a rainbow painted street in the middle of a city

Reykjavík

Iceland's capital and largest city, known for geothermal heating, museums, long summer daylight and cool, windy weather.

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Reykjavík is Iceland's capital and largest city, on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay in the southwest. It is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state, and most of the country's main cultural institutions are based here. The name is often translated as "Bay of Smoke," which is linked to steam rising from nearby hot springs. The old harbor, the small lake Tjörnin and the shopping street Laugavegur are all close to the center.

Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, is a central landmark, and the Culture House displays the Poetic Edda and original saga manuscripts. Every building is heated with geothermal water, and Nauthólsvík is a beach warmed the same way. Summers are cool, usually 10 to 15 °C, and the city is windy and rainy, so pack waterproof layers. From about 20 May to 24 July the sun stays essentially above the horizon. Between about 2 December and 10 January, daylight lasts less than five hours a day.

Reykjavík in five

Book the airport bus or car aheadKeflavík Airport is about 50 km from the city and there is no train. Airport buses take about 45 minutes to the center.Keflavík and the Blue Lagoon
Book the Blue Lagoon for arrival or departureIt sells timed entry online and sits near the airport, so many visitors go on the way in or out. Nearby eruptions have closed it at times; check before you go.
Budget for drinksAlcohol is heavily taxed, so bar prices are high. Supermarkets sell only low-alcohol beer; wine and spirits are sold at the state Vínbúðin stores.
Drink the tap waterCold tap water is clean and free. Hot water smells of sulfur because it comes from geothermal sources, which is normal.
Check roads and weather each morningBefore driving out of the city, check road conditions on umferdin.is and warnings on vedur.is, especially from October to April.

Things to do in Reykjavík

See all attractions in Reykjavík

Museum · ReykjavíkThe Icelandic Phallological MuseumAllow time to read the exhibit information if you want the scientific context.

photography of white swan floating on water body

Cafe · ReykjavíkHarpa Concert Hall and Conference CentreGo early if you want to take photos or look around when it is quieter.

Park · ReykjavíkKlambratún

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ReykjavíkPut the places you like in Reykjavík on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Keflavík (KEF), about 45 min by airport bus
Getting around: Walk the center; Strætó buses for the suburbs
Best base: Around Laugavegur and the old harbor
Time needed: 1–2 days, plus day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuarySnow19 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Dark, storms
FebruarySnow18 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Northern lights
MarchRain18 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Lights, longer days
AprilRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Cool, quiet
MayRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Light nights
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Midnight light
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Warmest, busy
AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Lights return
OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Wet, windy
NovemberRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°Dark, windy
DecemberSnow18 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Darkest

Average daily high and low in Reykjavík, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Aug Reykjavík Pride

Right now in Reykjavík

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 4°
Humidity: 90%
Wind: 46 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Reykjavík

08:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today10°9°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue10°6°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed8°4°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
Thu9°5°82%Thursday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 82%.
Fri8°4°41%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 41%.
Sat8°7°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun8°1°81%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 81%.

Updated 04:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 121.8 ISK

Amount

Converted to

ISK · Icelandic Króna

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Reykjavík

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

AugReykjavík PrideReykjavík

Day trips by train

Before you go to Reykjavík

Reykjavík staysOld harbor, Laugavegur or the edgesCheck availability

Northern lights and day toursGuides watch cloud cover on the nightCompare tours

eSIM for Reykjavík and the ringRoads, wind and aurora checksRead the guide

Insurance for Iceland weatherCancelled tours and flight diversionsRead the guide

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Rules for Reykjavík, checked

Iceland is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Directorate of Immigration site (utl.is) before you fly.Source
Iceland limits raw meat, eggs and most fresh dairy you bring in. Declare food at Keflavík and check the Iceland Customs site (tollur.is).Source
Winter gales are common in Reykjavík. Check road conditions at road.is before you drive out of town.
Strætó runs the city buses. Check current fares and how to pay on straeto.is before you board.Source

Plan around Reykjavík

All of Iceland

Regions, driving, weather and money

Read the guide Golden Circle

Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in a day

Read the guide South Coast

Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara and Vík

Read the guide Best time to visit Iceland

Daylight, aurora and road conditions by month

Read the guide EES and Iceland entry

Schengen entry checks for non-EU visitors

Read the guide Connectivity in Iceland

Roaming, SIM and eSIM for road checks

Read the guide Reykjanesfólkvangur Reserve

Seltún mud pots and Kleifarvatn near the capital

Read the guide

Reykjavík FAQ

Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavík?

Yes, on clear, dark nights from about September to April, though city lights dim them. Drive a few kilometers out of town and check the aurora forecast on vedur.is.

Do I need a car in Reykjavík?

Not in the city, which is walkable. For the Golden Circle and south coast, rent a car or book day tours, which pick up from the center.

Does it get dark in summer?

Barely. From late May to July the sun sets for only a few hours and the sky stays light, so bring an eye mask.

How many days do you need in Reykjavík?

One to two days cover the old harbor, Hallgrímskirkja and a thermal pool. Most trips also add day trips, so plan three to five nights if you want the Golden Circle and the south coast without rushing.

Is Reykjavík expensive?

Yes, mostly for rooms, restaurant meals and drinks. Supermarkets and free tap water keep daily costs down, and a hot dog stand or bakery lunch costs far less than a restaurant dinner.