Things to Do in Reykjavik in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Reykjavik
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Early autumn means you'll catch the tail end of the midnight sun phenomenon - still getting around 14 hours of daylight in early September, dropping to about 12 hours by month's end. That's genuinely useful for cramming in activities without the summer crowds that cleared out after school started back up.
- September sits right in that sweet spot where accommodation prices drop by roughly 25-35% compared to July-August rates, but the weather hasn't turned properly miserable yet. You're looking at hotels that were running 45,000-60,000 ISK in peak summer now available for 30,000-40,000 ISK per night.
- The Northern Lights season technically kicks off in mid-to-late September once you get enough darkness. You won't have the reliability of December-February viewings, but catching them in September feels special because you're among the first of the season - and you can still do daytime activities without the brutal winter cold.
- Local cultural life actually resumes in September after the summer tourist chaos. Reykjavik Culture Night typically happens in late August but the momentum carries through, concert venues get back to regular programming, and you'll find Icelanders back in the city rather than at their summer cottages. The city feels lived-in again rather than like a theme park.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable in September - you might get stretches that feel like extended summer, or you might get slammed with early winter conditions. I've seen years where people were swimming at Nautholsvik beach mid-September, and others where snow hit the highlands before the month ended. Pack for both scenarios.
- Those 10 rainy days spread throughout the month means you're looking at about one in three days with precipitation. The wind compounds this - when it rains in Reykjavik, it rarely just drizzles politely. Expect sideways rain that renders cheap umbrellas useless. This affects outdoor activities more than you'd think.
- Daylight shrinks noticeably as the month progresses - you're losing about 5 minutes per day. By late September, sunset hits around 7pm, which feels jarring if you arrived expecting endless summer light. Plan accordingly for photography and outdoor activities, especially if you're visiting in the latter half of the month.
Best Activities in September
Golden Circle Route Self-Drive or Tours
September weather is actually ideal for the Golden Circle - cool enough that you're comfortable walking around geothermal areas without overheating, but typically not cold enough for icy roads yet. The tourist coaches thin out considerably after early September, meaning you can actually get decent photos at Gullfoss waterfall without 200 people in frame. The landscape starts shifting toward autumn colors in the highlands, particularly around Thingvellir. Tours typically run 8-9 hours and you'll want to start early to maximize daylight - aim for 9am departures in late September.
Reykjavik City Walking and Food Tours
September is when Reykjavik's restaurant scene shifts from tourist-focused summer menus back to heartier Icelandic fare - lamb season is in full swing, and you'll find restaurants serving freshly slaughtered lamb rather than frozen. The cooler weather makes walking tours genuinely pleasant rather than the sweaty affairs they can be in July. Downtown Reykjavik is walkable in 2-3 hours at a reasonable pace, and the light in September has this quality that photographers love - lower angle, golden tones. Food tours typically run 3-4 hours and cost 15,000-22,000 ISK.
South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Excursions
The South Coast in September offers dramatic weather that actually enhances the experience - mist from Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss looks more atmospheric, and stormy conditions at Reynisfjara black sand beach are spectacular if you respect the safety warnings. You're past peak nesting season so you won't see puffins, but you also won't have the crowds that make Reynisfjara feel like a parking lot in summer. Tours run 10-12 hours typically. The drive along Route 1 shows early autumn colors, and glacier views are often clearer in September's crisper air.
Blue Lagoon and Geothermal Spa Experiences
September weather makes geothermal bathing particularly appealing - the air temperature averaging 6-11°C (43-52°F) creates that perfect contrast with the 37-39°C (98-102°F) water. You're past the absolute peak tourist season but before the winter rush, so booking is easier and the lagoon feels less like a crowded pool. The Blue Lagoon is the obvious choice but also the most expensive at 12,000-18,000 ISK depending on package. Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 and offers a closer-to-Reykjavik option with ocean views. Budget 3-4 hours total including transit and bathing time.
Northern Lights Hunting Tours
Mid-to-late September marks the start of Northern Lights season once you get enough darkness - you need full dark for viewing, which doesn't happen until around September 15th onwards. Success rates are obviously lower than winter months, maybe 30-40% on any given September night, but you avoid the brutal cold and can combine aurora hunting with daytime activities. Tours typically run 10pm-2am and head out of the city to darker areas. The experience of seeing your first aurora of the season has something special to it, even if displays tend to be less intense than deep winter shows.
Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor
September sits at the tail end of whale watching season before operators reduce schedules in October. You're most likely to see minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises - humpback sightings are less common than July-August but still possible. Success rates run around 85-90% for seeing something. The tours last 3-4 hours and depart from Old Harbor. September seas can be rougher than summer, so if you're prone to seasickness, this matters. That said, the cooler air actually makes the boat ride more comfortable than sweaty July afternoons, and you'll have fewer boats competing for whale sightings.
September Events & Festivals
Reykjavik International Film Festival
RIFF typically runs for 11 days in late September-early October and is genuinely one of Iceland's major cultural events rather than tourist programming. You're looking at 80-100 films from around 40 countries, with a focus on independent and art house cinema. Screenings happen across multiple venues in central Reykjavik. The festival attracts actual film industry people and local cinema enthusiasts, so it feels authentic rather than manufactured. Individual tickets run around 1,800-2,200 ISK, festival passes 15,000-25,000 ISK depending on package.
Réttir - Traditional Sheep Roundups
Throughout September, farmers across Iceland round up sheep that have been grazing freely in the highlands all summer. While most réttir happen in rural areas, some farms within day-trip distance of Reykjavik welcome visitors. This is actual working agriculture, not a tourist show - you'll see traditional methods of sorting sheep by ear markings, and there's usually food and socializing afterward. It's one of the few genuinely traditional Icelandic cultural practices you can witness. Timing varies by farm and weather conditions, so you need to inquire locally or through your accommodation.