Reykjavik: Best Time to Visit, Jun–Aug

When to visit.

Choose your travel month

Underlined months are the best time to go.

April · MayPack waterproof layers for spring walks between Hallgrímskirkja and the Old Harbour. Keep a museum or shopping stop in reserve if conditions change.

June · July · AugustUse a summer city day for the waterfront around Harpa and the Old Harbour. Bring a waterproof jacket and a warm layer rather than packing only for warm weather.

September · OctoberBreak an autumn walk with cafés and shops along Laugavegur. Pack waterproof shoes and add warmer layers as the season progresses.

November · December · January · February · MarchKeep winter city plans flexible, with museums and cafés between short walks. Pack a windproof winter coat, hat and gloves.

Compare monthly weather

Historical monthly weather

Select a month to plan your visit.

WarmestJul · 59°F (15°C)

WettestJan

Best windowJun–Aug

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Bar height: daytime high.Green underline: best window. Square outline: selected month.

Select a month for temperature, rainfall and modelled sunshine.

Weather data & source

2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). Sunshine measures daylight only. Open-Meteo

A first trip3 nights

Two nights leave time for the compact centre and harbour; three make more room for museums and a city pool before travelling farther afield.

Your base101 Reykjavík city centre

Stay between the Old Harbour and Hallgrímskirkja for a walkable base near museums, cafes and Laugavegur.

Stay length, neighbourhoods & sources

Two nights leave time for the compact centre and harbour; three make more room for museums and a city pool before travelling farther afield.

Stay between the Old Harbour and Hallgrímskirkja for a walkable base near museums, cafes and Laugavegur.

Explore sample itineraries →

What to see

Start with the sights.

Start between Hallgrímskirkja and the Old Harbour, with Harpa along the waterfront. Keep countryside excursions separate from your city day.

01What to seeTjörninExplore →

Tjörnin is a small, prominent lake in central Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland.

02What to seeIcelandic Phallological MuseumExplore →

The Icelandic Phallological Museum, located in Reykjavík, Iceland, houses the world's largest display of penises and penile parts.

03What to seeNational Museum of IcelandExplore →

The National Museum of Iceland was established on 24 February 1863, with Jón Árnason the first curator of the Icelandic collection, previously kept in Danish museums.

04What to seeHallgrímskirkjaExplore →

Hallgrímskirkja is a Protestant Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland.

05What to seeHöfðiExplore →

Höfði is a house in Reykjavík, Iceland, built in 1909, and best known as the location for the 1986 Reykjavík Summit meeting of President Ronald Reagan of the United States and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of…

Where to eat

Where to eat in Reykjavik

Kaffi Loki →

Icelandic home cooking opposite Hallgrímskirkja.

Choose a traditional meal by the church.

Visit details & sources

Food: Rye bread with mashed fish on the Loki plate
Setting: Across the street from Hallgrímskirkja

Explore the menu →

Make a trip of it

Reykjavik, at the right moment.

Atlantic puffins stand on a green sea cliff above Dyrhólaey's black beach

01JourneySouth Iceland's Puffin CoastEvery year, June 26–mid-August5 nights minimum · 7–9 idealOpen Journey →

Make a plan

Before you go.

Transport, fares & local advice

Getting there

KEF (main international gateway): Flybus coach to Reykjavík BSÍ Bus Terminal, about 45 minutes. The estimate is to BSÍ; a hotel connection adds time.

Airport routes & connections →Airport routes & connections →

Getting around

Explore the compact centre on foot and use Strætó buses for longer trips around the capital area. Check the operator’s journey planner for current routes.