A Guide to Visiting Reykjavik & Iceland in the Summer
- Aug 26, 2024
- 7 min read
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Iceland is one of those places that lives up to every photograph you've ever seen of it — and then gives you things the photographs can't capture. The scale of the glaciers. The silence of a lava field at midnight in full daylight. The particular quality of the light in summer that makes everything look slightly unreal.
I've been twice — once for a quick trip, once for a full 10 days — and I'd go back without hesitation. This guide covers everything I've learned across both visits: where to stay, where to eat, what to do, and a few things nobody tells you before you land.
Why Visit Iceland in Summer?
Every season in Iceland has something going for it, but summer is by far the best for exploring the country's outdoor sights. The days are essentially endless — the sun barely sets between June and August — which means you can hike to a waterfall, soak in a geothermal lagoon, and still have golden light at 11pm after the tour buses have left.
It does rain, and temperatures often hover around 60°F even in July. Pack layers and a good waterproof jacket regardless of when you go.
If the Northern Lights are the main reason you want to visit, plan a winter trip instead — you need darkness to see them, and there isn't much of that in summer. Just know that winter brings shorter days, road closures, and limited access to many of the country's most spectacular sights.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is very walkable and genuinely worth spending 2–3 days in. Stay central — you want to be able to wander on foot without thinking about it. Remember, I can help get you perks and discounts at all sorts of hotels!
The EDITION Reykjavik — Iceland's first five-star hotel, with sleek design, mountain and harbor views, and impeccable service. From $600/night.
Hotel 101 — A design-forward boutique hotel right in the heart of the city, with an art-collector aesthetic and a very local feel.
Kvosin Downtown Hotel — Feels like a luxe bed-and-breakfast with loads of personality. One of my favorites for its warmth and location.
Apartments in eastern Reykjavik — A smart option for families or groups. Having a kitchen to reheat leftovers or prepare a simple breakfast makes a real difference in a city where dining out adds up quickly.
What to Do in Reykjavik
Climb to the top of Hallgrímskirkja Church for panoramic views over the city and the water
Walk the rainbow-painted street near Laugavegur — it's small but worth finding
See the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront, especially at golden hour
Wander Laugavegur Street for shopping, coffee, and people-watching
Visit Sky Lagoon, just 15 minutes from downtown — a geothermal pool with an infinity edge over the ocean
Browse the weekend flea market at Kolaportið
Catch a show or just walk through the stunning Harpa Concert Hall
Where to Eat in Reykjavik (and Beyond)
The food in Iceland genuinely surprised me both times. Here's where I'd send you:
Ox and Dill are both Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurants in Reykjavik. Plan for at least two hours, book well in advance, and go as a pair rather than a larger group — the counter seating and intimate formats work best for two.
Apotek Restaurant is a personal favorite that I've recommended to everyone who asks and never had a complaint back. It's pricey, but the quality backs it up. Rather than the full Icelandic tasting menu — which is genuinely an enormous amount of food — I'd suggest their Icelandic tasting platter, which includes lamb, whale, and puffin. The whale in particular is worth trying with an open mind. Then order the lamb rack and duck platter to share between the table.
Sjavargrillid (the Seafood Grill) is slightly more relaxed but still beautifully executed. We had what was probably the best preparation of local cod I encountered across the entire trip, which is saying something given how much cod you'll eat in Iceland.
ROK Restaurant calls itself casual and rustic, but the cooking is anything but. I love it for the way it pairs uniquely Icelandic ingredients — reindeer, for example — with unexpected international influences like Thai curry. It's creative and confident.
KEF Bar & Restaurant at Hotel Keflavik near the airport is worth knowing about. Stop here on your way in or out — or spend a final night nearby before an early flight. The food is a genuinely good showcase of local ingredients and far better than airport-adjacent dining has any right to be.
Friðheimar in the Golden Circle is one of those only-in-Iceland experiences I think about more than it probably warrants. It's a massive working tomato greenhouse, and you eat an entire tomato-focused meal inside it surrounded by the vines. If you're driving the Golden Circle yourself, build it in.
Fjöruborðið is my single favorite restaurant discovery in all of Iceland — a langoustine spot on the waterfront about an hour south of Reykjavik. If you've ever loved a crawfish boil, this is the Icelandic version of that joy. A car is required, but it's absolutely worth the detour.
The Soup Company in Vík is a perfect lunch stop on the south coast — the lamb and cod soups are some of the best versions of either you'll find anywhere in the country.
Smiðjan Brugghus also in Vík — a local brewery with a wide range of Icelandic beers and surprisingly excellent BBQ ribs, which makes for a very welcome break from all the lamb and cod.
Pakkhus in Höfn on the southeast coast — a harbor seafood spot known for langoustines. They don't take reservations and fill up fast, so arrive before 6pm if you can.
Shopping in Reykjavik
A few specific recommendations rather than a generic souvenir list:
Wool sweaters are the quintessential Iceland purchase, and for good reason. For a slightly more fashion-forward version, Farmers Market / Farmers & Friends downtown carries beautiful pieces in mixed fibers — I found one with alpaca wool and gold thread woven in that I still wear constantly. For a wider range of cold-weather gear, Icewear has several locations; the main Laugavegur store has three floors, with the top floor offering up to 80% off on select items.
Taste of Iceland carries Icelandic black lava salt and other local pantry items — beautiful gifts that actually get used.
Epal is a good stop for Nordic home decor, including the puffin and sheep statues that are ubiquitous but genuinely charming.
Practical tip: Save your receipts and request a VAT refund form at each shop. You can reclaim 12–14% at the airport through Change Group before security — it adds up.
Should You Rent a Car?
For a short trip focused on Reykjavik with day tours, you can manage without one. Shuttles from the airport are easy, the city is walkable, and Golden Circle tours run daily from town.
For anything longer — especially if you want to drive the south coast or explore beyond the standard tourist circuit — a car is essential. It gives you the freedom to stop when something catches your eye, arrive at popular sights before the crowds, and reach places that tours simply don't go. We used Blue Car Rental and had a great experience. If you're doing the full Ring Road, try to have two drivers — it's a long haul.
Must-Do Activities in Iceland
Horseback riding on Icelandic horses was the single activity I'd most want to repeat. Icelandic horses are a unique breed — small, sturdy, incredibly sure-footed — and a private ride through the countryside is something I'd recommend to anyone, regardless of riding experience.
Glacier hikes and boat tours on glacial lakes are both exceptional if you're going as far east as Vatnajökull. They're very different experiences — one active and physical, one peaceful and atmospheric — and both are genuinely memorable.
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon — at least one is non-negotiable. Sky Lagoon is newer, closer to Reykjavik, and has a striking infinity-edge design over the ocean. Blue Lagoon is the iconic one but requires booking well in advance, especially in summer. Both are worth it; which you choose depends on your schedule.
Beyond those, Iceland is full of waterfalls, lava fields, basalt cliffs, black sand beaches, and fjords that you can simply drive up to and experience. The country rewards slow travel and spontaneous stops.
Where to Go & Stay in Iceland Beyond Reykjavik
If you're driving the south coast or the Ring Road, here's where I'd suggest stopping, roughly in counter-clockwise order from Reykjavik:
Vík is a natural anchor point on the south coast — centrally located for a huge number of outdoor attractions, with good food options and an excellent hotel. Hotel Vik i Myrdal is luxurious for the price and a genuinely lovely base for a night or two.
Höfn is a charming fishing village on the southeast coast, perfectly positioned after glacier lake tours. Pakkhus in the harbor is a fantastic seafood restaurant and reason enough to stop.
Seydisfjörður, Egilsstaðir, or Neskaupstaður in the northeast — small villages close to the famous puffin colonies and, if you're lucky, free-roaming reindeer. Any of these makes a good stopping point between Höfn and the north.
Akureyri on the north coast is the largest city outside Reykjavik, with a real main street to walk, good restaurants, and the Forest Lagoon — a newer geothermal pool nestled in the birch forests above the city that's absolutely worth a visit.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula if you're looping back to Reykjavik via the northwest — we stayed at the remote and beautiful Hotel Búðir, which is one of those places that feels like it exists in its own world.
Below is a map of a some of my aforementioned recommended restaurants and shops, as well as notable outdoor attractions along the West and South coasts where we went.
A Word About Alcohol Prices
Iceland is famously expensive for alcohol, and it's worth knowing before you land. Cocktails start at around $15 even at happy hour. Bottles from the state-run liquor stores — the only place you can buy spirits outside the airport — carry government taxes of up to 85%, which makes the prices remarkable. Breweries have only been permitted to sell beer directly to consumers since 2023.
The practical upshot: buy alcohol at Keflavik Airport duty-free when you land. The airport tax is still 20% (up from 10% before 2023), but it's dramatically better than anything you'll pay once you're in the country. If you're planning to open any bottles during your trip, stock up there.
Ready to Plan Your Iceland Trip?
Iceland is the kind of destination that rewards good planning — the right timing, the right base locations, and knowing which restaurants to book months in advance versus which ones you can walk into. As a certified travel advisor, I'd love to help you put together an itinerary that covers what matters most to you. Reach out here and let's build it.
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