Are you planning a trip to Iceland in June? We’ve got you covered with seven things you should know before you head to the land of fire and ice to enjoy the more reasonable Iceland weather in June and the lush landscapes that accompany the summer months.
From bathing in hot springs under the midnight sun and frolicking through fields of beautiful purple lupines to partying the night away at a festival or joining the locals downtown for an independence day parade, there’s no shortage of fun to be had and things to do in June in Iceland.
Iceland is an outdoor playground for adventure lovers in the summer. This is the perfect time of year to take advantage of the jaw-dropping Icelandic landscapes. So lace up your hiking boots, enjoy the long daylight hours, and go explore this unique country.
7 Things To Know Before Visiting Iceland In June
The Northern Lights Aren’t Visible In Iceland In June
The Northern Lights are undeniably spectacular. In fact, tourists flock to Iceland from all around the world to witness them light up the night sky. They’re most likely to be visible from September to April when the country experiences long, dark nights.
Unfortunately, there are no Northern Lights in Iceland in June. The summer months bring extended daylight hours that are not conducive to viewing the Northern Lights. Though there will be no Northern Lights chasing during your summer adventures, there’s a lot to love about Iceland’s midnight sun.
June in Iceland sees the longest days of the year which means you’ll have the opportunity to adventure late into the night. You never feel pressed for time as you have nearly 24 hours at your disposal to explore the beautiful land of fire and ice.
Imagine relaxing in a hot spring or hiking in Iceland in June under the soft glow of the midnight sun. There are few things quite as magical.
Pack A Bathing Suit When Preparing For Your Trip
A bathing suit is an essential item to pack for your trip to Iceland in June. Think of sitting in a natural hot pot late at night under the glow of the midnight sun. Sounds pretty magical, doesn’t it?
The average temperature in Iceland in June hovers around 48F. Without being too cold, it’s just nippy enough to warrant relaxing in a hot spring or hot tub. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of lagoons, hot springs, hot pots, and hot tubs to take advantage of around the county.
The most famous of your options is the Blue Lagoon. With its brilliant blue waters, swim-up bar, and lava-rock-filled landscape, it’s not surprising it draws visitors from around the world. Though expensive, The Blue Lagoon is worth a visit at least once.
There are many low-cost or free options as well including hiking to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs or enjoying one of the public swimming pools that grace every Icelandic town. If you’re hanging out around the capital, Laugardalslaug is a great option with multiple hot tubs of varying temperatures including a saltwater tub.
The Alaskan Lupines Blanket The Landscape During The Summer
Iceland is not known for being the most hospitable landscape for plants. One plant however that has managed to defy the odds is the Alaskan Lupine. Since its introduction to the country in 1945, when it was brought in as an attempt to revegetate a country whose soil was found to erode at an alarming rate, the Alaskan Lupine has thrived.
The Alaskan Lupine is a strikingly beautiful flower standing roughly 120cm tall as it spreads across the Icelandic landscape in a vast sea of purple. If you’re traveling to Iceland in June there’s a good chance you’ll see these flowers, especially along the south coast as they tend to bloom in late June and last through July and occasionally into August.
Despite their beauty and the richness they provide to the soil, the Alaskan Lupine has long been a point of contention among Icelanders. Many consider it to be an invasive species that has taken over the landscape and driven out native plants including various types of moss that may not recover.
For the time being however, these purple flowers are synonymous with Icelandic summers, so take advantage of the opportunity to frolic among the beautiful fields of flowers when exploring or hiking in Iceland in June.
Fisherman’s Day Is Celebrated Across The Country In Early June
Unsurprisingly for an island in the middle of the Atlantic with an abundance of harbor towns, the fishing industry has played a major role in Iceland’s history and continues to be an important part of their economy and culture today. It’s only fitting that the country has a day to celebrate and honor the people who keep this industry running.
Fisherman’s Day was started back in 1938 and is celebrated on the first Sunday in June. It’s a day for fisherman to dock their boats and celebrate with family, for the public to learn more about the industry, and for the many fishermen lost at sea, due to the dangers of the profession, to be remembered.
If you’re looking for things to do in Reykjavik in June, the capital holds a weekend-long festival in honor of Fisherman’s Day. The Festival of the Sea is held by the old harbor downtown, and by joining in the celebrations you can expect to enjoy delicious food, musical entertainment, board boats in the harbor, and more. It’s also worth visiting the Reykjavik Maritime Museum which offers free admission for the day.
Many towns throughout the country, particularly harbor towns, have Fisherman’s Day celebrations you can take part in such as the Happy Sailor Festival in Grindavik (near the international airport). Wherever you end up celebrating, enjoy the dancing, eating, boat rides, and speeches, and hopefully you’ll learn a bit along the way about this profession that has allowed the country to thrive.
The Locals Will Be Celebrating Their Independence On The 17th
There are plenty of things to do in Iceland in June on the 17th when the country celebrates its Independence Day. In 1944 Iceland gained complete independence from Denmark and became an independent republic. The date, June 17, was chosen because it marks the birthday of Jón Sigurdsson, a crucial leader in the independence movement.
There are celebrations throughout the country, most notably in Reykjavik where the streets are filled with parades, helium balloons, bouncy castles, hot dogs, candy, music performances, circus acts, and dancers.
The celebrations have evolved to center largely around family-friendly entertainment for the children so if you’re traveling with kids this could be the perfect opportunity to keep them entertained for the day while joining the locals in celebrating their independence and embracing Icelandic culture.
Endless Daylight Makes The Secret Solstice Festival Uniquely Icelandic
What better way to capitalize on the endless daylight in Iceland in June than by attending the Secret Solstice Music Festival. This 72-hour festival is held in Reykjavik over the longest days of the year so attendees can sing and dance the night away under a sunlit sky. The party (almost) does not stop.
The heart of the festival is held in Laugardalur, a park in downtown Reykjavik, with intimate side events happening in the middle of nature. Past side concerts have taken place in lava tunnels, glaciers, and the center of volcanoes. The festival is truly unique to Iceland in every way.
Past artists have included headliners such as the Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, and Radiohead, as well as up-and-coming artists from Iceland and around the world. There’s no shortage of high-quality music. So get some rest leading up to the festival and party until early morning with the locals as the midnight sun lights the way.
Expect To Be Bugged By Midges In Iceland In June
Iceland in June is an outdoor lover’s paradise with lush green landscapes, wildflowers, thundering waterfalls, and reasonable weather. However, with the thrills of summer come the pesky midges and their bites.
It’s rare to find an animal in Iceland that will be an annoyance to you. The country is full of sheep, puffins, Icelandic horses, etc. But in 2015, two types of midges (one that bites and one that doesn’t) made their presence known.
Midges thrive near bodies of water in weather conditions where there’s no wind. In recent years they’ve started to spread to the south and west, but it’s unlikely you’ll encounter them much if at all in Reykjavik.
You can avoid lakes and rivers, keep the windows of your accommodation closed at night, or use a lavender spray as a repellent, but ultimately, if you’re visiting Iceland in June they’re likely unavoidable if you plan on enjoying the country’s diverse, enthralling landscape.
So grab some Caladryl or similar anti-itch cream and embrace the great outdoors.
We’re thrilled you’ve chosen to spend part of your summer in the land of fire and ice. With reasonable weather in Iceland in June, long daylight hours, and a thriving natural landscape, the possibilities for memorable adventurers are endless. There’s a reason it’s one of the peak tourist months.
If you can embrace the larger crowds, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime. Let us know if you have any questions as you go about preparing for your trip to Iceland in June.
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