Visiting Iceland in July is most people’s pick when planning a trip to the island. It’s the height of summer, and the energy and excitement are electric. This is also when you’ll find the most things to do here on the island.
But just because it’s one of our favorite months for exploring everything Iceland has to offer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right fit for you. In this article, we give a few insights into what to expect from a trip during July and everything you need to know to plan your trip. So, if you’ve always wanted to visit the island but have always wondered when to book that flight, this article might help guide you in the right direction.
Is July a Good Time to Go to Iceland?
This will all depend on your needs, personal preferences, what you want to see and do on the island, and your budget. We have created this helpful summary of the biggest pros and cons of visiting Iceland in July so you can decide for yourself:
Pros
- The weather in Iceland honestly can’t get any better than you’ll find during July. Temperatures are high, and chances of dealing with our more extreme weather elements are low.
- It’s the perfect time for a jam-packed trip itinerary since you’ll have an abundance of daylight hours.
- Our extreme amount of daylight hours during the month of July will allow you to experience one of our most famous natural phenomena, the Midnight Sun (as long as you visit by mid-July).
- There will be plenty to see here on the island if you are a wildlife fan. July falls in the middle of our whale season, during which we have our regulars as well as a few migratory whale species making the coast their home. July is also the middle of the breeding season of our Puffins. Not only will you be able to see these cute penguin-like birds with their colorful beaks, but you’ll also be able to see their adorable Pufflings (and, yes, that’s what they’re actually called).
Cons
- July is mid-summer here in Iceland, and with summertime being our peak season here on the island, you’ll be smack-bang in the middle of it and everything that goes along with it - peak season crowds and peak season prices.
- While all these daylight hours are a blessing to many, they are a curse to some. Firstly, no darkness and the warmer conditions mean you won’t be able to experience another of our famous natural phenomena, the Northern Lights. Not having any actual darkness has also been known to cause havoc with some people’s sleep patterns.
What's the Weather Like in Iceland in July?
The weather in Iceland in July is the best you can experience here on the island. This is what you can expect on your trip:
Rainfall in Iceland in July
While there is a chance of rainfall during your trip in July, July is also considered one of the sunniest months on the island, with an average rainfall of just 50 mm (equating to roughly ten days).
The temperature in Iceland in July
The temperature in Iceland in July is at an all-time high, ranging between 9 and 25 degrees Celsius. You also don’t need to worry about ever experiencing our below-0 temperatures during this time. It’s also important to distinguish between myth and fact regarding the weather of our capital city.
Many think that the best weather in Iceland is in Reykjavik in July. Although it’s true that the Reykjavik weather in July is a few degrees warmer than the north, it’s not true that the weather inside the city is magically better than on its outskirts. This is merely an illusion created by the shelter the buildings create against the external weather elements such as the wind.
Daylight Hours in Iceland in July
Daylight hours in July range between 20 and 22 hours a day, with the latter culminating in our Midnight Sun phenomenon, where the sun technically sets, yet darkness never descends before the sun starts rising again. Sunrise occurs roughly between 03.10 and 04:30, while sunset in Iceland in July ranges between 00:00 and 22:30.
What to Pack for Iceland in July
You can read our article on packing for Iceland for a general and comprehensive checklist. But when it comes to how to pack for Iceland in July, you need to keep the following in mind:
- Outdoor Clothes. As the best month to take on any outdoor activities, you need to be prepared with anything from hiking gear to climbing, biking, horse-riding, you name it Whatever your preferences, July will be the perfect time to do it.
- Waterproof Clothes & Hiking Boots. This is not just in case it rains but proves to be very important on the wet and muddy trails of the natural hot springs when crossing rivers and streams on hiking tours and visiting our waterfalls.
- Raincoat. Yes, this is to be prepared in case of any rainfall, but it’s also to ensure that you don’t end up looking like a drenched cat at our waterfalls with their powerful mist and spray.
- Sunscreen. It might not feel holiday-in-Thailand-hot, but trust us, and you’re in for a world of sunburn pain if you don’t lather up properly.
- Sunglasses. This is an obvious accessory for any country during summertime, but here in Iceland where the entire country is surrounded by water and is famous for all its other water features such as fjords, lagoons, etc. you don’t want to spend your entire holiday squinting against the glare off the water.
- Swimwear. Some visitors still don’t know that swimming is a real thing despite the fact we’re a country called ICEland. In fact, we are famous for our natural hot springs, geothermal pools, and even boast a geothermal beach!
- Quick-drying Towel. Many visitors make the mistake of either thinking that their accommodation will be providing them with swimming towels or bringing just any old towel from the house where they end up lugging piles of wet, soggy towels around on their travels.
Top 11 Things to See and Do in Iceland in July
As we already mentioned, great weather and plenty of daylight hours allow visitors to partake in a variety of things to do in Iceland in July. Here are a few things you can add to your trip itinerary:
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Go Hiking
We cannot recommend hiking in Iceland in July more! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, young or old, you will find a hiking trail that suits your needs here in Iceland. Choose between day hikes or multi-day treks.
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Explore the Island on Horseback
Explore the surrounding area on the island’s own breed of horse. The Icelandic Horses look very pony-like, sport a thick fluffy coat during the colder months of the year, can perform an extra gait, and are incredibly friendly.
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Traverse the Glaciers
There are many ways to explore these icy landscapes: you can hike, ride in a Super Jeep, snowmobile across, and much more. However, due to safety concerns, you can only traverse the glaciers in Iceland via a guided tour.
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Check Out Our Waterfalls
We have over 10 000 waterfalls in Iceland, and many with incredibly unique characteristics, such as Dynjandi that resembles a layered wedding cake, or Dettifoss that is the 2nd most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.
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Take a Stroll on a Black Sand Beach
Our black sand beaches are the remnants of eroded lava that took millennia to become the beaches we know and love today. Take a stroll on our infamous Reynisfjara Beach or Diamond Beach.
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Have a Relaxing Soak in One of Our Hot Springs
You will find hot springs all over the island. Iceland’s hot springs are caused by all the volcanic activity on the island heating up the underground water supply. Some of Iceland’s hot springs can be enjoyed in their original and natural form, while others can be enjoyed as part of our geothermal pools. Visit places such as Hrunalaug Hot Spring or the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in July to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
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Explore the Capital Via the Reykjavik Food Walk
The Reykjavik Food Walk is one of the best things to do in Reykjavik in July, and
allows visitors to explore the city on a guided walking tour with pit stops along the way to also explore local culinary delights and some of our most popular craft beers.
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Live the Viking Life
If you enjoy the Viking tales of old, living the Viking life is one of the top things to do in Iceland in July. Get all dressed up with traditional clothes, accessories, and even weapons (don’t worry, they’re just props) and have your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios. Visit our Viking Village and have a real Viking feast. Or go sailing on a traditional Viking longboat.
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Dive or Snorkel the Silfra Fissure
The Silfra Fissure is an incredible geological wonder. It’s where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pushing apart. This tear (aka fissure) is filled with glacial water today, and open to the public to go snorkel or dive in. Just remember that you will need a valid diving license for a dive, otherwise anyone’s welcome to snorkel the Silfra.
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Visit Our Museums
You will find many interesting museums to visit here in Iceland. Places such as Perlan (the only place you’ll get to explore an actual ice cave during the summer months) and the Icelandic Phallological Museum (showcasing the penis of every mammal you find on the island) should be on the top of your list.
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Go On Some of Our Wildlife Tours
If you are still wondering what to see in Iceland in July, we can assure you that our wildlife won’t let you down. There are quite a few tours in Iceland in July that will get you up close and personal to some of our favorites.
Whale watching in Iceland in July is, of course, very popular due to it being whale season. One can see some of our “locals” as well as visiting migratory whale species. Going on boat tours to spot the Puffins in Iceland in July is another favorite activity during this breeding season.
Best Events and Festivals in Iceland in July
Icelanders don’t need an excuse to celebrate, but with great weather and plenty of daylight hours for festivities, you’ll find many events and festivals to add to your social calendar. These are just a few:
LungA Art Festival
LungA is an art and music festival that’s held in Seydisfjördur every year around mid-July. Come and enjoy an array of concerts and exhibitions for an entire week.
Folk Music Festival
The Folk Music Festival is held in Siglufjördur every year at the beginning of July. This festival is exactly what it sounds like: a celebration of folk music which includes concerts, workshops, dances, and much more for five whole days.
Braedslan
Braedslan is an increasingly popular and incredibly interesting music festival held on the last weekend of July each year. This festival is held in an old abandoned fish factory in Borgarfjördur Eystri and usually boasts local as well as international acts.
Driving in Iceland in July
Driving in Iceland in July is an absolute breeze. In fact, that’s probably the most of your road worries, the breeze, since the extreme weather elements such as winds of 35+ kilometers an hour, blizzards, and icy roads are long gone.
All the roads, even the F-roads in Iceland, will also be open to the public again after closing during the colder months of the year. This is why it’s the perfect time to take on one of our popular road trip routes to explore the island. You can pick from routes such as the Golden Circle, the Ring Road, the Diamond Circle, and much more.
Camping in Iceland in July
‘Carpe Diem’ means grab the day, and it’s impossible not to during a trip to Iceland in July with its great weather and long days. There is no better way to truly immerse yourself in Icelandic nature, get as close to the action as possible, and have the most budget-friendly holiday than to go camping.
By renting a motorhome in Iceland you will have both your transport and accommodation sorted, and you’ll be able to go camping in comfort. Take advantage of further discounts and get the Camping Card.
Iceland in July: Plenty to Do & Plenty of Daylight Hours to Do It In
As you can see, a trip to Iceland in July will be a holiday filled with all sorts of interesting things to see and do, and plenty of daylight hours to do it in. Those who were once wondering whether you can see the Northern Lights in Iceland in July will completely forget about the one phenomenon they’re missing out on when they get lost in the myriad of other natural wonders and exciting activities the summer season brings.
Now that you know everything from what to wear in Iceland in July to what to expect from the weather to road conditions and why camping is always a great idea in July, there’s not much else to do except book that flight, rent that motorhome in Iceland, and hit the road for the adventure of a lifetime!
