Iceland Trip

Iceland Itineraries for August

August keeps most of July’s advantages: mild temperatures, every road open, long evenings and the full tour calendar. By the end of the month the nights are dark enough for a first glimpse of the northern lights, and after the Icelandic bank-holiday weekend in early August the campsites and country hotels start to ease.

These August itineraries were built by real travelers and picked by our editors for routes that pair the open highlands with the South Coast and north at a sane pace. Open any plan for the day-by-day detail, then duplicate it and set your own dates.

Picked and reviewed by · Iceland Lead & Content Curator· Updated

7 days

11–14 days

15+ days

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in August?

Only at the very end of the month. Nights become dark enough from roughly 20 August, and even then you need clear skies and solar activity. For a real chance of aurora, travel from September onwards; for midnight sun, go in June or early July. Late August offers a little of both.

Is August a good month for the Ring Road?

Yes. August has long daylight, open highland side-trips, warm-for-Iceland weather and all services running. It is still peak season, so book accommodation in Vík, Höfn, Mývatn and Akureyri several months ahead and plan the famous South Coast stops for early morning or evening.

What happens on the August bank holiday in Iceland?

Verslunarmannahelgi, the first weekend of August, is Iceland’s biggest travel weekend. Locals head to campsites and festivals (notably Þjóðhátíð in the Westman Islands), so rural accommodation, ferries and campsites fill up and roads are busier. Book early or avoid that weekend for the Westman Islands.

Deeper reading on iceland-trip.com

Our sister site covers every place in depth: access, parking, seasons, what to expect. Written by the same team.

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