August in Reykjavik averages highs of 13 °C (55 °F) and lows of 8 °C (47 °F), with about 11 rainy days and 16 h 22 min of daylight.
August weather in Reykjavik at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is August a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Tough month: cold and wet. August is usually high season in Reykjavik: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in August 2026
- Mon 3 Aug: Commerce Day (Frídagur verslunarmanna) public holiday
- Culture Night (Menningarnótt) in late August event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Reykjavik in August
With frequent rain in August, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Hallgrímskirkja — tower view indoors
- Harpa concert hall indoors
- Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss outdoors
- Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon — geothermal pools outdoors
- Whale watching — from the old harbour outdoors
- Northern lights tour — dark months, clear nights only outdoors
Where to stay: Downtown (101) near Laugavegur for everything on foot.
What to pack for Reykjavik in August
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 8 °C (47 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 11 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Reykjavik costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €90–190 | €230–450 |
Excluding flights. August is usually high season in Reykjavik: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
August in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 18° / 12° | 11 | Tough month |
| Dublin | 19° / 13° | 10 | Good time to go |
| London | 22° / 14° | 7 | Good time to go |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is August a good time to visit Reykjavik?
By the numbers, August is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 13 °C (55 °F) and about 11 rainy days. August is usually high season in Reykjavik: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are June, July, August (the mildest; no month is easy here).
How warm is Reykjavik in August?
Average highs are 13 °C (55 °F) and lows 8 °C (47 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavik in August?
Expect about 11 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 105 mm in total. It is the 2nd driest month of the year in Reykjavik.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.