What clothes should we pack for a summer road trip in South Iceland?

Eveeve · 2026-06-08

Hi, We're leaving on June 19th for an 8-day road trip in South Iceland. I've heard that even in summer, it's cold and the weather can change several times a day. Should we mainly pack winter gear, like a K-Way, fleece, down jacket, beanie, etc.?

Thanks for your tips!

What clothes should I pack for a southern Iceland circuit in summer?

Attila · 2026-06-09

Hi there,

20°C in Iceland is a heatwave. 12–15°C is a beautiful day.

I’ve experienced sub-zero temps, fog so thick you could cut it with a knife, and wind strong enough to blow the horns off a bull...

In summer...

Pack more for spring/winter: a waterproof and windproof jacket, technical base-layer tops (the kind you wear skiing), a fleece, gloves, a beanie, a scarf—on top of your T-shirts and pants. Waterproof and windproof hiking pants aren’t a bad idea either.

The wind can turn a displayed 15°C into a feels-like 5°C...

What clothes should you pack for a summer trip to southern Iceland?

Nimou74 · 2026-07-13

Hi, I just got back. Apart from the last day in Reykjavik, which was sunny, I had wind, rain, and... hail! With occasional clear spells. I didn’t take off my waterproof pants, beanie, or Gore-Tex jacket. 😇 I mostly stayed in the southern Highlands of Iceland. I wrote a travel journal on my blog if you're interested. Despite the short trip and not-so-great weather, I really loved it.