Iceland · Month comparison
August vs September
September ranks #1 overall vs August at #11. Aurora returns, autumn colours explode, crowds drop — the most atmospheric month in Iceland.
August
#11 of 12 months
Strong option
Still warm, Reykjavik Pride, and the very first aurora sightings returning late in the month.
- ↑Reykjavik Pride (first week of August): the largest per-capita Pride celebration in the world; parade fills the city
- ↑Warmth of July continues with slightly lower prices and crowds as the season shoulders off
September
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Aurora returns, autumn colours explode, crowds drop — the most atmospheric month in Iceland.
- ↑Aurora borealis returns from early September as nights grow long enough — first sightings of the new season
- ↑Autumn colours (yellows, reds, oranges across the highlands) peak in September — uniquely photogenic landscapes
| Factor | August | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 7 | 6 |
| Value score | 2 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 3 | 7 |
| Events score | 8 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 14°C | 10°C |
| Monthly rain | 62mm | 67mm |
| Daily sunshine | 11.5hrs | 8.5hrs |
August trade-offs
- ↓Still expensive: summer premium persists through August, flights especially costly
- ↓Highland F-roads begin to close again from late August — window for interior driving narrows
- ↓Rainfall increases (62mm vs 52mm in July) — weather becomes more changeable toward month end
September trade-offs
- ↓Temperatures drop quickly (10°C high); warm layers essential and weather windows shorter
- ↓Highland F-roads closing progressively through September — some interior routes blocked by late month
- ↓Aurora is back but not yet at winter frequency — nights still shorter than January–March
Scores compare months within Iceland. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →