Iceland: the cooler summer destination

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While Europeans and Americans have tended to “head for the sun” in the summer, the trend towards higher temperatures is driving many to look north for alternatives.

Iceland has mainly been popular in the summer for its scenery – but its cooler climate is fueling additional interest as an alternative to the blazing coasts of the Mediterranean.

“We have the midnight sun in the summer in Iceland, but it’s not the blazing, burning sun you get further south.” says Helga Kristin Fridjonsdottir (Helga Stina), founder of the Iceland travel planning firm called Iceland Unwrapped. “We even have some of the warmest outdoor pools you’ll find anywhere in Europe, though the heat comes from below the surface, and our air temperatures tend to range from 12-16C (50-60F) with 21C (70F) being the highest.”

Air conditioning, as you can imagine, is a rarity. “We have an air conditioned country – all you need to do is open your window!  We also have geothermal heat for our swimming pools and hydro-powered electricity, so the experience is as “green” as it is crisp,

“If there’s one thing that makes Iceland great to visit – even more than the scenery – it’s the geothermal water,” said Mike Klein, an Iceland-based American consultant and writer who has lived here since 2020.  “Iceland is the only place in Europe with a year-round outdoor pool culture, and you don’t have to just go to fancier hot springs to find great pools in great, scenic settings.”

There’s a lot more to summer in Iceland than just going to the pool.  Says Helga Stina: “The midnight sun makes us a terrific summer golfing location, and there are even some golf tournaments that take place after midnight.  There are golf courses in magnificent locations – most of which are not far from the ocean.  It’s also possible to tour the national parks after midnight – even the magnificent Thingvellir (the National Park closest to the capital, Reykjavik).”

“Iceland is also surrounded by beaches – black sand, golden sand, white sand, and even red sand.  I won’t pretend that they’re for sunbathing – unless you are a true Viking.  But if you want to walk along the beach and experience the sand and the surf, Iceland’s beaches are pleasant, peaceful and invariably scenic.”

Summer is peak travel season in Iceland, with the bulk of visiting tourists clustering around a relatively small number of sights about 20-40 km outside of Reykjavik, like the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle.

“These are sights which are more notable for their easy-to-reach locations than they are for being the best Iceland has to offer,” Helga Stina adds. 

“Most tourists head south on arrival because the sights are more famous and generate more ‘bucket list’ Instagram posts, but there are sights a similar distance to the North and the West that are at least as compelling and almost completely uncrowded.  There are also more diverse and authentic lodging options in these directions as well.”

Having a travel planner can be helpful in getting the most of a summer trip to Iceland that avoids the tourist crowds. “There are a lot of waterfalls, fishing villages, fjords, and hot springs in those other directions, but because they’re not as well known, it helps to have a well-planned itinerary, and a travel planner can help with obtaining more unique lodging like summer homes with geothermal hot tubs.  There’s sun, surf, sand, and steam here – and with a little bit of help, you’ll be able to experience all that a cool Iceland summer has to offer.”

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If you are thinking of coming to Iceland this summer, visit www.icelandunwrapped.com