Iceland Summer Itinerary: Midnight Sun and Puffins

Iceland in summer (June–August) is the classic experience: the midnight sun, puffins on the cliffs, all roads open, and the possibility of hiking into the Highlands. The trade-off is higher prices, more visitors, and the absence of Northern Lights. This itinerary makes the most of summer’s long days and open conditions.

Summer Advantages

• All roads open: Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, and highland routes accessible
• Puffins: May through early August at Dyrhólaey, Látrabjarg, Borgarfjörður Eystri
• Hiking: Laugavegur trail, Fimmvörðuháls, and glacier walks in optimal conditions
• Midnight sun: 20+ hours of daylight in June — photograph at midnight
• Warmer temperatures: Average 10–13°C in Reykjavík in July

Suggested 8-Day Summer Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive — Reykjavík

Arrive Keflavík. If it’s late evening, drive to Reykjavík — you’ll have full daylight until nearly midnight. Walk Laugavegur in the golden midnight light. Sleep with an eye mask.

Day 2: Reykjavík City

Full city day. Perlan, National Museum, Old Harbour, whale watching (ISK 12,900–15,900, 3 hours). Summer tip: Book an evening whale watching tour — whales feed actively in the long evening and the light on the water is superb.

Day 3: Golden Circle + Silfra Snorkelling

Early start to beat tour buses at Þingvellir. Silfra snorkelling (pre-booked, ISK 19,900) in the morning — the water is 2–4°C year-round, but summer air temperature makes getting out of the suit more pleasant. Geysir and Gullfoss in the afternoon.

Day 4: South Coast — Vík

Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimasandur. Puffins at Reynisfjall: The staircase at Skógafoss also gives access to the coastal clifftop trail — walk east for 20 minutes to reach areas above puffin nesting sites. Reynisfjara beach and Dyrhólaey arch (puffin cliffs, best June–early August).

Overnight Vík.

Day 5: Glacier and Jökulsárlón

Sólheimajökull glacier walk (ISK 9,900–12,500, morning departure). Drive east: Skaftafell, Svartifoss waterfall. Jökulsárlón: zodiac boat tour among the icebergs (ISK 9,900). Diamond Beach. Overnight Höfn.

Day 6: Landmannalaugar (Highland Day)

Drive back west on Route 1 to the Landmannalaugar junction. Take the Highland Bus from Selfoss or the intersection point if self-driving without 4WD (Highland Bus from ISK 8,900 one way). Day hike at Landmannalaugar: Brennisteinsalda loop (3–4 hours) and the natural hot spring pool. Return by bus or car in the evening.

Overnight Selfoss or Hella.

Day 7: Reykjavík and Sky Lagoon

Return to Reykjavík. Sky Lagoon (ISK 9,990, 10 minutes from city centre). Book for late afternoon — the sun is still high at 6pm in summer and the ocean-view infinity pool is exceptional.

Midnight photography: Set an alarm for midnight. Go to Hallgrímskirkja or the Old Harbour. The low-angle golden light from a sun that doesn’t set produces extraordinary photography conditions.

Day 8: Depart

Morning: Brauð & Co bakery for breakfast. Return rental car to Keflavík Airport.

Blue Lagoon: If pre-booked (ISK 9,990+), 47km from Reykjavík near the airport. Allow 3 hours.

Summer-Specific Tips

• Eye mask: Essential for sleeping. Iceland doesn’t get dark June–July. Hotel rooms usually have blackout curtains but bring one anyway.
• Puffin timing: Visit Látrabjarg or Borgarfjörður Eystri before July 25 for best puffin access — some sites close the upper viewpoints for nesting late July.
• Book everything: Accommodation, glacier tours, Blue Lagoon, Silfra, whale watching — all need advance booking for July.
• Golden Circle timing: Arrive at Þingvellir before 9am or after 5pm. Midday tour buses pack the car park.
• Laugavegur trail: If hiking the full trail, book huts immediately when booking opens (February for the following summer).