Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in November
What November 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
November is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 6.3 hours of daylight. Short, stormy days and quiet sights, but a lively music scene.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 6.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 6°C (43°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in November
November is the 9th-warmest month in Reykjavík: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 8°C (46°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 30 days. Compared with October (7°C (45°F)), November is cooler; by December highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 09:57
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:28
- Daylight
- About 6.3 hours
- Sea
- 6°C (43°F)
Autumn (September–October). Autumn colours, darker nights for the aurora and fewer visitors, with rising wind and rain by October.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Iceland Airwaves music festival (usually early November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Island · Kollafjörður
Viðey Island
Ferries are more frequent in summer; check the schedule and take the return times seriously, as the island has few facilities.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- History
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
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near 0°C and 14 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 November 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 November a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Short, stormy days and quiet sights, but a lively music scene.
+How warm is Reykjavík in November?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in November?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.