive in.
There will, however, be more people on the roads due to it being high season. Keep your wits about you and just drive sensibly.
The influx of people also means that you need to book your car in advance!
If you can’t drive in Iceland, then don’t forget to book yourself onto the airport shuttle bus to make your journey to your accommodation easier.
Pro Tip
Here are some rules for driving in Iceland that you might not be familiar with:
You have to keep your headlights on whilst driving in Iceland.
EVERYONE in the car must wear a seatbelt.
Drive on the right.
If you’re a little nervous about driving in another country, you can find lots of tips and video guides on this site.
8. There Are More Accessible Mountain Hikes
The thing about Iceland is that it’s covered in ice. Shocking, I know.
But even though snow-capped mountains and frozen rivers are beautiful, they pretty much ruin a good hiking trail. That’s why visiting Iceland in June is so awesome!
There are some insane hikes that you just can’t do in the winter because of the slippery ground, inaccessible trails and remote routes.
The roads to the Icelandic Highlands, for example, are only open from June to September because of the weather.
Iceland is just beginning to come alive with greenery, wildlife and flowers so it’s a beautiful time to hike. If you visit in the summer you’ll be able to access some of the most gorgeous and delicate parts of the country. Explore wilderness like you’ve never seen before at Laugavegur and discover hidden waterfalls at Svartifoss.
You don’t always need a guide to go hiking in Iceland, but do your research and make sure you’re properly prepared before you go if you decide to go alone.
If you’d prefer to go with a guided group for safety and knowledge, click here to see which hikes suit you best! You can choose from mountain trails, glacier climbs and even bus or jeep tours if you want to enjoy the scenery but don’t want to actually hike.
9. You Can Go Caving
There are lots of fantastic caves to explore in Iceland, but some of them are only accessible in the summer due to the risky road conditions leading up to them.
The caves are just lava tubes – created when volcanoes erupted and cooled down, leaving gigantic holes in the landscape! This all happened thousands of years ago so there’s plenty of fun history to learn about too. There have even been Viking artefacts found in some of these caves!
You can take lots of different tours to explore the caves, and often there will be other activities in the mix too so your day is full.
Be prepared to get dirty as you’ll more than likely have to crawl into the caves and the floors will be wet and cold. Wear the correct gear (you’ll be provided with safety equipment though) and you’ll be fine.
Click here to see prices and availability of some awesome cave tours!
Pro Tip
Don’t get confused with the ice caves! Many of these don’t even exist in the summer because the warmer weather melts the ice. You can visit some incredible ice caves in the winter but just make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for!
10. There Are Lots Of Fun Festivals!
Summer means festival time! It might not have Coachella, Rio Carnival or Holi, but Iceland does have some awesome events in June that you should definitely attend!
Not many people go to festivals whilst on holiday but I think it’s a great way to add something new to your trip and get to know a little more about the local culture.
The most popular festival in Iceland in June is the Secret Solstice, which takes place over the summer solstice. The longest day in the northern hemisphere occurs in the middle of June, so it stands to reason that there should be a party to celebrate it!
It’s also an amazing way to experience the midnight sun – food, drink and music in the 24-hour daylight just sound so much fun!
A few other popular festivals include:
- Independence Day – not really a festival actually but definitely a celebration! Iceland only gained independence from Denmark on the 17th June 1944, so it’s still a huge deal and there is always lots going on around this time.
- Rekyjavik Arts Festival – 2 weeks of exhibitions and performances you can enjoy (only happens every two years though)
- The Viking Festival – celebrating all things Viking! The festival is really authentic so you’ll definitely have a good time if you’re into the Middle-Aged life! You can even stay at a Viking themed hotel!
- Festival Of The Sea – sailors in Iceland are given a holiday on the first weekend of June to recognise the hard work they have put in for the nation. The Festival of the Sea celebrates this as a family fun day with parades and entertainment by the harbour.
What To Pack For Iceland In June
The key thing to being comfortable in what you wear in Iceland in the summer months is to take layers of clothing. You can add or take away items when you need to if the weather decides to surprise you.
You might not need fleece-lined thermals for June, but I’ve added them to the list just in case. Always check the weather forecast before you go so that you can be prepared. No one wants their trip of a lifetime ruined by bad clothing!
Our Top Pick
This windproof/waterproof jacket is absolutely perfect for keeping the cold out and staying warm when you are visiting such cold places. If you only have a warm waterproof jacket I would seriously consider upgrading to windproof as it makes even more difference than the fleece lining in my opinion. See our recommendation here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re looking for some decent waterproof trousers then take a look at these. They are windproof and waterproof but also insulated which means that you may get away with only wearing these and not having to have an additional layer underneath. They also do a very good job of not looking too much like waterproof trousers. Have a look to see what I mean here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re planning on doing some serious hiking then we recommend you take a look at these Columbia walking boots. They come in loads of different colours and we think that they are really stylish. The most important thing however is that there are comfortable, waterproof and resilient which these are! There is nothing worse than sore feet preventing you from making the most out of your trip so don’t put it down to chance. Check them out in more detail here.
Our Top Pick
If you get particularly cold then you are going to want to take a look at these fleece-lined full-body thermals. If you couple these with decent clothing over the top then the coldest of people should be warm in the coldest of places. Have a look at colours and sizes here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re looking for a pair of warm gloves then check out these waterproof/windproof/thermal gloves. When you’re looking for decent gloves then fashion should not be your main priority. I don’t know about you but cold hands are the pinnacle of annoyance! These absolutely get the job done and you don’t have to take them off to use your phone which is a godsend. Take a more detailed look here.
Our Top Pick
If you are worried about getting cold feet (and you should be) then take a look at these brilliant thermal socks by Hot Feet. They should keep your feet warm in the cold conditions you will be facing, as long as you have decent footwear as well! You get 8 pairs which are also really good for the price. Take a look in more detail here.
Our Top Pick
You absolutely need to have a warm hat when you are visiting cold places so take a look at this gorgeous fleece-lined cable knit beanie. It’s a timeless style and will absolutely keep your ears and head warm for your trip! Take a look at different colours here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re not a massive fan of fleece-lined hats (Jade isn’t) then earmuffs are the way forward. These vegan earmuffs look amazing and come in varying sizes whilst also looking really cute. I personally like the brown faux leather look but there are lots of different colours available. Take a look here.
Our Top Pick
It goes without question that you’re going to need a jumper. This gorgeous knitted jumper will keep you warm whilst also looking the part (people love the knitted look in the cold!). There are a few colours to choose from the reviews talk for themselves! Take a look here.
Packing List Essentials
Where To Stay In Iceland
There are hundreds of amazing accommodation options in Iceland, and you’d be surprised at the number of places that are affordable too! Zoom out on the map to explore the whole of Iceland and then scroll down to see our top recommendations.
Excellent apartment with fully furnished kitchen, hot tub and insane views!
Modern apartments in the east, great hiking trails nearby, remote + private
Private rooms or dorms, great facilities such as a sauna, hot tub, rooftop pool and bar! Not too far from Reykjavik,
FAQs
Have you been to Iceland in June before? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!
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