April in Reykjavik is a good month for travelers who want cool air, geothermal pools and the start of whale watching season. Afternoons reach 44°F (7°C) in April, so this is a jacket trip, with geothermal pools to unwind in.
Rain falls on about twelve days of the month, and the sea is far too cold for a swim. Plan the outdoor sights around the showers and keep the pools and museums for the wet hours.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 44°F (7°C)
- Night low: 34°F (1°C)
- Rainy days: 12
- Sunshine: 5.5 hours a day
- Sea: 42°F
- Whale watching: peak season runs April to October
What is the weather like in Reykjavik 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 stays cold, with afternoons at 44°F (7°C) and nights just above freezing at 34°F (1°C).
Rain falls on 12 days of the month, so showers are likely on any given trip. Sunshine averages 5.5 hours a day in April. Carry a waterproof layer, and put the viewpoints and the harbor walk on the drier stretches. Keep Perlan, the museums and the pools for the wetter hours.
March is a little colder, with a high of 40°F (4°C) and 14 rainy days. May brings 50°F (10°C), 11 rainy days and more sun. April sits between the two, closer to March in feel and closer to May in rain.
What to do in Reykjavik in April
Whale watching from the Old Harbour
The peak season for whale watching runs from April to October, so April is the opening month. Tours leave from the old harbour. Elding has run them from there since 2000, and Reykjavík Sailors and Special Tours offer them too.
The whale watching tour spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the water. Dress for the sea air, with every layer you own, and book ahead since the season is just starting.
Perlan and its 360° view
Perlan stands at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, on the city’s highest hill and close to the center.
Pick a clear spell for the deck. With 12 rainy days in the month, a dry afternoon is worth using for the view.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja, at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, is one of the most visited places in Iceland. Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, which includes April.
Skólavörðustígur leads up to the church and is one of the city’s liveliest streets, with cafés, shops and galleries. The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum and garden sits at the southwest corner of the square.
Sky Lagoon and the city’s geothermal pools
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, with an optional seven-step ritual. In a month with a night low of 34°F (1°C), warm water suits the weather well.
Pick one for the end of a day outdoors, after a boat tour or a hike in the parks.
Is Reykjavik busy in April?
Reykjavík stays busy with festivals and seasonal events all year round. Whale watching season opens in April.
Book boat tours ahead, since the season has just begun. For first-time visitors, the Reykjavík City Center is the best area to stay, 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.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in April?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 42°F in April, and that’s a monthly average. It’s too cold for a comfortable swim.
For warm water, head to the geothermal pools or to Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon by the sea. Both give you the swim without the cold of the open water.
What to pack for Reykjavik in April
April asks for warm layers and rain protection, with a swimsuit for the pools.
- A waterproof jacket, for the 12 rainy days of the month
- A hat and gloves for the 3 hours of a whale watching tour on the water
- A swimsuit for Sky Lagoon and the geothermal pools
- Sturdy shoes for the parks and hiking trails
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in April
Perlan is at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, and Harpa is at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík, on the waterfront at the old harbour. Harpa looks over Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
Organ concerts at Hallgrímskirkja are at noon on the first Saturday of the month. The English service is on the last Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Reykjavík City Museum includes five museums and exhibitions, which helps on rainy days.
Is April a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, for travelers who want whale watching, geothermal pools and city sights in cool weather.
March is colder, at 40°F (4°C), with 14 rainy days. May is warmer, at 50°F (10°C), with 11 rainy days and more sunshine. Shifting four weeks later gains warmth and sun. Shifting four weeks earlier gains nothing but more rain and cold.
If you want warm water, choose the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon. If you want a view, go up Perlan on a clear afternoon. With children, the one-hour puffin tour from Special Tours and the Elding ferry to Viðey Island are easy outings.
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