September in Iceland suits travelers who like cool, damp days split between sights and hot water.
The catch is camping. Most campsites are open from early June to the end of August or mid-September, so a tent or camper trip needs a date check before anything is booked.
At a glance
- Reykjavik afternoon high: 52°F (11°C)
- Reykjavik night low: 43°F (6°C)
- Rainy days: 15
- Sunshine: about 4 hours a day
- Sea near Reykjavik: 50°F
- Organ concert at Hallgrímskirkja: noon, first Saturday of the month
What is the weather like in Iceland in September?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in (65 mm) | 12 | 5.3 h | 53°F (11°C) |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 15 | 3.9 h | 50°F (10°C) |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in (80 mm) | 13 | 3.0 h | 47°F (8°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
September is cool in Reykjavik. Afternoons reach 52°F (11°C) and nights drop to 43°F (6°C), so a warm layer is part of every outing, day or evening.
Rain falls on 15 days of the month, and the sun shows for about 4 hours a day. Carry a waterproof jacket every day. Put the outdoor sights on the drier mornings and keep a museum or a hot pool as the plan for a wet afternoon. The sea near Reykjavik averages 50°F, which settles the question of beach days.
October is colder, with highs of 46°F (8°C), 13 rainy days and 3 hours of sun a day. September has more rainy days than either neighbor, and the daylight is already shrinking toward October, so plan shorter outdoor days.
Where to go in Iceland in September
Hallgrímskirkja and central Reykjavik
Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and houses the largest organ in the country. September is when its organ concerts start up again. A self-guided walk can link the church, Laugavegur and Harpa concert hall, with museum stops for the rainy hours.
Þingvellir National Park
The park has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. The Service Center at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, issues angling and camping permits on arrival. With nights near 43°F (6°C) in Reykjavik, dress for cool air on the trails.
Secret Lagoon near Flúðir
Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi. It has a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool. The water stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year, which makes it a good September stop when the air is cool.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, and you can walk behind it. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 m) high, stands close by on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Dyrhólaey and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a 394-foot (120 m) promontory rising out of the black sand just west of Vík, with a small orange-roofed lighthouse from 1927 on its highest point. Puffins nest in its cliffs from late April to mid-August, so September comes after the nesting season. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre sits in the historical Brydebúð building.
What to do in Iceland in September
Organ concert and tower at Hallgrímskirkja
Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, so September brings the first one of the season. The tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean.
Making of a Nation at the National Museum of Iceland
The museum is at Suðurgata 41 in Reykjavík and preserves and showcases Iceland’s cultural and historical heritage. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation.
Audio guides come in 10 languages. With 15 rainy days in September, this is a ready plan for a wet morning. A second site, Keldur á Rangárvöllum, is in Hella.
Hot water at Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Fontana
Sky Lagoon, in Kópavogur, is a geothermal lagoon by the sea with an optional seven-step ritual.
Fontana, in Laugarvatn, adds geothermal baths and a bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser. Cool September air makes the hot water more welcome, and the sea at 50°F would not.
Whale watching from Akureyri
Whale Watching Akureyri runs a specially designed ship that takes 200 passengers and custom-built RIB speedboats. The RIBs carry small groups of 12 passengers, each with a guide and a specially trained captain.
Choose the ship for a bigger group and the RIB for a small party that wants a guide close by. Dress for cool air on the water either way.
Ice caves, lava and Reynisfjall around Vík
Mýrdalsjökull glacier offers guided glacier hikes, year-round ice cave explorations, glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. The Icelandic Lava Show lets visitors safely see molten lava at 2012°F (1100°C). Katla’s free exhibition about the volcano and the Geopark is a good wet-weather stop.
Hiking up Reynisfjall Mountain gives views over the Atlantic and bird cliffs. At Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon about 98 feet (30 m) deep and 1.2 miles (2 km) long, hiking up the canyon along or in the river is strictly forbidden due to breeding grounds.
Is Iceland busy in September?
They do show how large Reykjavik’s big events get: more than 100,000 guests move through the city centre on Culture Night, and 14,646 people registered for this year’s Reykjavíkurmaraþon. Check event dates before booking a room in the capital.
Camping needs the most planning. Around 200 campsites are registered in Iceland, and most open from early June to the end of August or mid-September. The Grindavík campsite is open from mid-March into November. Camping outside organized campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission. A traditional 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, and in Vatnajökull National Park groups of ten or more tents must ask the ranger.
Lodging carries a tax. Since January 1, 2025 it is 800 kr. per lodging tax unit at licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II to IV. Campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers, pop-up campers and caravans pay 400 kr. per unit.
Can you swim in Iceland in September?
The sea is cold in September. It averages 50°F near Reykjavik, 51°F near Vík and 49°F near Höfn, and these are monthly averages. Sea swimming is for the very hardy, and the geothermal pools are the place to get in the water.
Dyrhólaey rises out of black sand just west of Vík, and that shore is for walking. Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon by the sea, gives the sea view with warm water.
What to pack for Iceland in September
September asks for warmth and rain protection, with a swimsuit for the pools.
- A warm layer for nights near 43°F (6°C).
- A waterproof jacket and water-resistant shoes for 15 rainy days.
- Extra rain protection for the walk behind Seljalandsfoss.
- Sturdy shoes for the trails at Þingvellir and the climb up Reynisfjall.
- A swimsuit for Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Fontana, where the water is warm.
- A light daypack for museum days, with a spare layer.
What to know before visiting Iceland in September
At Þingvellir, camping and angling permits are issued at the Service Center at Leirar on arrival.
Sky Lagoon is at Vesturvör 44 to 48 in Kópavogur, in Greater Reykjavík. Secret Lagoon is at Hvammsvegur in Flúðir, and Fontana is at Hverabraut 1 in Laugarvatn. Keep these addresses handy when planning a day of soaking.
Is September a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, September is a good time for travelers who want sights, museums and hot water more than warm weather. Afternoons stay cool, the sea is cold, and rain falls on about half the days.
Compared with August, you give up a few degrees, some sunshine and a few dry days, and the camping calendar tightens. Compared with October, September is a little milder and brighter, with 4 hours of sun a day against 3.0. Shifting four weeks either way changes the clothes you pack more than the sights you can see.
If you want hot water, the lagoons give it in September, with the sea at 50°F. If you want waterfalls and the black-sand coast, Seljalandsfoss, Dyrhólaey and Vík are ready. If you want fewer crowds, check the dates of Culture Night and the marathon before booking Reykjavik.
If you plan to camp, aim for the first half of the month. Many campsites close in mid-September.
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