Summertime is a wonderful time to visit Iceland. July, in particular, is a lovely time to plan a holiday to our little island. Music festivals, from traditional to experimental, across the country. Long, warm days to frolic in nature. And, of course, friendly locals to help make your Iceland vacation a trip to remember!
Your Friend in Reykjavik invites you to travel to Iceland during July to enjoy the very best our summer has to offer. You can enjoy the delights here without having to stock up on winter clothing (unless, of course, you want to!).
Weather in Iceland in July
We can’t stress enough how great the weather is here in the summer. The daily mean temperatures aren’t particularly high for most people, but they range between 50-55° F (10-13° C). They do get higher, of course, and it’s not unusual for temperatures in Reykjavik to stay above 59° F (15° C) and even reach 70° F (21° C). In the north and eastern parts of the country, it can often get warmer.
On average, we can see about 10 precipitation days in July, but it usually doesn’t rain a lot at a time. On average, there is about 2.06” of rainfall in the month.
We don’t recommend you pack your heavy winter gear for a trip to Iceland in July, but a good rule of thumb for Icelandic weather is layering up. So, bring your waterproof jacket and boots, and a sweater, just in case.
However, July also sees more rain than other months, so you should make sure to have a waterproof jacket and boots, just in case. But the rain passes, and the sun comes out again. And in July, that can be until very late.
Midnight Sun in Iceland
June may have the longest summer days in Iceland, but if you visit Reykjavik in July, you’ll still get to enjoy long days! With sunsets around 11 pm and sunrises at 4 am, you may not get a full Midnight Sun experience, but you will get some of the quickest nights around. In fact, there may be nights where you may see the sunset only to blink and see it rise again seemingly as quickly. The twilights are also very long in Iceland, so it will still be fairly bright even if the sun has set.
A favourite pastime of many is to go golfing in the midnight sun. At the end of June, there’s even a tournament called Arctic Open. Icelanders have embraced the sport, and you will find at least 70 golf courses in the country, of which sixteen are 18-hole courses, and 54 are 9-hole. Eleven golf courses are in the capital area, so you will not have to go far to enjoy this sport. Like in so many other areas, Icelanders like to be best – at least per capita – and here you will find the most courses per capita.
Enjoy Iceland inside and out in July
Outdoor lovers will definitely want to try to make it to Iceland in July. Warm weather and long days mean ideal conditions for camping and hiking all over the island. You may want to try to make the Golden Circle along the southern half of the island, including a good exploration of Þingvellir National Park. Experienced drysuit divers may want to check Silfra off their bucket list. Or head out northwest to the Westfjords and Hornstrandir to check out the 100-meter Dynjandi waterfalls. If you want to mix culture and beautiful weather, join us for a walk to enjoy the many outdoor art installations in Reykjavik.
A great tip for those who are travelling outside Reykjavik in July, and especially in a camper van: You can skip all crowds by sightseeing in the late evening and through the night. The atmosphere changes during the night, it is still bright, but it is much quieter. We highly recommend trying this at least once.
July festivals are all over Iceland
Movie lovers may recognize Siglufjörður in Northern Iceland from movies like Walter Mitty, but at the beginning of July, folk music lovers congregate at the century-old Siglufjörður Folk Music Centre for a celebration of folk music from local and international artisans. For less traditional artists, back in Reykjavik, the Fringe Festival is held around the same time as well. Their website says it best: “Our artists are a mix of local and international performers, speaking, singing and screaming in a variety of languages – or none at all.” Then in mid-July, there is the Landsmot, the National Icelandic Horse Competition. It takes place in a different part of the country every year and shows off the singular skills of our equestrians and our very unique Icelandic horses.
Summertime treats to try on your July visit to Reykjavik
With the warm weather comes the urge for a cool, sweet treat. And even if our warm weather is still a little chilly for you, you should still find your way to one of our many ice cream parlors and try Iceland-style ice cream! It’s not that much different from what you think, but we have some flavors that may become your favorites! Take one of our food lovers tours and find out where the best place is for salted licorice ice cream or a frozen treat featuring our beloved rye bread. And if sweets aren’t your thing, there are plenty of places to try our famous Icelandic hot dogs!
Icelanders really love their ice cream – no matter the weather. Our favourite ice cream parlours are Valdís, Gaeta Gelato, Huppa, Skúbb and Ísbúð Vesturbæjar. Valdís and Gaeta Geltao specialize in Italian gelatos and sorbets, while Huppa, Skúbb and Ísbúð Vesturbæjar are more traditional, but they all have their specialised areas. Vesturbæjarísbúðin is known for their “olden days” ice cream, which is made from milk, rather than cream. Huppa makes their own ice cream instead of using one from the two biggest ice-cream companies in Iceland, Kjörís and Emmessís. Skúbb makes their own ice cream as well, but there’s no soft ice available; it’s all in scoops and organic. But you can also get breakfast bowls from them with Greek yoghurt, muesli, and fruits.
What to pack to visit Iceland in July
The warm weather may mean lighter clothing, but you should always pack prepared, including comfy walking shoes for your walk with a Viking! We did mention the rain, so you should pack some light all-weather gear. If you want to head to the great outdoors, you may need more substantial gear, but you can also rent outdoor clothing you need if you don’t want to overload your luggage. You can also rent camping equipment! Also, with the very short nights, you may want to consider bringing along something to help you sleep. And of course, chargers, battery packs, and memory cards to ensure you capture all those fabulous summer moments here.
Let Your Friend in Reykjavik show you summer fun in Iceland!
We love our home and want to ensure you have all the fun possible on your trip to Iceland in July or whenever you get here. Our friendly, knowledgeable guides can’t wait to show you around and share their special tips and insights to help you make the most of your holiday in Reykjavik and Iceland. Find out about our many walking jaunts, from private folklore tours to pub crawls, and contact us today!
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