Packing for Iceland in July: 12 Things Not to Forget

Packing for Iceland in July isn’t quite the same as packing for other summer vacations. We’re going to assume you already know to pack the basics like extra underwear, socks, your toothbrush, medications, and other everyday essentials. Instead, this article focuses on the Iceland-specific items that can make your trip much more comfortable. These are the things I packed, brought along, or made sure to take care of before my own 10-day trip around Iceland, along with a few other things I think you’ll be glad you remembered. If you’re wondering what to pack for Iceland in July, consider this a practical list of things you don’t want to forget.

When packing clothes for Iceland in July, be ready for a surprisingly dramatic range of conditions. You might get 48 degrees, wind, clouds, and rain in Reykjavík where you’ll want every layer you brought, then find yourself in sunny 65-degree weather in Seyðisfjörður a few days later. Both happened to me on the same trip. Expect temperatures anywhere from the upper 40s through the mid-60s, and pack so you can comfortably handle both ends of that range.

Packing ratings

To make this list easier to skim, I’ve assigned each item one of three ratings based on my own experience traveling around Iceland in July.

• Must pack – I used it often or wouldn’t want to do the trip without it.
• Recommended – I was glad I brought it and think most travelers will be too.
• Optional – Nice to have, but you can probably get by without it depending on your plans.

1. Lightweight waterproof rain jacket

Rating: Must pack

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget for Iceland in July, it’s a lightweight waterproof jacket. I wore mine almost every day, sometimes multiple times throughout the day as the weather changed. Between frequent rain, waterfall spray, and cool winds, I can’t imagine doing the trip without it.

I brought a lightweight water-resistant jacket from KÜHL, while others in our group wore Patagonia and Columbia jackets. They all performed well, so the brand isn’t nearly as important as making sure it’s lightweight and water resistant. The only time mine became soaked was walking behind Seljalandsfoss, where getting drenched is almost unavoidable, but it dried surprisingly fast afterward.

Even when it wasn’t raining, my jacket often stayed on because it worked so well as a windbreaker. In Reykjavík especially, the air often felt damp even without rain. The hood also helped keep my head dry and my ears warm on windy days, making this one of most useful pieces of clothing I packed on this trip.

2. Waterproof boots or shoes

Rating: Must pack

Expect to be walking around in wet conditions almost the entire trip. Between rain, puddles, waterfall spray, wet trails, and constant mist, dry feet are a luxury you’ll quickly appreciate. I brought a pair of waterproof leather hiking boots, and they ended up being one of the best things I packed.

I did wear regular sneakers a couple of days when the weather cooperated, and plenty of other people did the same. But if you’re planning to do excursions, visit waterfalls, or spend a lot of time exploring on foot, waterproof footwear is absolutely worth the luggage space. It’s one of those things that’s easy to skip while packing but you’ll be very glad you brought once you get to Iceland. So make room for some waterproof shoes in your luggage.

3. Merino wool socks

Rating: Must pack

Before my trip, I kept hearing people recommend packing merino wool socks, so I ordered a six-pack on Amazon. They weren’t anything fancy, but I made sure they were actually merino wool. These socks are designed to last, and unlike regular cotton socks, you can usually wear them more than once before washing.

They ended up being one of the best purchases I made for the trip. They kept my feet warm every day, and at night I could simply hang them up to air out and wear them again the next day. They never seemed to hold much moisture and didn’t develop any odor. Spend a little extra on a few pairs of merino wool socks. When you’re trying to keep your feet warm and dry every day in Iceland, you’ll be glad you did.

4. Several long-sleeved shirts

Rating: Recommended

I recommend bringing several lightweight long-sleeved shirts to use as your base layer. Iceland is best done in layers because you’ll constantly be adding or removing clothing as the weather changes. Most days, my upper layers consisted of a long-sleeved thermal shirt, a hoodie, and my lightweight rain jacket. That combination kept me warm and comfortable for almost the entire trip.

Whenever we went inside a museum, restaurant, or visitor center, I could simply take off my rain jacket and stuff it into my backpack. You could certainly get by with T-shirts or other types of shirts, but this layering system worked really well for me and made it easy to adjust throughout the day without ever feeling too hot or too cold.

5. Thermally insulated waterproof pants

Rating: Recommended

I almost rated these as optional because I only wore them one day, but I’m really glad I packed them. They were thermally insulated, waterproof pants that I bought on Amazon before the trip. Even folded up they took up a lot of space in my suitcase, but they were worth it for our day visiting several waterfalls up close.

I was getting absolutely blasted with spray from the waterfalls, yet my legs stayed completely dry. In fact, they worked so well that my legs were actually sweating at one point. They were almost like lightweight ski pants. Plenty of people did the entire trip in jeans and regular sneakers, and they survived just fine. But if you’re planning to get close to waterfalls or don’t mind a little adventure, I think you’ll appreciate having a pair of waterproof pants.

6. Thermal underwear

Rating: Recommended

I packed a thermal underwear set that included both a long-sleeved top and bottoms. To be honest, I never ended up wearing the top because I was comfortable with my usual layers of a long-sleeved shirt, hoodie, and rain jacket. The bottoms, however, came in handy several times.

Most of the pants I brought did a good job blocking light rain and wind, but they weren’t designed to keep me especially warm. Throwing on a pair of thermal long johns underneath made a noticeable difference on the colder days. They’re lightweight, don’t take up much room in your luggage, and it’s nice knowing you have an extra layer available whenever the weather turns chilly.

7. A warm hat and gloves

Rating: Recommended

You don’t need anything too substantial here. I brought a simple beanie and a pair of small wool gloves, both of which took up almost no room in my bag. I didn’t use the gloves very often, but I carried the hat with me on many days. When the wind picked up and I started getting cold, throwing on the beanie was an easy way to warm up quickly.

The gloves are more of a backup, but Iceland’s wind and rain can leave your fingers surprisingly cold even in the middle of summer. Neither of these is absolutely necessary if you’ve packed other ways to stay warm, but they’re so small and easy to bring that I’d make room for both.

8. Swimsuit

Rating: Must pack (if you’re visiting a lagoon and you should!)

A swimsuit in Iceland? Absolutely. Iceland is well known for its geothermal pools found all over the island. They’re basically gigantic hot tubs heated by the geothermal activity beneath the ground, and they’re amazing. Visiting at least one should be a bucket list item on any trip to Iceland, so don’t forget your swimsuit.

I’m sure you could easily buy one after you arrive if you forgot, but remember that almost everything is more expensive in Iceland. You’re better off bringing one from home and saving that money for something else.

9. Sunglasses

Rating: Recommended

Sunglasses are definitely worth packing for Iceland, even though you may spend a lot of your trip with the sun hiding behind the clouds. It can still be surprisingly bright outside, especially if your eyes are accustomed to wearing sunglasses whenever you’re out in daylight. And when the clouds do break and the sun comes out, you’ll certainly be glad you have them.

For me, though, sunglasses came in most handy during our e-scooter ride to see puffins in Djúpivogur. It was raining while we were riding along the roads at around 25 mph, going around curves and up windy hills. The sunglasses kept most of that wind and rain out of my eyes and made the ride much more manageable. So even if you don’t get much sunshine, there are plenty of other reasons to keep a pair with you while exploring Iceland.

10. International calling and data plan

Rating: Must do

This isn’t something you pack, but it’s something you definitely want to take care of before leaving. Call your wireless carrier and make sure your plan covers international calling and data while you’re in Iceland. Depending on your carrier, this might mean adding an international plan or travel pass for the duration of your trip.

You’ll probably use your phone constantly for maps, directions, reservations, looking up places to eat, checking the weather, and keeping in touch with people back home. Having the right plan in place beforehand could save you a fortune in international data roaming charges, and it’s one less thing to worry about once you arrive.

11. Vital travel documents

Rating: Must pack

This one may seem obvious, but forgetting an important document can cause a lot more trouble than forgetting a pair of socks. Your passport is the big one for Iceland, but you’ll also want your driver’s license if you plan to rent a car, along with your credit cards, travel insurance information, and any other documents required for your trip.

When I’m traveling internationally, I’m extremely OCD about keeping track of my passport and other vital documents. I’ll check the pocket in my backpack several times thinking I’ve forgotten the passport. Things like that. Losing something important in another country is pretty much my worst nightmare. So keep everything together in a secure place and always know where your passport is.

I also like having easy access to digital (and physical) copies of airline reservations, hotel confirmations, cruise documents, passports and any excursions I’ve booked ahead of time. Save important documents and confirmations to your phone rather than assuming you’ll always have internet access when you need them. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to make sure everything is together, current, and easy to find. Best to be overprepared.

12. Set up Apple Pay if you have an iPhone

Rating: Recommended

If you have an iPhone, I’d recommend setting up Apple Pay before your trip. This is really about convenience, since everywhere I used Apple Pay also accepted regular credit cards. I did notice that several vendors weren’t too interested in accepting American Express, so make sure you have another card available. Android users can use Google Wallet for essentially the same type of contactless payment.

For me, Apple Pay was easily the preferred way to pay in Iceland. Your total pops up, you tap your phone, and you’re done. I had my Apple Card connected, so when I got home I could easily review all of my transactions and pay everything off. Merchants everywhere seemed very accustomed to mobile payments, and after a while I rarely had a reason to even pull out my physical card.

A few other useful items

Rating: Optional

There are a few other things worth squeezing into your luggage depending on what you plan to do in Iceland:

• European power adapter: Iceland uses Type C and Type F outlets, so you’ll need an adapter for standard U.S. plugs.
• Small daypack: Great for carrying water and all those layers you’ll constantly be taking off and putting back on.
• Sleep mask: July has extremely long daylight hours, which can make sleeping difficult if your room doesn’t get completely dark. I didn’t need one, but some people might.
• Reusable water bottle: Iceland has excellent tap water, and I’m picky about water, so there’s no reason to keep buying bottled water.
• Waterproof phone pouch: Especially useful if you’re visiting the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or another geothermal pool and want to keep your phone with you for pictures.