Iceland in August: ✅ a very good month. It is still high summer: around 14 °C (57 °F) in the afternoon and 9 °C (48 °F) at night in Reykjavik, days of 15 to 18 hours, highland tracks open and the whole Ring Road accessible. The catches: it is one of the two busiest and most expensive months, and rainfall rises compared with July, especially on the south coast. End-of-month bonus: the nights begin to get dark again.
This page covers the weather in Iceland in August region by region, what changes compared with July and September, daylight hours, what you can do and how to plan. For the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit Iceland.
Our travel deals for August
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to August.Compare flights- eSIMAiraloData plan to install before you leave (eSIM-compatible phone).See plans
Iceland in August: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ high season, the whole island is accessible
- Reykjavik: 14.1 °C (57 °F) in the afternoon, 8.6 °C (47 °F) at night, 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain
- North (Akureyri): 14.8 °C (59 °F), the driest (41 mm (1.6 in))
- South coast (Vík): 13.9 °C (57 °F) and 217 mm (8.5 in), the wettest region
- Daylight in Reykjavik: about 18 h 05 min on 1 August, 14 h 50 min on 31 August (astronomical calculation)
- F-roads: usually open; check umferdin.is
- Time difference: Iceland is on UTC+0 all year; in August it is 1 hour behind London (UK summer time, UTC+1) and 4 hours ahead of New York (EDT, UTC-4)
Weather in Iceland in August by region
| Place | Max | Min | Rain | Rain in July |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik (south-west) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 50 mm (2.0 in) |
| Akureyri (north) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) | – | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Vík í Mýrdal (south coast) | 13.9 °C (57 °F) | – | 217 mm (8.5 in) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
Destination de Voyage calculation from these averages: compared with July, rainfall rises by about 30% in Reykjavik (65 against 50 mm), by 21% in Akureyri and by 33% in Vík, while the afternoon temperature falls by only 0.1 to 0.8 °C (0.2 to 1.4 °F). August is therefore still a summer month, but a wetter one. The north is, as in July, the driest region and the mildest in the afternoon: Akureyri is 0.7 °C (1.3 °F) warmer than Reykjavik. On the south coast more than 200 mm (7.9 in) falls: pack full waterproofs for the waterfalls and black-sand beaches.
August compared with July and September
| Month | Reykjavik: max / min / rain | Akureyri: max / rain | Vík: max / rain | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 14.9 °C (59 °F) / 9.1 °C (48 °F) / 50 mm (2.0 in) | 15.1 °C (59 °F) / 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) / 163 mm (6.4 in) | ✅ The mildest and busiest month |
| August | 14.1 °C (57 °F) / 8.6 °C (47 °F) / 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14.8 °C (59 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13.9 °C (57 °F) / 217 mm (8.5 in) | ✅ Still mild, F-roads open |
| September | 11.4 °C (53 °F) / 6.2 °C (43 °F) / 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11.8 °C (53 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 11.5 °C (53 °F) / 265 mm (10.4 in) | ✅ Shoulder season, first northern lights |
Daylight: the light fades fast
| Date (2027) | Reykjavik | Akureyri |
|---|---|---|
| 1 August | 18 h 05 min | 18 h 40 min |
| 15 August | 16 h 35 min | 16 h 55 min |
| 31 August | 14 h 50 min | 15 h 00 min |
In August, Reykjavik loses about 3 h 15 min of daylight between the first and last day of the month. Twilight remains long, but in the second half of the month the sky becomes dark enough for northern lights to be possible on a clear night away from lights; nothing is guaranteed before September.
Things to do in Iceland in August
- The Highlands: Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Kjölur and Askja can only be reached by F-roads, which are for 4×4 vehicles only. According to Safetravel they are usually closed from mid-September until June or July, so August is one of the few months when they are open. Check each track on umferdin.is. The UK FCDO also notes that many highland tracks are open for only part of the summer and that some require four-wheel drive (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
- The Ring Road: the south coast (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík), the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the East Fjords, Mývatn and Dettifoss in the north.
- Hiking: trails at Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, provided you check river crossings and the weather.
- Reykjavik and the Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and the geothermal baths, including the Blue Lagoon near the airport.
What to avoid in August
- Travelling without bookings: accommodation and rental cars are in very high demand in high season
- Crossing a river on an F-road in an unsuitable vehicle: Safetravel points out that not every 4×4 is suited to every F-road. The UK FCDO advises driving slowly (5 to 10 km/h, 3 to 6 mph) through rivers, as levels can change quickly, even within the same day (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026)
- Driving off-road: it is strictly prohibited, Safetravel reminds drivers
- Planning a schedule with no slack: the UK FCDO notes that the weather can change quickly and make driving conditions challenging, and the U.S. State Department urges travellers to monitor weather and road conditions on safetravel.is and road.is (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026; travel.state.gov, last updated May 14, 2026)
Events in Iceland in August
| Period | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| August (check dates) | Reykjavik Pride | Reykjavik |
| Saturday 21 August 2027 | Menningarnótt, Culture Night | Reykjavik |
| Late August | Gradual return of dark nights | Whole country |
Menningarnótt, the big cultural festival and Reykjavik’s birthday celebration, draws large crowds to the city centre: book early if you are staying in the capital that weekend.
Booking in August
August is high summer and peak holiday season in Europe and North America: book accommodation and a rental car as soon as your dates are fixed, especially outside Reykjavik, where supply is more limited, and for the Menningarnótt weekend in the capital. We give no prices or visitor numbers: we do not have verified official monthly statistics for this month.
What to pack for Iceland in August
- A waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers, essential on the south coast
- A fleece or light down jacket for the evenings (about 9 °C (48 °F) in Reykjavik)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- A swimsuit for the hot springs
- A sleep mask for the first half of the month
- A headlamp if you stay until the end of the month and hope to see the northern lights
Before you go
For passports and other formalities for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Iceland in our country guide. On safety, the UK FCDO says crime levels are low but petty theft can occur, particularly around bars in downtown Reykjavik (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). Before each journey, check the forecasts on vedur.is, road conditions on umferdin.is and the alerts on safetravel.is. Time difference: Iceland is on UTC+0 all year; in August it is 1 hour behind London (UK summer time, UTC+1) and 4 hours ahead of New York (EDT, UTC-4). Currency: the Icelandic krona; our currency converter helps you estimate your budget.
If August does not suit you
Neighbouring months: July is slightly milder and drier (14.9 °C (59 °F) and 50 mm (2.0 in) in Reykjavik); Iceland in September is the shoulder season, with the first northern lights, but more rain and the closure of F-roads from mid-September.
Other destinations in August: Norway and its Lofoten Islands, or Scotland. To compare, read Iceland or Norway. All our ideas: where to go in August. To plan the road trip: our Iceland travel guide and our Reykjavik page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Iceland in August?
Cool and changeable: around 14 °C (57 °F) in the afternoon and 9 °C (48 °F) at night in Reykjavik, with 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain. The north is drier (41 mm (1.6 in) in Akureyri) and the south coast very wet (217 mm (8.5 in) in Vík), according to Veðurstofa Íslands data.
Is August a good month for Iceland?
Yes: the whole island is accessible, highland tracks are usually open and the days are very long. In return, rainfall increases compared with July.
Can you see the northern lights in August?
Rarely: the sky only becomes dark enough in the second half of the month. On a clear night away from towns it is possible at the end of the month, but September offers far better chances.
Are the F-roads open in August?
Usually yes: according to Safetravel they are closed from mid-September to June or July. Check the condition of each track on umferdin.is before you leave.
How many hours of daylight are there in August?
In Reykjavik, about 18 h 05 min on 1 August and 14 h 50 min on 31 August (Destination de Voyage astronomical calculation).
August or September for Iceland?
August for mild weather, the Highlands and a full road trip; September for the first northern lights, at the price of 2.7 °C (4.9 °F) less in the afternoon and more rain in Reykjavik.
Our sources
- Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office): monthly data for Reykjavik and Akureyri (1991-2020) and Vík (1991-2014); gaps: Destination de Voyage calculation
- Safetravel.is: page “Highland driving (F-roads)”, checked on 23 October 2026
- Menningarnótt (menningarnott.is): 2027 date, checked on 23 October 2026
- Entry, health and safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Iceland (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Iceland country information (travel.state.gov, last updated May 14, 2026)
- Daylight hours: Destination de Voyage astronomical calculation
- Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.