Things to Do in Reykjavik in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
May Weather in Reykjavik
Long-run averages for May
50°F (10°C)
High Temp
39°F (4°C)
Low Temp
2.1 inches (53 mm)
Rainfall
78%
Humidity
9
Rainy Days
3
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Sudden temperature drops - carry layers even on sunny mornings as 50°F (10°C) can become 35°F (2°C) within hours when Atlantic weather systems move in
Is May Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Nearly 20 hours of daylight by month-end - golden hour stretches from 9 PM to midnight, good for photography without the summer crowds
- + Puffin colonies on Akurey and Lundey islands are at peak activity. Boats from Reykjavik's Old Harbor run twice-daily and the birds practically pose for portraits
- + Lupine fields begin blooming along the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, turning the lava fields purple by late May - locals call it 'lupine fever' and you'll spot Icelanders pulling over for photos
- + Hotel rates are still shoulder-season; you'll pay 30-40% less than June-August while getting 90% of the summer experience
Considerations
- − Weather swings wildly - you might get 50°F (10°C) sunshine followed by 35°F (2°C) sleet within hours, making packing feel like preparing for three seasons
- − Highland roads (F-roads) to Landmannalaugar remain closed until mid-June; if interior landscapes are your priority, May isn't your month
- − Whale watching success rates drop compared to summer - humpbacks and minkes are migrating through, not feeding, so sightings are less predictable
Best Activities in May
Top things to do during your visit
Golden Circle Photography Tours
May's extended daylight gives you six extra shooting hours compared to winter tours. Thingvellir's crystal-clear fissures photograph best at 6 AM when you're alone, and Geysir's eruptions backlit by low-angled evening light create steam halos you won't see in summer's harsh midday sun. The morning light at Gullfoss is spectacular between 7-9 AM before tour buses arrive.
Booking Tip: Book small-group tours departing at 6 AM or 7 PM - these hit the sites when they're empty and the light is dramatic. Licensed operators provide waterproof covers for cameras during the frequent weather changes.
Reykjavik Food Walk Tours
May's mild temperatures make walking between venues comfortable without the winter gear bulk. You'll taste skyr harvested that morning from Reykjavik Dairy, sample langoustine caught overnight and served at Saegreifinn (the Sea Baron) by the Old Harbor, and finish with rye bread ice cream at Valdis - a flavor locals only embrace after winter ends. The 4-hour tours end just as the 9 PM golden hour begins.
Booking Tip: Afternoon tours starting at 2 PM work best - you'll hit 5-6 venues and finish with sunset views. Look for guides who grew up in Reykjavik. They know which grandmother runs the best kleinur stand.
Viking Horse Riding on Lava Fields
The tolt gait feels smoother on the frost-heaved lava around Mount Helgafell when the ground isn't frozen solid. May's soft earth and emerging wildflowers make the 2-hour rides through Hafnarfjörður's lava fields feel otherworldly. The horses grow their summer coats mid-month, turning them into photogenic shaggy blondes against the black rock.
Booking Tip: Morning rides at 9 AM catch the best light and avoid afternoon showers. Reputable stables provide full rain gear - Icelanders ride in everything short of hurricanes.
Reykjavik Harbor Kayaking
The 43°F (6°C) water temperature keeps most tourists away. But drysuits make paddling among Faxaflói Bay's islands surprisingly comfortable. May's calmer seas mean you can circumnavigate Engey island where Arctic terns nest - they'll dive-bomb you within arm's reach. The midnight sun kayaking tours starting at 9 PM end with hot chocolate on the beach as the sky turns pink at 11:30 PM.
Booking Tip: Only book with operators providing thick drysuits and neoprene gloves - cheap semi-dry suits leak in these temperatures. Check if tours include GoPro rentals; you'll want footage of the tern attacks.
Harpa Concert Hall Architecture Tours
When May's unpredictable weather hits, Harpa's glass facade becomes a natural light show. The hexagonal windows refract grey skies into a thousand shades of silver and blue - photographers spend hours here during rain. The 45-minute tours reveal how the building survived Iceland's 2008 financial crisis and why the windows were inspired by basalt columns at Reynisfjara.
Booking Tip: Book the 3 PM English tour - it coincides with peak daylight streaming through the south-facing windows. The café on the 5th floor serves surprisingly good langoustine soup with harbor views.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik in May
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for May travellers.
★★★★
Luxury
Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $280 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Public Holidays in May
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Verkalýðsdagurinn
Known in English as May Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Uppstigningardagur
Known in English as Ascension Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Hvítasunnudagur
Known in English as Pentecost. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Annar í hvítasunnu
Known in English as Whit Monday. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Verkalýðsdagurinn
Known in English as May Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Uppstigningardagur
Known in English as Ascension Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Reykjavik Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book tables at Dill Restaurant 3 weeks ahead - they release May reservations on April 1st and locals snap up weekend slots within hours. The 7-course tasting menu changes weekly based on what fishermen bring to the harbor that morning.
Download the 'Iceland Road Guide' app - it shows real-time road conditions for day trips, including which gravel roads to Snaefellsnes have turned into tire-eating washboards after spring thaws.
Skip the Blue Lagoon for Secret Lagoon in Fludir - it's 45 minutes closer to Reykjavik, half the price, and locals go there. The 100°F (38°C) water feels surreal when snow flurries hit your face.
Buy alcohol at Duty Free when you land - the state-run Vinbudin stores close at 6 PM on weekdays and charge double what you'll pay at the airport. Stock up on local Brennivin schnapps for impromptu hot spring toasts.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming 'waterproof' shoes are enough - Reykjavik's volcanic gravel gets into everything, and you'll need gaiters or you'll empty pebbles from your boots every kilometer
Booking Northern Lights tours - the midnight sun makes aurora sightings impossible until late August. But tour companies still run 'aurora hunting' trips that guarantee failure
Planning Highland interior trips - F-roads to Landmannalaugar don't open until mid-June, but rental companies will still happily rent you a 4WD and watch you get stuck at the first river crossing
Wearing cotton socks - once wet (and they will get wet), they stay wet for days in 70% humidity, turning every walk into a blister factory
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