September marks the last of what remains of our summer season here on the island but with a few hidden benefits. As a shoulder month, visiting Iceland in September means that you still get to experience everything that our warm peak season has to offer, but with fewer downsides.
So, if you’ve got an upcoming trip to the island in September or are still wondering whether September in Iceland is the right fit for you - read on. We tell you everything you need to know to make your decision and plan the ultimate trip to Iceland in September!
The Weather in Iceland in September
The weather in Iceland may slowly be creeping into the fall season here on the island, but you essentially still get the tail-end of our nice summer weather. Iceland’s temperature range in September is between 6-11 degrees Celsius, and the average tends to hover around the 8-degree mark.
So, you don’t need to contend with those below-freezing temperatures Iceland can serve up. Our harsher weather elements also still seem to be on summer break, and you’re looking at an average windspeed of only 17 kilometers an hour compared to the 35+ kilometers an hour you experience mid-winter.
September is also one of our months with the least rainfall (totaling just 66 mm throughout the month). If you’ve got a jam-packed trip itinerary, the daylight hours are also playing along, and you will have 13 hours of daylight to work with each day.
Visiting Iceland in September; the Pros and Cons
Just like most things in life, traveling to Iceland in September has its pros and cons. And whilst September might be the perfect month for one person to plan their trip, it might be completely wrong for another. Check out the nifty overview of pros and cons below to see if September is a good time for you to come to the island:
Pros
The weather in September might slowly be going south, but it’s definitely not very apparent, and you still get to experience some of the best weather you can get in Iceland.
Although you still get some of the nice summer weather, the fall that’s slowly approaching turns the Icelandic landscape into a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that are pretty popular amongst photographers (whether amateur or pro).
Road conditions are pristine, and the roads and routes that usually close during the colder months of the year are still open (making it the perfect time to go on a road trip).
You’ve essentially hit the sweet spot when it comes to daylight hours. Even though you may not get as much daylight as during mid-summer, the hours of darkness make it possible to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland in September.
Most of our summer peak season crowds have left, so you don’t need to worry that you’ll be competing for everything from accommodation and transport to visibility at our attractions.
With peak season crowds being in the rear-view mirror, so are peak season prices, and you’ll find everything from flights to attractions and activities much more affordable.
If you consider yourself an animal lover, you’ll be glad to know that you’ve managed to come at a time when you can still see the last of our migratory whales.
Cons
Daylight hours may still be in abundance, but it’s no longer enough for you to experience another one of Iceland’s most famous phenomena; the Midnight Sun.
Although the weather is still pretty amazing, you cannot come to the island and expect our mid-summer weather, and you can’t come expecting Caribbean fall weather either. It is still Iceland, after all.
Since it’s no longer peak season, operating hours for public transport as well as activities and attractions here on the island, may change. This means that they might only be operational for certain hours of the day or certain days of the week – remember to check before you head out.
Whilst you still get to see the migratory whale species here in Iceland, you’ve just missed another famous visitor to the island; the Puffins.
What to Pack for Iceland in September
Things can get confusing when you’re packing for a country called Iceland that’s heading toward fall, but you’re still dealing with some summer weather. That’s why we created this handy packing list that you can use as a guide:
Raincoat
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof pants
Waterproof hiking boots
Raincoat
Travel umbrella
Warm wool socks
Underwear
Hats (one for the cold and one to protect against the sun)
Thermal leggings
Casual pants
Jersey
Casual Jacket
Warm scarf
Warm gloves
T-shirts
Long-sleeve shirts
Bathing suit
Quick-dry towel (you don’t want to be carrying around wet stuff)
Sunglasses
Flip flops (to use at the hot springs and other public restrooms)
Water bottle
Backpack (suitable for both hiking in Iceland and day outings)
Electrical device essentials: adapter, chargers, cables, power banks
The Best Things to Do in Iceland in September
In a month where you can enjoy the very best of both seasons, you can rest assured that you’ll find plenty of things to do in Iceland in September. Here are a few things you can consider adding to your trip itinerary:
Go on a Road Trip
With road conditions still pristine and nice weather, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take on some of our popular road trip routes here on the island, such as the Golden Circle or the
Ring Road.
Explore the Capital City of Reykjavik
Whether you want to admire our impressive architecture, learn more about the city, or simply stuff your face with delicious local cuisine and craft beer – you’ll be able to do that here in Reykjavik.
Visit Our National Parks
Iceland has 3 national parks; Vatnajokull National Park, Thingvellir National Park, and Snæfellsjokull National Park. Inside all of them, you’ll find a wide variety of attractions and activities.
Take a Walk Along a Black Sand Beach
Iceland’s famous black sand beaches are a result of all the volcanic activity here on the island. A few popular ones to visit are Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Diamond Beach.
Go on a Whale Watching Boat Tour
Although whales can be found all along Iceland’s coast all throughout the year, you need to grab your chance to spot some of our migratory whale species. Try to go whale watching in Iceland during your September trip, and go on a whale watching boat tour in Husavik (it’s considered to be the whale capital of Iceland).
Visit Our Museums
Iceland has many interesting museums that are well worth a visit. Some of these are Perlan, the Icelandic Phallological Museum, and the Saga Museum.
Hike a Glacier
Traversing across a gigantic piece of ice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Due to safety concerns, you can only do this activity on a guided tour, so remember to book your spot.
Go Horseback Riding
Now you can explore the Icelandic landscape on the back of the island’s own breed of horse, the Icelandic Horse. Experience the island as well as what makes these horses so popular.
Check Out a Volcano
As you can imagine, the Land of Fire and Ice has plenty of these. Go and take a hike and explore one of these giants, such as Askja or Eyjafjallajökull.
Have a Relaxing Soak in a Hot Spring
Our hot springs are another result of all the volcanic activity here on the island that actually causes the underground water supply to heat up. Today you can enjoy these hot springs either in their natural form or as a geothermal pool. A few places to take a quick dip includes Secret Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Kvika Footbath.
Your Adventure Awaits When Visiting Iceland in September!
With so many things to do and see in Iceland in September and so many daylight hours to do it in, it’s very clear that you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. So, use our article as a guide, plan the trip of your dreams, and give us a shout if you need any help.
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