Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in January
What January is really like in Reykjavík: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 5.3 hours of daylight. Dark days with about four to five hours of daylight, icy pavements and storms; northern lights chances are good on clear nights.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 5.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 10th-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 15 of its 31 days. Compared with December (3°C (37°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 10:55
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:19
- Daylight
- About 5.3 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, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Þorrablót midwinter feasts begin (usually late January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Experience · Laugardalur
Laugardalslaug geothermal pool
Reykjavík's largest public pool has a 50-metre outdoor pool, a row of hot tubs at different temperatures, a steam bath, a cold tub and a water slide, all heated by geothermal water.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Active
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -2°C and 15 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 January 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 January a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Dark days with about four to five hours of daylight, icy pavements and storms; northern lights chances are good on clear nights.
+How warm is Reykjavík in January?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in January?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.