Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in April
What April is really like in Reykjavík: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: United States Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang, Public domain
Quick answer
April is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.9 hours of daylight. A quieter shoulder month with fast-lengthening days; the last aurora chances come early in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Reykjavík: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 8°C (46°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with March (4°C (39°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 05:56
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 21:00
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Sea
- 5°C (41°F)
Spring (April–May). Fast-lengthening days, migrating birds and puffins arriving, quieter roads and lower prices, but snow in the highlands and many mountain roads still closed.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes April one of the better-value months to book.
Events in April
- First Day of Summer — public holiday (a Thursday in late April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Árbær
Árbær Open Air Museum
More than 20 relocated buildings, including turf-roofed farmhouses, a turf church and 19th-century town houses, form a small village showing how Reykjavík lived before the 20th century.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Zoo · Laugardalur
Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo
Combine it with Laugardalslaug pool next door for a full day with young children.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
Garden · Skólavörðuholt
Einar Jónsson sculpture garden
Next to Hallgrímskirkja, the garden of the Einar Jónsson Museum holds bronze casts of the sculptor's symbolic, often mythological works.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Architecture · Old Harbour
Harpa Concert Hall
Climb to the upper foyers for framed views of the harbour and Mount Esja, then come back after dark to see the facade lit up.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near 1°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Reykjavík?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Reykjavík in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. A quieter shoulder month with fast-lengthening days; the last aurora chances come early in the month.
+How warm is Reykjavík in April?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in April?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.