Yes, June works well in Reykjavik for travelers who want whale watching, puffin tours and soaking in geothermal pools, and who are happy with cool, jacket-weather days.
The nights stay near 45°F (7°C) and rain falls on about nine days, so a warm layer and a waterproof shell matter more than summer clothes.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 55°F (13°C)
- Night low: 45°F (7°C)
- Rainy days: 9.3 (days with at least 1 mm of precipitation)
- Sunshine: 6.3 hours per day
- Sea surface: 49°F
- Whale watching peak season: April to October
What is the weather like in Reykjavik in June?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in (50 mm) | 10 | 5.9 h | 52°F (11°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
June in Reykjavik is cool and mild. Afternoons reach 55°F (13°C) and nights fall to 45°F (7°C), so a sweater is comfortable at midday and a jacket is needed in the evening.
Rain falls on about nine days of the month, with around two inches in total, and the sun shines about six hours a day on average. Plan walks, the hill at Perlan and the harbor for the drier stretches, and keep museums and pools as the fallback for a wet afternoon. On a boat tour, the water adds a chill to the air, so dress warmer than the city forecast suggests.
May is a step cooler, with highs near 50°F (10°C), lows near 39°F (4°C) and about eleven rainy days. July is a step warmer, with highs near 59°F (15°C), lows near 48°F (9°C) and about ten rainy days. June sits between the two, with a little more sun than July and a little less rain than May.
What to do in Reykjavik in June
Whale watching and puffin tours from the Old Harbour
Whale watching has its peak season from April to October, so June falls inside it. Tours leave from the old harbor, and operators there also run puffin watching and sea angling. A whale tour spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the water, while a puffin tour takes about 1 hour in total.
Special Tours has run puffin tours since 1996, and Elding has run whale watching and sea adventure tours from the Old Harbour since 2000. Elding also runs the ferry to Viðey Island, a spot known for its birdlife. Bring an extra layer for the long whale tours, because the sea is 49°F.
Perlan and its 360° view
Perlan stands at Öskjuhlíð, on Reykjavik’s highest hill and close to the center.
Pick a clearer part of the day for the deck, since the view is the whole point. Rain in June comes on about nine days, so a dry morning is worth using for the hill.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja, at Hallgrímstorg, is one of the most visited places by tourists in Iceland. Organ concerts are held at noon on the first Saturday of every month from September to June, which makes June the last month of that season. The English service is held on the last Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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 is at the southwest corner of the square. Walk up the street, then finish with the church and the museum on the same outing.
Geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
Reykjavík offers geothermal pools to unwind in, and June’s 55°F afternoons make hot water a pleasure. Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea, with an optional seven-step ritual. It suits a cool, damp day well.
Pack a swimsuit and a towel for a pool visit after a boat tour or a long walk. Warm water after a morning outdoors is a comfortable way to spend the afternoon.
Harpa on the old harbour
Harpa stands on the waterfront in the heart of downtown, at Austurbakka 2. Its architecture has attracted millions of guests since it opened in May 2011. It offers panoramic views of Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
The building sits at the old harbor, so it pairs easily with a whale or puffin tour. Visit before or after your boat departure, and keep it in mind as an indoor stop on a rainy day.
Is Reykjavik busy in June?
Reykjavík is busy with activity all year round, with a remarkable number of annual festivals and seasonal events. June is not a month when the city sits idle.
The best area to stay for first-time visitors is the Reykjavík City Center, 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. Hotels named for the center include Storm Hotel, within walking distance of Laugavegur, Sand Hotel, a luxury property downtown, and Hotel Reykjavík Saga, a 4-star near Lake Tjörnin. Hilton Reykjavík is a four-star hotel within easy reach of the center, with Laugardalur’s recreational areas nearby. Book rooms and boat tours ahead of time for a June trip.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in June?
The sea near Reykjavik averages 49°F in June. That is a monthly average, and it is cold for a swim. July’s sea averages 52°F, still cool.
For warm water, Reykjavík has geothermal pools.
What to pack for Reykjavik in June
June asks for layers and rain protection, since afternoons stay near 55°F (13°C) and about nine days a month bring rain.
- A waterproof jacket, for the rainy days and for walks between sights
- A warm sweater or fleece for nights near 45°F (7°C)
- A swimsuit and towel for the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon
- Comfortable walking shoes for the hill at Perlan, parks and hikes
- Sunglasses, for the roughly six hours of sun a day
What to know before visiting Reykjavik in June
Perlan is at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík. Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík, and Harpa is at Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík. The noon organ concerts at the church run on the first Saturday of the month through June.
Reykjavík has 14 distinct city areas across six municipalities. The Reykjavík City Museum includes five museums and exhibitions, and the National Museum of Iceland has audio guides in 10 languages. Its permanent exhibition is Making of a Nation.
Is June a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Yes, June is a good time for travelers who want boat tours, geothermal pools and city sights at mild temperatures. It suits whale and puffin watching, since June is inside the April to October peak season for whales.
Shifting to May brings cooler days, with highs near 50°F (10°C), more rain at about eleven days, and a sea near 45°F. July brings warmer afternoons near 59°F (15°C) and a sea near 52°F, with about ten rainy days.
June is also the last month of the Hallgrímskirkja organ concert season, which runs from September to June.
If you want warm water, go to the geothermal pools and Sky Lagoon in any month. If you want the milder end of the temperature range, July is a few degrees warmer. For whale watching, June sits well inside the peak season.
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