Driving around Iceland in July

Some July highlights to add to your Iceland road trip itinerary

Catch the ferry to the Westman Islands

The seas surrounding Iceland are calmer during the summer months, a good excuse to spend a few days in Heimaey. You can choose to leave your vehicle in the car park at the port on the mainland, or drive on and use it to explore the small but hilly island. There are various activities worth checking out, such as taking a boat trip to see cliffs and caves teeming with seabirds, hiking to the summit of Eldfell to learn first-hand about the 1973 eruption, and booking an ATV tour to access some of the more remote parts of the island.

Listen to folk music in Siglufjörður

In July 2025, the Siglufjörður Folk Festival marks a quarter century of celebrating this genre of music. Over several days, musicians descend on this North Iceland town to play for an appreciative crowd. If you can’t make the dates work, don’t skip the place altogether. With a rich cultural heritage centered on the herring industry, it’s a fascinating place to discover the past. Driving through the single-lane tunnel to reach it is another memorable part of the adventure.

Soak in a hot spring at Landmannalaugar

Iceland’s Highlands are open to self-drivers for just a few months each year and July falls right in the middle of that period. The drive to Landmannalaugar is relatively easy by F-road standards, making this the ideal introduction to this colorful, mountainous part of the country. It’s doable as a day trip, which gives you time for a short hike and a dip in the People’s Pools, though you might be tempted to stay overnight.

See Dettifoss from both sides

Dettifoss is one of Europe’s largest waterfalls by volume and an impressive sight no matter when you visit or from what side you view it. In winter, however, route 864 to the east of the falls is impassable; 862 to the west is usually driveable though it can get quite slippery. In July, of course, the weather is much better so it’s possible to admire Dettifoss from either side – or both. 

Book a whale-watching tour

 Iceland is a whale-watching destination year-round but tours are more enjoyable in months like July as the ocean is usually calmer. If you’re looping the ring road, be sure to detour to Húsavik, where tours in oak-hulled boats depart from its lovely harbor several times a day. The town also boasts an interesting whale museum with plenty of information on cetaceans in general as well as the species you might see with your own eyes.

Get off the beaten track in the Westfjords

The Westfjords’ comparatively remote location means that fewer visitors make it here even in summer. Though larger settlements like Ísafjörður attract tourists, you’ll have some rural roads almost to yourself. Plan to take a leisurely drive around some of the fjords to get a feel for the region’s beauty, breaking your journey with stops at places such as Rauðasandur’s dazzling red sand beach and Dynjandi waterfall which some say resembles a bride’s veil.

Hang out with the puffins in East Iceland

Puffins are seasonal migrants to Iceland, arriving at its shores in spring to nest and rear their chicks before flying back out to sea in mid-August. July is a good time to drive to one of the many colonies for a spot of birdwatching; their comical antics and clumsy landings are sure to delight. We’d recommend the marina at Borgarfjörður eystri as it often has a large number of birds – and also a great excuse to spend a little more time in the sometimes overlooked east.

Travel tips for July travelers to Iceland

Try to squeeze in a trip before the August peak 

School summer holidays can be one of the busiest periods of the year for travel and therefore, because demand is at a peak, also the most expensive. Time your visit for the start of the month and you’ll miss the school summer holidays in some of the countries that traditionally represent a high proportion of Icelandic visitors, such as the UK and Germany. Their school summer holidays kick off towards the middle or end of the month.
If your schedule means you'll be visiting a little later in the summer, check out our guide to driving in Iceland in August for what to expect on the roads.

Substitute your sightseeing

Many of the high-profile sights in Iceland become very busy in July. Places like Skógafoss waterfall and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon are no secret and many thousands of tourists want to make sure they see these stellar highlights. However, there are plenty of alternatives so it’s easy to make a switch. Try waterfalls such as Goðafoss or Aldeyarfoss in North Iceland and Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which have all of the drama but fewer visitors.

Check out a flower meadow or two

 Iceland is known for its nature and its flowers are at their showy best in summer. Wild lupines turn the landscape purple and blue in a gorgeous contrast to the charcoal grey of lava fields. It’s also a super time of year to visit Akureyri’s botanical garden, located just south of the town center. Take a walk through the garden to admire native flora and then book a table at Lyst café to mull over what you’ve seen.

Pack a picnic

Summer’s long days fly by when you spend them somewhere as striking as Iceland, so it’s easy to lose track of time as you drive around. In some more remote locations, cafés can be few and far between, so stock up as you pass bakeries or gas stations to make sure you have the makings of a picnic. All you need to do then is find a safe and scenic place to park – which isn’t hard in a country with extraordinary landscapes around every corner.

Be prepared for autumnal weather – even in July

Iceland’s location in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean means that the weather can sometimes be a little wild. Even in July, the temperature can drop, the wind can pick up and a downpour of rain can mean you might need to sit in the car for a while before tackling a hike to a waterfall or stroll along the beach. It’s all part of the experience, so manage your expectations, throw your waterproofs on the back seat, and embrace what you can’t change.

No matter how you plan to spend your time driving around Iceland in July, you’ll have the most freedom if you drive yourself. We have a range of vehicles so no matter what your party size, how much luggage you’re traveling with, and how far off the beaten track you plan to stray, there’s one that’s just right for your needs. Take a look at our website or get in touch to discuss your needs and take the first step to making your Iceland self-drive adventure a reality.