May 17, 2018

Long days, fields of wildflowers, and parades in the street? It must be June in Iceland! Though the weather remains anything but predictable, this is one of the most typically "summer" months - and everyone knows it. June is the start of peak tourist season, and the island is going to be more crowded than usual with visitors. Once you give the article a read, feel free to message us any questions about traveling to Iceland in June.

The benefits of visiting Iceland in June

• Wildflowers are in full bloom
• Days are the longest they will be all year
• Summer festivals are in full swing
• Better road conditions for long road trips
• Roads in the Central Highlands are opening up
• See twice as many things as you can see in the winter (double the daylight)

Daylight in Iceland in June

June is the month with the longest days, and most daylight, in Iceland.  The summer solstice - the longest day of the year - occurs on June 21st, and the weeks surrounding this day exist in almost constant daylight.  The month starts with the sun rising at 3:20 AM, and setting at 11:30 PM (over 20 hours of daylight).  By the end of the month, the sun rises around 3:00 AM, and sets around midnight (around 21 hours of daylight). Days in July will get shorter as the months progress, as the longest day of the year has already passed.  

Average temperatures in Iceland during June

Weather in Iceland, even during the long days of summer, is never consistently warm and sunny.  However, June is one of the best months for "better" weather.  The average temperature rests around 55°F (13°C).  While highs can sometimes sneak into the low 60s (15°C), the temperature rarely rises much higher than that.  

Holidays and festivals in Iceland in June:

• Blue Lagoon Challenge - June 3rd: 60 km bike race through the volcanic scenery at Reykjanes.
• "Sjómannadagur" Festival of the Sea - First Sunday in June: Holiday honoring sailors and sea culture. The country celebrates by decorating boats and playing sea games
• Secret Solstice Festival - June 16th through the 18th: Major music festival in Reykjavík that lasts late into the night, taking advantage of the sun. 
• Independence Day - June 17th: Iceland celebrates its independence from Denmark on June 17th.  There will be parties, parades, and comradery across the country. 
• Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival - Mid June: Five-day long Viking festival that occurs in the middle of June in the town of Hafnarfjörður near Reykjavík. Enjoy activities like storytelling, archery, music, and fights. 
• Summer Solstice - June 21st: Iceland celebrates the longest day of the year! In northern parts of the country, the sun never sets!
• WOW Cyclothon - June 20th through the 23rd: Bike race sponsored by WOW Airlines. 
• Midnight Sun Run - June 23rd: A fun run that occurs in the evening, taking advantage of the extra sunshine.  
• "Jónsmessa" Midnight Sun Holiday - June 24th: the quirky holiday celebrating the sun. Icelanders believe that seals and humans understand humans on these days because fairies are running about. Also, Icelanders roll around naked in the morning dew for good luck. 
• Humar Festival - End of June: Lobster/langoustine festival in Iceland! Icelanders in the two of Höfn enjoy fresh lobster on this day.    

Guide to Iceland has a comprehensive list of festivals across the country for each month. 

Activities in Iceland in June: The best of

• Whale watching: Whales come through Iceland in April, but peak watching season is June - August.  
• Enjoy ice cream from the plethora of local shops (a national favorite pastime).
• Stay out late soaking up Reykjavik's vibrant nightlife.
• Take long road trips in the daylight.
• Horseback riding: Many people in Iceland take advantage of the daylight by going on long horseback rides. 
• Camping: Most of Iceland's campgrounds are open at this point in the year, and with the roads more safe for driving, pick a remote area and enjoy camping - a favorite Icelandic past time. 
• Picnics: Explore the newly opened roads in the central Highlands, and save some money with a picnic.  
• Visit the basalt columns near Reynisfjara beach
• Snowmobile on a glacier
• Cycling competitions
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Rafting 
• Visit the puffins: Catch them before they migrate south for the winter!  
• Visit geothermal springs
• Visit Landmannalaugar