Iceland in July: Weather, Puffins at Dyrhólaey and Geothermal Lagoons

Yes, July works for Iceland if you want mild afternoons, open campsites, puffins on the south coast and hot lagoons to warm up in.

The catch is rain and cool nights: Reykjavik sees about ten rainy days in July, so a waterproof jacket matters more than sunscreen.

At a glance

• Afternoon high in Reykjavik: 59°F (15°C)
• Night low in Reykjavik: 48°F (9°C)
• Rainy days in Reykjavik: 10
• Sunshine in Reykjavik: 6 hours a day
• Sea near Reykjavik: 52°F (11°C)
• Sea near Höfn: 50°F (10°C)

What is the weather like in Iceland in July?

*Long-term monthly averages.*

July in Reykjavik is mild but cool by summer standards. Afternoons reach 59°F (15°C) and nights drop to 48°F (9°C), so a light layer stays in the bag even on a sunny day.

About ten days in the month bring at least a millimeter of rain, and the sea sits near 52°F (11°C). Keep a rain shell handy and plan the outdoor sights, like the waterfalls and Þingvellir, for the dry hours. A museum or a lagoon makes a good backup for a wet afternoon.

June in Reykjavik is a little cooler, with a 55°F (13°C) high and nine rainy days. August has a 57°F (14°C) high and about twelve rainy days. July sits between the two, slightly warmer than either and a bit drier than August.

Where to go in Iceland in July

Reykjavik

Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan and Tjörnin are popular landmarks, and a self-guided walk can link the church to the Harpa concert hall. The city centre runs from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, so it is easy to cover on foot, even on a mild July day.

Þingvellir National Park

The park has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. July’s mild afternoons suit the trails. Stop at the Service Center at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, for camping and angling permits on arrival.

Flúðir and Laugarvatn

Secret Lagoon at Flúðir has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool. Fontana at Laugarvatn offers geothermal baths and a bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser. On a cool July evening, a hot soak at either one is an easy way to end the day.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, and you can walk behind it. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 meters) high, stands nearby on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar. Both are best seen on a dry hour of the day.

Dyrhólaey and Vík

Dyrhólaey is a promontory about 390 feet (120 meters) high rising out of black sand just west of Vík. In July the cliffs still hold nesting puffins. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre is in the historical Brydebúð building at Víkurbraut 28, and Hafnleysa Maritime Museum is at Víkurbraut 17.

Akureyri

Whale Watching Akureyri runs both a ship for 200 passengers and RIB speedboats for small groups of 12. The town gives a base in the north, where June shows milder rainfall than Reykjavik, with about five rainy days.

What to do in Iceland in July

Hallgrímskirkja tower and the English service

The tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean. The church is the largest in Iceland and houses the country’s largest organ, but the organ concerts on the first Saturday of the month run only from September to June, so July has none.

Service in English is held on the last Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Plan the tower visit for a clear spell between showers, since the view is the whole point.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss

You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall in the Seljalandsá river. The path is the reason to come, and July’s ten rainy days in Reykjavik are a reminder to wear waterproof shoes and a rain shell.

Allow time for both and keep the camera in a bag until you are back in the open.

Puffins at Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland. Birds nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so July sits in the middle of the season.

A small square lighthouse with an orange roof, built in 1927, stands on the highest point of the headland. Reynisfjall Mountain, nearby, can be hiked for views over the Atlantic and bird cliffs.

Whale watching from Akureyri

Whale Watching Akureyri offers a specially designed ship that takes 200 passengers and custom-built RIB speedboats. The RIBs carry groups of 12, each with a guide and a specially trained captain.

Choose the ship for more space and the RIB for a small group.

Soaking at Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi near Flúðir. Its water comes from the hot springs Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir.

The water stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year. That makes it an easy warm-up after a cool July afternoon, with a night low near 48°F (9°C) in Reykjavik.

Is Iceland busy in July?

Most campsites open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September, so July sits inside the full camping season. Book hotels and tours well ahead, and pick campsites early if you are traveling in a camper van.

The lodging tax is 800 kr. per lodging tax unit for licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II-IV. It is 400 kr. per unit for campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers, pop-up campers and caravans.

Can you swim in Iceland in July?

The sea is cold in July. Near Reykjavik it averages 52°F (11°C), near Vík 52°F (11°C) and near Höfn 50°F (10°C), so a dip in the ocean is brief. These are monthly averages.

Geothermal water is the way to swim. Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea at Vesturvör 44-48 in Kópavogur, with an optional seven-step ritual.

What to pack for Iceland in July

July asks for layers and rain gear, with mild afternoons and cool nights.

• A warm layer for the evening, since Reykjavik nights drop to 48°F (9°C)
• A waterproof jacket, because Reykjavik gets about ten rainy days in July
• Waterproof shoes for the path behind Seljalandsfoss
• Hiking shoes for the trails at Þingvellir
• A swimsuit and towel for Secret Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and Fontana

What to know before visiting Iceland in July

Organ concerts at Hallgrímskirkja are held from September to June, so none take place in July.

Camping outside organised campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission. A traditional camping tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas. Pitching more than three tents needs the landowner’s permission.

Is July a good time to visit Iceland?

Yes, July is a good time for travelers who want mild weather, open campsites, hot lagoons and puffins on the south coast, and who are fine with cool nights and some rain.

Against June, July brings a slightly higher afternoon high in Reykjavik, 59°F (15°C) against 55°F (13°C), and a warmer sea at 52°F (11°C). August has more rain, with about twelve rainy days, so July keeps a small edge.

For swimming, head to the geothermal pools, since the sea stays near 50 to 52°F (10 to 11°C). For puffins, July falls inside the nesting season at Dyrhólaey, which runs to mid-August. For camping, July sits well inside the main season.

Sources

• ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
• visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
• thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30
• secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), checked 2026-10-30
• south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
• south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30
• umhverfisstofnun.is (https://www.umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/travel-information/where-can-you-camp/), checked 2026-10-30
• visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30