Month guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in October
What October 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
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Wetter and windier, with good aurora chances and lower prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 8°C (46°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Reykjavík: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 8°C (46°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with September (11°C (52°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 08:18
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:09
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea
- 8°C (46°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, October 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 October
- Imagine Peace Tower lit on Viðey (usually from 9 October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Old Harbour
Whale watching from the Old Harbour
Boats leave the Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay, where minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises are the most frequent sightings and humpbacks appear at times.
- Time needed
- 3–3.5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Street · Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur
Many bars on Laugavegur have happy hours in the late afternoon, the best-value time for a drink in Reykjavík.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Park · Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
Tjörnin and City Hall
The city-centre pond is home to swans, ducks and geese and is ringed by painted houses and the Hljómskálagarður park.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Experience · Kópavogur
Sky Lagoon
Book an evening slot in winter for a chance of northern lights from the water on clear nights.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 3°C and 14 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Reykjavík?
A shoulder-season month, 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 October a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a shoulder-season month. Wetter and windier, with good aurora chances and lower prices.
+How warm is Reykjavík in October?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in October?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.