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
Best of Iceland
4.9 (137 traveler reviews)
"I was very impressed with the amount of things we did in only seven days. Excellent itinerary, and over all great experience!"
Nicole, traveled in March
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
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3 Sep, 2026
4 spaces left
6 Sep, 2026
1 space left
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Explorer
Iceland Escape
3.9 (8 traveler reviews)
"Our hotel in Reykjavik was very well located, the breakfast buffet was very good and the pre-booked Wingbuddy excursions were well planned and amazing."
Anne, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir National Park,Keflavik+1 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
Wingbuddy
25% Off
From
US$1,149per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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4 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
7 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Iceland Discovery
4.7 (23 traveler reviews)
"Hotel is located in center of city very convenient with delicious breakfast included."
SNOW, traveled in April
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Vik, Skogafoss, Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Fludir,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+5 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wingbuddy
25% Off
From
US$1,949per person
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4 Sep, 2026
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7 Sep, 2026
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Explorer
5 Day - Snæfellsnes & South Coast
4.5 (163 traveler reviews) award winner
"This was a great tour. The guide shared his personal stories which were interesting!"
Faye, traveled in September
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
25% Off
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US$1,577per person
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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 $1,796
US$1,527per person
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7 Sep, 2026
10+ spaces left
14 Sep, 2026
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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$1,646per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Sep, 2026
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TourRadar Curated
Explorer
10 Days Complete Iceland Summer | Ring-Road, Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Roundtrip airport transfer (Group Tour)
4.9 (18 traveler reviews)
"Trip of a lifetime with an amazing guide. Great support from travel agency as well with setting up front and back end lodging and activities."
Angela, traveled in July
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
15% Off
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US$5,359per person
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1 Sep, 2026
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3 Sep, 2026
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Explorer
8-Day Summer Iceland Ring Road & Landmannalaugar Highland Small Group Tour
4.4 (10 traveler reviews)
"Highly recommend this tour. Our tour covered Icelandic geography, mythology and of course volcanology!"
Bridget, traveled in June
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
15% Off
From $2,632
US$2,237per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Sep, 2026
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2 Sep, 2026
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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 $2,605
US$2,215per person
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5 Sep, 2026
10 spaces left
12 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
15% Off
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US$2,997per person
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1 Sep, 2026
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2 Sep, 2026
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Our most booked and loved tours
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Explorer
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (176 traveler reviews)
"This was an excellent trip. We were very knowledgeable and informative."
Sandra, 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
5% Off
From $1,293
US$1,228per person
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1 Sep, 2026
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3 Sep, 2026
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Explorer
7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour
4.7 (80 traveler reviews)
"It was a great tour mainly due to the bus driver Peter. He is safe and careful driver took us to all the places."
Darmasiri, 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
15% Off
From $2,204
US$1,873per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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1 Sep, 2026
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5 Sep, 2026
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Explorer
Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days
4.4 (183 traveler reviews)
"The Hotel Cabin is clean and has great staff making sure you use a suitcase that can go under a raised bed."
Christina, traveled in March
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 $1,690
US$1,437per person
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1 Sep, 2026
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3 Sep, 2026
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Northern Lights
5-Day Small Group Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour
4.8 (31 traveler reviews)
"Easy going, comfortable trip. Geysers, waterfalls, volcanos, icebergs, horses, fresh hothouse tomatoes, and the Blue Lagoon when snowing."
Anne, traveled in February
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 $1,108
US$997per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Sep, 2026
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6 Sep, 2026
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Explorer
6 Day - Iceland Ring Road Small-Group Tour
4.8 (43 traveler reviews)
"A great way to get a look at Iceland without worrying about the weather."
Elaine, traveled in January
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
15% Off
From $1,961
US$1,667per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Sep, 2026
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4 Sep, 2026
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