The date is almost here which soon marks the summer solstice in Iceland (21st June). If you are planning on visiting around this time of the year, it makes for a unique travel experience.
As the days grow longer with an average of 20 hours’ daylight, Icelanders celebrate the long-awaited sun with more time outdoors and a plethora of art and music festivals. To join the locals in their celebration of the warming season, we have highlighted the top experiences you should do when travelling to Iceland in the summer months. So take a look below for more inspiration!
Golden hour seems to last forever in the summer months, so take advantage and get outside so you can experience the natural beauty of the everlasting sun. If you are in Iceland on the day of Summer Solstice, you can join the celebrations around Reykjavik to witness the midnight sun on the longest day of the year, where many Icelanders gather late at night to watch the sun dip below the horizon and rise back up again. It is an out of this world experience that will leave you and your students speechless.
Home to world-famous hot spring and geothermal pools, Iceland is the perfect place to relax, unwind and soak in mineral-rich waters. Including the Blue Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon, the milder summer months have a great balance of being chilly enough to feel the benefit of the warm waters, but not too extreme that it’s freezing when you step out!
Typically taking place in late May or early June, the festival offers a great selection of local and international artists taking part in events all across the city. The two-week cultural festival showcases an array of concerts, operas, dance and theatre performances at local venues, including the National Gallery, Harpa and the Nordica House.
In addition to the Reykjavik Arts Festival, there are plenty of other local festivals throughout June. These include the Viking Festival, where modern-day Vikings from around the world descend upon the town of Hafnarfjordur (just outside Reykjavik) for a weekend of lively festivities in costume, with traditional crafts and staged battles. In addition, the Festival of the Sea honours those who make their living by the sea. It involves colourful parades, cultural celebrations, seafood fairs and lively rowing races.
On the 17th of June, Icelanders celebrate their independence from Danish rule with parades, concerts and lots of candy floss! There is plenty of activities happening all around the country and there is a fantastic upbeat and cheerful atmosphere on this day, so it is well worth joining the celebrations if you can.
If you are interesting in organising your own school tour to Iceland, WST will be happy to help. With a range of tours available in a number of subjects, you won't be short of ways to fill your itinerary. Get in touch with a member of our specialist team today or read our blog on How to Plan a School to Iceland.