A Local Guide to Visiting Iceland in June 2026

Pssst! You can find my best recommended June Day Tours from Reykjavik here.

Weather in Iceland in June

June marks the official start of summer in Iceland! The average temperatures in June range from 9°C (48°F) to 15°C (59°F), making it Iceland’s third-warmest month of the year, after July and August. Temperatures can even reach 20°C (68°F), though it’s pretty rare, so don’t plan for these high temperatures to happen regularly. Due to mild temperatures, you’re unlikely to experience any snow in June.

Expect plenty of sunshine around this time of year, but, as it’s Iceland, be prepared for the occasional drizzle. You can expect around 9 rainy days in June, with Reykjavík receiving an average of 50 mm (1.9 inches) of rain. It’s also worth noting that the wind can make temperatures feel significantly lower. Temperatures stay steady throughout June, only rising around 2°C (4°F) between the start and end of the month.

You won’t find many Icelanders complaining about the weather, though! Near-endless daylight and plenty of sunshine are a welcome departure from the long, icy winters.

Daylight in Iceland in June

June is the best month to visit Iceland if you want endless daylight for exploring. Due to its position just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland experiences the "midnight sun" in June, when the sun never sets! Iceland gets over 20 hours of daylight per day in June. The summer solstice is June 21st, when Reykjavík receives an incredible 21 hours and 8 minutes of daylight.

In June, the sun rises at around 3am and sets between 11:30pm and midnight. And these days get longer the closer you are to the Arctic Circle. On the summer solstice, the northern town of Akureyri gets an unbelievable 23 hours and 30 minutes of daylight!

Here’s what daylight looks like in Reykjavík in June:

June 1st:

• Sunrise: 3:23am
• Sunset: 11:30pm
• Total daylight: 20 hours 7 minutes

June 30th:

• Sunrise: 3:04am
• Sunset: 11:57pm
• Total daylight: 20 hours 53 minutes

Can You See the Northern Lights in June?

No, you can’t see the Northern Lights in June in Iceland - it’s the month of the year with the most daylight, meaning it’s too bright to see the aurora. Plus, no Northern Lights tours operate in June or any of the summer months.

The main advantage of visiting Iceland in June is the mild weather and unending daylight, making it the perfect time of year to explore the Land of Fire and Ice’s sublime landscape. Take a boat tour for spotting cute puffins and mighty whales, road-trip along the iconic Golden Circle, soak up the sun on black sand beaches along the South Coast - Iceland is your oyster in June!

Plan a trip to Iceland from mid-August to mid-April if you want to see the Northern Lights. For the best chance of seeing the aurora, book a small-group Northern Lights tour, where expert guides will take you to the best spots to view this otherworldly natural light show.

What to Pack for Iceland in June

Despite June being the start of summer and the third-warmest month of the year, the weather is unreliable. June was colder than May in 2025 - hopefully this won’t be the case if you’re planning to visit in June 2026! You’ll want to prepare for any weather when visiting in June, ranging from chilly gusts to downpours to uninterrupted sunshine.

You’ll see plenty of Icelanders walking around in t-shirts and shorts in June like it’s Spain. We embrace this time of year as being warm, but you’ll likely feel differently if you’re just visiting.

The best way to dress when visiting Iceland in June is with three main layers.

Pro tip: bring along a small bag on your adventures so you can take off or add layers as the weather changes without any hassle.

Here’s a packing list to help you prepare for June in Iceland:

• Thermals - Your base clothing layer for exploring Iceland. Thermals trap in heat and have moisture-wicking properties, taking sweat and water away from your skin to the outer layer, keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Fleeces, hoodies, sweaters - Great insulating middle layers for when there’s an icy cold breeze. Wool, down, or even synthetic materials will keep you warm in June. Avoid highly absorbent cotton clothing as a base layer.
• Water- and wind-proof jacket - A must regardless of the season, a waterproof jacket will keep you comfortable and dry if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse.
• T-shirts - Prepare to soak up a bit of sun in June! Bring along a few T-shirts for wandering around Reykjavík when the sun is shining.
• Sunglasses - While you won’t have to deal with low-hanging winter sun and snow reflection in June, sunglasses are still well worth bringing to protect your eyes during near-endless daylight.
• Hiking boots - Whether you’re sightseeing in downtown Reykjavík or trekking across lava fields, sturdy hiking boots are the best footwear for Iceland.
• Quick-dry socks - Socks that dry off quickly will be useful when your feet get wet visiting Iceland’s beaches, rivers, and waterfalls.
• Gloves and scarves - Waterproof gloves and a woolly scarf are wise to pick, keeping your extremities dry and warm on colder days.
• Hats - A baseball cap to protect you from the sun and a warm beanie to keep your ears toasty are both worth bringing to Iceland in June!
• Sunscreen - Don’t underestimate the sun just because it doesn’t feel particularly warm - make sure you protect your skin from sun damage.
• Swimsuit - With world-famous lagoons and excellent public pools, a swimsuit is an essential item when visiting Iceland!
• Smart/ party wear - Reykjavík’s outstanding food scene and vibrant nightlife mean you’ll have plenty of chances for a night out.
• Camera - You’ll have no shortage of daylight in June for snapping pics of Iceland’s lava fields, glaciers, waterfalls, and more!

Pro tip: Check out the popular local clothing brand 66°North in Reykjavík for winter warmers if you forget to pack something essential!

Best Things to Do in Iceland in June 2026

June is arguably the best summer month to visit Iceland - it’s generally quieter than the rest of summer, there’s nearly endless daylight, and temperatures are mild. As long as you have no issues sleeping while the sun’s up, June is perfect for multi-day hikes, roadtripping around the Golden Circle, spotting iconic sub-Arctic wildlife, and much more.

Let’s take a peek at some of the best things to do in Iceland in June 2026, including our personal recommendations on how to make the most of the Icelandic summer!

Hike across Iceland’s incredible landscape

By mid-June, summer is in full swing, with little to no snow on the ground, so it’s much easier to explore Iceland’s best hiking destinations off the beaten track. By this time of year, most of Iceland’s roads are accessible, even in the Highlands (though you’ll still need a 4x4 and a private guide to visit some of Iceland’s remotest regions).

You’ll find great hiking options a stone’s throw from Reykjavík (some of our favorites are just a 15-minute drive from the city), or you can venture away from the capital and spend a few days exploring the breathtaking Icelandic wilderness. Iceland’s landscape boasts dormant volcanoes, cascading waterfalls, breathtaking geological formations - basically everything you could want from a country’s landscape when hiking.

Here are a few of our top picks for hiking in Iceland in 2026:

• Mt. Esja - A favorite hiking spot for a lot of locals in Reykjavik, Mt. Esja is just a 20-minute drive north of Reykjavík. This 914 m (2,998 ft) high mountain features trails for hikers of all abilities, with panoramas across Kollafjörður Bay to downtown Reykjavík. It’s one of the best natural viewpoints of the city!
• Glymur waterfall - Drive an hour north of Mt. Esja along the Ring Road, and you’ll stumble across Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall. This 4 km (2.5 mi) hike is moderately difficult but well worth the effort, ending with you standing over the edge of Glymur as it plummets over 190 m (623 ft) into the canyon below.
• Landmannalaugar - Located in Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s most spectacular landscapes. It’s home to rhyolite mountains painted with ribbons of red, blue, green, and yellow, thanks to mineral and metal deposits. Several hikes in this area will also take you across Landmannalaugar’s lava fields and to its hot springs. Note: Lanmannalauger’s F-road is officially open year-round, but snow may make it impassable until mid to late-June. You can check current road conditions here.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Snæfellsnes claims to be the only place where you can see every natural phenomenon Iceland has to offer - perfect if you want a snapshot of the Land of Fire and Ice. Roughly a 2-hour drive north of Reykjavík, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to several iconic Icelandic volcanoes and rock formations, including Snæfellsjökull, Arnarstapi, and Kirkjufell. Dozens of hiking trails are scattered across this dramatic peninsula, from black sand beach strolls to demanding mountain treks.

Fancy a private tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula? Book a spot on our Private Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour, which takes in all of the sights on Snæfellsnes by car, stopping at black sand beaches, Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell, and the unique black church, Búðarkirkja. See the best the Snaefellsnes Peninsula has to offer on this once-in-a-lifetime day trip!

Enjoy a night out in Reykjavík

It’s easy to dance the night away in Reykjavík in June when the sun never sets! Centering around Laugavegur Street, Reykjavík’s nightlife is surprisingly lively for a compact city, with countless clubs and bars staying open till 6am.

Some of the best bars to check out in Reykjavík include Bingo Drinkery (our personal favorite!), Jungle, Einstök Bar, and Kokteilbarinn. Before grabbing a drink, grab a meal at a local eatery and sample local delicacies like traditional Icelandic hot dogs (pylsa) or “acquired” tastes like fermented shark (hákarl).

The Reykjavik Food Walk is the #1-rated food tour worldwide on TripAdvisor and perfect for trying out different Icelandic delicacies before hitting up Reykjavík’s bars and clubs. Over the course of this 3-hour tour, you’ll try out 8 unique dishes carefully selected by our local guides for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Read our local guide of the Best Restaurants in Reykjavik here.

Road-trip around the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is simply a must-do when visiting Iceland, whether it’s the middle of December or June. This 250 km (155 mi) long loop is a favorite road trip for tourists and locals alike, taking 3 of Iceland’s most famous natural and historic attractions. It’s easy to complete on a day trip, usually taking around 8 hours. With clear roads and endless daylight, June is the ideal time for a leisurely drive along this famous route.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the Golden Circle’s main attractions:

• Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park - The historic site of Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament for over 860 years until 1798 CE! The park’s landscape is awesome, including Silfra Lake, a popular scuba-diving spot with some of the clearest waters on Earth.
• Geysir geothermal area - Iceland’s most famous geyser, Geysir is over 1,000 years old. You might get lucky and see Geysir shoot boiling water 60 m (300 ft) into the air! Geysir’s eruptions are infrequent, but if you want guaranteed waterworks, Strokkur geyser nearby erupts at least once every 10 minutes.
• Gullfoss waterfall - The “Golden Falls,” Gullfoss is a two-tiered waterfall 32 m (104 ft) high, which plunges into a narrow canyon of the Hvítá River. It’s among the finest waterfalls in Iceland.

Check out these guided tours of the Golden Circle, some of which combine a relaxing dip in an Icelandic lagoon!

• Classic Golden Circle tour
• Golden Circle + Laugarás-lagoon (new for 2026)
• Golden Circle + Sky Lagoon
• Golden Circle + Blue Lagoon

Snowmobile across Iceland’s vast glaciers

You probably wouldn’t consider snowmobiling a summer activity, but June in Iceland is one of the best times to take a spin across the snow. While snowmobiling is a year-round activity, winter days are much shorter, and the air is far colder.

Glaciers are the only place you’ll be able to snowmobile in June, with Langjökull the best and most reliable option, followed by Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and Mýrdalsjökull. Langjökull is a short drive from Flúðir village and the Secret Lagoon, where you can enjoy a geothermal soak after a day on the glacier.

It’s wise to hire a guide when venturing onto one of Iceland’s glaciers. We partner with several of Iceland’s best snowmobile tours - check them out below!

• Classic Glacier Snowmobiling tour
• Golden Circle & Snowmobiling tour
• Glacier Snowmobiling and Secret Lagoon tour

Plan a picnic at a local city park

Make the most of summer in the city with a picnic at a park in Reykjavík and beyond! Grab some snacks, sandwiches, and even a few beers, and chill out for a few hours between tours and activities. Some of the best spots for a picnic in Iceland include:

• Hljómskálagarðurinn Park - Sat on a large freshwater lake at the heart of downtown Reykjavík, Hljómskálagarðurinn is part of a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Snack on a sandwich while spotting a variety of bird species like black-throated titmice, terns, and sandpipers.
• Austurvöllur Square - Austurvöllur is the city’s main square and a popular meeting point. It can get pretty busy on sunny days, but it’s a great spot to meet friends for a beer and watch the city go by.
• Arnarhóll Hill - Perfect for a picnic with a view, Arnarhóll is located in the northwestern corner of downtown Reykjavík with vistas of the city center. Plus, there are a few walking paths on the hill if you fancy a post-picnic stroll.
• Akureyri Botanical Garden (Lystigarður Akureyrar) - Check out Akureyri Botanical Garden if you’re searching for a picnic spot while road-tripping in Iceland. Located in Iceland's “northern capital,” Akureyri, this botanical garden is open all summer with 6,600 non-native and 430 native species on display.

Take a dip in a lagoon or swimming pool

No trip to Iceland is complete without soaking yourself in a geothermal spring. There’s something truly magical about soaking in a lagoon surrounded by Iceland’s rugged volcanic landscape. Plus, there are loads of geothermal-heated swimming pools in Reykjavík where you can make a splash.

Popular lagoons include:

• The Blue Lagoon - The most famous of Iceland’s lagoons, known for its cloudy blue waters. The water is rich with silica, minerals, and algae, which will revitalize your skin. It’s located just a 20-minute drive from Iceland’s main airport, Keflavík Airport.
• Sky Lagoon - Sky Lagoon is hugely popular due to its convenient location, a 10 minutes drive from downtown Reykjavík. It’s the ideal lagoon to visit if you’re only in town for a few days.
• Laugaras Lagoon - The most popular lagoon outside Reykjavík, Laugaras Lagoon is a popular stopping point on the Golden Circle.

Popular public swimming pools in Reykjavik include:

• Laugardalslaug - The largest swimming complex in Reykjavík, complete with an Olympic-sized indoor pool, a 50 m (164 ft) outdoor pool, 8 hot tubs and waterslides.
• Sundhöll Reykjavikur - The oldest swimming pool in Reykjavík, first opening in 1937. It features an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tubs, a sauna and cold plunge. Hallgrímskirkja is visible from the sundeck.
• Vesturbæjarlaug - An outdoor-only pool with hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room, and hot tubs. It was the first pool in Iceland to feature a children’s play pool.

Combine relaxing in an Icelandic lagoon with an unmissable road trip on the Golden Circle with these popular tours:

• Golden Circle + Laugarás-lagoon
• Golden Circle + Sky Lagoon
• Golden Circle + Blue Lagoon

Best Tours to Take in Iceland in June

There’s no shortage of world-class tours with summer firmly underway. While you won’t find wintery expeditions like Northern Lights tours in June, there are still over 1,000 tours to choose from. With the help of our team of expert tour guides, we’ve narrowed down a long list to a handful of essential tours for you to experience in June.

The Reykjavik Food Walk

The Reykjavik Food Walk is the #1 rated food tour globally on TripAdvisor, with over 17,000 five-star reviews! It’s the perfect way to start your Icelandic adventure - visit local landmarks, learn some tips and tricks for the rest of your trip, and, of course, stuff yourself with local cuisine. There’s a ton of food to eat on this tour, so arrive hungry and plan for a light dinner!

On this 3-hour food tour, you’ll:

• Travel in a small group, making it easy to ask questions and get to know both your local guide and the city of Reykjavik.
• Visit 4-6 local eateries, from award-winning restaurants to locally-loved food trucks.
• Sample 8 local dishes, like Icelandic hot dogs (pylsa), lamb soup (kjötsúpa), and fermented shark (hákarl).
• Pass by landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja and Parliament House.
• Taste the best homemade ice cream you’ve ever had!

Note: If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, we’ll do everything we can to accommodate you!

Book your spot on the Reykjavík Food Walk here.

Explore the South Coast of Iceland

The South Coast is one of our favorite regions of Iceland. Black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and unbelievable coastal rock formations make the South Coast unmissable.

On our South Coast Adventure tour, we’ll stop off and visit:

• Reynisfjara black sand beach - Iceland’s most famous black-sand beach, bordered by towering basalt sea stacks.
• Seljalandsfoss waterfall - An incredible 60 m (197 ft) high waterfall, which you can walk behind for a unique perspective of the cascading water.
• Gljúfrabúi secret waterfall - Tucked away in a narrow canyon, Gljúfrabúi’s 40 m (131 ft) falls are often missed by solo adventurers.
• Sólheimajökull glacier - On the tour we’ll catch views of the impressive Sólheimajökull glacieris.
• Skógarfoss waterfall - One of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls, Skógarfoss has featured in several movies and TV series, including Thor: The Dark World and Game of Thrones.
• Vík í Mýrdal fishing village - Vík, a charming seaside village, is the final stop on this tour. It provides stunning views of Reynisfjara and the Dyrhólaey sea arch.

Book your place on the South Coast Adventure Tour here

Or see more amazing South Coast tours here:

• Make your experience private with the Private South Coast Adventure.
• Go further in the 2-Day South Coast Tour where you’ll visit the unforgettable Jökulsárslón Glacier Lagoon, Fjarðárgljúfur canyon, Vatnajökull glacier and more.
• Add a Glacier Hike to your experience with the South Coast + Glacier Hike tour.

3-Day Remote Westfjords Wildlife Adventure

Dramatic, untamed, and sublime are just a few words you could use to describe the Westfjords. It’s one of Iceland’s most extraordinary regions, but due to its remote location far beyond the Ring Road, it’s demanding to explore without a guide.

Our small-group 3-day tour of the Westfjords is perfect for escaping the summer crowds and discovering a part of Iceland that tourists rarely visit. You’ll spend 2 nights in cosy countryside hotels, with breakfast included. All the logistics are taken care of, so you can sit back, relax, and savor the sights. Here’s a brief breakdown of a few of the tour’s highlights (there’ll be plenty more to see!):

Day 1:

• Látrabjarg Cliffs - One of Europe’s largest seabird cliffs and our main destination on day one. At 14 km long and a dizzying 441 m (1,446 ft) high, these cliffs are one of the defining moments of the tour for many travelers.
• Eiríksstaðir Viking Longhouse - This museum is the only of its kind in Iceland, recreating a 10th-century longhouse. Here you’ll learn about how Leif Erikson and Erik the Red ventured to North America 500 years before Columbus.
• Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve - The evocative rocky lowlands of Vatnsfjörður are a departure from the region's sea cliffs and highlight the Westfjords' landscape diversity. We’ll stop off at the three-tiered Þingmannaá waterfall and watch as it plunges into Vatnsfjörður fjord.

Day 2:

• Rauðisandur Beach - Spanning 10 km (6 mi), Rauðisandur Beach’s red and gold sand is one of Iceland’s most surreal beaches and completely different from its black sand counterparts.
• Dynjandi waterfall - One of my personal favorite waterfalls in Iceland, Dynjandi is 100 m (330 ft) high with countless tiers and resembles a bride's veil. It’s nicknamed the “Jewel of the Westfjords.”
• Bolafjall Sky Platform - You’ll need a head for heights here! The Bolafjall Sky Platform is a viewing deck suspended 628 m (2,060 ft) high off a coastal cliff.

Day 3:

• Arctic Fox Center - At this research facility, you’ll come face to face with Iceland’s only native terrestrial mammal, the Arctic fox.
• Ósvör Fishing Village - Learn about Icelandic fishing culture and snap some pics of traditional turf-roofed houses!
• Reykjanes (Westfjords) - Originally built as a school, this geothermal area gives you the opportunity to take a dip in hot springs after days of exploring the Westfjords.
• Grábrók Volcanic Craters - The last stop on the tour is a hike to the Grábrók Volcanic Craters, part of Iceland’s longest volcanic system.

The adventure of a lifetime awaits you in the Westfjords: Book your 3-Day Remote Westfjords Wildlife Adventure here.

Classic Whale or Puffin Watching from Reykjavik

June is the height of puffin nesting season, with these adorable - yet goofy - little seabirds being one of Iceland’s top wildlife attractions.

The Classic Puffin Watching tour sets sail from the Old Harbour in Reykjavík and takes you on an hour-long harbor tour, learning about its history while seeing numerous bird species, including gannets, razorbills, Arctic terns, and, of course, puffins. The boat has all the amenities you’ll need, including bathrooms, an outside area, and a cafeteria.

Or, if you’d prefer to spot some aquatic mammals, take the Classic Whale Watching Tour, operated by the same tour group. You’ll spend around 3 hours on the water, hoping to catch a glimpse of Minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins, while soaking up panoramas of downtown Reykjavík.

Book the Classic Puffin Watching tour from Reykjavík here.

Book the Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavík here.

Golden Circle & Friðheimar Farm Small Group Tour

The Golden Circle & Friðheimar Farm Small Group Tour is our most popular sightseeing tour of them all, offering unique extras that most travelers won’t experience without local insights. This day-long excursion lasts around 8 hours and takes in the 3 main attractions of the Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. At each stop, you’ll learn about Icelandic history and the formation of its most famous natural wonders from local guides.

As well as these must-see attractions, you’ll have the chance to dine at the Friðheimar tomato farm, tasting locally produced tomato-based dishes while learning about Icelandic horticulture. Plus, we’ll stop off at Kerið Volcanic Crater, a 6,500-year-old collapsed volcanic crater filled with a dazzling turquoise lake.

The Golden Circle & Friðheimar Farm Small Group Tour lets you do it all and see it all in just one day on Iceland’s most famous road trip without having to plan a thing!

7-Day Complete Ring Road Tour of Iceland

If you want to see as much of Iceland as possible in one unforgettable trip, the 7-Day Complete Ring Road Tour is one of the very best ways to do it. If you have a full week or more in Iceland, this is the ultimate adventure.

This week-long journey takes you all the way around the island, combining Iceland’s most iconic sights with lesser-known stops that most travelers would never find on their own. With an expert local guide leading the way, you can experience the country’s incredible variety without the stress of planning, driving, or moving hotels yourself.

Over 7 amazing days, you’ll experience highlights from the South Coast, Eastfjords, North Iceland, the Lake Myvatn area, and West Iceland, with waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, volcanic landscapes, fjords, and geothermal wonders all packed into one epic journey.

June is arguably the best time of the year for this tour thanks to the long daylight hours, which give you more time to explore and soak up Iceland’s scenery.

If you want one trip that gives you the full Iceland experience in just one week, this is it.

Book your place on the 7-Day Complete Ring Road Tour of Iceland here.

Searching for more tours?

No two travelers are the same, so check out our full tour selection to find the best fit for you and your crew. Many of Iceland’s most popular tours, like the Reykjavík Food Walk, sell out weeks in advance, so book well ahead of time when possible.

See our full tour selection here.

Events & Festivals in Iceland in June 2026

June’s endless sunshine means there are endless opportunities to plan an event or festival. Mark your calendar with these June events in Iceland to help you plan a fun and special vacation in Reykjavík.

June 17th - Iceland’s National Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn)

June 17th marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Icelandic Republic in 1944. It’s also the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a prominent Icelandic hero of independence. In Reykjavík and across the country, Icelanders celebrate their independence from Denmark with concerts, festivals, fairs, parades, food trucks, and even vintage car exhibitions.

Reykjavík’s parade includes Icelandic ponies and a bass band. One cultural highlight is a poetry recital from Fjallkonan (the Lady of the Mountain) wearing the traditional Icelandic women's costume (skautbúningur).

You’ll find events organized at major landmarks and green spaces across the capital, including Hallgrimskirkja, Austurvöllur Square, and Hljómskálagarðurinn.

Midnight Sun Run

Every year, over 2,500 runners from around the world participate in the Midnight Sun Run. The run leads through the Laugardalur Valley in northern Reykjavík, with 3 distances to choose from (half-marathon, 10K, and 5K). Interested in participating? You can register for the race here. The Midnight Sun Run 2026 takes place on June 25th.

Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival

The annual Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival is Iceland’s biggest Viking festival and market. From June 17th, for 5 to 6 days, Víðistaðatún Park becomes a vibrant Viking village and market, with over 200 reenactors bringing the village to life. You’ll see Viking skirmishes, haggling, storytelling, and plenty of Viking shenanigans during your visit. It’s perfect for families and a great place to find a unique souvenir from your trip.

Is June a Good Time to Visit Iceland?

June is the perfect time to visit Iceland if you:

• Want to explore Iceland in the sunshine
• Fancy experiencing endless daylight
• Plan on roadtripping on the Ring Road or Golden Circle
• Intend to hike in the Highlands
• Prefer smaller crowds (compared to the rest of summer)

June isn’t the best time to visit if you:

• Plan to see the Northern Lights
• Struggle to sleep when it’s light outside
• Like snow and winter scenery
• Want to avoid higher costs on flights, rentals, and accommodation

Local Secrets (Because You Read This Far)

Do you want to know a secret? Since you’ve stuck it out this far, we’ll let you in on some insider Icelander knowledge to help you get ahead during your stay in Iceland. Keep reading for tips and tricks for visiting Iceland in June!

Where to eat outside Reykjavík

If you’re road-tripping on the Ring Road, or you have free time while on a tour outside Reykjavík, you’re probably going to want to grab a bite to eat. If you’re touring Snæfellsnes, stop by Sjávarpakkhúsið or Narfeyrarstofa in Stykkishólmur for some world-class Icelandic fare. Or, if you’re exploring the South Coast, head to Smidjan Brugghus in Vík for a craft beer and a burger, or gorge yourself on langoustine at Pakkhús in Höfn if you’re further east. Way out in the Westfjords? Tjöruhúsið and Jötunn Restaurant in Ísafjörður are firm favorites.

How to avoid the summer crowds

June is the quietest summer month, but that doesn’t mean no crowds. Luckily, there are a few ways you can give the crowds the slip in Iceland. It’s daylight all the time, so you can visit attractions at any time of day. Try to plan excursions before 9:00am and after 8:00pm to avoid the busiest times of day. It’s also worth exploring less popular tourist areas, like the Eastfjords, Westfjords, and North Iceland. Our 3-Day Remote Westfjords Wildlife Adventure is ideal for getting away from the city for a while!

Tips for dealing with the midnight sun

The midnight sun can be a lot to handle if you’re not used to it, but with a little prep, you won’t mind much. Most of the day, the sun is just on the horizon at eye level, so a good pair of sunglasses is essential, especially if you’re driving. It’s also a very good idea to bring an eye mask to make sleep feel more natural. While booking, check whether your accommodation has blackout curtains, which will help you sleep, too.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Iceland in June

June is arguably our favorite month of the year in Iceland, and we’re sure you’ll agree with us when you come to visit! It’s the quietest of the summer months, and you won’t have to deal with crowds on the hunt for the Northern Lights. Costs can be higher than in May, but the weather is more likely to be mild, making the Reykjavik Food Walk even more enjoyable. Thanks to constant daylight, it’s the best time of year to explore Iceland outside of Reykjavík.

From the bottom of our hearts, we hope you have an amazing time on your trip to Iceland and that you’re feeling hyped after reading our guide! Contact us below if you have any questions about our tours!

Written by Adam Lee-Smith: An English native currently living in Ireland, Adam has traveled extensively to all corners of Iceland, working closely with the Wake Up Reykjavík team to create insightful content that helps visitors experience the best that the Land of Fire and Ice has to offer.