Winter
Dec → Feb2°
nights -3°
- 18 rainy days · 146 mm
- sea 3°
When is the best time to visit Reykjavík?
- Jan2°fair
- Feb2°recommended
- Mar3°recommended
- Apr6°fair
- May9°fair
- Jun11°recommended
- Jul13°recommended
- Aug13°recommended
- Sep10°recommended
- Oct7°recommended
- Nov4°fair
- Dec2°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Reykjavík, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2° | -3° | 152 mm | 18 d | 2° | |
| February | 2° | -3° | 151 mm | 17 d | 2° | ✓ |
| March | 3° | -2° | 133 mm | 17 d | 3° | ✓ |
| April | 6° | 1° | 132 mm | 17 d | 4° | |
| May | 9° | 4° | 122 mm | 19 d | 7° | |
| June | 11° | 7° | 94 mm | 16 d | 10° | ✓ |
| July | 13° | 9° | 85 mm | 16 d | 11° | ✓ |
| August | 13° | 8° | 105 mm | 14 d | 12° | ✓ |
| September | 10° | 6° | 137 mm | 18 d | 10° | ✓ |
| October | 7° | 3° | 158 mm | 18 d | 8° | ✓ |
| November | 4° | 0° | 129 mm | 16 d | 6° | |
| December | 2° | -3° | 135 mm | 18 d | 4° |
The four seasons in Reykjavík, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Hallgrímskirkja) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May3 to 9°
nights -2 to 4°
- 18 rainy days · 129 mm
- sea 5°
Summer
Jun → Aug11 to 13°
nights 7 to 9°
- 15 rainy days · 95 mm
- sea 11°
Autumn
Sep → Nov4 to 10°
nights 0 to 6°
- 17 rainy days · 141 mm
- sea 8°
Book early for February to March and June to October
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
.jpg/960px-Iceland_in_Winter_(6641214399).jpg)
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
Daylight in Reykjavík, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 21h01 of daylight, in December 4h11, a difference of 16h50.
5h19Jan
8h25Feb
11h29Mar
14h57Apr
18h20May
21h01Jun
19h45Jul
16h22Aug
12h52Sep
9h33Oct
6h17Nov
4h11Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Hallgrímskirkja" (64.14°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Reykjavík, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Sightseeing & walks | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
EventsÞorrablótJanuary to FebruaryCulture NightAugustNorthern lights seasonSeptember to AprilIceland AirwavesNovemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Reykjavík, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- January to FebruaryÞorrablót
In January and February, Icelanders gather over the fermented dishes of þorri, in community halls and restaurants.
- AugustCulture Night
On a Saturday in August, the city centre closes to traffic: concerts on the pavements, open workshops and fireworks over the harbour.
- September to AprilNorthern lights season
From September to April, the aurora can be seen on clear nights as soon as you get away from the city lights, towards Grótta lighthouse.
- NovemberIceland Airwaves
In November, the music festival fills the venues and bars of the centre for a few days, with Icelandic and international bands.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Fair2°-3° at night
- 152 mm · 18 d
- sea 2°
Low season, lower prices
February
Recommended2°-3° at night
- 151 mm · 17 d
- sea 2°
Busy, without the crush
March
Recommended3°-2° at night
- 133 mm · 17 d
- sea 3°
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair6°1° at night
- 132 mm · 17 d
- sea 4°
Low season, lower prices
May
Fair9°4° at night
- 122 mm · 19 d
- sea 7°
Low season, lower prices
June
Recommended11°7° at night
- 94 mm · 16 d
- sea 10°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended13°9° at night
- 85 mm · 16 d
- sea 11°
High season, book early
August
Recommended13°8° at night
- 105 mm · 14 d
- sea 12°
High season, book early
September
Recommended10°6° at night
- 137 mm · 18 d
- sea 10°
Busy, without the crush
October
Recommended7°3° at night
- 158 mm · 18 d
- sea 8°
Busy, without the crush
November
Fair4°0° at night
- 129 mm · 16 d
- sea 6°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended2°-3° at night
- 135 mm · 18 d
- sea 4°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. Frequent rain: 152 mm over 18 days. Sea at 2 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. Frequent rain: 151 mm over 17 days. Sea at 2 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
March. Deep winter: 3 °C at the warmest of the day, -2 °C at night. Frequent rain: 133 mm over 17 days. Sea at 3 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Deep winter: 6 °C at the warmest of the day, 1 °C at night. Frequent rain: 132 mm over 17 days. Sea at 4 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 9 °C at best, 4 °C at night. Frequent rain: 122 mm over 19 days. Sea at 7 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Cool: 11 °C at best, 7 °C at night. Frequent rain: 94 mm over 16 days. Sea at 10 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Cool: 13 °C at best, 9 °C at night. Frequent rain: 85 mm over 16 days. Sea at 11 °C, too cold to swim. High season: book early.
August. Cool: 13 °C at best, 8 °C at night. Frequent rain: 105 mm over 14 days. Sea at 12 °C, too cold to swim. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 10 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Frequent rain: 137 mm over 18 days. Sea at 10 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Deep winter: 7 °C at the warmest of the day, 3 °C at night. Frequent rain: 158 mm over 18 days. Sea at 8 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
November. Deep winter: 4 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. Frequent rain: 129 mm over 16 days. Sea at 6 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. A very wet month, 135 mm of rain over 18 days. Sea at 4 °C, too cold to swim. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Innsbruck and the TyrolBest time: Skiing (January to March) and hiking (June to September)When to visit Innsbruck and the Tyrol →The Innsbruck and the Tyrol guide
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Reykjavík?
February to March and June to October: over these months, recorded highs range from 2 to 13 °C, with 17 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Hallgrímskirkja).
Which month should you avoid in Reykjavík?
December: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 135 mm over 18 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Hallgrímskirkja).
What is the hottest month in Reykjavík?
July, with 13 °C on average in the afternoon and 9 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Hallgrímskirkja).
What is the coldest month in Reykjavík?
January, with 2 °C at best during the day and -3 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Hallgrímskirkja).
What is the driest month in Reykjavík?
July: 85 mm over 16 days of rain, against 158 mm in October, the wettest month.
When can you swim in Reykjavík?
The water stays cool all year (warmest 12 °C in August, measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast, Hallgrímskirkja): swimming is for the brave.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Reykjavík guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🧭 When to visit Iceland: the country overview→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: César Guillotel / Pexels · Deimantas Viburys / Pexels · Tom Asito / Pexels · Fahad AlAni / Pexels · Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)