January in Reykjavik averages highs of 2 °C (35 °F) and lows of -3 °C (27 °F), with about 16 rainy days and 5 h 19 min of daylight.
January weather in Reykjavik at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Tough month: cold and wet. January is usually low season in Reykjavik: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
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 January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day (Nýársdagur) public holiday
- Northern lights season: on clear, dark nights the aurora can appear (tours leave the city to escape light pollution). season
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 January
With cold days in January, 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 January
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 2 °C (35 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 16 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. January is usually low season in Reykjavik: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 6° / 2° | 11 | Tough month |
| Dublin | 8° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
| London | 8° / 2° | 9 | Tough month |
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FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 2 °C (35 °F) and about 16 rainy days. January is usually low season in Reykjavik: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are June, July, August (the mildest; no month is easy here).
How warm is Reykjavik in January?
Average highs are 2 °C (35 °F) and lows -3 °C (27 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavik in January?
Expect about 16 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 152 mm in total. It is the 2nd wettest 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.