Introduction
There is nothing more magical than the Icelandic summer! Midnight sun, blooming lupine, and the sweet song of the loá make for a dreamy, ethereal experience as you explore the many natural gems this beautiful country offers! Your options are endless, from puffin sighting, horseback riding, hiking, hot springs, and the otherworldly highlands!
There is SO much to do in Iceland in the summer, and with the plentiful daylight, many hours to do it! You will find my top recommended tours at the end of this list. My best advice is not to plan too much in one day. When you arrive, take some time to relax (best day for a hot spring visit!) and then hit the road, rested and recharged for your adventure! Iceland is also a great country to explore via camper van, especially if you plan to do the ring road!
Iceland’s summer season runs from June until August. There are a whopping 24 hours of daylight in July, and average temperatures range from 55 degrees F ( 10-13 C), but the sunshine makes it feel warmer.
The following is a list of what I have compiled from my summer visits to Iceland to make packing more manageable. Be sure to pack your sense of adventure, flexible plans, and an open mind, and I bet you will fall in love with the Icelandic summer!
Clothing
When visiting Iceland in summer, I wear layers.I also recommend bringing something casual but lovely to wear for dinners.
When adventuring where I know I will be more physical, I layer up with water-wicking pants and a short—or long-sleeved tee, with a down jacket and waterproof layer in my daypack! The key to dressing in Iceland is layers, layers, layers!
As far as shoes go, waterproof boots with ankle support and good traction are necessary. I also pack nicer shoes and wear sneakers on the plane because I enjoy dressing up for dinner or exploring casually.
If you have long hair, protect it with a good conditioner and braid it when venturing out. The most challenging part about Iceland’s weather is the wind, which has wreaked havoc on my hair, so take my advice! And don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!
-
-
- Light wool base layer tops and bottoms. My favorites are by Smartwool.
- Waterproof pants like this Gore-Tex pair are ideal for layering when exploring waterfalls.
- Water-wicking pants for everyday exploring. I like these by Arter’x or these by Helly Hansen.
- Waterproof shell jacket for layering and active activities
- A packable light down jacket, such as the Patagonia Nano jacket
- Zip up fleece as a midlayer, such as this one by Patagonia
- A light wool sweater, such as the Icelandic lopapeysu. Best to buy one there from a local knitter! Best investment for chilly nights ever!
- Wool sports bra for the ladies. I love this one by Branwyn
Bathing suit for hot springs - Buff
- A headband such as this one, hair ties to keep longer hair in a braid or up
- Dramamine if you are prone to car sickness and planning on doing tours
Moisture-wicking long-sleeve tees and short-sleeve tees for layering - Comfy leggings
- Hat (I bring two: a light Smartwool, the other a ball cap. The wind can wreak havoc on my hair when exploring, so I prefer keeping it up and protected!)
Light gloves - Nice pair of shoes for evening/ dinner
- Water-wicking light wool socks and liners if planning on hiking
- Water shoes or flip flops for hot springs
- A good pair of waterproof boots with ankle support for tours.
- Sneakers for travel or walking tours that do not involve hiking. I like these from On.
- First Aid kit
- Sleeping mask
- Sunscreen ( Do not neglect this! The sun is intense in Iceland, especially near the glaciers!)
- Sunglasses ( I like my wraparound ones for exploring the highlands due to sand being blown around by the wind!)
- Waterproof case for a phone, such as this one from Otterbox
- Day pack for day hikes/ ventures such as ice cave or super Jeep tours
- Adapter for chargers
- Reusable water bottle ( do not buy bottled water in Iceland!)
- Nice sweater for dinner
- OPTIONAL: Jeans or a nice pair of non-adventure pants for a restaurant or going out in Reykjavik
- OPTIONAL A good paper map of Iceland if renting a car such as this one. Yes, most rental cars come with GPS, but I always bring a map just in case.
- Bring two phone charger cords (especially if renting a car). Most rentals offer cords for iPhone or Android. Check with your rental company.
- Apple Pay/ credit and debit cards with PIN ( most places take cards, but gas stations usually require a PIN)
- Toiletries, medicines, and supplements taken daily
- Passport
- Passport and credit card holder
- Anything cozy for your flight, such as a travel pillow and ear buds/ book.
- OPTIONAL Portable charger if planning on exploring for a full day.
-
Apps
-
-
- Aurora App if traveling in late August and beyond.
- Vedur. Is
- Parka for parkinSafe Travel IAll Trails ( I upgraded my plan for the offline version!)
-
For Photographers
-
-
- Tripod
- Thermal/waterproof jacket for the camera
- Nd filters for drone and camera
- Extra SD cards and spare batteries
- Lens protector/lens hood
- Extra lens caps
- If you are interested in drone piloting, please check out Iceland’s latest laws and regulations, which you can find here. You must register your drone with the Icelandic Transport Authority’s drone website.
-