No matter what season you choose to visit. Your Friend in Reykjavik is excited to welcome you to Iceland! What better way to start your visit to Iceland in September than with a walking tour in Reykjavik with one of our local guides? We’ll make sure your trip to Reykjavik gets off on the right foot!
September Festivals in Iceland
September has plenty of festival fun for your visit to Iceland. Around the first weekend of September, usually, you can head down Reykjanes Peninsula to Reykjanesbær for the Night of Lights. The “night” is the fireworks display, but there are days (and other nights) of music, arts, and family fun. Movie buffs can enjoy the glitz and glamor of independent films at the Reykjavik Film Festival, usually scheduled from the end of September to the beginning of October. If you’re up for some college-level partying and live music, check out Októberfest at the University of Iceland. But there are plenty of other things to do! Just ask Your Friend in Reykjavik!
Iceland in September is Ideal for the Northern Lights
Catching the Northern Lights during your visit to Iceland is something you don’t want to miss. And your chances are even better during the autumn equinox, which occurs around September 21 to 24 every year. You may think you would get a better light show during the long winter nights, but it’s all about the earth’s tilt. Without getting too sciencey — during an equinox, the earth is at an ideal angle for catching those solar winds that create the spectacular aurora borealis. Even if you don’t make it for the actual night, you can still see some fantastic light shows!
Suppose you want to learn more about the Northern Lights. In that case, you can always check out the Aurora Reykjavík – Northern Lights Center and the Northern Lights Planetarium show in Perlan.
For an extra memorable experience, you can book a night in a bubble! The Bubble hotel in Iceland allows you to sleep in nature and see the Northern Lights!
Best things to do in Iceland in September
September offers some unique experiences when visiting Iceland. It is your last chance of the year to see the Landmannalaugar nature reserve in Iceland’s highlands. Plan your trip before it closes in mid-September and get incredible snaps of colorful reds, blues, yellows, and greens from the minerals in the geothermal pools.
If you want to get more interactive with nature, join in on Réttir, the annual sheep round-up, and discover how important our fleecy four-legged friends are. Or you can go berry picking as wild blueberries are at their peak ripeness. Enjoy them with some Skyr at breakfast!
September is also an excellent time to pick caraway seeds that grow wild all around Iceland. A great place to pick it in Reykjavík is Viðey Island. The island was settled in the 10th century, but a monastery was built there in the early 13th century, which was in operation until the Reformation in the 16th century. Later, in the middle of the 18th century, it became the home of the first Icelandic treasurer. His name was Skúli Magnússon, and he’s often called the father of Reykjavík. He made many agricultural trials, one of which was to grow caraway. Viðey is also the home of the Imagine Peace Tower by Yoko Ono and Milestones by sculptor Richard Serra.
Sadly, you will not be able to see the Imagine Peace Tower lit while on your travels in Iceland in September as it is lit between 9 October and 8 December (birthday and day of death of John Lennon) and a few other days.
Best things to do in Reykjavik in September
And if you find yourself in Reykjavik in September, you’ll have no end of things to do. The weather is still great for taking a dip at the beach or one of the many public pools. They are all heated with geothermal water and also have steam baths and saunas if it’s a bit too chilly for you. Not up for getting soaked? Have a wander around our many museums, or sit and enjoy a coffee or a beer along our main street, Laugavegur, for some fun people-watching. Want some helpful tips on where to go and what to do? A walking tour with us is always a good start! We recommend buying the Reykjavik City Cards for your museum visits and other discounts. It is possible to choose between one, two or three-day passes.
What to eat during your visit to Reykjavik in September?
We want you to enjoy all our Icelandic foods whatever month you visit us! But as the weather turns a little colder, maybe you’ll enjoy the comfort of our hearty lamb stew, Kjötsúpa. Or grab a Pylsa (Icelandic hot dog) to enjoy on the go as you explore the city. And your sweet tooth will always be happy with a Bragðarefur, ice cream with your favorite candy mixed in. Join our Reykjavik food tour, and we’ll show you all the terrific flavors Iceland has to offer.
Weather in Iceland in September
We are still holding onto summer in September, and the weather sometimes helps out. The average temperature is usually around 8°C / 46°F but sometimes can get as high as 14°C / 57°F. There may be some rain, nothing too stormy, but it’s always good to come prepared when packing! As we head into autumn, the days are getting shorter, but we still average around 12 hours of daylight, with more at the beginning of the month and less towards the end. And with autumn, we start seeing the leaves change color as they prepare for winter.
Þingvellir National Park is a local favourite for seeing the changing of the leaves. The tectonic plates, ravines and Þingvellir Lake are a sight to see. The park is a UNESCO heritage site.
Learn More About When to Visit Iceland:
What to pack to visit Iceland in September
Even if you aren’t planning on hiking and camping, you still want to pack warm clothes for your trip to Iceland. An all-weather jacket is always a good idea, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves. If you are going hiking, waterproof pants and footwear are highly recommended. And don’t forget your bathing suit for a geothermal dip and of course your camera to record the fantastic time you’ll have!
Your Friend in Reykjavik can’t wait to show you around in September!
Now that you’ve decided to visit Iceland in September, what to do next? Get in touch with Your Friend in Reykjavik! Our walking tours are a fantastic intro to Iceland, and all our guides love sharing their tips and insight on how to enjoy your visit to Reykjavik and Iceland best. We can even organize a private walking tour for a more personalized experience. Contact us to find out more today!
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