Casting off its winter shackles, Iceland’s stunning national parks and coastal drives reward travellers with breathtaking views. You’ll also find waterfalls at their strongest as melting snow and glaciers feed into tributaries to be shot out in cascading torrents. What’s more, landscapes come to life with spectacular wildlife – spot puffins and whales alike. An Iceland holiday in the summertime - tailor-made just for you - is sure to be unforgettable.
Summer road trips
Enjoy pristine country roads that bring travellers to everything from cragged mountains to hot springs on a self-drive holiday. Start with Reykjavik’s colourful buildings and cosmopolitan attitude - that belies its compact size - and head out into Iceland’s wilds. Before you go, don’t forget to call into the famed thermal delights of the city’s Blue Lagoon. Perhaps escape the crowds with a journey to Iceland’s northern fjords. On the way you’ll drive through mountain passes and across lava fields to reach outdoor spas and excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities. If you head west out of the capital, you’ll journey through the moonscapes of Eldborg crater to reach Breioafjordur Bay, an archipelago of 3,000 tiny islands. From here, move on to nearby ranging moor hikes and geothermal pools including Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring.
Skogafoss, Iceland
Of course, there’s also Iceland’s storied Golden Circle. A beloved route, it features the impressive Thingvellir National Park, the crashing Gullfoss Waterfall and the spectacular Geysir Hot Springs. In the south of Iceland, you’ll find volcanoes fronted by black-sand beaches along with all the usual fare of hot springs and magnificent waterfalls.
Incredible wildlife
Doleful puffins and regal whales come into their own when the Icelandic sun finally comes out. Breioafjordur Bay’s islets thrive with nesting seabirds and playful seals while the nearby Westfjords are home to the sheer Latrabjarg Cliffs, themselves host to puffins, razorbills and gannets alike. Iceland is also one of the world’s premiere whale watching destinations with tours even operating out of Reykjavik where you can spot everything from minke whales to orcas; you’ll also be able to reach Lundey – which translates literally to ‘Puffin Island’ – on a traditional oak sailing ship. Alternatively, fly to Husavik on Iceland’s north coast, considered by many to be Europe’s whale-watching capital. Only three per cent of summer visitors fail to make a spotting with humpback and blue whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises frequent visitors.
Whale watching in Iceland