The best time to visit Reykjavik is July and August, when the city reaches its mildest and brightest. July averages a high of 13 °C with 16 rain days and around 9 hours of sunshine a day, and August follows closely at 13 °C with 14 rain days. These are Reykjavik's peak months, filling with summer travellers and school-holiday crowds around Hallgrímskirkja and the harbour. The winter months from November to February are the quiet, dark low season, with highs near freezing and as little as 0.7 hours of sunshine a day in December.
Best months JulyAugust
Reykjavik month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.6 °C | -2.9 °C | 18 | 1.5 h |
| February | 2.4 °C | -2.2 °C | 18 | 3.3 h |
| March | 3.4 °C | -1.2 °C | 16 | 5.9 h |
| April | 6.5 °C | 1.3 °C | 16 | 7.4 h |
| May | 9 °C | 4.2 °C | 19 | 9.1 h |
| June | 11.3 °C | 6.8 °C | 16 | 9 h |
| July | 13.4 °C | 8.8 °C | 16 | 9 h |
| August | 13 °C | 8.5 °C | 14 | 8.4 h |
| September | 10.3 °C | 5.8 °C | 18 | 6.2 h |
| October | 6.8 °C | 2.8 °C | 18 | 4.3 h |
| November | 3.9 °C | 0.1 °C | 15 | 2.2 h |
| December | 2.1 °C | -2 °C | 18 | 0.7 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Good for travellers who want lengthening days without summer crowds, though it stays cool and wet.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The best all-round window and worth the crowds for long daylight and the warmest weather Reykjavik offers.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Suits those chasing early northern lights and fewer people, but expect grey, damp days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For aurora hunters and winter-atmosphere seekers only; cold, dark and often stormy.
Notable events
- February
- Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival
- June
- Secret Solstice / Midnight Sun celebrations
- August
- Menningarnótt (Culture Night)
- December
- Christmas and New Year celebrations
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in Reykjavik?
No. August is one of the mildest months, averaging a high of just 13 °C, so heat is never an issue.
What is the rainiest month?
May sees the most rain days at 19, though most months are damp, with 14 to 19 rain days across the year.
Is winter worth visiting?
Only if you want northern lights and winter atmosphere. Highs sit near freezing at 1.6–2.4 °C, with 18 rain days and as little as 0.7 hours of sunshine a day in December.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Reykjavik area guide →
Areas of Reykjavik
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Reykjavik — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.