Late Summer in Iceland: Big Days Out, Hot Springs and Fewer Crowds
Late summer in Iceland is a great time to visit. August is winding down, September is around the corner and the busiest part of the summer is behind us. There’s still plenty of daylight to get out and explore, but the evenings are getting darker, the landscape is starting to change colour and there’s a little more space to enjoy it all.
For us, this is when Iceland gets really good.
And there’s one combination we particularly like: spend the day exploring, then get into hot water.
Waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes first. Geothermal pools afterwards.
Simple.
Give the Golden Circle a Little Twist
You’ve probably heard of the Golden Circle. There’s a reason almost everyone visiting Iceland wants to see it.
Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Strokkur erupting every few minutes are the classics. They’re worth seeing.
But the Golden Circle doesn’t have to be just about ticking off the big three.
You can go a little deeper into Iceland’s geothermal side, visit two erupting geysers, Strokkur and Eilífur, and see how Icelanders have been using the heat beneath their feet to bake bread underground.Then there’s Kerið.
It’s a volcanic crater filled with blue-green water, surrounded by red volcanic rock. You can walk around the rim and down towards the lake, and it’s one of those places that makes Iceland’s geology a lot easier to understand, then, after a day of exploring, it’s time for the good part.
Hvammsvík: Hot Springs, Mountains and the Atlantic
If you like your wellness a little wild, Hvammsvík Hot Springs is hard to beat.
It’s tucked away on the edge of Hvalfjörður, around 45 minutes from Reykjavík. There are eight geothermal pools spread along the shoreline, with mountains on one side and the Atlantic on the other.
The sea actually flows into some of the pools as the tide changes, so the experience is never exactly the same twice.
And yes, you can jump into the Atlantic.
It’s cold.
Very cold.
But the hot pool waiting for you afterwards makes a convincing argument for giving it a go.
Combine Hvammsvík with the Golden Circle, and you’ve got a pretty good Icelandic day: geysers, waterfalls and geothermal landscapes followed by a couple of hours doing very little at all.
Sky Lagoon: The City Version
You don’t have to travel far from Reykjavík to get into geothermal water.
Sky Lagoon sits right on the Atlantic, just outside the city centre. It’s more polished than Hvammsvík, but that’s part of the appeal.
The infinity-style geothermal lagoon looks straight out across the ocean, and the seven-step Skjól Ritual adds cold water, sauna, mist, body scrub and steam to the experience.
Our suggestion?
Do the Golden Circle and Kerið during the day. Sky Lagoon afterwards.
You’ll sleep well.
Blue Lagoon: Famous for a Reason
Yes, you’ve seen it on Instagram.
And yes, Blue Lagoon really is that blue.
The warm geothermal seawater sits in the middle of a black lava field and contains naturally occurring silica, algae and minerals.
It’s become one of Iceland’s most famous experiences, but there’s still something slightly surreal about floating around in warm, milky-blue water while surrounded by lava.
Pair it with the Golden Circle and Kerið, and you get many of Iceland’s greatest hits in one day.
Not bad for a Tuesday.
Why Late Summer?
Late August and September sit in a sweet spot between Iceland’s summer and autumn seasons.
There’s still enough daylight for proper days out, but the nights are getting darker again. By late August, there’s even a chance of catching the first Northern Lights of the season if it’s dark enough, the skies are clear and the aurora is active.The countryside also starts changing. Greens give way to yellows, reds and browns, the air gets a little crisper and Iceland begins to feel different from high summer.
Bring a good jacket.
Then find some hot water.
Choose Your Late Summer Adventure
Golden Circle Geothermal Wonderland
Go beyond the classic Golden Circle with two geysers, geothermal landscapes and Icelandic bread baked using heat from the ground.
Golden Circle Geothermal Wonderland & Hvammsvík Hot Springs
A day of waterfalls, geysers and geothermal landscapes followed by eight hot springs overlooking Hvalfjörður.
https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/golden-circle-hvamssvik-hot-spring-whale-fjord/
Golden Circle, Sky Lagoon & Kerið Volcanic Crater
Explore Iceland’s classic Golden Circle and Kerið before finishing the day in geothermal water overlooking the North Atlantic.
https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/sky-lagoon-iceland-golden-circle/
Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerið Volcano
The Golden Circle, a volcanic crater and Iceland’s most famous geothermal lagoon in one day, with all admissions included.
https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/golden-circle-blue-lagoon-and-kerid-crater/
Adventure First. Hot Springs Afterwards.
You don’t have to choose between seeing Iceland and slowing down.
Do both.
Get outside. See the waterfalls. Wait for the geyser to erupt. Walk around a volcanic crater. Feel the wind, probably get rained on at some point, and then spend the end of the day sitting in naturally heated water.
That’s late summer in Iceland.
Experience Iceland. The Nice Way.
