Summertime is the season to be outdoors! We would usually think about going places on the coastlines like Barcelona, southern Italy or even South America. Sunny days are beautiful, but sometimes when it gets too warm, they can be just annoying. Here is why you should consider Iceland as your next summertime destination.
It is common to think that Iceland is too cold, and most people decide to cross out this destination for that reason. But nobody should miss the opportunity of visiting Iceland. If you think you will not handle temperatures below 0°C, then summer in Iceland is the best time for you. To know about the temperature differences between summer and winter, you can read our previous blog post. If you decide summertime is your season, then you will enjoy everything from music festivals to relaxing activities and experiencing unusual natural events.
When you are traveling, you want your days to last forever, and in Iceland, they do, somehow. The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that happens in the North affecting countries like Iceland. Due to the Earth’s rotation, it gets tilted 23 degrees from its axis making the sun only visible on the Southern Hemisphere. In simpler words, during summertime, the northernmost part of the earth has daylight almost 24/7, as in winter most of the day is black with only 3 to 4 hours of daylight.
In Reykjavík, the sun starts going down around midnight and sets up again 3 hours later. The 21st of June is the Summer Solstice. It means this is the longest day of the year, with almost 22 to 23 hours of daylight.
Stay up late, walk around and be part of the nightlife. You will see how different everything is with all bars opened, rooftops and people sitting outside enjoying a couple of drinks.
Its name says it all. Imagine — music in broad daylight for three days with international and local artists. Considered the most important music festival in Iceland, it is now a hot place to be during the summertime for Icelanders and tourists.
Since it started in 2014, this festival has received artists like the Foo Fighters, Steve Aoki, Dubfire, and a long list of known Icelandic artists and some new ones. This year artists like Rita Ora, Martin Garrix and Pussy Riot will be part of the line-up. Enjoy this three-day festival from the 21st to the 23rd of June. You can get your tickets here.
Hiking is one of the activities that we mostly recommend when going to Iceland, especially if its summer. You don’t need to be the most athletic person to do this. With just some motivation and good shoes, you will love hiking around this gorgeous country.
There are a lot of hiking tours you can book with different companies, or if you feel like going alone, there are some paths you can easily do by yourself. The following two are very popular, so here is some information for you.
– The Fimmvörðuháls Hiking Trail
This is a popular trail for the volcanic eruption that took place in the middle of the path in 2010.
Distance: About 25 to 30 km
Where: Between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull with fantastic views over the South Coast.
Time: You can do it in 8 to 10 hours, or split it into two days and spend the night in the hut.
Read more.
– Laugavegur Hiking Trail
This one is trendy too, especially for locals.
Where: It usually starts at Landmannalaugar towards Þórsmörk, or you can do it the other way around.
Time: 3-4 days
Read more.
Remember it all depends on your pace. You can book different hikes on our tours. Check them out here.
The Westman Islands, Vestmannaeyjar, are located out of the South Coast of Iceland. They are a chain of 15 islands, and you will find the largest Puffin Colony of the world in the Westman Islands. To get here you can take the ferry that leaves from the Port Landeyjahöfn, and it will take 35 minutes. Know that driving from Reykjavík to the port will take you approximately one hour and a half.
Ferry Tickets
Adults: 17 euros
Teenagers: 8 euros
Children for free
The weather is so good at this time that we suggest you enjoy the Islands. You will arrive at the only populated island: Heimaey. Here you will find things to do such as puffin watching tours, a rib boat tour for one or two hours offered by Ribsafari, and of course enjoy a nice lunch. If you are looking for a resturant with a twist go to Einsi Kaldi, or maybe stop at the famous Gott. This place is nice and always has the fresh fish of the day.
From all the places Iceland is usually known for, in summer you can visit them all! The Ring Road, the Golden Circle, Reykjanes Peninsula, the Westfjords and the Snaellfellness Peninsula.
We don’t want to get too much into details because you should try them all at least once, and we don’t want to influence your decision. Just take advantage of the beautiful weather and pick one without thinking. We promise you will enjoy all of them!
This is a good idea all year round, but there is something about summer that makes it much more fun. Spend a few days in the cabin, go out for walks, enjoy the sun and the jacuzzis. You might also want to go for a night out in Reykjavík if you are close by. You can find some options in Airbnb or Bungalo for booking a cabin.
Icelandics know how to celebrate, especially in summer. The weather and the daylight make everything so much easier, the city and the country are full of events. Apart from the Secret Solstice Festival, you will also find the National Celebration on June 17th. This day celebrates independence from Denmark from 1944. All the streets are full of people, candy and flags.
Reykjavík Pride is also a very popular festivity in Iceland. They celebrate it from the 8th to the 17th of August, and the love and freedom parade is one of the most attended events in the country. Following on the 18th of August, it is Reykjavík’s anniversary known as Culture Night. You will find art and culture in all of its forms and a lot of fun concerts in the center of the city. And if you are a lover of running, you should prepare yourself for the 2019 Marathon that takes place on the 24th of August this year.
Photo by @nicolasjleclercq
Going to the ocean in Iceland? Cold!! Well, for sure you will not handle it in winter as locals do, but you should try it on summertime. Sea temperature can rise to 8 or 10°C, and with a little bit of sun, it can’t be that bad. Enjoy the power of nature! The beach at Rauðasandur on the Westfjords is nice. There is also a geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík, Reykjavík. This is a bit warmer and better for the kids. You can also find close places to eat so that it might sound like a good choice!
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