December in Reykjavik suits travelers who want northern lights cruises, geothermal pools and a walkable city center, and it comes with a cold afternoon high of 38°F (3°C). The city sits by the sea, and its pools are made for exactly this kind of weather.
Sunshine is the scarce thing here, at well under an hour a day. Plan the outdoor sights for the hours that are bright, and keep the evenings for boats, pools and restaurants.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 38°F (3°C)
- Night low: 29°F (-2°C)
- Rainy days: 14.6 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation
- Precipitation: 4 inches (95 mm)
- Sunshine: 0.4 hours per day on average
- Sea surface: 42°F on average
What is the weather like in Reykjavik in December?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 14 | 1.3 h | 44°F (7°C) |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.7 in (95 mm) | 15 | 0.4 h | 42°F (6°C) |
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 15 | 0.7 h | 42°F (5°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
December is cold and damp, with a high of 38°F (3°C) in the afternoon and a low of 29°F (-2°C) at night. The nights sit just under freezing, so wet pavement can turn icy after dark.
Rain or wet snow can fall on 15 days of the month, and the sun shines 0.4 hours a day on average. Pack a waterproof outer layer, and put the walk up to a church or a hilltop view in the brightest part of the day.
November is a little milder, with a high of 41°F (5°C), a low of 32°F (0°C) and about an hour of sun a day. January looks very much like December, at 38°F (3°C) by day and 29°F (-2°C) at night, with a little more sun at 0.7 hours a day. Shifting by four weeks in either direction changes the light more than the temperature.
What to do in Reykjavik in December
Northern lights cruise from the old harbour
The northern lights cruise from Reykjavik lasts 2 hours, and Special Tours also runs northern lights tours from the old harbour. Elding lists northern lights cruises among its tours too. December’s long nights give these trips plenty of dark sky.
Special Tours tour lengths range from 45 minutes to 3.5 hours, so check the length of the trip you book. On the water the cold is sharper than in town, so wear plenty of warm layers.
Geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
Reykjavik offers geothermal pools to unwind in, which suits a month with highs near 38°F (3°C). Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, with an optional seven-step ritual.
A soak fits well after a day of wet streets or an evening on a boat. Bring a swimsuit and plan the pool for the end of the day.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja is one of the most visited places by tourists in Iceland. It stands at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík. The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum and garden is at the southwest corner of the square.
Skólavörðustígur leads up to the church and is one of the city’s liveliest streets, with cafés, shops and galleries. Walk up in the middle of the day while it’s bright, then warm up in a café on the way back down.
Perlan on Öskjuhlíð
Perlan is on Reykjavik’s highest hill, close to the center, at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík. The observation deck around the dome gives a 360° panoramic view over the city.
With less than an hour of sunshine a day, a clear stretch is the time to go up.
National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland preserves and showcases the country’s cultural and historical heritage. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation.
Audio guides come in 10 languages. This is a good indoor plan for one of the 15 days when rain or wet snow is likely.
Is Reykjavik busy in December?
Reykjavik is a hotbed of activity all year round, with many annual festivals and seasonal events. Harpa has drawn millions of guests since it opened in May 2011. Expect company at these stops.
For a first visit, the best area to stay is the city center, within walking distance of major sights, restaurants and tour pickup points. The main area is the 101 district, around Laugavegur, the Old Harbour and Austurvöllur Square. Hotels there include Storm Hotel, Sand Hotel and Hotel Reykjavík Saga, near Lake Tjörnin.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in December?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 42°F in December. That is a monthly average, and it is far too cold for an ordinary swim.
Warm water comes from the geothermal pools.
What to pack for Reykjavik in December
December asks for warm layers and a good rain shell.
- A waterproof jacket, for the 15 days of rain or wet snow
- Insulating layers, for nights near 29°F (-2°C)
- A hat and gloves for the northern lights cruise, which lasts 2 hours on the water
- A swimsuit for the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
- Shoes with a good grip for Skólavörðustígur and for wet pavement near freezing
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in December
Hours change with the season, so check each site’s hours before going. Harpa is at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík, at the old harbour, and the view takes in Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range. Laugavegur has bars, clubs and restaurants that open in the evenings.
The ski areas at Bláfjöll and Skálafell are about 30 minutes from the city centre. Horse farms sit just outside Reykjavík and riding tours are popular.
Is December a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, for travelers who want northern lights, hot pools and a compact city to walk, and who can live with short days. The high stays near 38°F (3°C), so warm clothes are the price of admission.
Compared with November, December is a little colder and gives less sun, but the nights are longer for northern lights tours. January is almost the same in temperature and a little brighter. Moving a month either way changes little in the weather.
Whale watching has its peak season from April to October, so travelers set on whales will find December outside it.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/why-choose-reykjavik), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/reykjavik-sailors/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/all-content-search?search_api_fulltext=accommodation&page=1), checked 2026-10-30
- perlan.is (https://perlan.is/visit?msclkid=c2a46990c64e17466ba601eeea04dae2), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/all-content-search?search_api_fulltext=reykjavik+city+museum+officially+opened), checked 2026-10-30
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/is/upplifun/afthreying/sjo-og-vatna-afthreying/bataferdir/), checked 2026-10-30