Iceland in August 2025: Weather and Travel

In August, Iceland is cool or mild. It is dry season. Continual solar light or twilight still grace the scenery and towns. The southern natural highlights get an average of 5 hours of sunshine and 16½ hours of daylight. It is never really dark in Iceland unless it is cloudy at "night" (extended twilight).

Iceland Weather in August: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 8–14°C (46–56°F)
• Total rain/snow: 8 cm (3 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 12
• Humidity: 80%
• Sunshine hours/day: 5 hours

August Climate Comparison (Averages) for Iceland's Top Tourism Areas

In August, you can enjoy continual daylight and twilight all across Iceland with mild and inviting weather in the north and south for the outdoors and towns. You could explore natural subarctic highlights, hike, and see the geological wonders.

Southern Iceland: Reykjavík and the southern coast are at about latitude 64° and southward. There is an average of about 16½ hours of daylight, and the rest is twilight. At low elevations, the average high is about 14°C (57°F), and the low is 9°C (48°F).

Northern Iceland: Akureyri and other tourist towns are very close to the Arctic Circle and are at latitude 65.5° and northwards. Húsavík is at latitude 66° where there are 17 hours of daylight on average.

The Best Places to Visit in Iceland in August

The daylight and beautiful twilight provides time and light for excursions to the natural highlights. The remoter Eastfjords region with its little fishing towns is a good option at this time, when there is plenty of light and less tourism. There are exotic geological wonders to visit. August is one of the best months for seeing big migratory whales.

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1. Reykjavík — Visit the Highlights of Nature and Culture

Reykjavík is an unusually interesting capital city, and for epic scenery, what might be better than watching a volcano from a distance or flying over one? In August and September 2024, a volcano erupted conveniently close to Keflavík International Airport.

Reykjavík usually has mild weather in August and is warmed by 5 hours of sunshine and naturally lit by 24 hours of daylight and twilight to see everything by. Since 2021, volcano watching has become a new tourist highlight because there have been occasional eruptions. The Blue Lagoon geothermal pool is another highlight.

There is is an average daily high of 14°C (57°F), a low of 9°C (48°F), 82% humidity, and low rainfall. The intercontinental rift passes nearby and causes the eruptions. A good place to see the rift is at Thingvellir National Park. You could walk paths to the rift and to rugged Öxaráfoss Waterfall.

2. Eastfjords — Experience Solitude in Fjords and Wilderness and Eat Seafood and Icelandic Cuisine

The Eastfjords is a less-visited region to escape to during Iceland's peak tourism season. There is epic scenery with high mountains descending into steep fjords and a plateau with a glacier. It is a little cooler and wetter than the rest of Iceland, and August's weather is about the best.

For some solitude during the August peak tourism season, you might want to travel to this remote area in a good 4-wheel drive vehicle. There is an average daily high of 13°C (55°F) and a low of 7°C (45°F). The rainfall is moderate.

Some of the main natural attractions are near the town of Borgarfjörður Eystri where trails meander for seeing puffins and uninhabited fjords. Also Stuðlagil Canyon has trails where basalt columns rise on both sides. Several small fishing towns offer great seafood and Icelandic cuisine.

3. Westfjords — Experience Solitude in Epic Subarctic Wilderness

Westfjords region is another sparsely inhabited region with long fjords on the northwest side of Iceland. When tourism in the south is congested and you want to find solitude where there are accommodations and conveniences, the Westfjords is an option.

It too has fishing villages with food and accommodations, whale watching boats, and natural wonders. You can visit the long fjords and go to hiking areas in a sturdy 4-wheel drive vehicle. The main natural attraction among the pristine tundra and mountains is big Dynjandi Waterfall.

The waterfall sits alone like a white wedding dress on a desolate desert-like mountain. Summer is the best time to go because slick ice and snow makes hiking difficult and dangerous. The average daily high is about 11°C (52°F), the low is 7°C (45°F), and the rainfall is low to moderate.

4. North Iceland — Enjoy Seeing Whales and Hiking under Continual Light near Akureyri and Húsavík

Continual daylight and twilight, epic natural wonders, and big whales are the highlights of the far north. The mild weather makes it a good time to get on boats to watch whales because they migrate to Iceland from southern seas and oceans in the summer.

In summer, sperm whales, huge whale-sized basking sharks, huge humpbacks, minke, and sometimes the biggest whales — blue and fin whales, arrive to feed in the waters enriched by glacial runoff and summer rains.

You could take long hikes or do overnight outings with dim light at midnight. Lakes conveniently near Húsavík and Stuðlagil east of Akureyri are among dozens of places to go. Akureyri has an average daily high of 15°C (59°F), a low of 8°C (46°F), humidity of 78%, and low rainfall.

Peak Tourism Season: Touring Advice for August

August is one of the busiest months for tourism, and it is the second warmest month. Because schools and universities in most of Europe begin their sessions in late August or early September, tourism is less congested by the end of the month.

Prices and crowds: Prices for accommodations might be almost 50% higher in the first half of August than during the moderate tourism seasons in May and September and October. The most popular highlights such as the Blue Lagoon and Jökulsárlón lagoon are crowded in August.

Continual light: Many people want to experience the midnight sun in August, but Iceland doesn't have it. When the sun goes down before midnight, there is beautiful twilight to relax under.

If you want more sunlight and twilight in August, you could go further north to Alta or Bødo that are within the arctic circle in Norway where there is never any night in August. For more about these areas, see Norway Weather in August.

Public Holidays in August:

Commerce Day is August 4, 2025, August 3, 2026, and August 2, 2027. The holiday is always on a Monday. It is an official national holiday, and schools and most businesses close. Domestic travel and tourism is up on the 3-day weekend.

What to Wear in August

You'll still need to bring a coat in August for cold nights and going to mountains and glaciers. It is good to layer up.

Iceland's weather in August is changeable, and the Westfjords' weather is especially changeable. Keep an eye on the weather reports. August sees the end of Iceland's dry summer. The northern and southwestern coasts are drier than the eastern and Westfjords coasts.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Iceland:

• Warm waterproof boots with good traction for the outdoors. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Rain gear
• Coat and warm hat
• Cardigans or thermals
• Gloves
• Polarized glasses for the glare
• Swimwear for hot springs and spas

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Iceland

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