August in Reykjavik is a good month for travelers who like cool, mild days and plenty to do outdoors, with afternoons in the upper 50s°F (14°C), whale watching in its peak season and geothermal pools for warming up.
The month brings frequent drizzle, so every plan needs a rain layer and an indoor option nearby.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 57°F (14°C)
- Night low: 48°F (9°C)
- Rainy days: 11.6
- Precipitation: 3 inches (65 mm)
- Sunshine: 5.3 hours per day
- Sea surface: 52°F
What is the weather like in Reykjavik in August?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in (50 mm) | 10 | 5.9 h | 52°F (11°C) |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in (65 mm) | 12 | 5.3 h | 53°F (11°C) |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 15 | 3.9 h | 50°F (10°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
August stays cool and mild. Afternoons reach 57°F (14°C) and nights fall to 48°F (9°C), so a day outdoors calls for a sweater and a jacket, and a city walk needs no shade.
Plan the outdoor sights, such as the Perlan viewing deck or a walk along the harbor, for the drier stretches, and keep a museum or a pool for the wet ones. A waterproof shell makes every day easier.
July is a little warmer, with a 59°F (15°C) high and ten rainy days. September drops to 53°F (11°C) in the afternoon and brings fifteen rainy days and about four hours of sun. August sits between the two, closer to July in its mildness.
What to do in Reykjavik in August
Whale watching and puffin tours from the Old Harbour
The peak season for whale watching runs from April to October, so August falls inside it. Tours leave from the old harbour: the whale watching tour spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the water, and the puffin tour takes about an hour. Special Tours and Elding both run these trips, and Reykjavík Sailors offers them too.
The shorter puffin trip suits a half day with other plans.
Perlan and its 360° view
Perlan stands at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, on the city’s highest hill and close to the center.
Go up on a clear stretch of the day, since the view is the point.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and is one of the most visited places in Iceland. The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum and garden sits at the southwest corner of the square. Skólavörðustígur, the street leading up to the church, has cafés, shops and galleries.
An English service is held on the last Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The noon organ concerts are scheduled from September to June, so check before building a visit around one.
Geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík has geothermal pools for unwinding, and with an August high of 57°F (14°C), warm water is welcome. Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, with an optional seven-step ritual.
A soak fits well after a damp morning or a boat tour. Bring a swimsuit and a towel in the day bag.
Harpa on the waterfront
Harpa stands at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík, at the old harbour in the heart of downtown. It has drawn millions of guests since opening in May 2011, and its windows frame Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
It also makes a dry place to wait out a shower.
Is Reykjavik busy in August?
Reykjavík is busy with festivals and seasonal events all year round. Culture Night, a city center festival, draws a wide range of people, and many families and groups of friends now meet up for it as a tradition.
The city center, the 101 district around Laugavegur, the Old Harbour and Austurvöllur Square, is the area where first-time visitors can walk to major sights, restaurants and tour pickup points.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in August?
It is a monthly average, so a given day can run a little warmer or cooler.
For warm water, the geothermal pools of Reykjavík and the lagoon at Sky Lagoon, set by the sea, are the better choice for a swim.
What to pack for Reykjavik in August
August asks for layers and rain gear. Afternoons are in the upper 50s°F and nights near 48°F (9°C), with rain on about twelve days.
- A waterproof jacket, for the 12 rainy days of the month
- A warm sweater or fleece, for nights near 48°F (9°C)
- A windproof layer and a hat, for the 3 hours or so on a whale watching boat
- Waterproof shoes for city walks and the hill up to Perlan
- A swimsuit, for the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in August
Addresses help with planning: Perlan is at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and Harpa at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík.
Reykjavík has 14 distinct city areas across six municipalities, but the 101 district is the practical base. Storm Hotel, Sand Hotel and Hotel Reykjavík Saga are in or near the city centre, and Hilton Reykjavík is within easy reach of it.
Is August a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, especially for travelers who want whale watching, geothermal pools and city sights in mild, changeable weather.
Compared with July, August is slightly cooler and wetter, with a high of 57°F (14°C) against 59°F (15°C). Compared with September, it is warmer and drier, with a September high of 53°F (11°C) and fifteen rainy days. Shifting four weeks later means colder days and more rain, and the sea drops to 50°F (10°C).
If you want swimming, plan on the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon, since the sea itself stays cool. If you want whale watching, August is inside the April to October peak. If you want the driest weather of the three months, July has the fewest rainy days.
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