Best Time to Visit Reykjavik
Iceland · Subarctic climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Reykjavik is:
July → August → June
July scores 32/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 8 | 16 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 15 | 30 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 19 | 38 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 20 | 39 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 12 | 24 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | -0.5°C (31.1°F) | Cold (Below 0°C) |
| February | 0.0°C (32.0°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 0.7°C (33.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| April | 3.6°C (38.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| May | 6.2°C (43.2°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| June | 8.9°C (48.0°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| July | 10.7°C (51.3°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| August | 10.8°C (51.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| September | 7.8°C (46.0°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| October | 4.4°C (39.9°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| November | 2.4°C (36.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| December | -1.0°C (30.2°F) | Cold (Below 0°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 156.7 mm | 14.4 | Very Wet |
| February | 145.4 mm | 12.4 | Very Wet |
| March | 134.4 mm | 13.2 | Very Wet |
| April | 129.7 mm | 17.6 | Very Wet |
| May | 136.0 mm | 22.8 | Very Wet |
| June | 110.2 mm | 23.0 | Very Wet |
| July | 84.6 mm | 20.4 | Wet |
| August | 128.4 mm | 20.6 | Very Wet |
| September | 140.1 mm | 21.8 | Very Wet |
| October | 134.3 mm | 20.6 | Very Wet |
| November | 135.1 mm | 19.0 | Very Wet |
| December | 131.0 mm | 11.8 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4 hrs | Low |
| February | 3.1 hrs | Low |
| March | 5.8 hrs | Moderate |
| April | 6.9 hrs | Good |
| May | 8.8 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 8.2 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 8.8 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 7.6 hrs | Good |
| September | 5.9 hrs | Moderate |
| October | 4.5 hrs | Moderate |
| November | 2.2 hrs | Low |
| December | 0.7 hrs | Low |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 3.5°C (38.3°F)
Rainfall: 133.4mm avg
Sunshine: 7.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.9%
Rainy Days: 17.9/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 10.1°C (50.2°F)
Rainfall: 107.7mm avg
Sunshine: 8.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 82.7%
Rainy Days: 21.3/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 4.9°C (40.8°F)
Rainfall: 136.5mm avg
Sunshine: 4.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 81.9%
Rainy Days: 20.5/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: -0.5°C (31.1°F)
Rainfall: 144.4mm avg
Sunshine: 1.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 77.2%
Rainy Days: 12.9/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Reykjavik are July, August, June, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. July scores 32/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Reykjavik?
August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 10.8°C (51.4°F).
What is the coldest month in Reykjavik?
December is the coldest month with an average temperature of -1.0°C (30.2°F).
When is the rainy season in Reykjavik?
January is the wettest month with an average of 156.7mm of precipitation. Reykjavik experiences about 218.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is July with 84.6mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Reykjavik?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (August is hottest at 10.8°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (December averages -1.0°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Reykjavik receives 1566.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Planning around Reykjavik's daylight is more important than temperature. I was there in June and the midnight sun meant I could hike at 11pm — disorienting but incredible. December gives you about 4 hours of daylight, which limits outdoor plans severely. The data shows mild temperatures for the latitude (rarely below -5°C thanks to the Gulf Stream), but wind chill is the real factor. Pack windproof everything, regardless of season.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 64.15°, -21.94°. Timezone: Atlantic/Reykjavik. Last updated: 2026-07-30.