Yes, for travelers who want boat tours, hot pools and cool, mild afternoons of 59°F (15°C). July suits a trip built around the harbor, the hilltop views and a soak.
The month is a little wetter than June, with 10 rainy days, and nights drop to 48°F (9°C). Plan layers and keep an indoor option ready for each day.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 59°F (15°C)
- Night low: 48°F (9°C)
- Rainy days: 10.3
- Precipitation: 2 inches (50 mm)
- Sunshine: 5.9 hours per day
- Sea surface: 52°F
What is the weather like in Reykjavik in July?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.7 in (43 mm) | 9 | 6.3 h | 49°F (10°C) |
| 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) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
July is cool and mild. Afternoons reach 59°F (15°C) and nights fall to 48°F (9°C), so a jacket stays on for most of the day.
10 days in the month bring at least 1 mm of rain, and the month adds up to 2 inches (50 mm). Sunshine averages about six hours a day. Put the outdoor sights, the hilltop views and the harbor, on the drier stretches, and keep pools and museums for the wet ones. The sea sits at 52°F.
June is cooler, with a high of 55°F (13°C), a low of 45°F (7°C) and 9 rainy days. July is the warmest of the three and sits between them on rain.
What to do in Reykjavik in July
Whale watching from the Old Harbour
The whale watching tour spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the water. Peak season for whale watching runs from April to October, so July sits inside it.
Elding has run whale watching tours from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour since 2000, and Special Tours also sails from the old harbour. Dress for the open water, since the afternoon high is only 59°F (15°C) on land.
A puffin tour
Special Tours has run puffin tours since 1996. The total tour time is about 1 hour, and Elding also offers puffin tours.
Its tour lengths range from 45 minutes to 3.5 hours, so a puffin trip fits easily beside a longer whale outing. Ask the operator for the sailing times on the day you want.
Geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík offers geothermal pools, and Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea with an optional seven-step ritual. With 10 rainy days in July, a pool is a good answer to a wet afternoon.
Cool nights make an evening soak in a geothermal pool welcome. Pack a swimsuit.
Perlan and its 360° view
Perlan stands at Öskjuhlíð, on Reykjavik’s highest hill, close to the center.
Pick a clearer part of the day for the view, since July has about six hours of sun a day.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja stands at Hallgrímstorg, and Skólavörðustígur leads up to it with cafés, shops and galleries. The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum and garden is at the southwest corner of the square.
An English service is held on the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. The noon organ concerts run from September to June, so July visitors should not plan around one.
Is Reykjavik busy in July?
Reykjavík is busy with festivals and seasonal events all year.
Book rooms and boat tours ahead for July. The City Center, the “101” district around Laugavegur, the Old Harbour and Austurvöllur Square, is within walking distance of major sights, restaurants and tour pickup points. Hotels there include Sand Hotel, Hotel Reykjavík Saga near Lake Tjörnin and Storm Hotel, within walking distance of Laugavegur.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in July?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 52°F in July. That is a monthly average and it is cold for swimming.
Reykjavík’s geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon, by the sea, are the places to get in the water.
What to pack for Reykjavik in July
July asks for layers and rain protection more than summer clothes. These items follow from the numbers.
- A waterproof jacket, for 10 rainy days in the month.
- A swimsuit for the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon.
- Comfortable shoes for parks, hikes and the street up to Hallgrímskirkja.
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in July
Perlan is at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, and Harpa is at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík. Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík. Harpa looks over Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
Reykjavík City Museum includes five museums and exhibitions. The National Museum of Iceland has the permanent exhibition Making of a Nation and audio guides in 10 languages.
Is July a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, for travelers who want boat tours, geothermal pools and a mild, if damp, city break.
August is a little cooler than July and wetter, with 12 rainy days. Shifting four weeks either way gives up some warmth or some dry days.
If you want to swim, plan on the geothermal pools, because the sea is 52°F. If you want drier days, June is the lighter-rain choice. If you want a short outing on the water, a puffin tour lasts about 1 hour, while whale watching takes 3 to 3.5 hours.
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