Iceland Holidays in June: Best Things to Do, See & Explore

If you are going to Iceland in June, you better be ready to have some tremendous fun! It is warming up, the sun stays out longer due to the midnight sun, and there is a lot to do. If you like hiking a lot, love music, or just adore the outdoors, Iceland has something to offer every nature lover.

Let us discuss the best 15 things to do in Iceland this June!

Drive around the Golden Circle

Golden Circle is among the most visited roads in Iceland, and it is a great beginning to your vacation. You are able to visit three beautiful places in one day.

• Þingvellir National Park: It is the park where two gigantic fragments of the Earth—tectonic plates—are gradually drifting apart from each other. That is, you can walk between two continents. It is also historically important because the first Icelandic parliament was held here.
• Geysir Hot Springs: Bubbling water and steam burst out of the Earth. Strokkur, the biggest one, shoots out water every few minutes into the air. Just a pleasure to watch!
• Gullfoss Waterfall: This is one of the biggest and most stunning waterfalls. The sound of the water hits your ears and sprays on your cheeks.

It is a quick day trip and a good way to begin your Icelandic adventure.

Go to the Secret Solstice Festival

If you like dancing and music, you simply must visit the Secret Solstice Festival in Reykjavík. It is held during June at midnight sun time, so the festival goes on throughout the night!

There’s lots of music, such as pop and rock, hip-hop, and electronica. You can listen to bands, dance with new friends, and have a good time in the atmosphere of a holiday city.

When you are not dancing, you can leave Reykjavík. Shop through the windows of past Icelandic dishes and hopefully get a glimpse of some puffins or so.

Hike Hverfjall Crater

Hverfjall is a massive, ring-shaped crater close to Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. It is like a big bowl created by a volcano!

You can hike off the top, and it’s not bad. The scenery at the top is great. You have lava fields, mountains, and a lake before you. It feels like moonwalking.

It is an easy and pleasant hike for adults and children. That is all you are going to need.

Snorkel in Silfra

Do you enjoy snorkeling? Even if you are not experienced with snorkeling, Silfra is where you need to begin. It is located in Þingvellir National Park, and it is rather extraordinary. The water is incredibly clean, and you are snorkeling among two tectonic plates.

The water is ice cold, but do not worry—you are wearing a special suit that will warm you up. It is so much like an underwater holiday experience! You will get to witness very pretty-looking rocks and glinting colors. It is one of the best snorkeling spots in the whole world.

Hike to Glymur Waterfall

Glymur is Iceland’s tallest waterfall, and it is stunning. You will have to hike in order to visit it, but it does open up in June due to the melting snow.

The hike is excellent. You get to hike along rivers, through thick forests, and even into a cave. The view from the summit is wonderful. You get to see the huge waterfall pouring into a canyon. Don’t forget your camera!

Midnight Sun Kayaking

One of the best features of Iceland during June is the midnight sun. Yes, the sun does not come down at all—it remains lit nearly the entire night.

Kayak during the late evening hours, and the sky will be bright. Float upon peaceful waters under golden lighting in all directions. It is tranquil, quiet, and magical.

Places like these Ísafjörður in the Westfjords are ideal for this. You may even spot a patch of seals or birds to watch out for while kayaking!

Spot Arctic Foxes at Hornstrandir

Want to observe Arctic foxes in their natural habitat? Then, head to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Actually, it is miles from everywhere, no villages, no roads. You travel by boat!

The best time to come here is in June when the foxes venture out more frequently. They have bushy tails, hairy bodies, and big ones and are simply too cute. You can hike and explore the unexplored wild as well.

This is your dream holiday if you are an animal lover and an adventure bug.

Hvalfjörður Fjord

Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord) is a quiet spot just outside of Reykjavík. Everyone just whizzes by, but if you take the time to look it up, there are waterfalls, walking paths, and World War II battlefields.

You can walk up there straight through to Glymur, go see Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, and even tour old World War II structures. It is quiet and serene.

It is wonderful to spend a quiet day out.

Rauðasandur Beach

Black sand is what people typically think of when they hear the words Icelandic beach. But not Rauðasandur, a beach lined with red and golden sand!

It is hidden in the Westfjords, so you have to make an extra effort from the capital city and other big towns to view it, but well worth it for minimal disruption to tourists. You can drive for miles without ever seeing another human soul. The sea, cliffs, and peacefulness make one a wonderful place to unwind.

Take off and get yourself a sandwich or something, and just stand there admiring the view. And if you are lucky, you can get the chance to see seals sunbathing on the beach.

Viðey Island Ferry

Viðey Island is reached by only a short boat journey from Reykjavík. It is tranquil and tiny and has lovely pathways to walk along, thought-provoking artwork, and many birds.

The best thing to do there is to visit the Imagine Peace Tower, which was created by Yoko Ono. It is white and tall, reaching the air.

You can drive around the island, have a picnic lunch, and witness the city’s horizon on the water. It is a great small day trip on the outskirts of town.

Drive the South Coast

One of the best things to do in Iceland is to go on a road trip along the South Coast. There are just so many dope stops along the way:

• Seljalandsfoss: A walk-up waterfall!
• Skógafoss: A ginormous waterfall with rainbows.
• Reynisfjara Beach: A black sand beach with dope rock spires out in the sea.

The drive is fun, and there is so much to see. In June, the roads will be clear, and the weather will be good. You will want to stop every five minutes to take pictures!

Stórurð (The Giant Boulders)

There is also a site in East Iceland that is called Stórurð, which indeed translates to “The Giant Boulders.” They are GIANT boulders with azure pools of water-filled mud holes surrounding them.

You can only go afield in late June when the snow melts. The trek is tough and long, but the scenery is worthwhile. The water is crystal clear, too, and the whole landscape is fairy-tale-like.

If you prefer large nature and peaceful spots, you will adore it here.

Go see Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull is Iceland’s largest national park. It is GIGANTIC and full of cool things like volcanoes, waterfalls, and glaciers.

One of the highlights is Skaftafell, where you can walk and see Svartifoss, a waterfall inside black lava pillars.

You even get to walk on a glacier with a guide. Ice wave walking! Ice walking is easier in June, and to see flowers bloom in the valleys. It is heaven for nature lovers.

Soak in Secret Hot Springs

Most people know about the Blue Lagoon, but other hot springs in Iceland are less crowded and more natural.

Here are a few to try:

• Sky Lagoon (just outside of Reykjavík): Refinement with serenity and ocean views.
• Vök Baths (in the East): Hanged hot springs over a lake!
• Forest Lagoon (up in the North): Mountains and woods as far as the horizon.

Hot springs are a great way to unwind after a tiring day of exploring.

Visit the Highlands

Iceland’s Highlands are tough and colorful. You can only visit there in summer because the roads are closed during winter. They just opened them last June already!

Landmannalaugar is one of the more popular ones to visit. The mountains are rainbow-colored due to the special rocks. You can even soak in the hot springs and trek the Laugavegur Trail, one of the most renowned hikes in the world.

The Highlands are a different world altogether—one that’s ideal for adventure enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts: Why June is the Ideal Month to Visit Iceland

Then why travel to Iceland in June? There are some excellent reasons:

• Midnight Sun: You will be lit nearly 24 hours a day!
• Improved Weather: Fewer rainy days and warmer than winter months.
• Open Roads: You can travel to places inaccessible during winter months.
• Less Crowded Than July: June is busy but less busy than July and August.
• Plenty to Do and See: From waterfalls to music festivals, there is something for everyone.

If you wish to hike, relax, watch animals, listen to music, or take breathtaking photographs, you are in the right place in Iceland in June for your vacation of a lifetime.