April in Iceland suits travelers who want waterfalls, hot springs and city sights in cool, damp weather, with Reykjavik afternoons at 44°F (7°C).
Puffins nest in the cliffs at Dyrhólaey only from late April, so the dates matter if the birds are the goal.
At a glance
- High in Reykjavik: 44°F (7°C)
- Low in Reykjavik: 34°F (1°C)
- Rainy days: 12
- Sunshine: five and a half hours a day
- Sea near Reykjavik: 42°F (6°C)
- Puffins at Dyrhólaey: nesting from late April
What is the weather like in Iceland in April?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in (81 mm) | 14 | 3.6 h | 41°F (5°C) |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.3 in (59 mm) | 12 | 5.5 h | 42°F (6°C) |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in (53 mm) | 11 | 6.7 h | 45°F (7°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
April is cool and damp, but brighter than March. Reykjavik afternoons reach 44°F (7°C) and nights drop to 34°F (1°C), so a warm coat is part of every outing.
It rains on 12 days in April, and the sun shines five and a half hours a day on average. Carry a waterproof layer and plan the outdoor sights for the hours when the sun is out.
March is colder, with highs of 40°F (4°C) and 14 rainy days. May is gentler: 50°F (10°C) in the afternoon, 11 rainy days and nearly seven hours of sun. April sits between them, and the sea near Reykjavik is 42°F (6°C), against 45°F (7°C) in May.
Where to go in Iceland in April
Reykjavík
The city centre stretches from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, the main shopping street. A self-guided walking tour can link Hallgrímskirkja church to the Harpa concert hall. Perlan, the nature exploratorium with interactive exhibits, makes a good stop when the rain comes in.
Þingvellir National Park
The park has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. The Service Center sits at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, and angling permits are handed out there on arrival. With nights at 34°F (1°C), a trail walk in the middle of the day is the comfortable choice.
Secret Lagoon, Flúðir
This is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi near Flúðir. It has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool. The water stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year, which suits a cold April evening.
Fontana, Laugarvatn
Fontana offers geothermal baths and a geothermal bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, in the Seljalandsá river. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 meters) high, stands nearby on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar. April rain adds to the spray, so wear waterproofs.
Dyrhólaey and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a promontory 394 feet (120 meters) high, rising out of black sand just west of Vík. The Katla Visitor Centre is at Víkurbraut 28 in Vík, in the historical Brydebúð building, and the Hafnleysa Maritime Museum is at Víkurbraut 17. Both give an indoor option on a wet day.
What to do in Iceland in April
Hallgrímskirkja tower and organ concert
Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and houses the largest organ in the country. Its tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean. Pick a clear hour for the climb.
Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, so April has one. A service in English is held on the last Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Making of a Nation at the National Museum
The National Museum of Iceland, at Suðurgata 41 in Reykjavík, preserves and showcases the country’s cultural and historical heritage. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation. Audio guides come in 10 languages.
Keep the outdoor sights for the drier hours: April has 12 rainy days, so a museum visit fits well.
Sky Lagoon and a geothermal soak
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, at Vesturvör 44–48 in Kópavogur, Greater Reykjavík. Entry comes with an optional seven-step ritual. With a sea at 42°F (6°C) in April, the heated water is the way to get in.
Laugavegur has bars, clubs and restaurants that open in the evenings. A soak followed by dinner there fills an April evening in the city.
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss. In April the cliffs and paths are wet, so shoes with grip and a waterproof jacket make the walk easier.
Gljúfrabúi is close by, about 40 meters high. Both falls fit into one stop.
Puffins at Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland, with birds nesting in the cliffs from late April to mid-August. A small, square, orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 stands on the highest point of the headland.
Aim for the last days of April if the birds matter. Earlier in the month the headland is still worth the drive for the lighthouse and the view.
Is Iceland busy in April?
Most campsites in Iceland are open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September. The Grindavík campsite, for one, is open from mid-March into November.
The lodging tax is 800 kr. per unit for licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II to IV. It is 400 kr. per unit for campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers, pop-up campers and caravans. The same 400 kr. applies to cruise ships on domestic voyages.
Can you swim in Iceland in April?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 42°F (6°C) in April. Near Vík it is 46°F (8°C) and near Höfn 45°F (7°C). These are monthly averages, and all of them are cold for a swim.
Hot water is the better plan.
What to pack for Iceland in April
April asks for layers and rain gear, plus a swimsuit for the hot pools.
- A waterproof jacket, for 12 rainy days in the month.
- A warm hat and a coat, for lows near 34°F (1°C).
- Shoes with grip, for the wet paths behind Seljalandsfoss.
- A swimsuit, for Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Fontana.
- A dry change of clothes, for the hike up Reynisfjall Mountain or the walk at Þingvellir.
What to know before visiting Iceland in April
Hiking up the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, along or in the river, is strictly forbidden because of breeding grounds. Camping outside organised campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission.
A traditional camping tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas. Permission from the landowner is required for more than three tents.
Is April a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, for travelers who want waterfalls, hot springs and city sights in cool weather. April is not a beach or camping month.
Compared with March, April has about two fewer rainy days and more sun, with afternoons close to 44°F (7°C) in Reykjavik. May is warmer at 50°F (10°C), with fewer rainy days, but the puffins are already nesting by then.
For swimming, choose the geothermal pools: Secret Lagoon, Sky Lagoon or Fontana.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
- thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30
- umhverfisstofnun.is (https://www.umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/travel-information/where-can-you-camp/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30