Reykjavík at a glance
Reykjavík is the base for most trips, and it has enough to fill a few days on its own. The main sights are the church tower of Hallgrímskirkja, the municipal swimming pools and the harbor, with whale and puffin trips leaving from the harbor in season. The city is also the start for day trips such as the Golden Circle.
The season changes how you use it. In winter the days are short, and you build the day around the museums, the pools and an evening outing for the northern lights. In summer the light lasts almost round the clock and boat trips and long walks open up.
Best time for Reykjavík, season by season
There is a good time for every kind of city break. Pick the month that matches what you want to do.
| Month | Daylight on the 1st | Typical high / low | What is on |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 7 h 07 min | 3 / -2 °C (37 / 28 °F) | The Winter Lights Festival. In 2026 it opened on 5 February at 19:00, with Museum Night on 6 February and Pool Night on 7 February, and the events listed were free. |
| June | 20 h 07 min | 13 / 7 °C (55 / 45 °F) | The sun sets for only about 3 hours around the solstice (21 June 2026). Reykjavík has light nights, not a sun that never sets. |
| August | 17 h 56 min | 14 / 9 °C (57 / 48 °F) | Culture Night. In 2026 it ran on 22 August from 12:00 to 22:00, with fireworks at 22:00 at Arnarhóll. |
| November | 7 h 59 min | 5 / 0 °C (41 / 32 °F) | Iceland Airwaves on 5 to 7 November 2026, with some special events on 4 and 8 November. |
Climate values are typical averages for Reykjavík (1991–2020), rounded to whole degrees. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 1st of the month in 2026. Real weather varies, so see weather by month.
On Culture Night 2026, streets in the center were mostly closed from 07:00 to 24:00, with earlier closures for setup and a marathon. Festival dates change each year, so confirm them before you book. The old festival of Þorrablót runs in the old month of Þorri, roughly from the second half of January to the second half of February. It has no single national date.
For a quiet visit, winter is the safer bet. About 122,000 foreign passengers left through Keflavík in January 2025 and about 120,000 in December, against about 302,000 in July and 313,000 in August. For more on seasons and costs, see the cheapest time to visit.
Our picks: Reykjavík
A whale cruise, the Sky Lagoon and a helicopter tour from the city airport with two landings.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Fire and ice: helicopter tour with two landings
Two hours with one landing on a glacier and one in the Hengill geothermal area. Food and drinks are not included, and the flight needs at least four passengers.
Check availability →
Sky Lagoon entry with the seven-step ritual
Entry, the seven-step ritual, a towel and care products. Food, drinks and swimwear rental are extra, and the changing rooms depend on the pass: private with Sér, shared with Saman.
Check availability →Three-hour whale cruise from the old harbor
Guides, heated cabins with toilets, Wi-Fi and indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks and snacks in the onboard café are extra; there is no sighting guarantee, but you get a repeat ticket valid for up to three years.
Check availability →Reykjavík tours and day trips
Whale watching, northern lights tours, the Golden Circle and other day trips from Reykjavík, with live prices and availability.
Sights, pools and trips
The Hallgrímskirkja tower
The tower costs 1,500 ISK for adults and 200 ISK for children aged 7 to 16. You cannot reserve ahead, so you buy at the church shop. Reduced rates for students and people with disabilities are listed at 1,000 or 1,300 ISK, depending on the price list, so ask at the shop. On 20 October 2026 the church was open from 10:00 to 17:00, with the last tower entry at 16:45. Services and private events can limit other days. It is closed to sightseeing on 24 and 25 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027, and open from 10:00 to 12:00 on 31 December 2026.
Swimming pools
The municipal pools are a local habit and cost far less than a spa. Adults pay 1,500 ISK, ages 10 to 17 pay 400 ISK, and ages 0 to 9 enter free with an adult (tariff from 5 May 2026). Towel rental is 860 ISK, swimwear rental 1,270 ISK, and the bundle of entry, towel and swimwear 2,770 ISK. Pool Night in February is a free event. For a lagoon visit instead, see the Blue Lagoon guide.
Whale watching
One Reykjavík operator describes whales and dolphins near the city all year, with a larger summer program. Its Classic trip lasts about 3 hours. No season is guaranteed to be the best, and sightings can never be promised.
Puffin trips
Puffins are on the coast from May to mid-August, and they usually arrive in late April or early May and leave in mid to late August. The operator's boat season runs from 20 April to 20 August for the Classic trip and to 15 August for the Premium trip, each lasting about 1 hour. Late in August you may see none.
Northern lights from the city
The season runs roughly from September to April and needs dark, at least partly clear skies. Bus and boat trips leave in the evening, and none can promise a sighting. With one operator, a trip without sightings earns a repeat ticket rather than an automatic refund. Details are in the northern lights guide.
Day trips
The Golden Circle and the south coast both start from Reykjavík. Snorkeling in Silfra at Þingvellir runs all year, with weather and safety rules applying.
Getting to and around Reykjavík
The Flybus from Keflavík to Reykjavík starts at 3,999 ISK one way and takes about 45 minutes. A hotel connection costs extra, and the real time depends on traffic and weather. You can buy ahead or at the airport and at the BSÍ terminal.
Bus line 55 from the airport runs daily. An adult fare to Reykjavík or Garðabær is 2,400 ISK. Ages 12 to 17, seniors from 67 and people with disabilities pay 1,200 ISK, and children up to 11 travel free. Not every trip goes as far as BSÍ, and some stop in Hafnarfjörður. To the airport you get off at the terminal.
Reykjavík: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Reykjavík?
It depends on what you want. Summer has almost round-the-clock light and boat trips. Winter has dark evenings for the northern lights, the Winter Lights Festival in February and fewer visitors.
How much does the Hallgrímskirkja tower cost?
Adults pay 1,500 ISK and children aged 7 to 16 pay 200 ISK. Reservations are not possible, and you buy at the church shop. Reduced rates exist for students and people with disabilities.
How much does a swimming pool cost in Reykjavík?
From 5 May 2026 adults pay 1,500 ISK, ages 10 to 17 pay 400 ISK and ages 0 to 9 are free with an adult. Towel rental is 860 ISK and swimwear rental 1,270 ISK.
Does the sun set in Reykjavík in June?
Yes. Around the solstice the sun is below the horizon for about 3 hours. Unbroken sun is a feature of Grímsey, not of Reykjavík.
When do the puffin boat trips run?
One operator lists 20 April to 20 August for its Classic trip and 20 April to 15 August for its Premium trip. Each lasts about 1 hour. Check the current schedule before you plan.
Can I get from the airport to Reykjavík without a rental car?
Yes. The Flybus starts at 3,999 ISK one way and takes about 45 minutes, and bus line 55 runs daily at 2,400 ISK for adults.