Iceland in June: Things to See & Do

Read on to find out why June is an excellent month for your trip, the best places to see in Iceland at that time, and our favorite activities. We’ve even included some tips regarding the weather and a useful packing guide.

June marks the start of the summer holiday season and is a popular month for visitors. You’ll soon see why!

This summer month is a great time to visit Iceland for many reasons. There are long, bright days thanks to the midnight sun and you can celebrate the summer solstice and the national day along with the locals.

To convince you some more, here are the top reasons to visit Iceland in June:

There is also plenty more for you to be excited about for a June getaway. Loads of outdoor activities are available and some areas of Iceland are more accessible. This means you could see more of the country and experience even more memorable excursions.

During the summer months, you can expect the warmest and most stable weather of the year. In June, average temperatures go up to 15°C (59°F) with potential lows of 8°C (46°F).

Don’t be surprised if a few days reach the low 20s°C (68°F) during your stay. But keep in mind that Mother Nature can be unpredictable in Iceland. For that reason, be ready for rain, wind, and sunshine.

In late June, Iceland experiences the summer solstice. This marks the longest day of the year and, in Iceland, that is a truly long day. You can expect around 22 hours of daylight at this time of year.

You’ll experience the phenomenon called the midnight sun. This is when the sun barely sets over the horizon. In fact, for almost the entire month the sunset takes place around midnight in Iceland.

In June, it is unlikely you’ll see the Northern Lights in Iceland. You need proper darkness to spot them in the sky and the midnight sun will make it very difficult. Take a trip to Iceland in winter to come admire the Northern Lights.

June is one of the best times to travel to Iceland and take part in fun activities. Here are the best things you could get up to in June:

June is a busy month of festivities and celebrations. So if you want to join in some fun events, this is a good time of the year to visit.

On the first weekend of the month, fishing villages across the country celebrate Seafarers’ Day (Sjómannadagurinn). As mentioned previously, you could also celebrate independence day with the Icelanders on 17 June.

A few days later, it’ll be parties and bonfires galore to mark the midsummer solstice. One of the top music festivals of the year is actually the Secret Solstice. It is held yearly in Reykjavík.

Now you know to see glaciers and take a fun road trip, but where should you go in Iceland in June? Here are our top suggestions:

One of the highlights of visiting between June and August is that you’ll have access to the highland region. If you’re an adventurer, you won’t want to miss your chance to see the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar and to take on its thrilling hiking trails.

Please note that the roads into the highlands open depending on the weather. This means it can change every year. Come from late June for the best chances.

Iceland’s modern and charming capital is a great location for a city break all year long. In fact, there is simply no bad time to visit Reykjavík. But June has its advantages and you won’t want to miss spending some time here to discover the world’s northernmost capital city.

As mentioned previously, you could join in fun events and festivals, along with the locals. The city is packed with museums and galleries too.

You could also hike Mount Esja for a nearby challenge. If you’d rather relax, why not explore the nature trails of Viðey Island? Or go dip your toes in the ocean at the city’s beach, Nauthólsvík?

From the capital, you could also book a variety of day tours, from whale-watching cruises to bus trips around the Golden Circle.

Speaking of the Golden Circle, you should include it in your itinerary. Whether you’re on a short weekend getaway or driving the Ring Road, it’s a must-see.

Admire some wide and thundering waterfalls, Faxifoss and Gullfoss, before seeing geysers in action. The ancient Geysir isn’t very active these days, but on the same site, you’ll find Strokkur. This geyser sends hot water shooting through the air every 6–10 minutes.

Your tour of the Golden Circle isn’t over without taking some time to wander around Þingvellir National Park. It is one of the country’s World Heritage sites and the original location of the Alþingi, Iceland’s ancient parliament.

Because this site has a lot of titles under its belt, this is also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. Did you know you could snorkel in the gap between them?

You can’t take a trip to Iceland and not see a waterfall. No, it’s not illegal or anything, we just think you shouldn’t miss your chance! This is why so many falls make our list, as standalone or as part of a loop.

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter (197-foot) tall waterfall located on the south coast. It's particularly fun to visit in June, or during the wider summer, because of its special feature. Thanks to its shape, you can walk behind the curtain of water for an awesome photo opportunity.

Nearby, don’t miss the Skógafoss waterfall in Skógar. It is another shimmering fall that is worth the detour. In fact, because of the mist it emits, you’re likely to see rainbows on sunny days.

Further along the south coast, you’ll encounter a glistening landscape of glaciers and icebergs. If you’re journeying around Iceland, you’ll want to stop along the way at the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Dotted with floating icebergs, this impressive sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjúkur. In summer, you can take boat tours for an adventure onto the lagoon.

After visiting Jökulsárlón, cross the Ring Road to see Diamond Beach. It is named like that because of the chunks of ice that sit along the black sands. The contrast is impressive!

While you’re out on your road trip around Iceland, take a few days to explore the gems of North Iceland. June is a great time to see the unique landscape of the region and spend time exploring them.

Take a walk through the lush canyon of Ásbyrgi, witness Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, and dive into the otherworldly scenery of the Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve.

You could also wander through the pseudo-craters of Skútustaðir, and see Iceland’s largest sulfurous hot spring area, Námaskarð. Or add yet another waterfall to your count and stop by the roaring “Waterfall of the Gods”, Goðafoss.

Finally, we couldn’t mention North Iceland without recommending the two capitals of the region. Spend some time discovering Akureyri, the second-largest city in Iceland and the “Capital of the North”. Wildlife enthusiasts will want to stop by the whale-watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík.

Here’s another remote region of Iceland to add to your June vacation. If you’re seeking coastal scenery, wildlife galore, beautiful hiking trails, and tranquil fishing villages, the Westfjords are for you.

In the Westfjords, you could:

This western peninsula is easy to add to your itinerary even if you’re staying near Reykjavík or journeying on a countrywide road trip.

The beauty of the Snæfellsnes peninsula is that it is often called “Iceland in Miniature.” It means you’ll find scenery that represents the country as a whole, from mossy lava fields to ethereal waterfalls, sweeping cliffs, quaint fishing villages, and more.

We recommend popping by the Snæfellsjökull National Park and exploring the coast. You’ll find impressive cliffs like Gerðuberg and Arnarstapi and rugged beaches like Djúpalónssandur. If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, you’ll probably recognize the local Kirkjufell mountain.

Although June is a summer month and you can expect the warmest temperatures, Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable. For that reason, you’ll want to pack for a range of possibilities.

In the Nordics, we have the saying: 'There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing'. Keep that in mind and bring plenty of layers to adapt. This way, if the days are warmer or cooler than expected, you can take off or add on clothing.

Here is a list of packing essentials for your travels to Iceland in June:

Ready to visit Iceland in June? With the longest days of the year and plenty of fun activities, you won’t regret it!

Why not let a local plan your trip? Iceland Tours offers a range of packages, whether you want to camp, stay on a city break, take a road trip, or tour with a private guide.

Booking through our website is easy. Browse our tried-and-tested Iceland packages and pick the one that’s right for you. We have crafted itineraries based on popular routes with plenty of added benefits so you'll have a memorable summer vacation.

Ask our travel experts, based in Reykjavík, for advice and start planning your trip to Iceland in June.