Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in August
What August is really like in Reykjavík: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: TommyBee, Public domain
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Reykjavík. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 16.4 hours of daylight. Still peak season and mild; nights begin to darken late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 16.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Reykjavík: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 8°C (46°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with July (14°C (57°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:19
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 21:46
- Daylight
- About 16.4 hours
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F)
Summer (June–August). Midnight sun, mild 12–15 °C days, open highland roads and whale and puffin trips; the busiest and most expensive season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Reykjavík Pride (usually early to mid-August)
- Culture Night and the Reykjavík Marathon (usually a Saturday in late August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Museum · Vesturbær
National Museum of Iceland
The permanent exhibition 'Making of a Nation' runs from the Viking-age settlement to the present day, with carved church doors, drinking horns, early Christian artefacts and everyday objects that show how Icelanders survived on a remote island.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Öskjuhlíð
Perlan
Use it as a rainy-day substitute for glacier and aurora experiences, especially with children.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 8°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Reykjavík?
One of the best months to visit Reykjavík, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June–July and September. Compare every month.
Reykjavík in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is one of the best months to visit Reykjavík. Still peak season and mild; nights begin to darken late in the month.
+How warm is Reykjavík in August?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in August?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.