Reykjavik - Things to Do in Reykjavik in January

Things to Do in Reykjavik in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

Shoulder Season · Good Value

January Weather in Reykjavik

Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance

37°F (3°C) High Temp
28°F (-1°C) Low Temp
3.4 inches (86 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers

What's On in Reykjavik in January

January in Reykjavik offers visitors a chance to experience the city in winter. The Reykjavik Dark Music Days takes place in January. Sports enthusiasts can attend the Reykjavik International Games in January. Nýársdagur falls on Friday 1 January 2027.

January
Dark Music Days

Source: visitreykjavik.is

January
Reykjavik Dark Music Days

Source: www.visiticeland.com

January
Reykjavík International Games

Source: visitreykjavik.is

January
Reykjavik International Games

Source: www.visiticeland.com

January Climate Compared

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfall
December3°C-1°C94 mm
January3°C-1°C86 mm
February3°C-1°C91 mm

January is about as warm as December; about as warm as February.

Long-run monthly averages. Source: Wikipedia.

Daylight in January

Day length: 4 h 23 min on 1 January, 5 h 19 min on 15 January (+68 min compared with mid-December).

Computed from the city's coordinates (sunrise to sunset, standard solar geometry).

Public Holidays and Long Weekends

  • Nýársdagur: Friday 1 January 2027 (3-day weekend (Fri–Sun))

Holiday dates: Nager.Date. Long-weekend notes are computed from the weekday.

Notable Places to Visit

Hallgrímskirkja

Church in Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours (OSM): Mo-Su 09:00-20:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website

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

Imagine Peace Tower

Memorial to John Lennon near Reykjavík
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Höfði

Building in Iceland, location for the 1986 Reykjavík Summit with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
OSM · Wikidata

Perlan

A landmark and museum in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík
Hours (OSM): 09:00-21:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Harpa

Concert hall and conference center in Reykjavík, Iceland
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Landakotskirkja

Cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland
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 January?

On average 86 mm in January.

How warm is Reykjavik in January?

Average highs are 3°C and average lows -1°C.

How long are the days in Reykjavik in January?

About 5 h 19 min of daylight on 15 January.

Are there public holidays in Reykjavik in January?

Yes: Nýársdagur on Friday 1 January 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 January

Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for January travellers.

★★★★ Luxury

Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

9.6 Excellent · 100 reviews
From $280 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →

Public Holidays in January

Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds

Nýársdagur

Known in English as New Year's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.

Nýársdagur

Known in English as New Year's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.

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