The land of fire and ice. This is something of a tag line for Iceland in modern times, and not just because Game of Thrones has partially been filmed here. Iceland is a nation of extremes – boasting everything from Ice caves and glaciers to volcanoes flowing with lava. Perfectly green grassland to great rocky mountain ranges that stretch on further than the eye can see. It is a country that can often seem to visitors like a distant planet from a sci-fi franchise.
But your experience of this country will depend in part on the time of year you choose to visit. Iceland in the midst of winter is very different to Iceland in the summer. It was in the summer months I chose to visit, favoring the climate of that season. In this article I will go into what you can expect to find in the summer months, some general travel tips, and also what you should not expect.
What To Expect:
ETERNAL SUNSHINE – Due to it’s proximity to the arctic circle, summer days literally don’t end. It’s just bright outside 24 hours a day. I got sun burn at night while enjoying the midnight sun. It’s weird. Similarly, there is a time during the winter that is almost entirely dark 24 hours a day. It really messes with your body clock if you let it.
(Tip) Pack a blindfold to help maintain your sleeping pattern.
IT’S COLD – Okay, it’s no where near as cold as the Icelandic winters. It’s more chilly than outright cold. But considering it’s summer, it’s cold af. Even with the sun bearing down brightly the temperature seldom exceeds 10 degrees C. It can even go down to minus numbers, which is very cold for the summer. I’m not saying you can expect a case of hypothermia, just that you should pack some warm clothes. Also, don’t be fooled by the weather. Just because it’s sunny out doesn’t mean it will be warm. It’s kind of a known thing in Iceland that the weather can change at any moment. It can go from clear skies to windy to rainy to bright and sunny all in the space of half an hour.
MORE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE – With much of Iceland’s roads being covered in ice during the winter, summer is the perfect time to explore the areas outside of Reykjavik (the Icelandic capital). It’s the only major city in the whole country, but part of the beauty of visiting Iceland is experiencing the smaller, more remote towns. Consider renting a car and driving around Iceland on your own schedule. Iceland is, after all, quite a small island.
PUFFINS – One of the most iconic animals native to Iceland is the Puffin. Wildlife enthusiasts come from all over to witness these incredible creatures up close in their natural environment. Numerous tours are on offer for anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of them. And guess what… the puffin nesting season is in summer. Whereas most countries with Puffin see them nest in remote areas that are difficult to reach, Iceland has countless Puffin populations in easy to access areas. And so, almost anyone has the opportunity to witness this amazing species.
(Tip) Book excursions in advance before you actually arrive in Iceland. As tourist activities here tend to be highly popular, it’s important to get in early. The excursions I went on were called The Golden Circle and South Shore Adventure.
FESTIVALS – Iceland has a ton of festivals in the summer. Google it.
What to Not Expect From An Icelandic Summer:
ICE CAVES – One of the more adventurous attractions Iceland has to offer is ice caves. You can literally explore caves made of and covered in ice. But being made of ice, they only tend to be open to tours during the winter months, as to avoid potential collapses. So if that’s what you’re after, consider coming back in January.
NORTHERN LIGHTS – Although not impossible, you are unlikely to witness the Aurora Borealis. Even if it does by chance occur, the constant daylight would make it difficult to actually see visibly. If you wish to see it, visit during the winter months and look out for the right time period. Every day has a three hour period when the northern lights are most likely to materialize. To find that period, local weather sources in Iceland regularly publish their best guess online. A quick google search will find such services.
ICE – Despite being called Iceland, don’t expect to actually see any ice during the summer. I mean sure, you’ll see ice on and around glaciers and atop mountains. But that doesn’t count. You know what I mean. You probably won’t see ice or snow out and about in Iceland during summer months. Greenland, however, is a different story.
And so there you have it. Just a few things to expect and to not expect if you plan on visiting Iceland in the summer. This country is beautiful any time of the year, there’s no doubt about that. All seasons have their unique advantages and benefits. But, for me, Iceland in the summer takes the cake.