With a warmer weather than the rest of the year, and with almost 24 hours of daylight. The summer season in Iceland is one of the most beloved one by the travellers. As local guides, we always love to recommend our TOP 7 things of what you shouldn’t miss & what you should enjoy on a trip to our island.
TOP 7 things to do in Iceland during summer
Before starting, don’t forget to check from time to time our adventures in Iceland and our microadventures (daytours). We have recently joined the Clean&Safe project from the Icelandic Tourist Board with which we intend to guarantee the safety of our travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic situation, committing to receive our customers in a responsible way so that they feel safe while creating good memories of their trip.
But first of all! Remember that Iceland has COVID-19 restrictions for non-vaccinated travellers at the moment…so, don’t break the quarantine!!
Ready? Let’s go!
Waterfalls. The classic & the secret ones
Iceland is known for being the paradise of waterfalls. In every corner you can find some stream that after many miles becomes a huge river and falls from the top of the glaciers through the green mountains, creating the most beautiful landscapes you can ever save in your memory.
In the “waterfalls guide” we can always find the classic ones: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gullfoss, Godafoss & Dettifoss. But there are plenty of them that are a MUST in your visit to Iceland. Do not forget to add to your list: Kvernufoss, Klifbrekkufossar, Axlafoss or Aldeyjarfoss, among others.
Midnight sun. Endless days
One of the things we love most during the summertime is the amount of daylight hours. We can just spend the whole day visiting places or hike without worrying about getting lost in the darkness! The midnight sun is a phenomenon caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis towards the sun during summer. Because of this, from May to August we have long days of almost 24h of daylight, and long sunsets & sunrises. And of course, amazing lights!
The highlands are open! Adventure awaits!
If you are a hiking lover or an adventure seeker, then your destination for next summer is the Icelandic Highlands. A kaleidoscope of colourful mountains, warm natural pools, dwarf birch forests and landscapes out of a science fiction movie! The most popular locations are: Landmannalaugar, Thórsmörk & Mælifell, but indeed there are many more places to explore & enjoy.
Note: For getting into the Highlands, you would need a 4×4 by law. It’s forbidden to venture yourself into the “F-roads” without the proper vehicle, and the insurances do not cover any damage like river crossings!
If you are into long-hiking trips, you might have heard of the Laugavegur Trail, a 3-4 days hiking trip across the Icelandic Highlands. One of the most beautiful trails of the world according to National Geographic. But WAIT! After so many years guiding that trek, we decided to design our own trail, a 12-days hiking trip combining the best stages of the Laugavegur trail with the most remote areas of Iceland. Check it out!
Whale watching & learn about our oceans
The gentle giants are back to the island shores. And that’s why, summer is a great opportunity to enjoy these magnificent animals. And hey! Why not learn about them and about our oceans? Our friends from Ocean Missions are a small team of enthusiastic people with different ideas and professional backgrounds coming together to make a difference, helping our marine environment by conducting an exciting long term conservation project.
Take a dip in a natural hot pool!
One thing you SHOULD NOT MISS is to take a dip in one of the hundreds of natural hot pools in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon has not the only geothermal water where you can relax. Seljavallalaug, Hrunalaug, Gudrunarlaug or the Landmannalaugar hot pool, are just some of the few that you can find! Do not hesitate to contact us and check which one you can visit on your trip around Iceland!
Go away from the crowds. Enjoy the untouched & secret places
During 2020 we re-discovered places that we have forgotten a long time ago because of the massive tourism. Now is time to discover unbeaten places, aways from the crowds and from the classical routes. Have you ever heard about the Yoda cave (in Hjörleifshöfði)? Mountain biking in nature with local guides? YES PLEASE!
Now more than ever, support the local companies booking directly 🙂
Explore the wild Westfjords of Iceland
One of the most beautiful wonders of Iceland is hidden in the remote north-west corner of the island. The Westfjords (or “Best” fjords as we call them!) and the remote Hornstrandir peninsula are a mix between amazing landscapes, pure & pristine locations, outstanding wildlife & happy locals ready to give you a smile and the best of themselves.