Things to Do in Reykjavik in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
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August Weather in Reykjavik
Long-run averages for August
57°F (14°C)
High Temp
47°F (8°C)
Low Temp
2.5 inches (64 mm)
Rainfall
83%
Humidity
14
Rainy Days
3
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Wind gusts on exposed coastal walks and highland routes regularly exceed 50 km/h (31 mph) even in summer. Car doors can be ripped from hinges if opened carelessly on the windward side. Standing on unfenced clifftops in a gust is a real safety concern. Brace before opening vehicle doors. Stay well back from edges.
⚠ Weather shifts from clear sky to horizontal rain and back within 30 minutes with no reliable warning. The morning forecast is a suggestion, not a promise. Carry rain gear in your daypack regardless of what the sky looks like when you leave your accommodation. Reykjavik will test whatever you brought.
What's On in Reykjavik in August
August brings Reykjavík Culture Night to the city. Families with young children can enjoy Toddler Time in Úlfarsárdalur from 13 August 2026 to 17 December 2026 and Toddler Time in Grófin from 17 August 2026 to 17 December 2026. Hallgrímskirkja Playgroup runs from 26 August 2026 to 2 December 2026. The month sees average high temperatures of 14°C and average low temperatures of 8°C, with average rainfall of 64 mm.
August Climate Compared
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 14°C | 9°C | 51 mm |
| August | 14°C | 8°C | 64 mm |
| September | 11°C | 6°C | 86 mm |
August is about as warm as July; wetter than July (64 mm vs 51 mm); 3°C warmer than September; drier than September (64 mm vs 86 mm).
Long-run monthly averages. Source: Wikipedia.
Daylight in August
Day length: 17 h 57 min on 1 August, 16 h 22 min on 15 August (−203 min compared with mid-July).
Computed from the city's coordinates (sunrise to sunset, standard solar geometry).
Public Holidays and Long Weekends
- Frídagur verslunarmanna: Monday 2 August 2027 (3-day weekend (Sat–Mon))
Holiday dates: Nager.Date. Long-weekend notes are computed from the weekday.
Notable Places to Visit
Icelandic Phallological Museum
Museum in Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours (OSM): 10:00-19:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website
National Museum of Iceland
Museum in Reykjavik, Iceland
Hours (OSM): Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website
Höfði
Building in Iceland, location for the 1986 Reykjavík Summit with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
OSM · Wikidata
Places within 8 km, ordered by Wikipedia coverage. Opening hours as mapped in OpenStreetMap (fetched 2026-10-16); check before you go. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).
Quick Answers
How much rain does Reykjavik get in August?
On average 64 mm in August, drier than September (64 mm vs 86 mm).
How warm is Reykjavik in August?
Average highs are 14°C and average lows 8°C.
How long are the days in Reykjavik in August?
About 16 h 22 min of daylight on 15 August.
Are there public holidays in Reykjavik in August?
Yes: Frídagur verslunarmanna on Monday 2 August 2027. 1 of them create a long weekend.
What are some notable places to visit in Reykjavik?
Hallgrímskirkja, Icelandic Phallological Museum, National Museum of Iceland, Imagine Peace Tower (from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata).
Where to Stay in Reykjavik in August
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for August travellers.
★★★★
Luxury
Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $280 / night
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Public Holidays in August
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Frídagur verslunarmanna
Known in English as Commerce Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Frídagur verslunarmanna
Known in English as Commerce Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
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