Iceland in July is at its summer peak. Temperatures are high and some of the more extreme weather elements have taken a break. There are also plenty of daylight hours to jam all sorts of once-in-a-lifetime experiences in.
If you’re thinking of coming to Iceland in July, this article will serve as a guide and help you with everything from packing to planning. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.
The Pros and Cons of Spending July in Iceland
Everything has its pros and cons in life. And if you’re still on the fence regarding whether a trip to Iceland in July will suit you best, we’ve created this handy pros and cons overview to help nudge you in the right direction:
Pros
As we already touched on, the weather in Iceland in July is absolutely amazing. Temperatures are at a high and there will be little to no rainfall and no snow.
Daylight hours are also plentiful and there’s no lack of things to do or see when it comes to a trip itinerary that excludes these “bonus” hours.
It’s also these extended daylight hours that allow visitors the opportunity to experience one of the most unique and top things to do in Iceland in July – the Midnight Sun.
If you’re a wildlife fan, Iceland in July will be quite the treat. One of the best things to see in Iceland in July is some of the migratory whales that call Iceland home for certain parts of the year. And you’ll be able to see the legendary Puffin birds that are here for the breeding season.
Cons
As July is one of the best months weather-wise to do and see things around the island, it can get quite busy. So you better be prepared for some overcrowding at the popular tourist attractions and some disappointment if you haven’t booked accommodation, transport, and activities ahead of time.
All these daylight hours have also been known to cause trouble for some visitors. They struggle with sleeping and some go way overboard with all these “extra hours”. They create 14+-hours a day itineraries and then suffer burnout after just a few days.
If you’ve got the Northern Lights on your bucket list, Iceland in July is not for you. Due to all the daylight hours (and therefore a lack of darkness), the odds of spotting the Aurora Borealis in Iceland in July are almost zero.
What You Can Expect From the Weather When Visiting Iceland in July
As one of the mid-summer months, the weather in Iceland in July is some of the best the island has to offer. Those legendary Iceland winds that can threaten to drive you off the road are also on holiday and snow is a thing of the past.
Although you may still experience rainfall every now and then, it’s definitely not on par with some of the wetter months of the year.
Temperatures are also as high as they can get in Iceland, ranging between 9 and 25 degrees Celsius, but it often hovers around the 13-degree mark.
Daylight hours can reach more than 20 hours. But keep in mind that daylight hours don’t automatically give you the privilege of the sun and you’ll find that the island is overclouded about 60% of the time.
Packing List When Traveling to Iceland in July
Even though it’s mid-summer, you’re still going to a place called Iceland. This concept has caused much confusion when it comes to packing for your trip. So, to help you out, we’ve created this handy packing list that you can use as a guide:
A waterproof jacket
Warm woolen sweater (we’re just putting this on here as a reminder, but strongly recommend that you buy this on the island – the woolen sweaters here are simply out of this world!)
Waterproof pants
Informal pants (for the days spent walking around the city)
Waterproof hiking boots (irrespective of whether you’re a hiker or not)
T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
Warm gloves
Warm hat (beanies work well)
A sleep mask (best to be prepared if you don’t know how you’ll react to all those daylight hours)
Bathing suit (for when you want to take a dip in one of the hot springs)
Quick drying towel (so you don’t end up lugging around wet stuff throughout the day)
Flip-flops (for the hot springs as well as when you need to use public changing rooms)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Moisturizing cream (just trust us on this one)
Water bottle (Iceland tap water is exceptionally high-quality so you only need to refill as you go)
Backpack (suitable for both day outings and hiking)
Toiletries & medication (just remember to check whether there are any flight restrictions on these first before you need to leave half of your vanity at the airport)
Electronic devices: chargers, cables, adaptor, power bank, etc.
Camping in Iceland in July
As you can imagine, with great weather and extended daylight hours comes great camping opportunities. Camping is definitely one of the favorite things to do in Iceland in July for both visitors and locals alike.
Besides it being a much-loved adventure activity, it’s also an easy way to cut down on accommodation costs. Many visitors to the island opt to go camping rather than book themselves into a hotel or Airbnb.
For those who don’t consider themselves the camping kind, there is a comfortable camping option in the form of a campervan. A campervan will not only mean camping in style but also that transport is taken care of for the duration of your trip.
Those who would like to save even more money can purchase a Camping Card. This card will cost you only €159 and will grant a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children access to various campsites across the island for up to 28 nights!
To put these savings into perspective; the average price of a campsite is between $10-$20 per person per night. So, if you are a couple or a family, it means that you’ll essentially be camping for free from the 3rd- 5th night onwards if you’ve bought the Camping Card for €159.
When it comes to camping, some of the best places to visit in Iceland in July include:
Driving in Iceland in July
We strongly believe that there is no better way to explore the island than by taking a road trip. And there is no better time to do that than mid-summer. The fact that the weather is fine, all roads and routes are open, and you don’t need to worry about any snow and ice on the road, makes road-tripping one of the best things to do in Iceland in July.
We do recommend that you have a chat with your rental agent regarding your planned routes since certain parts of the island can only be accessed with a 4x4 vehicle.
If you are also thinking about taking advantage of the above-mentioned budget-saving option that entails camping with a campervan, you can rest assured that 4x4 routes won’t derail your plans. There are plenty of 4x4 campervan and motorhome options available.
Even though the weather won’t be causing too many disturbances when visiting Iceland in July, we do recommend that you keep an eye on the Iceland weather forecasts since you might not want to be visiting outdoor attractions when it’s raining.
Also, keep an eye on the Iceland road conditions so you don’t ever end up having to make a U-turn due to construction or other sudden road closure. The following popular road trip routes allow you to go visit all the must-see places in Iceland in July:
The Westfjords Way
The Arctic Coast Way
The South Coast Way
The Ring Road
The Golden Circle
Things to Do in iceland in July
Road tripping and camping might be some of the best Iceland things to do in July, but what do you do and see on your road trip or in and around your campsite? Here are some of the attractions and activities you should consider including in your itinerary:
Take a Hike
Like anywhere else in the world, this is a favorite activity during the summer months. Hiking in Iceland is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Definitely something to do in July in Iceland.
Hikes in Iceland offer magnificent landscapes and sceneries and often end in a climactic and rewarding way such as reaching a majestic waterfalls or the top of a volcano.
There are also various types of trails available – catering to a variety of ages, skills, and experience levels, and also whether you prefer day outings or multi-day treks. Some of the highly recommended hiking trails include:
Mt. Esja
Glymur Waterfall
The Laugavegur Trail
Hornstrandir – Westfjords
Landmannalaugar – the Laugahraun Lava Field
Snorkel or Dive the Silfra Fissure
This is another of the most unique places to visit in Iceland in July. The Silfra Fissure is a literal Fissure (tear) in the earth due to the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates pushing each other away.
This fissure has been filled with the most beautiful, clear, and transparent glacier water where both experienced divers and recreational snorkelers can literally drift in between two continents.
Please note that if you wish to dive the Silfra you will need a certain amount of diving hours underneath your belt and have your valid license with you. If not, you will have to join the snorkeling group.
Visit a Glacier
It might seem counterintuitive, but glaciers in Iceland are open all year round – even in the warmer summer months. Due to safety reasons, glaciers can only be visited by booking a spot on a tour led by an experienced guide.
The exciting part is that there is a myriad of ways you can see these icy giants up close and personal. You can book a spot on a hiking tour where you will literally traverse across the icy mass. Or you can book a snowmobile tour where you will (quite adventurously) be flying over the glacial ice.
You can also opt for a boat tour (some of which will get you so close to the glacier that you can almost reach out and touch it!) But whatever option you choose, this is definitely an excursion not to be missed when visiting Iceland in July.
Explore a Lava Cave
This is actually one of the things you can do in Iceland in July that’s not always available to do in the colder months. This is because snow and ice often cover the mouth of the cave and block entry. Lava caves are exactly what they sound like; caves formed by lava.
These exceptional works of nature occur when the outer crust of flowing lava hardens. A few of the famous lava caves in Iceland are:
Raufarholshellir
Vidgelmir
Lofthellir
Leidarendi
Grjotagja (as featured on the series, Games of Thrones)
Attend Festivals or Events
Icelanders don’t need an excuse for a celebration, so you’ll always find some festivities around when visiting the island. Some of the events you can attend in July include:
Take a Dip in a Hot Spring
Iceland has more than 45 natural hot springs all over the island and remains one of the most fun things to do in Iceland in July. The reason why the country has no shortage of natural hot springs is because of the volcanic activity on the island heating up the underground water resources.
Whilst some of these hot springs can still be enjoyed (mostly free of charge) in their natural settings, others have been utilized in creating geothermal public pools (most of which require an entrance fee). Many places a high value on the water of these hot springs and it has been proven to have certain healing properties (especially dermatologically).
This is because the water is very mineral-rich. And, depending on which hot spring you go to, you’ll also find that the mud is very silica-rich (perfect for facials!).
Some geothermal pools also have the added benefit of offering spas where one can choose a variety of treatments at an additional cost. Some of the most popular hot spring places to visit in Iceland in July are:
Reykjadalur
Hrunalaug
Kvika Footbath
Helpful Tips When Spending July in Iceland
If this is going to be your first time spending July in Iceland, the following helpful tips will make your stay as memorable as possible and avoid any unnecessary disappointment:
Visit Earlier & Book in Advance
As one of the most popular summer months among tourists, things will get pretty busy on the island and at all the attractions and activities. It’s fair to say that if you don’t want to be left disappointed, you’ll need to book things such as accommodation, car rentals, and activities in advance.
You’ll also need to pitch up pretty early at attractions to avoid mass amounts of tourists.
Layer it up!
It might be summer, but it’s still Iceland. And the local saying that “you can experience all four seasons in a day” still rings true. The difference in temperature indoors vs. outdoors also differs. So you need to be prepared and by dressing in layers, you’ll be able to take things off and put things on as per the situation.
Waterproof Clothes and a Raincoat are a Must at the Waterfalls
Many don’t understand how much mist and spray these powerful displays of water can create. So we see many drenched cats struggling through the perfect Instagram photo opp. Bring along your waterproof clothing as mentioned in our packing list and a raincoat and you’ll be fine.
Will We Be Seeing You in Iceland in July?
We’re sure after reading this article that it’s clear that Iceland has a lot of exciting and unique adventures to offer visitors. And the near-perfect weather and the increased daylight hours make it even easier to take full advantage of every Iceland itinerary. So, what are you waiting for? Use this article as a guide and travel to Iceland in July!