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When to Visit Reykjavik

Climate guide & best times to travel

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Monthly Climate Data for Reykjavik Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview -6°C 0°C 6°C 12°C 19°C Rainfall (mm) 0 46 93 Jan Jan: 3.0°C high, -1.0°C low, 86mm rain Feb Feb: 3.0°C high, -1.0°C low, 91mm rain Mar Mar: 4.0°C high, -1.0°C low, 81mm rain Apr Apr: 6.0°C high, 1.0°C low, 58mm rain May May: 10.0°C high, 4.0°C low, 53mm rain Jun Jun: 13.0°C high, 7.0°C low, 43mm rain Jul Jul: 14.0°C high, 9.0°C low, 51mm rain Aug Aug: 14.0°C high, 8.0°C low, 64mm rain Sep Sep: 11.0°C high, 6.0°C low, 86mm rain Oct Oct: 7.0°C high, 2.0°C low, 79mm rain Nov Nov: 4.0°C high, 0.0°C low, 86mm rain Dec Dec: 3.0°C high, -1.0°C low, 94mm rain Temperature Rainfall
Reykjavik's climate laughs at the idea of Arctic harshness. The North Atlantic Current keeps the city mild; Nordic winters here bite. Yet rarely maul. January and February hover at 3°C (37°F) by day and drop to -1°C (28°F) after dark, the same chill you shrug off in a Scottish autumn. The shock is not cold, but wind, sideways rain, and daylight squeezed into a sliver. Light, not temperature, scripts the year. Late June sun refuses to set, gilding midnight streets in gold. Late December hands you four or five usable hours. Both extremes demand adjustment. Both brand your memory. Rain falls evenly; June drips 43mm, December soaks 94mm. Yet storms stay polite. Weather flips fast. Grey dawn can blaze by lunch, and the trick reverses just as easily. Summer, June through August, peaks at 13-14°C (55-58°F) and brings lighter showers. Yet pack a jacket anyway.

Best Time to Visit

Recommended timing for different travel styles.

Cultural
late September through November strikes a balance. Crowds thin. Northern lights flicker. Reykjavik's galleries, restaurants, and live music venues serve locals again, not just peak-season tourists.
Adventure and hiking
Travelers split into two camps. Summer, June through August, gifts endless daylight for hiking the Reykjanes Peninsula and highland tracks. The winter crowd, January through March, chases ice caves, glacier walks, and auroras. They find Reykjavik stripped raw, moody, alive.
Budget
January and February reward the brave. Tourism bottoms out. Rooms cost less. Daylight is scarce. Yet cafés and bars buzz all day. Icelanders never hibernate.
Beach and relaxation
There is no classic beach season. July comes closest. Thermometers flirt with 14°C (58°F). Festive energy spills into the streets. Geothermal pools feel like luxury, not endurance tests.

What to Pack

Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Reykjavik.

Year-Round Essentials
A windproof and waterproof outer layer
A windproof and waterproof jacket is non-negotiable in Reykjavik. The Atlantic can throw rain and gusts at any hour, any month. One trick pony jackets fail fast. Bring the real deal.
Thermal base layers
Warm hats and gloves earn their keep year round. Temperatures rarely climb high enough to make them feel silly. Pack them.
Good waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots
Waterproof boots grip the lava-rock paths just outside the city and laugh at Reykjavik's frequent rain. Bring them.
A wool or fleece mid-layer
A fleece or light sweater bridges the awkward shoulder months when the mercury hovers between crisp and mild.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses feel odd for Iceland until the low winter sun or midnight glare bounces off snow and sea. Bring them.
A reusable water bottle
A reusable bottle saves cash and the planet. Iceland's tap water is among the cleanest on Earth. Refill freely.
A daypack that fits under a rain cover
rounds out the year-round kit.
winter visits (November through March)
Clothing
a properly insulated coat
Footwear
Lightweight ice-grip attachments for shoes are sold everywhere in Reykjavik. Buy them in January or February when sidewalks glaze overnight. Cheap insurance.
Accessories
gloves, a hat that covers your ears, wool socks
summer (June through August)
Clothing
a lighter packable rain jacket replaces the heavy coat
Layering Tip
Layers shift from warmth to wind defense by midsummer. Even July rarely stays warm enough for bare arms for long. Bring a shell.
Spring and autumn
Clothing
a warm layer for evenings, reliable waterproofing for the frequent showers
Layering Tip
Pack for swings. A cold morning can melt into a mild afternoon without warning. Flexibility wins.
Plug Type
Type F
Voltage
230V and 50Hz
Adapter Note
North American travelers need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter for older gear. Most modern chargers accept 230V. Check before you pack.
Skip These Items
Umbrellas are wind fodder in Reykjavik. Gusts flip or shred them before they help. Locals skip them. You should too. Reykjavik keeps it casual. Even upscale restaurants and clubs rarely demand formal wear. Leave the tux at home. Thick jeans stay wet and cold. Swap them for waterproof or quick-dry trousers. Your legs will thank you. Sandals work only if you plan to live in geothermal pools and hotel lobbies. The dash from locker to water is usually enough to rethink open toes. Bring real shoes.
Full Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.

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Month-by-Month Guide

Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.

January

December delivers the year's darkest punch. Expect four to five hours of low, slanted light. Mornings drag. Afternoons vanish.

High 3°C (37°F)
Low -1°C (28°F)
Rainfall 86mm
Crowds Low season
View Details →
February

February mirrors January. Highs 3°C (37°F), lows -1°C (28°F), rainfall 91mm. Yet daylight stretches, minute by minute. The city's winter festival calendar wakes up.

High 3°C (37°F)
Low -1°C (28°F)
Rainfall 91mm
Crowds Low season
View Details →
March

March feels like a hinge. Highs climb to 4°C (39°F), lows -1°C (29°F), rainfall eases to 81mm. Aurora odds stay strong. By mid-afternoon you can hike in real light.

High 4°C (39°F)
Low -1°C (29°F)
Rainfall 81mm
Crowds Low to medium season
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April

April announces spring. Highs 6°C (44°F), lows 1°C (33°F), rainfall drops to 58mm. Hills green overnight. Trails open. Visitors return. But not in droves.

High 6°C (44°F)
Low 1°C (33°F)
Rainfall 58mm
Crowds Medium season
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May

May turns the outdoors into the main attraction. Highs 10°C (50°F), lows 4°C (39°F), rain 53mm. Light lingers past 9pm. Highland roads reopen. Book early.

High 10°C (50°F)
Low 4°C (39°F)
Rainfall 53mm
Crowds Medium season
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June

June opens the midnight sun chapter. Rainfall bottoms out at 43mm. Highs 13°C (55°F), lows 7°C (44°F). Lush fields shock newcomers. Beds and tours sell fast.

High 13°C (55°F)
Low 7°C (44°F)
Rainfall 43mm
Crowds High season
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July

July is the statistical warmest. Highs 14°C (58°F), lows 9°C (48°F), rain 51mm. Midnight sun scrambles body clocks. Blackout curtains are standard. Streets overflow with visitors from every continent.

High 14°C (58°F)
Low 9°C (48°F)
Rainfall 51mm
Crowds High season
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August

August clings to summer. Highs 14°C (57°F), lows 8°C (47°F), rain 64mm. Days shorten. Out past midnight, the first faint auroras may appear. Crowds thin. But only slightly.

High 14°C (57°F)
Low 8°C (47°F)
Rainfall 64mm
Crowds High season, tapering toward medium by month's end
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September

September hits Reykjavik like a switch. Highs drop to 11°C (52°F), lows to 6°C (43°F), and heavier rainfall returns at 86mm. Yet the light turns golden, the hills blush red, and the northern lights season kicks off once nights grow dark. Many seasoned travelers swear this is the month to come. Worth it.

High 11°C (52°F)
Low 6°C (43°F)
Rainfall 86mm
Crowds Medium to high season
View Details →
October

October races toward winter. Highs sit at 7°C (45°F), lows at 2°C (36°F), and 79mm of rain keeps the sidewalks slick. Daylight shrinks fast, tourists thin out, and Reykjavik's indoor culture takes over. Geothermal pools steam, museums fill, restaurants hum. Northern lights appear often when skies clear. Book early.

High 7°C (45°F)
Low 2°C (36°F)
Rainfall 79mm
Crowds Medium season
View Details →
November

November is dark, wet, and honest. Highs reach only 4°C (40°F), lows hit 0°C (31°F), and 86mm of rain soaks everything. Reykjavik shrugs and carries on. Pools stay hot. Bars stay open. On clear nights the aurora can explode overhead. Travelers who skip the peak-season show still get the city. Pack layers.

High 4°C (40°F)
Low 0°C (31°F)
Rainfall 86mm
Crowds Low season
View Details →
December

December is the darkest stretch. Daylight is scarce, rainfall peaks at 94mm, and temperatures match January: highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -1°C (29°F). Reykjavik fights back with light. Streets glow with Christmas displays, cafés pour strong coffee, and New Year's Eve erupts. Icelanders launch a fireworks barrage that outshines most of Europe. Watch from a hot pool. Memorable.

High 3°C (37°F)
Low -1°C (29°F)
Rainfall 94mm
Crowds Medium season
View Details →

Ready to plan your trip to Reykjavik?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Top Things to Do

Curated attractions, tours, and experiences in Reykjavik.

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Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

Find hotels →

What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for Reykjavik.

See packing list →

Continue Planning Your Trip

Packing List

What to bring on your trip for Reykjavik

When to Visit

Best times to travel for Reykjavik

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Reykjavik