May in Iceland suits travelers who want puffins at Dyrhólaey, geothermal pools and Reykjavík sights in cool weather.
The catch is the camping calendar. Most campsites open only in June, and nights in Reykjavik still drop to 39°F (4°C).
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Reykjavik: 50°F (10°C)
- Night low in Reykjavik: 39°F (4°C)
- Rainy days: 11 in the month
- Sunshine: 7 hours a day on average
- Sea near Reykjavik: 45°F
- Puffins at Dyrhólaey: nesting from late April to mid-August
What is the weather like in Iceland 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 in Reykjavik is cool. Afternoons reach 50°F (10°C) and nights fall to 39°F (4°C), so a jacket stays on all day.
Rain falls on 11 days of the month, and the sun shines about 7 hours a day on average. Plan the outdoor sights for the drier stretches and carry a waterproof layer on every outing. The sea near Reykjavik averages 45°F.
April is colder, with highs of 44°F (7°C) and lows of 34°F (1°C), and it has 12 rainy days. June is warmer, with 55°F (13°C) in the afternoon, 45°F (7°C) at night and 9 rainy days.
Where to go in Iceland in May
Reykjavik
The city center runs from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, the main shopping street. A self-guided walking tour can take in the sights from Hallgrímskirkja church to Harpa concert hall. Perlan, Tjörnin and Mount Esja are also popular landmarks. The National Museum of Iceland is at Suðurgata 41.
Þingvellir National Park
The park is at 806 Selfoss, and the Service Center is at Leirar, close to the camping grounds. Hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes are all on offer. Angling permits are issued at the Service Center on arrival, so there is no need to arrange one in advance.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, and you can walk behind it. Gljúfrabúi, about 131 feet (40 meters) high, stands close by on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Vík and Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter (394-foot) promontory rising out of the black sand just west of Vík. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre is at Víkurbraut 28 and the Hafnleysa Maritime Museum at Víkurbraut 17. The sea here averages 47°F in May.
Laugarvatn and Flúðir
Fontana is at Hverabraut 1 in Laugarvatn, and Secret Lagoon is at Hvammsvegur in Flúðir. Fontana also bakes rye bread in a geyser.
What to do in Iceland in May
Hallgrímskirkja tower and organ concert
The tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean. Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and houses the largest organ in the country.
Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, which includes May. The English service is on the last Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Puffins at Dyrhólaey
Birds nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so May falls inside the season. Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland.
A small, square, orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 stands on the highest point of the headland. Climb up to it for the view over the cliffs. Reynisfjall Mountain, nearby, offers views over the Atlantic and its bird cliffs.
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
You can walk behind the waterfall.
Gljúfrabúi is a short stop away. Add it to the same visit.
Whale watching from Akureyri
Whale Watching Akureyri runs a specially designed ship that takes 200 passengers and custom-built RIB speedboats. The RIBs carry small groups of 12 passengers, each with a guide and a specially trained captain.
Akureyri has cooler spring weather than Reykjavik. In April the high there was 44°F (7°C) and the low 31°F (0°C), so pack warm layers for the water.
Secret Lagoon at Flúðir
Secret Lagoon 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 comes from the hot springs Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir and stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year. A soak is as warm in May as in any other month.
Is Iceland busy in May?
Around 200 campsites are registered in Iceland, and most are open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September. The Grindavík campsite is open from mid-March into November, so it is one early option.
Camping outside organized 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. Groups of ten or more tents in Vatnajökull National Park must seek permission from the ranger. Permission of the landowner is required for more than three tents.
The lodging tax is 800 kr. per unit for licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II to IV, and 400 kr. for campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers and caravans.
Can you swim in Iceland in May?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 45°F in May. Near Vík it is 47°F, and near Höfn 46°F. These are monthly averages, and all are cold enough that a quick dip is more likely than a swim.
Geothermal water is the warm option. Sky Lagoon, at Vesturvör 44 to 48 in Kópavogur, offers entry to a geothermal lagoon by the sea with an optional seven-step ritual. Fontana in Laugarvatn has geothermal baths.
What to pack for Iceland in May
May asks for layers and rain protection, with a swimsuit for the geothermal pools.
- A waterproof jacket, since 11 days of the month bring rain
- Warm layers for nights of 39°F (4°C) in Reykjavik
- A swimsuit and towel for Secret Lagoon, Fontana or Sky Lagoon
- Shoes with grip for the wet path behind Seljalandsfoss
- Sunglasses, with 7 hours of sun a day on average
- A warm hat and gloves for a whale watching boat
What to know before visiting Iceland in May
Most campsites open in June, so a May road trip is easier with a booked bed.
Hiking up the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon along or in the river is strictly forbidden because of breeding grounds. Stay on the viewing paths.
Is May a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, May is a good time for travelers who want puffins, waterfalls and geothermal pools without the warmth of June. The days are cool at 50°F (10°C), and the Dyrhólaey puffins are already nesting.
Compared with April, May is warmer by 6°F, with fewer rainy days and more sun each day. June adds another 5°F, brings the sea near Reykjavik to 49°F and cuts the rainy days to 9. Campsites mostly open in June, so campers gain a lot by shifting four weeks later.
For swimming, choose a geothermal pool, since the sea stays at 45°F. For hiking and waterfalls, bring waterproof gear.
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