Iceland in August

Still peak; puffins leave mid-month; first dark nights for auroras at the end.

No other month rates higher than August for Iceland in this guide.

• Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanesbest weather

  Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.Mild and windy: around 32 °F (0 °C) in January, 54–57 °F (12–14 °C) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

• South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlónbest weather

  The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.

• North and east · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordsbest weather

  Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.

• Highlands · Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölurbest weather

  F-roads open roughly late June to early September, dates set each year — check umferdin.is. Snow possible any month.

• East Iceland: South-east coast (Höfn) · Sand and glacier shelf below Vatnajökullbest weather

  Wettest and windiest part of the region; fog and rain off the glacier are common even in July.

• East Iceland: Hérað and the East Fjords · Inland around Lagarfljót and the fjord villagesbest weather

  Sheltered inland and among the warmest places in Iceland in summer; fjord villages are cooler and windier.

• North Iceland: North Iceland coast · Akureyri, Skagafjörður, Mývatn, Húsavíkbest weather

  Colder and harsher than Reykjavík; winter storms can close roads. Midges around Mývatn in summer — check.

• South Iceland: South coast · Þorlákshöfn to Höfnbest weather

  Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.

• Southwest Iceland: Reykjavík and the Reykjanes coast · capital area and peninsulabest weather

  Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), winter near 0–3 °C (32–37 °F). Rain and wind change within hours.Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 54–59 °F (12–15 °C), winter near 32–37 °F (0–3 °C). Rain and wind change within hours.

• West Iceland: Snæfellsnes and the coast · West Icelandbest weather

  May–Sep is the practical window; winter brings wind, ice and short daylight. The peninsula sticks into the Atlantic, so expect wind year-round.

• Westfjords: Westfjords coast · Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, fjord villagesbest weather

  Short summer window Jun–Aug; wind and rain any month. Mountain roads and passes can close for months outside summer.

• Reykjavík14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 14 rain days
• Akureyri15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
• Arnarstapi13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
• Blue Lagoon13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
• Borgarnes13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Egilsstaðir14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 11 rain days
• Eyrarbakki15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Fossholl14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 7 rain days
• Hafnarfjörður14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Hella14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
• Hellissandur14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Höfn13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 12 rain days
• Húsavík14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 11 rain days
• Hveragerði14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Ísafjörður12 °C (54 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 13 rain days
• Keflavík16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 14 rain days
• Kópavogur14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 11 rain days
• Mývatn13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 10 rain days
• Raufarhöfn13 °C (55 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 12 rain days
• Selfoss15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 7 rain days
• Seyðisfjörður14 °C (57 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 14 rain days
• Siglufjörður15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 3 rain days
• Skagafjörður15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Skógar15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Stokkseyri14 °C (57 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Stykkishólmur15 °C (59 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Súðavík13 °C (55 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 7 rain days
• Suðureyri13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 15 rain days
• Vestmannaeyjar12 °C (54 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 14 rain days
• Vík í Mýrdal13 °C (55 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 14 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Merchants' Weekend and Þjóðhátíð big impact

  First weekend of Aug (+Monday)

  National road-trip weekend; Westman Islands festival sells out ferries.

• Reykjavík Pride and Culture Night

  Aug

  City-wide events; Reykjavík beds fill.

• Commerce Day

  First Monday in August · Reykjavík

  A public holiday weekend; shops closed on Monday.

• Culture Night check

  Saturday near 18 August · Reykjavík

  Free events until late; streets close to cars and taxis.

• Reykjavík Marathon check

  Around the third Saturday of August · Reykjavík

  Road closures on the course; runners fill hotels.

Crowds · Iceland

High

Prices · Iceland

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Iceland, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Reykjavík and the south-west

  Best weather of the year (Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanes)

• South coast

  Best weather of the year (Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón)

• North and east

  Best weather of the year (Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjords)

• Highlands

  Best weather of the year (Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölur)

• Reykjavík

  Mild; nights darken again; Culture Night in August.

• Akureyri

  Best months: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights

• Arnarstapi

  Best months: Jun–Aug

• Borgarnes

  Best months: Jun–Aug for long daylight and open mountain roads; May and Sep are quieter but some highland access closes

• Egilsstaðir

  Best months: Jun–Aug

• Eyrarbakki

  Best months: Jun–Aug

• Fossholl

  Best months: May–Sep (guesthouse open, roads clear)

• Hafnarfjörður

  Best months: Jun–Aug for long days and pools; Dec weekends for the Christmas village