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June marks the height of summer here on the island, so you can rest assured that a lot will be happening during June in Iceland. There are a wide variety of attractions and activities to pick and choose from with plenty of daylight hours to enjoy them in.
And the weather is some of the best you’ll get to experience all year round. Even animal lovers will be glad to know about all our migratory wild guests who will be calling Iceland their home in June. Sounds good? Well, read on. You might find that visiting Iceland in June is the perfect fit for you and your Iceland bucket list.
Weather in Iceland in June
In June, Iceland enjoys its finest weather, with average temperatures above 50°F (10°C). The days are long, winds are mild, and there's occasional rain. This makes June an ideal month for visiting Iceland, offering pleasant conditions for exploration.
The Pros and Cons of Iceland in June
As with most things in life, June in Iceland has its pros and cons. We’ve created this helpful overview to help you decide whether traveling to Iceland in June is something that’s in the cards for you:
Pros
- The weather is probably the best you can experience all year round here on the island.
- There are so many daylight hours each day that you can quite literally end up with a 24-hour trip itinerary.
- The amazing weather and the increased daylight hours make June in Iceland the perfect time to take on those outdoor activities.
- The dramatic number of daylight hours allows you to experience one of Iceland’s most famous natural phenomena: a Midnight Sun.
- When you visit Iceland in June, you’ll be able to spot the Iceland Puffins. You'll also get to see all the migratory whales that call Iceland their home during this part of the year.
- All the roads and routes are open, and the road conditions are excellent (no need to dodge and dive icy patches or fear getting stuck in snow).
Cons
- We’re not the only ones who know how great Iceland is in June, so it’s also the busiest month on the island. Expect crowds. Lots and lots of crowds.
- Peak season crowds bring peak season prices along with them. So spending June in Iceland can become pretty costly compared to other months.
- The extreme daylight hours also have their drawbacks. They are known to cause havoc on some people’s sleep patterns. Some are so enticed by the endless possibilities of a jam-packed itinerary that they go completely overboard. They end up suffering serious burnout only a few days into their trip.
- Whilst you get to experience one natural phenomenon on the island because of all the daylight hours, another will elude you. You won’t be able to see the Northern Lights in June in Iceland.
- Whilst the nice Iceland summer weather allows for plenty of interesting attractions and a lot of outdoor activities, the weather also makes certain attractions and activities impossible, such as exploring the ice caves in Iceland (ice melts in warmer weather, remember?).
What You Can Expect From the Weather When Visiting Iceland in June
Summer on this island may not look like most other islands out there, but it’s still a time that both visitors and locals look forward to. As we already touched on, the Iceland weather is amazing during the month of June in Iceland.
The temperatures are higher, ranging between 9-15 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the island’s harsher weather elements have calmed down drastically. You no longer need to be concerned about getting caught in a blizzard. Nor about having the legendary Iceland winds literally rip your car door off its hinges.
At the beginning of June, you’ll get treated to approximately 20 hours of daylight each day. However, as the month goes on, you’ll soon reach those 22+ hours a day that gives you that Midnight Sun experience.
Packing List When Traveling to Iceland in June
Packing is bound to be confusing when you realize that you’re packing for a summer vacay to a country called Iceland. That’s why we’ve created this nifty packing list for you to use as a guide:
- Raincoat
- Waterproof jacket
- Fleece/woolen sweater (we suggest packing only one or two so you can buy a couple of real Icelandic woolen sweaters)
- Waterproof pants
- Waterproof hiking boots (whether you’re going hiking or not)
- Underwear
- Thermal vests
- Thermal leggings
- Warm woolen socks
- T-shirts & long-sleeved shirts
- Casual pants (for those days spent in the city)
- Warm hat (beanies work really well)
- Warm gloves
- Warm scarf
- Bathing suit (for the Iceland hot springs or geothermal pools)
- Quick drying towel (you do not want to be carrying around wet stuff all throughout your daily excursions)
- Flip-flops (to use at the hot springs or public changing rooms)
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries & medications (just keep in mind that flight restrictions still apply)
- A sleeping mask and earplugs (to counter the possible impact the daylight hours may have on your sleep. Also, to ensure that you are not kept up by those eager-beavers deciding that midnight is a good time to mow the lawn now that the sun is shining)
- Water bottle (there’s no need to buy water here on the island since our water is of such high quality – simply top up as you go)
- Backpack (suitable for outings as well as hikes)
- Electronics: chargers, cables, a power bank, an adaptor, etc.
Camping in Iceland in June
It goes without saying that June is a favorite when it comes to camping on the island. But camping during June in Iceland holds more benefits than embedding yourself into the majestic landscape of the island. Camping also helps you save on a lot of accommodation costs – especially at the height of the peak season.
And you don’t need to be the next Bear Grylls to go camping. If you don’t consider yourself someone who necessarily enjoys “roughing it”, you can simply rent a campervan in Iceland. That way, you have not only sorted out both your transport and accommodation, but you will also be able to camp in comfort. If you want to save even more on your accommodation budget, get yourself a Camping Card.
It will only cost you €159 and will give an entire family of 2 adults and up to 4 children access to various campgrounds across the island. These are massive savings when you take into consideration that a normal stay at a campsite will cost about $10-$20 per person per night. If camping during your June trip to Iceland seems like the way to go, the following are considered some of the best campsites on the island:
- Skaftafell Campsite
- Reykjavík Campsite
- Egilstadir Campsite
- Vogar Campsite
- Skógar Campsite
Driving in Iceland in June
As we have already mentioned, all roads and routes that are normally closed during the colder months have reopened. Road conditions are now pristine, making it the best time for an Iceland road trip.
Just keep in mind that there are certain roads, such as the F-roads in Iceland that can only be accessed via a 4x4 vehicle. So, it’s good to discuss your planned route(s) with your rental agency beforehand. Some of the most popular road trip routes on the island are:
- The Arctic Coast Way
- The South Coast Way
- The Westfjords Way
- The Golden Circle
- The Ring Road
Other Things to Do on Your Trip to Iceland in June
June in Iceland has more up its sleeve than just road-tripping and camping. The following attractions and activities should also be added to your trip itinerary:
- Explore the capital city whilst stuffing your face with local cuisine on the Reykjavík Food Walk.
- Have a relaxing soak in an Iceland hot spring such as Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon.
- Go on a ride on the island’s own breed of horse; the Icelandic Horse.
- Attend a local event or festival, such as the Secret Solstice Music Festival.
- Visit one of the local museums, such as the Iceland Phallological Museum or the Saga Museum.
- Take a stroll on one of Iceland’s black sand beaches.
- Go on a whale watching boat tour.
- Try to spot a few Iceland Puffins.
- Visit one of the waterfalls in Iceland.
- Ride a snowmobile across a glacier.
- Snorkel or dive the Silfra Fissure.
- Visit one of Iceland’s national parks.
Helpful Tips When Visiting Iceland in June
The following tips will help ensure that you have a safe and memorable trip when spending June in Iceland:
Set Sleeping Alarms
Yes, you read right; set sleeping alarms. With all these daylight hours, it’s easy to get caught up and the only person who can manage your sleep is you. Set an alarm for the time you usually go to bed. Make use of your sleeping mask, earbuds, and other things such as soothing chamomile tea to ensure that you are getting enough sleep.
Always Check the Weather and the Road Conditions
The local saying says, “you can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland” so you’ll need to be prepared for the unexpected. Although the odds of you being surprised by extreme weather are very small when spending June in Iceland, you still don’t want to take on a hike in the rain.
So, always keep an eye on the Iceland weather forecast. The weather and other unforeseen events can also cause sudden road closures. So, always check the Iceland road conditions before heading out.
Always Have Waterproof Items Close By
Waterproof clothing and gear are not just in case of unexpected rainfall. You will feel very grateful for your waterproof hiking boots when walking the muddy trails surrounding the natural hot springs, or whilst remaining comfortable and dry in the powerful spray and mist of a waterfall whilst other visitors are screeching and getting drenched next to you.
Time to Take the Show on the Road this June in Iceland!
Now that you know everything there is to know about June in Iceland, all that’s left is to hit the road. So, plan your trip by using this guide, rent an RV in Iceland and remember to book everything well in advance. It is the busiest month, after all! Then it’s just a short flight before you can get in your campervan rental and start your Iceland road trip adventure!
