Season guide · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík in spring
April–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: United States Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang, Public domain
Quick answer
Fast-lengthening days, migrating birds and puffins arriving, quieter roads and lower prices, but snow in the highlands and many mountain roads still closed. Expect highs up to 10°C (50°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F), with about 22 rainy days across April–May.
Key facts
- Months
- April–May
- Temperatures
- 1°C (34°F) to 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 5°C (41°F) to 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 6°C (43°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 | 14.9 h | 2/5 |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 10 | 18.3 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 8°C (46°F) against a yearly 8°C (46°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 152 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: First Day of Summer — public holiday (a Thursday in late April)
Good choices for spring
Architecture · Old Harbour
Harpa Concert Hall
The harbourside concert and conference hall, opened in 2011, is wrapped in a geometric glass facade designed with artist Ólafur Elíasson that reflects the changing sky and lights up after dark.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Photo spot
Museum · Vesturbær
National Museum of Iceland
Start at the settlement-era rooms and allow time for the medieval Valþjófsstaður church door.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Öskjuhlíð
Perlan
A glass dome built on top of hot-water storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill houses the Wonders of Iceland nature exhibition, with a man-made ice cave, exhibits on glaciers and volcanoes and a planetarium show about the northern lights.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
- Nature
Experience · Laugardalur
Laugardalslaug geothermal pool
Shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering, as required; staff and locals take this rule seriously.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Active
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
Day trips in spring
- Golden Circle (A 6–8 hour loop by car or tour) — The classic loop links Þingvellir National Park, where the Alþingi parliament met from 930 and the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart; the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes; and the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall.
- South coast waterfalls and Vík (About 2.5 hours each way by car) — Route 1 east passes Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, and the 60-metre curtain of Skógafoss before reaching the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and the village of Vík.
What to pack
- 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
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It is a trade-off: Fast-lengthening days, migrating birds and puffins arriving, quieter roads and lower prices, but snow in the highlands and many mountain roads still closed. The best months overall are June–September.
+What is the weather like in Reykjavík in spring?
Highs of up to 10°C (50°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.