May in Reykjavik suits travelers who like cool, bright days outdoors and a warm pool at the end of them. Afternoons reach 50°F (10°C), and whale watching is in its peak season from April to October.
The nights are cold at 39°F (4°C), and about eleven days in the month bring rain. Plan boat trips and viewpoints around the weather, and keep a pool or a museum as the backup.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 50°F (10°C)
- Night low: 39°F (4°C)
- Rainy days: 11 (days with at least 1 mm)
- Sunshine: 6.7 hours per day
- Sea temperature: 45°F (7°C)
What is the weather like in Reykjavik in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 2.3 in (59 mm) | 12 | 5.5 h | 42°F (6°C) |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in (53 mm) | 11 | 6.7 h | 45°F (7°C) |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.7 in (43 mm) | 9 | 6.3 h | 49°F (10°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is cool, with afternoons at 50°F (10°C) and nights at 39°F (4°C). It’s jacket weather all day, and a hat and gloves help in the evening.
About 11 days bring rain, and the sun shows for roughly 7 hours a day. A rain shell works better than an umbrella, since it leaves your hands free for the camera. Save the viewpoints for the drier hours and the museums for the wet ones. The sea sits at 45°F (7°C), so a boat trip means dressing for wind on deck.
April is a little colder, with afternoons at 44°F (7°C) and 12 rainy days. June gains a few degrees, with highs of 55°F (13°C) and 9 rainy days.
What to do in Reykjavik in May
Whale watching and puffin tours from the Old Harbour
The peak season for whale watching runs from April to October, so May is inside it. A whale watching tour spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the water.
Puffin tours are also offered. Special Tours has run them since 1996, and the whole outing takes about 1 hour. That makes a puffin trip easy to fit into a gray, showery morning. Wear the warm layer for the whale tour, because it is the longer one.
Perlan and its panoramic views
Perlan stands on Öskjuhlíð, Reykjavik’s highest hill, close to the center.
Go when the sky is bright rather than on a day of low cloud, since the view is the whole point of the climb.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and it is one of the most visited places by tourists in Iceland. 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 with time for a coffee stop, and use the street as a dry-weather warm-up before a rain shower.
Harpa on the old harbour
Harpa stands on the waterfront in the heart of downtown, at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík. It opened in May 2011 and has drawn millions of guests since. The building offers views of Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
It sits beside the harbor where the boat tours leave. That makes it an easy stop before or after a tour, and a dry place to wait out a shower.
Sky Lagoon and the city’s geothermal pools
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, with an optional seven-step ritual. Reykjavík also offers geothermal pools to unwind in.
Bring a swimsuit.
Is Reykjavik busy in May?
Reykjavík is a hotbed of activity all year round, with many annual festivals and seasonal events.
Book boat tours and a room before you fly, especially for a weekend. For a first visit, the Reykjavík City Center is the best area to stay, within walking distance of major sights, restaurants and tour pickup points. The 101 district around Laugavegur, the Old Harbour and Austurvöllur Square is the main area.
Hotel choices there include Hotel Reykjavík Saga, a 4-star hotel near Lake Tjörnin, and Sand Hotel, a luxury property downtown. Storm Hotel is in the eastern part of the center, a walk from Laugavegur. Hilton Reykjavík is a four-star hotel near the center, with Laugardalur’s recreational areas close by.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in May?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 45°F (7°C) in May. That is a monthly average, and it is cold enough that nobody goes in for long.
The swim in May is a warm one: Sky Lagoon sits by the sea, and the city’s geothermal pools are open for a soak. Both give you the water without the chill.
What to pack for Reykjavik in May
May asks for layers and something waterproof. Afternoons are near 50°F (10°C), nights drop to 39°F (4°C), and showers come on about 11 days.
- A waterproof shell, for the days with rain and for wind on deck.
- A warm mid-layer and a hat, since evenings sit near 39°F (4°C).
- Waterproof walking shoes, for parks, hikes and wet pavements.
- A swimsuit, for the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon.
- Sunglasses, because the sun averages about 7 hours a day.
- Gloves for a whale watching tour, which keeps you on the water for 3 to 3.5 hours.
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in May
Addresses help when you plan the days. Perlan is at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and Harpa is at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík. Reykjavík City Museum includes five museums and exhibitions, which gives you indoor options for wet days. The National Museum of Iceland has audio guides in 10 languages and a permanent exhibition called Making of a Nation.
The Reykjavík Botanic Garden and Viðey Island are easy to reach and known for their birdlife. A noon organ concert is held on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, so May is within that season.
Is May a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, May is a good time for travelers who want cool, bright days with whale watching, a hilltop view and a hot soak in the evening. It is not a beach month, and nights are cold.
June is warmer still, with highs of 55°F (13°C), nights at 45°F (7°C) and 9 rainy days.
If you want the warmest, driest weather, aim for June. If you want whale watching, May falls inside the April to October peak. If you want a pool day, the geothermal pools work in any weather.
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