Wondering what to wear in Iceland in June? With our Iceland Summer packing list we tell you exactly what to pack for activities, the major tourist attractions and Iceland weather in June.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Weather in Iceland in June
Iceland is an amazing country. However the weather in Iceland is very changeable even in the Summer. For this reason is it important to have seasonal specific packing guides for Iceland. So if you are going to Iceland in June the first concern has to be the weather.
How warm is Iceland in June?
June is technically the start of Summer in Iceland. However with the word ice in the title it should come as no surprise that Iceland isn’t scorching hot in Summer. In fact the average temperature for Iceland in June is 9°C/48°F. However the max temp in Iceland in June can increase to the mid teens.
For this reason even if you are visiting Iceland in Summer, you will still want lots of layers with you.
Remember if your visit to Iceland covers two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides which will give you alterations for your packing list.
- What to wear in Iceland in May
- What to wear in Iceland in July
Is it rainy in Iceland in June?
No month in Iceland is ever going to be completely dry and in June you are likely to see around 11 rainy days.
Therefore you will definitely need some waterproof wear with you. On top of that if you plan on doing waterfall hikes such as the Seljalandsfoss hike which takes you behind the waterfall, you will be needing waterproof trousers and tops too!
Is it snowy in Iceland in June?
Snow is something you shouldn’t concern yourself with in Iceland in June. At the lower levels you are unlikely to see any snowfall however there may be some snow on the mountain tops.
Iceland Clothing Advice for June
Our first piece of Iceland Clothing advice for June is:
Layers
Layers are your best friend in Iceland no matter the time of year you visit. The mornings and evenings can get very chilly, and although the temperatures do sometimes touch 20C it is rare. Therefore the key to any Iceland outfit for summer is layers and lots of them.
And you will want at least one of the layers to be
Waterproof
Waterproof trousers and jackets are an essential no matter the month of travel. That is because rain happens all year round in Iceland and on top of that waterfalls and glaciers, some of Iceland’s most poplar attractions require you to wear waterproofs.
On top of that
Swimwear
Swimwear is a must even in Winter in Iceland if you plan to visit hot springs or the Blue Lagoon.
What to wear in Iceland in June
As your Iceland Packing list for June mainly is concerned with the weather and the type of activities you will be doing. For this reason we haven’t separated out a what to wear in Iceland for women guide from a what to wear in Iceland for men guide. That is because most items are gender neutral.
So no matter whether you are a male or female tourist in Iceland you should add the below to your packing list
Waterproof Jacket
When you are wondering what to wear in Iceland in June top of your list should be a waterproof jacket.
A Waterproof jacket is a must for Iceland no matter the time of year. And I don’t mean a water-resistant jacket. I mean a fully waterproof jacket.
The rain can come down thick and fast even in Iceland in June, and on the Seljalandsfoss waterfall walk or even at Skogafoss – the famous rainbow waterfall, you will get quite soaked.
Therefore if you don’t want to be drenched and have to change your clothes you will want to have a waterproof jacket with you.
Click to shop waterproof jackets here.
Also on top of the waterproof jacket you will also need:
Waterproof Walking Trousers
My number one pair of trousers for Iceland in June are waterproof walking trousers. That is because the rain and waterfalls can get you pretty wet. Therefore this will prevent you walking around in wet trousers for the rest of the day.
If you can we recommend bring the zippable walking trousers that can be worn as trousers or shorts. Although you are unlikely to need shorts every day it is nice to have the option if you get a hot spell.
Shop waterproof trousers on amazon here!
T Shirts
As Iceland is quite a casual country we think that t shirts are the best base layer for Iceland in Summer.
If you are visiting Iceland in June we recommend packing a mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts.
Long sleeves can be useful in the evenings and in places where there are lots of flies and mosquitos as they provide extra protection on your arms. Click here to shop t shirts.
Sweaters or Fleeces
Even though it is summer, the key to any Iceland packing list is layers. We recommend either sweater or fleeces to put under your jacket.
I personally prefer a microfibre fleece over a sweater for Iceland for the simple reason that these pack down smaller, have better water and water resistance. Click here to shop fleeces for Iceland.
It is also worth noting though that my favorite Iceland souvenir is one of the beautiful wool Icelandic jumpers.
In fact these type of jumpers are my favorite thing to wear in Iceland for dinner.
Jeans
I personally don’t recommend wearing jeans in Iceland for sightseeing in places such as beaches and waterfalls.
The reason for this is that if they get wet they take ages to dry and they can be very uncomfortable to sightsee in when wet.
However I like jeans for evenings in Iceland. But would opt for a smarter pair if you plan on using these a for dinners etc.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Socks
As hiking boots are the main shoes we recommend for Iceland in June we recommend packing hiking socks.
These will protect your feet more and prevent blistering.
Click here to shop hiking socks on amazon.
Lightweight PJs
Iceland accommodation does not often have air conditioning and you won’t want windows open in all places due to bugs like mosquitos. For this reason we recommend packing only lightweight nightwear.
Swimwear
Although sea swimming and sunbathing are not something on any Iceland summer itinerary I still recommend packing swimwear.
Iceland’s hot springs especially the Blue Lagoon should be top of your Iceland Bucket list. To do these you will need swimwear with you. One pieces, bikinis, speedos or trunks are all appropriate so pick the swimwear you feel most comfortable in.
For more information on what to wear in the Blue Lagoon check out this post.
Hat, Scarf and Gloves
There aren’t many summer packing lists that include hat, scarfs and gloves but you will definitely want these even in Iceland in Summer.
These are particularly important if you plan on going whale watching or on a glacier walk. But are also useful to those who are planning to camp or camper van all around Iceland.
Best Shoes for Iceland in June
One of the things that I like about visiting Iceland in June is that you can actually restrict the amount of shoes you take with you.
You don’t need to worry too much about what to wear in Iceland for dinner or at night, so therefore it is most important to bring shoes for the outdoor activities you want to do.
For this reason our number one shoe for Iceland in June is:
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Hiking Boots are a must for visiting Iceland no matter what time of year you are visiting. Iceland has a variety of terrains from beautiful black sand beaches, glaciers and slippery waterfall walks to name but a few.
When looking for a hiking boots for Iceland in June you need to make sure they have
- a good sole with good grip
- are waterproof
- are worn in so you don’t get blisters.
Click here to shop waterproof hiking boots.
But while these are the number one shoe to take you may also want to consider:
Sneakers
These are useful for in Reykjavik but are not appropriate on most trails in Iceland.
Flip Flops
Although you won’t be jumping in the sea or spending time sunbathing on a beach in Iceland flip flops are a good idea for at the Blue Lagoon or at hot springs.
What to pack for Iceland in June
Now you know what to wear in Iceland in June, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Iceland in June besides clothes.
Our must have items on your Iceland Summer Packing List include:
Toiletries
Normally I leave toiletries off my packing lists, preferring to buy them on arrival. However Iceland is an expensive place for food and toiletries.
For this reason we recommend packing your own toiletries and bringing them from home. If you are trying not to overpack and do Carry On Only then you will need to make sure you keep to the TSA liquid allowances.
Key toiletries we recommend bringing to Iceland inclide:
- Moisturiser – the wind and rain in Iceland along with the salinity in the hot springs take the toll on your skin. A good moisturiser is therefore a must.
- Conditioner – again the salinity in the hot springs and blue lagoon can damage your hair therefore we recommend packing a good quality conditioner with you for visiting Iceland.
Sunscreen
Although the temperatures aren’t sky high in June you will still want sunscreen. You will be spending most of your time in Iceland outside so sun protection is an essential. Shop sunscreen here.
Lip Balm with Sun Protection
And as well as protecting your skin also protect your lips with a lip balm that has sun protection. Our favorite brand at the moment is Sun Bum.
Hat with mosquito net
A hat is a good idea in Iceland. We like to have one with a mosquito net if you are visiting in Summer. That is because in places like Lake Myvatn, where there is largely still water you will find there are lots of insects. The net can really help reduce the irritation factor of these bugs. Click here to shop hats with mosquito nets.
Insect Repellant
Iceland does get midgies, black fly and mosquitos in Summer. Insect repellant is therefore a must for any summer visitor.
Sleeping Mask
One of the downsides to visiting Iceland in Summer is that you won’t get a chance to see the Northern Lights. However the upside of this is the long daylight hours. And by long daylight hours I mean almost 24/7 daylight in some regions of Iceland.
This means you can sightsee in daylight for much longer and increases what you can accomplish in one day.
However this daylight can also make sleeping tricky. For this reason be sure to pack a sleeping mask withy you.
Note: if you are traveling to Iceland with toddlers or little kids you may want to look into travel blackout blinds too.
Towel
Although the Blue Lagoon provides towels in its ticket prices – you can find out more about the Blue Lagoon packages and what is included here), not all hot springs provide towels.
For this reason we recommend packing a towel. If you can bring a quick dry one as there aren’t many places to dry your towel in Iceland accommodation.
Click her to shop quick dry towels.
Water bottle
Food and drink in Iceland is expensive, a resusable water bottle is a great way to cut costs and is better for the environment. Click here to shop reusable water bottles for travel.
Snacks
Iceland is an expensive country and one of the biggest lines on your Iceland budget will be food. Iceland allows you to bring certain foods into the country with you – no raw eggs, raw meat, or milk, up to 3kg in weight.
To save money, if you are bringing a checked luggage we recommend using your 3kg of food allowance to pack snacks and food to help reduce your costs.
Thermos
Days in Iceland require early starts to get to most of the sights and beat the crowds. To help me get up and at them I always take a thermos which I can fill with my morning coffee before heading out for the day.
Back Pack with Rain Cover
To keep everything you will need for a day out in Iceland you will need a backpack with you. I also recommend bringing a rain cover for your back pack in Iceland to help protect your electronics and clothes you have. Click here to shop backpacks with waterproof covers for Iceland.
Travel adaptor
If you are traveling to Iceland you will need a electrical travel plug adaptor. Iceland uses European C and E sockets. Click here to shop travel adaptors for Iceland.
Battery Pack
You will be using your phone a lot in Iceland for sat navs, cameras and more and just me this drains your battery quick. Therefore if is worth having a battery pack charger with you as well as a USB cable for charging in your car. Click here to shop battery packs.
Camera
Iceland is a stunning place bring the best quality camera you have with you.
Binoculars
June is one of the best months for birdwatching in Iceland. If you plan on birdwatching or whale watching in Iceland we recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars with you. Click here to shop good quality travel binoculars.
FAQS about What to wear in Iceland in June
Can you wear shorts in Iceland in June?
Shorts never usually make it onto our what to wear in Iceland in June list. The reason for this is that the weather isn’t all that hot in Iceland in Summer.
Instead of just packing shorts we recommend packing zippable walking trousers instead. These are more practical for the activities you will be doing and can be converted to shorts in case of a hot spell.
Can I wear leggings to Iceland in Summer?
There are no Iceland dress code rules that leggings go against. For a warm day then leggings can be a good pick, however I would avoid wearing these on rainy days or days where you do waterfall hikes where you may get wet.
However for most of the time in Iceland I find leggings to be cold for Iceland.
Should I pack a dress for Iceland in June?
Dresses are not really appropriate for most activities you will be doing in June in Iceland. They aren’t good for hiking, whale watching etc. For this reason we don’t recommend taking dresses for during the day in Iceland.
However if you have enough room in your luggage dresses can be nice to change into for smarter dinners in Iceland.
Do I need thermals in Iceland in June?
Whether or not you need thermals in Iceland in June will depend on if there is a cold snap during your dates of travel and if you are planning to do a glacier hike.
If then answer is yes to either of these contingents then I would recommend packing thermals for Iceland even in June.
Do you have questions about what to wear in Iceland in June that we have yet to answer? Please drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer it as quickly as we can.