Season guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in autumn
September–October: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Autumn colours, darker nights for the aurora and fewer visitors, with rising wind and rain by October. Expect highs up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 27 rainy days across September–October. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–October
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 27
- Sea
- 8°C (46°F) to 10°C (50°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 11°C (52°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 13 | 12.9 h | 4/5 |
| October | 7°C (45°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 14 | 9.6 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 9°C (48°F) against a yearly 8°C (46°F), and 27 of the year's roughly 152 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Reykjavík International Film Festival (usually late September to early October)
- October: Imagine Peace Tower lit on Viðey (usually from 9 October)
Good choices for autumn
Gallery · Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús
The Reykjavík Art Museum spreads across three sites; Hafnarhús, a former harbour warehouse near the Old Harbour, shows contemporary art and a large collection by pop artist Erró.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Árbær
Árbær Open Air Museum
Visit in summer, when the most houses are open and demonstrations run.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Museum · Grandi
Whales of Iceland
Life-size models of 23 whale species found in Icelandic waters hang in a dimly lit hall in the Grandi harbour district, including a blue whale model of around 25 metres.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
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
Day trips in autumn
- Blue Lagoon (About 45 minutes by car or coach) — Iceland's most famous geothermal spa sits in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with milky-blue mineral water and silica mud masks.
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula (About 2.5 hours each way by car) — Often called Iceland in miniature, the peninsula has the much-photographed Kirkjufell mountain, the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano, the black church at Búðir, seal colonies at Ytri Tunga and sea cliffs at Arnarstapi.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Reykjavík?
Yes: September is among the best months. Autumn colours, darker nights for the aurora and fewer visitors, with rising wind and rain by October.
+What is the weather like in Reykjavík in autumn?
Highs of up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 27 rainy days over the season.