Why August Is the Best Time to Visit Iceland

Iceland is wild, remote, and unfiltered. And while each season offers something different, August quietly holds the crown as the best time to go. Here’s why.

1. The Weather Hits a Sweet Spot

August is as close to “summer” as Iceland gets. Average temperatures range from 10 to 15°C, which may not sound tropical, but in Icelandic terms, it's practically balmy. The wind is less punishing, the rain (usually) more forgiving, and you can explore the outdoors without bundling up like you're headed to the Arctic.

What really makes the difference is daylight. Though the midnight sun starts to fade by early August, you’ll still have 16 to 18 hours of daylight - plenty of time to hike, drive, soak in a hot spring, or just sit and take it all in without racing the sunset.

2. Roads Are Open

Much of Iceland is only accessible during the summer, especially the Highlands, where there are lava fields, waterfalls, and steaming vents. These areas are only reachable in 4x4 vehicles, and many of the F-roads (unpaved mountain routes) are open for just a few short weeks each year. August is peak access.

If you're planning a self-drive adventure, this is the month. The Ring Road is clear, most mountain passes are navigable, and conditions are ideal for road tripping without the white-knuckle driving you’d face in spring or autumn.

3. Nature Shows Off 

August is the last full month of Iceland’s short but spectacular summer, and nature makes the most of it. The terrain is impossibly green, rivers are full from glacier melt, and wildflowers still bloom in the countryside. Waterfalls like Skógafoss and Gullfoss are at their most photogenic, and the moss-covered lava fields seem almost unreal.

You’ll also find puffins nesting along the cliffs, especially in places like Dyrhólaey and the Westman Islands, but only until late August. Miss this window and you’ll have to wait another year to catch a glimpse of Iceland’s most beloved seabird.

4. Festivals Bring Icelandic Culture to Life

August is packed with cultural events. Reykjavik hosts Menningarnótt (Culture Night) in mid-August, a massive celebration of arts, music, food, and fireworks that draws locals from across the country. 

Also in August is the quirky and unforgettable Þjóðhátíð in the Westman Islands - a wild, all-night music festival revolving all around tradition, with bonfires and singing. If you want to party with the Icelanders, this is it.

5. Northern Lights

In August, Iceland exists in a kind of seasonal limbo, in the best possible way. You still get the endless days and easy access of summer, but by the end of the month, the northern lights can begin to make their first faint appearances, especially in the far north or more remote areas. You might not catch a full display, but there's a chance. It’s the only month where that overlap is possible.

If you're thinking about when to go, stop wondering. August is your window.

Getting There from Ireland

Traveling to Iceland from Ireland is straightforward, especially during the summer. Aer Lingus offers direct flights from Dublin to Reykjavik’s Keflavík International Airport, with flight times just under three hours. In August, multiple weekly departures make it easy to plan a long weekend or a full adventure without complex layovers. Return fares typically range from €160 to €280, depending on how early you book. Once you land, Keflavík is less than an hour from Reykjavik by car or shuttle, putting you in easy reach of the capital.