The month in detail
What to expect in December
Winter in Reykjavik is cool (3°C during the day). Days are short (0.4h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 47% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Reykjavik. Compared to November: −0.9h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
0 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-3°
Sea
4°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
3.6h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 31
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Reykjavik is June (4.2/10), 3.6 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Reykjavik
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Reykjavik
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a subarctic stay.
Country · Iceland
🗣️LanguageIcelandic
💶CurrencyIcelandic Krona (kr)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery expensive · 5/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeSubarctic oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 13°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 2°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 53%
🌌 Subarctic stay
🌌Northern lights ⓘSept → Mars
☀️Midnight sun ⓘJuin (~21h)
🌋GeothermalGeysir, Blue Lagoon
🌬️WindVery frequent
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Reykjavik ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
IcelandSubarctic oceanic climate with a 4.2 → 0.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
64.15°N · 21.94°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
June is the best month with 11.0°C highs, 7.0°C lows, 6.3h of sunshine and 31.0% rainy days.
How many hours of sunshine does Reykjavik get in June?
Reykjavik averages 6.3 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 4.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Reykjavik?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Reykjavik in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 7.0°C, while afternoon highs average 11.0°C.
Is Reykjavik good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Reykjavik scores 0.6/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 4.1/10.
When should you avoid Reykjavik?
January is the most difficult month to visit Reykjavik, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Reykjavik in December?
In December, the sea averages 4°C in Reykjavik: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Reykjavik in December?
The average UV index reaches 0 in December in Reykjavik (low), with about 3.6h of daylight. No protection needed.