If you plan to visit Iceland in August, this information will help you to know what to expect when traveling during this month.

That includes the following:

This episode is part of a series about months in Iceland. Here are the other months.

Mel Loves Iceland from the U.S.

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In August, Iceland is as warm as it gets, though ‘warm’ is relative when talking about this subarctic island. Average temperatures hover around 10-15°C (50-59°F), with the possibility of warmer days reaching up to 20°C (68°F). However, Icelandic weather is notoriously unpredictable, so it’s not unusual to experience a little bit of everything – from sun to rain to fog – sometimes all within the same day.

One of the most extraordinary features of Iceland in August is the amount of daylight. While the midnight sun of June has passed, you can still enjoy long days with around 16 hours of daylight. Sunrise is usually around 5:00-6:00 AM, and sunset is around 9:00-10:00 PM. This extended daylight allows more time for exploring and experiencing the island.

August 1st

The sun rises at 04:33 and sets at 22:32 for a total of 17:58 of daylight

August 15th

The sun is up 05:17 and sets at 21:44 for a total of 16:26 of daylight

August 31st

At 6:06 AM, the sun comes up and at 8:48 PM the sun sets for a total of 14:42 of daylight

Layers are the key to comfort in Iceland. For August, you should pack:

My Ultimate Packing Checklist is linked in the show notes and will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in July, especially in the north, so you will need some layers.

August is one of the best times for driving in Iceland as the roads are generally clear of snow and ice. However, always check road conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to drive in the highlands or on F-roads, which require a 4×4 vehicle.

Always be mindful of the changeable weather, and remember that off-road driving is illegal in Iceland to protect the delicate environment.

Due to the long day light hours, great road conditions, access to the highlands, and warmer weather, August is the second most popular month for people to visit Iceland. I highly recommend booking accommodations far in advance. Before the end of 2022, more than 70% of accommodations in the country were booked for the 2023 year.

If you know you want to visit Iceland during the summer, whether it is in 2024 or beyond, I strongly suggest booking your flights, accommodations, and car or camper van rental as soon as possible. Up to six months in advance for accommodations, car rentals and camper vans is not unheard of so that you can choose among the best options available during that time.

Go Car Rental Iceland is a local Icelandic car rental company that has great customer service, a large variety of cars and very competitive prices. Use my code Iceland10 to save 10% off the entire cost of your rental car.

I personally use them for when I go on adventures, and I’m so glad to hear that many of my listeners and subscribers are also having a great experience with them.

I mentioned in a previous episode that one of my listeners switched to Go Car Rental Iceland from one of the internationally known rental car companies here and she saved $400! That was for a rental during the summer when prices can sometimes double due to demand.

If you plan to use a camper van, use my code Iceland7 to save 7% and get two free duvets with your GO Campers van rental. Also, I have a great episode coming up soon about how to choose the right camper van for your travels in Iceland, so keep an eye out for that.

August in Iceland is a dynamic, vibrant time filled with the best that nature has to offer. The blend of cultural festivities and the opportunity to explore the great outdoors make it one of the most desirable times for an Icelandic adventure.

The other is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link.

Another great resource is to grab full access to my Iceland map, you get over 250 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.

There is a link to the my Iceland map in the Trip Planning Help tab at the top of this website or you can go directly to the site of my map on rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.

August is such a fun month because we are still in summer but as we get toward the end of the month, we have actual dark nights. This means that the northern lights can potentially be seen.

I and many others have experienced seeing the northern lights at the end of this month. While I wouldn’t try to come this month with the expectation of seeing them, it a pleasant surprise when they do appear.

Ágúst – August

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