Summer sports in Iceland: Where to go, and what to wear

Summer in Iceland feels different from summer anywhere else in the world. The days stretch endlessly through the midnight sun and temperatures stay refreshingly cool, and the landscape offers endless possible activities.

With local Icelanders and tourists alike trekking across the country’s natural wonders, the landscape seems to vibrate with movement. In Iceland, the mountain trails, coastal paths, football pitches, geothermal pools, and volcanic highlands feel made for adventure, especially come summer.

Keep reading to get Icewear’s list of top summer sports and the natural sites to practice them in Iceland, plus the gear checklists you need to prepare.

Mountain and trail sports#

Outdoor movement feels profound when you’re trekking across volcanic terrains and glaciers. Mountain and trail sports in Iceland are popular summertime activities as a result. Transformed by wind and elevation, a morning hike can turn into a veritable adventure.

Because of the changing weather conditions in Iceland, plus the shifting weather across altitudes and terrains, Icelanders approach hiking and other trail sports with gear versatility top-of-mind. Layering is key, and lightweight insulation becomes essential.

Here are some specific destinations as well as packing lists for the top mountain and trail sports.

Hiking#

Hiking is woven into the weekend culture of Iceland, and it’s one of the main draws for tourists, too. There are mountain and glacier hikes, multi-day routes, and celebrated experiences that have become the stuff of lore.

Summer’s extended daylight hours make hiking even more appealing because the trails remain bright well into the night. You get to linger longer at viewpoints, like Iceland’s celebrated waterfalls and geothermal valleys.

One of Iceland’s most famous hiking destinations is Landmannalaugar, where colorful mountains rise against lava fields and steaming vents. Many hikers begin multi-day adventures here, including sections of the Laugavegur Trail, which is recognized worldwide.

Closer to Reykjavík, Glymur offers you a scenic canyon hike featuring waterfalls and river crossings.

Your hiking options across the island, however, are truly unlimited.

Because hiking conditions (including terrain and the weather) can change quickly, packing thoughtfully matters just as much as choosing your trail. Ensure you pack:

• Moisture-wicking base layers

• Lightweight fleece or wool mid-layers

• Waterproof outer shells

• Waterproof hiking pants

• Hats and gloves for higher elevations

• Wool socks (especially merino wool)

Trail running and ultra running#

Iceland has become an increasingly popular destination for trail and ultra runners. The cool summer conditions and long daylight hours allow runners to stay cool on multiple-day, often epic experiences.

The Laugavegur Ultra Marathon, for instance, is one of Iceland’s most popular endurance events. It takes runners across highland terrain and offers river crossings, volcanic deserts, and steep climbs.

The Westfjords Running Festival in northwest Iceland is another celebrated event. It combines endurance running with some of Iceland’s most remote scenery.

Closer to Reykjavík, the capital’s trail system includes coastal paths, surrounding hills, and connections to some of Iceland’s lava landscapes.

To pack for running in Iceland, be sure to include:

• Lightweight weatherproof jackets

• Breathable layers

• Weather-resistant shorts or tights

• Caps, neck gaiters or gloves for areas with wind exposure

• Hydration-compatible outerwear

Team and field sports#

While Iceland’s landscapes capture the imagination of tourists, there are summer sports rooted in everyday community life, too.

Across Iceland, generations-old favorites like soccer and handball are summer norms.

See which team sports are most popular in Iceland, and start planning for where you might pick up a match.

Soccer in Iceland#

Soccer is a worldwide favorite sport, and Iceland is no exception. As temperatures rise and summer officially begins, local matches and youth tournaments start to fill pitches.

Travelers will likely Iceland’s soccer culture in and around Reykjavík. Any tourists interested in using the pitches might have to work around scheduled games.

To pack for soccer matches in Iceland, breathable clothing is the name of the game. For instance, be sure to pack:

• Quick-drying athletic shirts

• Shorts or tights made for movement

• Thermal warm-up layers

• A wind-resistant training jacket

• And the shoes you love to play in

Handball#

Handball holds a unique place in Icelandic culture. The sport enjoys widespread participation across all age groups, and contributes in a big way to Iceland’s recreational athletic identity. During summertime, you’ll see a big uptick in organized tournaments and local games.

To pack for handball in Iceland’s summer conditions, be sure differentiate between clothing designed for movement and recovery (as you wait between matches). You’ll want to pack:

• Breathable base layers and quick-dry fabric

• Light mid-layers

• Comfortable sweatpants and sweaters you can throw on as outer layers

In the water#

Iceland isn’t a destination with crystalline beaches, so it doesn’t attract tourists looking to tan. However, it does provide seemingly limitless options for geothermal pools as well as a once-in-a-lifetime snorkeling experience.

Here’s what to know about time in the water in Icelandic summers.

Public swimming pools and hot tubs#

While visitors often associate Iceland’s geothermal culture with luxury lagoons and remote hot springs, everyday pool culture is also enormously present.

In fact, public swimming pools occupy a special place in Icelandic culture. Across the island, nearly every town has an outdoor complex heated naturally with geothermal energy (and subsequently open year-round). Most facilities combine lap pools with multiple hot tubs, and moving back and forth between cooler water and hot tubs is part of the experience.

Swimming itself carries deep cultural importance in Iceland. In fact, swimming lessons are mandatory for Icelandic children, and public pools originally became widespread after Iceland saw an urgent need to improve water safety among fishermen.

Today, many pools stay open late into the evening, and it’s common for teenagers, families and young adults to gather there. Even private homes often feature personal hot tubs on porches.

Some of the country’s most popular swimming complexes include Laugardalslaug in Reykjavík, Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, and Hofsós Swimming Pool in northern Iceland, where swimmers can overlook dramatic fjord scenery. Do note that most public pools require showering before entering the pools, and so soap is always provided.

To prepare for Icelandic swimming pool culture, be sure to pack:

• Swimwear

• A quick-drying towel

• Waterproof sandals, slides or flip-flops

• A reusable water bottle for longer visits

Geothermal experiences#

One distinctive aspect of Icelandic summers is the relationship between the mild (sometimes cool) outdoor air and the enveloping warmth of a geothermal pool.

Combine cold water, volcanic energy, and outdoor wellness culture, and you can imagine what to expect.

Some of the most popular hot springs and geothermal sites in Iceland are found in and around Reykjavík, like the Blue Lagoon (the most famous).

There’s also Hveravellir, Landmannalaugar, and Myvatn (sometimes called “The Blue Lagoon of the North”).

To prepare for a geothermal or hot spring experience, be sure to pack:

• Your favorite swimwear

• Comfortable waterproof sandals or flipflops

• A soft, comfortable outer layer to throw on if needed before or after

• A convenient, water-resistant bag to head to the pool with everything else

Snorkeling between continents#

Would you have ever imagined that snorkeling could be so popular in Iceland? Isn’t that reserved for Caribbean reefs?

Not at all. In fact, snorkeling in Iceland offers you one of the country’s most exclusive natural experiences. Embedded in Þingvellir National Park, not far from Reykjavík, you can snorkel at Silfra, the fissure where two tectonic plates meet—and with them, the Eurasian and North American continents. Thanks to the filtered glacier water, you have underwater visibility that can exceed 100 meters.

The experience is often referred to as “swimming between two continents.”

Because specialized suits and equipment are provided by the professionals that take you on the expedition, your packing list can focus instead on what to pack for before and after entering the water, like:

• Warm base layers

• Insulated outerwear

• Dry socks

• Whatever else you want for a day at Þingvellir National Park

To experience Iceland in summer is truly to move through it. Maybe that means hiking across a volcanic highland, or joining a soccer match in the capital. It’s totally up to you.

It’s also up to you how you prepare, because your preparation shapes the experience. With weather conditions that are notoriously unpredictable, including wind, mist, elevation, geothermal heat, and varied terrain, making a thoughtful and adaptable plan for what to wear is part of enjoying summer sports in Iceland.

That same understand is what’s shaped Icewear’s outdoor apparel for over half a century. With very article in the catalog designed in Iceland and inspired by generations of outdoor experience, you can browse some of the best summer sports apparel below. You’ll see how the realities of Icelandic summer are reflected, and you’ll be one step closer to the perfect Icelandic summer sports adventure.