What are the best activities to do in Iceland during September?

September in Iceland opens up a range of activities across the country. Visitors can trek the Vatnajökull glacier head to Dalvík for whale watching tours that boast a 98% success rate or explore the classic Golden Circle sites including Gullfoss and Geysir. The Wilderness Center near Egilsstaðir stands out for its historical exhibits and free hot springs. For accommodations the Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik and Hotel Dyrholaey in Vík serve as practical bases especially for those hoping to catch the northern lights.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Iceland during September?

September signals the start of aurora viewing season as nights grow longer and darker. Properties like Hotel Hamar near Borgarnes and Fosshotel Núpar provide clear views away from urban light pollution. A recent visitor reported: "We saw amazing Northern Lights three times during our September trip while staying at countryside hotels away from Reykjavik."

What festivals or events happen in Iceland during September?

The cultural calendar comes alive in September with the Reykjavik International Film Festival and the traditional Réttir sheep roundup. Local food festivals pop up throughout Reykjavik and concert venues like Harpa Concert Hall begin their main season. Downtown Reykjavik hotels place visitors in the heart of these cultural happenings.

What are the crowd levels like in Iceland during September?

Tourist numbers drop noticeably in September compared to summer peaks. Visitors report shorter wait times at major attractions like the Blue Lagoon and Gullfoss waterfall. The Golden Circle route becomes more manageable and hotels such as Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik often have better availability at lower rates.

What wildlife can you see in Iceland during September?

September offers final chances to spot puffins before migration particularly around Borgarfjörður Eystri. Whale watching excursions from Húsavík and Akureyri regularly encounter humpback whales and dolphins. As one visitor noted: "Our September whale watching tour from Akureyri was incredible - we saw multiple humpbacks and even some dolphins." Hotels like Hotel Akureyri provide convenient access to wildlife viewing areas.

What is the weather like in Iceland during September?

September temperatures typically range from 7-12°C (45-54°F) with some rainfall as summer transitions to autumn. These conditions work well for exploring sites like Thingvellir National Park and the Golden Circle. TourRadar travelers note the "breathtaking views with less extreme weather conditions than winter months." Hotel Stracta in Hella serves as a strategic point for experiencing Iceland's varied September weather.

Iceland Tours in September 2026

10 best Iceland trips in September 2026

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Explorer
6 Day - Iceland Ring Road Small-Group Tour
4.8 (43 traveler reviews)
"Iceland is gorgeous and we had a wonderful time."
Gai, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Reynisdrangar Cliffs,Myrdalsjokull,Fjadrargljufur,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Borgarfjörður,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Grábrók Volcano,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes+23 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
From
US$1,972per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
8 spaces left
4 Sep, 2026
7 spaces left
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Explorer
Best of Iceland
4.9 (137 traveler reviews)
"Perfect mix of events and sites."
Bennett, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Akureyri, Godafoss, Myvatn, Seydisfjordur,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $3,639
US$2,729per person
Price based on Private Double Room
3 Sep, 2026
7 spaces left
6 Sep, 2026
4 spaces left
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$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Summer) Tour$
$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Summer) - 16 destinations$
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Explorer
Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar '27), Summer)
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"I liked everything about this trip to Iceland - how we got to see the country, the insights into the Icelandic culture."
Ursina, traveled in March
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Efstidalur, Geysir,Gullfoss,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Reykjanesfólkvangur Reserve,Blue Lagoon+11 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From $2,195
US$1,976per person
Price based on Shared Room
21 Sep, 2026
9 spaces left
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Explorer
5 Day - Snæfellsnes & South Coast
4.5 (161 traveler reviews) award winner
"The tour was fantastic. They were both fantastic!"
Jay, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Dover,Gullfoss,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell,Fjadrargljufur+11 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Adventures
10% Off
From
US$1,582per person
Price based on Private Double Room
2 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
4 Sep, 2026
9 spaces left
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Explorer
5-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
5.0 (12 traveler reviews)
"The landscape changes with every mile! I definitely felt I got my money's worth."
Nathan, traveled in May
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Akureyri, Godafoss, Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+13 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
15% Off
From $1,806
US$1,535per person
Price based on Private Double Room
7 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
14 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
4.8 (4 traveler reviews)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell,Svartifoss,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Grundarfjordur,Thingvellir National Park,Haukadalur,Geysir,Gullfoss+30 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Snaeland Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,655per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
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Explorer
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+15 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
5% Off
From $3,012
US$2,862per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Explorer
10 Days Complete Iceland Summer | Ring-Road, Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Roundtrip airport transfer (Group Tour)
4.9 (18 traveler reviews)
"Great tour and really good communication by the tour company. Would highly recommend the 8 day tour around Iceland."
Aashney, traveled in February
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park,Haukadalur,Geysir,Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Jokulsarlon,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Borgarnes,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Blue Lagoon+21 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
5% Off
From $5,387
US$5,117per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
8-Day Summer Iceland Ring Road & Landmannalaugar Highland Small Group Tour
4.4 (9 traveler reviews)
"Everything was handled according to what was expected and the actual tour operator, Bus Travel Iceland was very professional."
Xavier, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Reynisdrangar Cliffs,Vik,Fjadrargljufur,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Dettifoss,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Myvatn,Godafoss,Akureyri,Blonduos,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Grábrók Volcano,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi,Landmannalaugar+29 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
5% Off
From
US$2,646per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
8-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The Snaeland tour was modestly priced with comfortable hotels and professional, safe, friendly driver/guide."
Greg, traveled in August
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Akureyri,Myvatn,Godafoss,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Vatnajokull National Park,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+21 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
15% Off
From $2,619
US$2,226per person
Price based on Private Double Room
5 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
12 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (176 traveler reviews)
"The northern lights were phenomenal. Would definitely recommend this trip."
Mary, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull,Seljaland,Skogar,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+9 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,300per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Northern Lights
5-Day Small Group Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour
4.8 (31 traveler reviews)
"Even with the wet and windy weather we were able to see everything planned and it was all stunning."
Ferdinand, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Vik,Fludir,Geysir,Skaftafell,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Selfoss,Blue Lagoon,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Seljaland+10 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Snaeland Travel
10% Off
From $1,114
US$1,003per person
Price based on Private Double Room
3 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
6 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour
4.7 (79 traveler reviews)
"The itinerary covered most of the top-rated attractions. I highly recommend this experience!"
Thelikada, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Vik,Myrdalsjokull,Jokulsarlon,Fjadrargljufur,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Borgarfjörður,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi+24 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
10% Off
From
US$2,215per person
Price based on Private Single Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
5 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days
4.4 (182 traveler reviews)
"Excellent short break! It was good to have the afternoon and evening before the Tour began to do some exploring of Reykjavik."
Lynn, traveled in February
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull, Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $1,705
US$1,449per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
7-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
4.9 (31 traveler reviews)
"The pace was just right, and we've got some fantastic memories from Iceland. Highly recommend this tour!"
Claudia, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Grábrók Volcano, Akureyri,Godafoss,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Hvannadalshnjukur,Vik,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+20 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
15% Off
From $2,183
US$1,855per person
Price based on Private Double Room
6 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
13 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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