Apart from July, August is the perfect time to visit Iceland. Iceland in August offers visitors plenty of exciting activities and interesting attractions with the added bonus of great weather and extended daylight hours.
In this article, we’ll be diving into everything that this month has in store for you and whether you might just have to start planning and start packing.
The Pros and Cons of Spending August in Iceland
Everything in life has its pros and cons and spending August in Iceland is no exception. We’ve created this quick-referencing overview, so you can see whether an August trip to the island will work for you:
Pros
The weather is a big perk when it comes to Iceland in August. Temperatures are at a high and the extreme weather elements have calmed down (at least for a while).
Increased daylight hours make it easy to “carpe diem” and make it possible to add a few extra items to your trip itinerary.
Due to these extended daylight hours, one of the things you can check off your Iceland bucket list (as long as you visit the island before mid-August) is the Midnight Sun. This is a unique phenomenon during which the sun never completely sets.
Driving around Iceland is easy. You no longer have to worry about snow or ice on the roads or all sorts of vehicle accessories for potentially treacherous road conditions. You’ll also find that all roads and routes are open, including those that usually close for the colder months.
If you love wildlife you’re in for a treat when you visit Iceland in August. It just so happens that you’re just in time to see all sorts of migratory whales as well as Iceland’s infamous Puffins.
Cons
You’re not the only one that thinks August is the perfect time to visit the island, and as one of Iceland’s peak tourist season months, you need to prepare yourself for the peak season crowds.
Along with the peak season crowds, come peak season prices, so you better make sure that your budget can take the punch.
The extended daylight hours can cause havoc for some. From individuals struggling to sleep due to the lack of darkness to some going completely overboard with utilizing every “extra hour” only to suffer full-blown burnout a couple of days into their vacation.
Another drawback of the lack of darkness is that seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in August is near impossible and will definitely not be the spectacular sight one sees in winter.
What You Can Expect From the Weather When Visiting Iceland in August
As we already mentioned, the weather is extremely kind to those visiting Iceland in August. You don’t need to worry about snow or those extreme Icelandic winds. And even though you’ll still have overcast days half the time, the amount of rain will be nothing compared to the wet Icelandic months.
Although the season will soon start turning, temperatures are still nice and warm, ranging between 8-13 degrees Celsius with a general average of about 10 degrees Celsius.
By mid-August, daylight hours will be down to roughly 15 hours a day from the 20+ experienced in August.
Packing List When Traveling to Iceland in August
It can become quite confusing to pack for a summer holiday in a country where you’ll be hiking glaciers. So, before you start packing as if you’re getting ready for a weather apocalypse, use our handy packing list below as a guide:
Waterproof jacket
Woolen sweater (just set a reminder and buy one once you’re on the island – Icelandic woolen sweaters truly are the best)
Waterproof pants
Informal pants (for the days you’ll be spending in the city)
Waterproof hiking boots (it doesn’t matter if you’ll be hiking or not)
Thermal vests
Underwear
Thermal leggings
Warm woolen socks
T-shirts & long-sleeved shirts
Warm hat (we recommend woolen beanies)
Warm gloves
Warm scarf
Bathing suit (for the times you’ll be taking a dip in a hot spring)
Quick drying towel (so you don’t have to carry around wet things all day)
Flip flops (for the hot springs as well as public changing rooms)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water bottle (the tap water on the island is of such high quality that you only need to refill as you go)
Toiletries & medication (just remember to check the flight restrictions as you don’t want to end up pouring expensive conditioner down the airport sink)
Electronics: chargers, cables, adaptor, power bank, etc.
Camping in Iceland in August
Due to the warmth and kinder weather, camping is one of the best things to do in Iceland in August. Not only is it the perfect way to immerse yourself in the magnificent landscapes of the country, but it’s also a great way to cut down on accommodation costs.
If you don’t fancy yourself the next Davy Crockett, you can opt for renting a campervan. This way you can get all the benefits of camping, but way more comfortably. If you want to increase your savings even further, you can purchase the Camping Card for just €159. And talk about getting bang for your buck!
If you go camping on the island, in general, you’ll need about $10-$20 per person per night to use the campsite. By just paying €159, the Camping Card will grant a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children access to various campsites across the country for up to 28 nights!
If you are thinking of going the camping route, these are some of the top places to visit in Iceland in August:
Driving in Iceland in August
As we’ve already mentioned, the weather makes driving in Iceland in August a breeze. You don’t need to be concerned about snow or ice on the road and all roads and routes are open for you to explore.
We do, however, recommend that you chat with your rental agent regarding which routes you’re planning on taking as certain roads can only be accessed with a 4x4 vehicle. If you’re going to be renting a campervan you don’t need to worry as there are plenty of 4x4 options available when it comes to campervans and motorhomes.
But whatever the vehicle, we strongly believe that there is no better way to explore the island than by making a road trip out of it. And with all roads and routes open you can take on any of the most popular road trip routes in Iceland such as:
The Golden Circle
The Ring Road
The Westfjords Way
The South Coast Way
The Arctic Coast Way
Things to Do in Iceland in August
With all those extra hours on hand, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll probably never run out of things to do in Iceland in August. The following are some of the things you might want to add to your trip itinerary:
Go Puffin Spotting
August is your last chance to see these cute little penguin-like birds with colorful beaks. They only make Iceland their home during the breeding season (May to August). The rest of the year they spend out at sea.
Iceland boasts about 60% of the world’s Puffin population, so you can imagine what an amazing sight these colonies can be. Especially with cute little Pufflings walking about. If you want to go Puffin spotting, the following are the best places to see them in Iceland in August:
Latrabjarg Cliffs
Breidafjördur Bay
Dyrholaey
Lundey
Westman Islands
Eat Ice Cream in the Capital
It may sound completely counterintuitive, but Icelanders are big on ice cream. And the obsession is so huge that the island has now become known for its homemade ice creams in various flavors. One of the best places to visit when you’re in Iceland in August is Isbud Vesturbæjar – an ice cream institution in the capital city of Reykjavik.
Attend a Festival or Event
Icelanders are known for their celebration skills and there’s no better time to put them to the test than during some of the warmest and longest days on the island. When you’re visiting Iceland in August you’ll have your pick regarding all sorts of festivities. So if you’re on the hunt for some local events in Iceland, these are some of the things to do in August:
Soak in a Hot Spring
Iceland has more than 45 hot springs across the island and soaking in one of these bad boys is one of the top things to do in Iceland in August. The reason why Iceland has so many natural hot springs is that the volcanic activity on the island heats up the underground water resources.
Today, you can still find many of these hot springs in their original form and these are usually free to use. Then there are others that have been turned into geothermal public pools (to use these, of course, comes at a cost). The healing properties of hot spring water are undeniable.
Not only is it a favorite activity for those who just want to relax, but it also helps with all sorts of bodily aches and pains and dermatological problems. This is because the hot spring water is incredibly mineral-rich and some even have mud that’s very silica-rich and makes for excellent facials. If you would like to take a dip, the following are a few hot spring hot spots:
Kvika Footbath
Reykjadalur
Ride Authentic Icelandic Horses
For those who don’t know, Iceland actually boasts its very own breed of horse. These Icelandic horses are quite stubby in stature. They have a long coat during the colder months and they have an extremely friendly nature. But what they are known for the most is their extra gait called the tölt.
During a tölt one of the horse’s hooves always remain on the ground and is said to offer such a smooth ride that it has inspired a recreational activity called the beer tölt. During a beer tölt, a rider gets handed a pint of beer and has to perform the gait without spilling a drop. Now, we don’t know if you’ll get to experience a beer tölt, but there are many horse riding tours all across the island.
Helpful Tips When Spending August in Iceland
If this is going to be your first time visiting the island, here are a few helpful tips to make your Iceland in August stay a memorable one:
Book in Advance!
Since the summer months can get pretty busy, you’ll need to book things such as your accommodation, rental car, and activities ahead of time. If you don’t you might be very disappointed when you find that you are unable to do the things on your Iceland bucket list during your trip to Iceland in August.
Dress in Layers
Even though you’ll be experiencing some of the best weather the island has to offer, the local saying still rings true: “you can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland”. That’s why it’s important to dress in layers so you are never caught unprepared.
The difference between temperatures indoors vs. outdoors is also huge, so you’ll need to dress in a way that makes it easy to take things off and put things on as and when needed.
Always Keep Your Waterproof Things Close
Remember all those waterproof items on our packing list? Well, it’s not just to ensure that you’re covered when an unexpected downpour hits. Firstly, a lot of places on the island can be quite muddy such as some of the natural hot springs.
You don’t want to be trudging through mud with the only pair of sneakers you’ve got or the flip-flops you reserved for changing rooms (besides, your feet will be freezing and we’re pretty sure at least one of those flip-flops will be lost in the mud somewhere).
But secondly (and this is the one people don’t often think about), you’ll need waterproof clothing when visiting the waterfalls. Many underestimate the amount of mist and spray these magnificent water giants conjure up and your special Instagram photo opp will end in a wet, soggy mess.
Iceland in August: Prime Time for a Visit
We’re sure that you’ll agree; when one takes the weather, daylight hours, and all the things there is to do and see on the island into account, August is definitely not a bad option when planning a trip to Iceland.
The only real drawback is that the Northern Lights are going to be hard to see in Iceland in August but there are plenty of other things that make up for the lack of its presence. We’ve also just scratched the surface of things to do and see, so book that ticket, travel to Iceland, and explore and experience this magical place for yourself.