Things to Do in Reykjavik in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
May Weather in Reykjavik
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
50°F (10°C)
High Temp
39°F (4°C)
Low Temp
2.1 inches (53 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ 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
May in Reykjavik means long days and a city waking up. You will find nearly 18 hours of daylight. The air is cool, often around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with a salty bite from the North Atlantic. Low clouds roll in fast, softening the light on those colorful corrugated iron houses. This month turns the city outward. The Seamen's Day Festival in early May fills the Old Harbor with grilled fish smells and tug-of-war shouts. Later, the Reykjavik Arts Festival lets experimental performances spill from Harpa concert hall into the streets. Locals swap heavy coats for lighter layers. They flock to geothermal pools where steam rises into crisp air. The hillsides start showing the first vivid green of the arctic summer. A visit now is defined by expansive light and a cultural awakening. Plan ambitious day trips under that long sky. You can still find cozy evenings where rain on volcanic rock mingles with bakery coffee. It is a time of transition. A northern lights display might linger in the early weeks. Then the midnight sun takes over. Restaurants begin to feature the first fresh ingredients of the season. Exploring means moving between festival energy and the serene landscapes just beyond the city.
Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
adventureYou will descend into the clearest water on earth. Float between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Glacial water filters through porous lava rock for decades. It offers visibility of over a hundred meters. This reveals a silent world of jagged lava formations in electric blue and emerald. Your guide takes professional underwater photos. They freeze the moment your gloved hand touches a continent's edge.
This is the only place where you can snorkel directly in the mineral-poor, crystalline water of a tectonic rift.
Insider tip: Wear a thin wool base layer under the suit. The water stays just above freezing year-round.
This month: The long daylight of May gives brighter light deep in the fissure. It makes the underwater rock colors more vivid.
Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
otherThis two-day journey from Reykjavik sweeps you southeast. You will see glacier-carved valleys and black sand beaches. At the coast, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon holds a silent parade of milky-blue icebergs. Walk inside a natural ice cave. Its walls glow with compressed ancient ice. After dark, your guide finds a spot to watch for the aurora borealis over the glacial expanse.
It combines the monumental scenery of Vatnajokull National Park with a dedicated hunt for the northern lights. They are still visible in May's darkening night skies.
Insider tip: Pack versatile layers. Include a windproof jacket. You will face the south coast's microclimates, from chilly lagoon winds to still cave air.
This month: Full darkness comes later in May. Northern lights viewings often happen around 11 PM or midnight.
Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals
foodThis walking tour introduces Reykjavik's culinary identity. It moves from a harbor seafood shack to a modern bistro. Taste freshly shucked scallops. Try slow-cooked lamb and the tang of skyr. Learn how isolation and geothermal energy shaped these flavors.
It connects Iceland's story directly to its plate. You will get context and access to easy-to-miss eateries.
Insider tip: Come hungry. Portions are substantial, covering a fisherman's breakfast to a contemporary dessert.
This month: May menus often feature the first spring lamb. It has a delicate flavor after a winter of grazing.
Visit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
private_tourDepart for the Reykjanes Peninsula. Recent volcanic activity reshaped this earth. Walk on still-warm lava fields that crunch underfoot. See vast craters venting steam. Witness Iceland's raw geological power up close. A private guide tailors the pace to your group.
It offers an in-depth look at Iceland's most active volcanic region, away from big tour groups.
Insider tip: Sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots are mandatory. The lava terrain is uneven and sharp.
This month: Cooler May temperatures make hiking across the exposed lava fields more comfortable.
Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
guided_experienceLeave Reykjavik's city lights with a photographer guide. They know secluded farms and coastal lookouts for the aurora. They will help you set up a camera to capture the shimmering greens and purples. Turn the event into a lasting souvenir.
A photographer guide increases your chance of both seeing and capturing the northern lights well.
Insider tip: Wear your warmest clothing. You will stand still for long periods in open, windy areas at night.
This month: This is one of the last months to reliably hunt for the aurora from Reykjavik before the midnight sun brightens the night.
Full Day Golden Circle - Guided Tour
day_tripThe classic Golden Circle from Reykjavik delivers three well-known sights. See Gullfoss waterfall, where mist soaks the path. Visit the Geysir area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes. Walk the rift valley at Thingvellir National Park.
It efficiently shows the geological and historical forces that define Iceland, all within a day's reach.
Insider tip: At Thingvellir, take the less-crowded path into Almannagja gorge. It feels more immersive.
This month: In May, Gullfoss is at its most powerful, fed by spring melt from Langjokull glacier.
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 →
May Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late May
Reykjavik Arts Festival
Iceland's premier cultural event since 1970 transforms the city into an open-air gallery. You'll find Icelandic musicians performing in Harpa's Eldborg hall, contemporary dance in abandoned fish factories, and pop-up art installations along Laugavegur street. The festival's 'off-venue' events happen in bookshops and basements - pick up a program at the tourist office for the secret locations.
Early May
Seamen's Day Festival
Reykjavik's Old Harbor hosts tug-of-war competitions between fishing boats, cod-filleting races, and sea shanty singalongs that turn serious when the Brennivin flows. Local restaurants set up outdoor grills serving grilled cod cheeks - the cheek meat is Iceland's best-kept seafood secret. The festival ends with a rescue demonstration where coast guards rappel from helicopters into the harbor.
Packing Checklist
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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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