Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in February
What February is really like in Reykjavík: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Protochrome, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8.4 hours of daylight. Daylight returns quickly and aurora season continues; storms can still close roads and cancel tours.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in February
February is the 11th-warmest month in Reykjavík: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 8°C (46°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 28 days. Compared with January (3°C (37°F)), February is about as warm; by March highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 09:23
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 18:01
- Daylight
- About 8.4 hours
- Sea
- 5°C (41°F)
Winter (November–March). Short days, snow, ice caves on organised tours and the best northern lights season; storms can close roads and cancel tours at short notice.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in February
- Winter Lights Festival — light art and museum night (usually early February)
- Bolludagur — cream-bun day (Monday before Lent)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Religious site · Skólavörðuholt
Hallgrímskirkja
Go up the tower on a clear morning; on cloudy days the view is short and the queue is long.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · Sæbraut
Sun Voyager
Jón Gunnar Árnason's stainless-steel sculpture of a skeletal Viking-style ship stands on the seafront path along Sæbraut, facing Mount Esja across the bay.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Couples
Experience · Outside the city
Northern lights tour
Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora and cloud forecast, and book early in your trip so a rebooking is still possible.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Nature
- Couples
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -2°C and 13 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 February a good time to visit Reykjavík?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Reykjavík in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a shoulder-season month. Daylight returns quickly and aurora season continues; storms can still close roads and cancel tours.
+How warm is Reykjavík in February?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in February?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.