Best time to visit Reykjavík
The best time to visit Reykjavík is May–September, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 °C / 36 °F | -2.5 °C / 28 °F | 126 mm / 5 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
| February | 2.5 °C / 37 °F | -1.9 °C / 29 °F | 117 mm / 4.6 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
| March | 3.4 °C / 38 °F | -1.2 °C / 30 °F | 114 mm / 4.5 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
| April | 6.4 °C / 44 °F | 1.4 °C / 35 °F | 97 mm / 3.8 in | good month |
| May | 9.3 °C / 49 °F | 4.3 °C / 40 °F | 87 mm / 3.4 in | best month |
| June | 12 °C / 54 °F | 7.5 °C / 46 °F | 72 mm / 2.8 in | best month |
| July | 14 °C / 57 °F | 9.3 °C / 49 °F | 72 mm / 2.8 in | best month |
| August | 13.4 °C / 56 °F | 8.9 °C / 48 °F | 81 mm / 3.2 in | best month |
| September | 10.7 °C / 51 °F | 6.5 °C / 44 °F | 137 mm / 5.4 in | best month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it good. |
| October | 6.7 °C / 44 °F | 2.8 °C / 37 °F | 122 mm / 4.8 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
| November | 4 °C / 39 °F | 0.3 °C / 33 °F | 104 mm / 4.1 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
| December | 1.9 °C / 35 °F | -2.4 °C / 28 °F | 111 mm / 4.4 in | good month, for Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good. |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: good
- FFebruary: good
- MMarch: good
- AApril: good
- MMay: best
- JJune: best
- JJuly: best
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: best
- OOctober: good
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: good
- Best
- May–September
- Good
- October–April
Reykjavík is cold, windy-cold and nearly sunless from November to March, though the aurora is visible on those very dark evenings. May through August are the mildest, driest, sunniest months for exploring, with September a still-mild shoulder month brightened further by early aurora sightings.
Why these months
January · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: days with heavy rain 4.4 days.
Against: feels like (high) -2.6 °C / 27 °F, average daily high 2 °C / 36 °F, wet days 18.1 days, precipitation 126 mm / 5 in, sunshine per day 1.5 h, share of daylight that is sunny 27%, average daily low -2.5 °C / 28 °F, relative humidity 82%.
Also on: Harpa symphony season, Þorrablót mid-winter feasts, Þrettándinn (Epiphany) bonfires.
Watch out for: Christmas and New Year closures.
February · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 46%, days with heavy rain 4.2 days.
Against: feels like (high) -2.1 °C / 28 °F, average daily high 2.5 °C / 37 °F, wet days 16.4 days, precipitation 117 mm / 4.6 in, sunshine per day 3.9 h, average daily low -1.9 °C / 29 °F, relative humidity 80%.
Also on: Bolludagur (cream bun day), Harpa symphony season, Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday / Icelandic Halloween), Sprengidagur (salted meat and peas day), Winter Lights Festival.
March · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 57%, days with heavy rain 3.5 days.
Against: feels like (high) -1.1 °C / 30 °F, average daily high 3.4 °C / 38 °F, wet days 16.9 days, precipitation 114 mm / 4.5 in, sunshine per day 6.8 h, average daily low -1.2 °C / 30 °F, relative humidity 78%.
Also on: Easter egg hunts, Harpa symphony season, Imagine Peace Tower lit, Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday / Icelandic Halloween), Winter Lights Festival.
Watch out for: Easter, Good Friday and Pentecost closures.
April · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 62%, precipitation 97 mm / 3.8 in, days with heavy rain 2.2 days, relative humidity 76%.
Against: feels like (high) 2.3 °C / 36 °F, average daily high 6.4 °C / 44 °F, wet days 16.2 days, average daily low 1.4 °C / 35 °F.
Also on: Easter egg hunts, First Day of Summer, Football season, Harpa symphony season, Whale watching season.
Watch out for: Easter, Good Friday and Pentecost closures.
May · best
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 63%, precipitation 87 mm / 3.4 in, days with heavy rain 2 days, relative humidity 75%, average daily low 4.3 °C / 40 °F.
Against: feels like (high) 5.8 °C / 42 °F, average daily high 9.3 °C / 49 °F, wet days 16.1 days.
Also on: Football season, Harpa symphony season, Whale watching season.
Watch out for: Easter, Good Friday and Pentecost closures, Grótta closed for bird nesting season.
June · best
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 56%, precipitation 72 mm / 2.8 in, days with heavy rain 1.7 days, average daily low 7.5 °C / 46 °F.
Against: wet days 13 days, feels like (high) 9.3 °C / 49 °F, average daily high 12 °C / 54 °F, relative humidity 78%.
Also on: Midnight sun / eternal summer daylight, Football season, Harpa symphony season, National Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) festivities, Sjómannadagurinn / Fishermen's Day, Whale watching season.
Watch out for: Easter, Good Friday and Pentecost closures, Grótta closed for bird nesting season, National Day stores closed.
July · best
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 57%, precipitation 72 mm / 2.8 in, days with heavy rain 1.9 days, average daily high 14 °C / 57 °F, average daily low 9.3 °C / 49 °F.
Against: wet days 13.1 days, feels like (high) 11.9 °C / 53 °F, relative humidity 80%.
Also on: Midnight sun / eternal summer daylight, Football season, Whale watching season.
Watch out for: Grótta closed for bird nesting season.
August · best
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 59%, precipitation 81 mm / 3.2 in, days with heavy rain 2.2 days, average daily high 13.4 °C / 56 °F, average daily low 8.9 °C / 48 °F.
Against: wet days 14.1 days, feels like (high) 11.1 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 81%.
Also on: Midnight sun / eternal summer daylight, Football season, Reykjavík Culture Night and Marathon, Reykjavík Pride, Whale watching season.
Watch out for: Verslunarmannahelgi (Commerce Weekend) shop closures.
September · best
Good weather, made best by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 54%, days with heavy rain 4 days, average daily low 6.5 °C / 44 °F.
Against: feels like (high) 7.6 °C / 46 °F, wet days 17.9 days, precipitation 137 mm / 5.4 in, sunshine per day 7 h, average daily high 10.7 °C / 51 °F, relative humidity 82%.
Also on: Football season, Harpa symphony season, Reykjavík International Film Festival.
October · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 51%, days with heavy rain 3.8 days.
Against: feels like (high) 3.1 °C / 38 °F, average daily high 6.7 °C / 44 °F, wet days 16.1 days, precipitation 122 mm / 4.8 in, sunshine per day 5 h, relative humidity 82%, average daily low 2.8 °C / 37 °F.
Also on: Football season, Harpa symphony season, Imagine Peace Tower lit, Reykjavík International Film Festival.
November · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 37%, days with heavy rain 3.5 days.
Against: feels like (high) -0.2 °C / 32 °F, average daily high 4 °C / 39 °F, wet days 14.8 days, precipitation 104 mm / 4.1 in, sunshine per day 2.4 h, average daily low 0.3 °C / 33 °F, relative humidity 81%.
Also on: Harpa symphony season, Iceland Airwaves, Imagine Peace Tower lit, Reykjavík International Film Festival.
December · good
Made good by Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
In its favour: days with heavy rain 3.8 days.
Against: feels like (high) -2.7 °C / 27 °F, average daily high 1.9 °C / 35 °F, wet days 15.7 days, precipitation 111 mm / 4.4 in, sunshine per day 0.7 h, share of daylight that is sunny 17%, average daily low -2.4 °C / 28 °F, relative humidity 81%.
Also on: Christmas markets, Harpa symphony season, Imagine Peace Tower lit, Jólasveinar (Yule Lads), Þorrablót mid-winter feasts.
Watch out for: Christmas and New Year closures.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Dalirnir tveir, 223 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | -2.6 °C | -2.1 °C | -1.1 °C | 2.3 °C | 5.8 °C | 9.3 °C | 11.9 °C | 11.1 °C | 7.6 °C | 3.1 °C | -0.2 °C | -2.7 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 4.4 days | 4.2 days | 3.5 days | 2.2 days | 2 days | 1.7 days | 1.9 days | 2.2 days | 4 days | 3.8 days | 3.5 days | 3.8 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 3 am | 6 am | 4 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 6 pm | 5 pm | 5 pm | 4 am | 12 am | 2 pm |
| Sunshine per day | 1.5 h | 3.9 h | 6.8 h | 9.3 h | 11.7 h | 11.6 h | 11.2 h | 9.6 h | 7 h | 5 h | 2.4 h | 0.7 h |
| Relative humidity | 82% | 80% | 78% | 76% | 75% | 78% | 80% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 81% | 81% |
Sea temperature
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature 2022–2025 | 1.7 °C | 2.3 °C | 3.2 °C | 4.6 °C | 7.7 °C | 10 °C | 12.1 °C | 12.7 °C | 10.8 °C | 8 °C | 5.7 °C | 3.7 °C |
| Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–2025 | 1.8 °C | 2.4 °C | 3.3 °C | 4.8 °C | 7.8 °C | 10.2 °C | 12.3 °C | 12.8 °C | 10.8 °C | 8.1 °C | 5.8 °C | 3.8 °C |
- Very cold 10 °C or less
- Cold 10 to 15 °C
- Cool 15 to 20 °C
- Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
- Warm 25 to 28 °C
- Very warm over 28 °C
The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 5.3 µg/m³ | 6 µg/m³ | 4 µg/m³ | 4.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6 µg/m³ | 4.7 µg/m³ | 4.5 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | 3.8 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 8.4 µg/m³ | 9.6 µg/m³ | 6.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | 11.7 µg/m³ | 9.9 µg/m³ | 9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.5 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Major
January, February, March, September, October, November and December
- Midnight sun / eternal summer daylight Major
June, July and August
- Þrettándinn (Epiphany) bonfires
6 January
- Þorrablót mid-winter feasts
January and December, dates vary from year to year
- Harpa symphony season
January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December
- Winter Lights Festival
February and March
- Bolludagur (cream bun day)
8–28 February, dates vary from year to year
- Sprengidagur (salted meat and peas day)
9–29 February, dates vary from year to year
- Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday / Icelandic Halloween)
10 February–1 March, dates vary from year to year
- Easter egg hunts
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Imagine Peace Tower lit
March, October, November and December
- First Day of Summer
19–25 April, dates vary from year to year
- Whale watching season
April, May, June, July and August
- Football season
April, May, June, July, August, September and October
- Sjómannadagurinn / Fishermen's Day
1–7 June, dates vary from year to year
- National Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) festivities
17 June
- Reykjavík Culture Night and Marathon
15–31 August, dates vary from year to year
- Reykjavík Pride
August
- Reykjavík International Film Festival
September, October and November
- Iceland Airwaves
November
- Christmas markets
December
- Jólasveinar (Yule Lads)
12–24 December
Worth knowing before you go
- Christmas and New Year closures
24 December–1 January
- Easter, Good Friday and Pentecost closures
March, April, May and June, dates vary from year to year
- Grótta closed for bird nesting season
1 May–15 July
- National Day stores closed
17 June
- Verslunarmannahelgi (Commerce Weekend) shop closures
1–7 August, dates vary from year to year