Reykjavik · SpringMonth summary
Reykjavik weather in May
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
4°C – 9°C
🌧 Rainy days
60% of days
☀️ Sunshine
9.4h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.0/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (4.7/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Reykjavik in May?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you prefer off-season travel with reduced prices and very few tourists.
❌ No if: you want to avoid rain — more than half the days are rainy.
Our take: May is a difficult time for Reykjavik. July (4.7/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Reykjavik in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : 💸 Peak season
Local context
What to expect in May
🎯 Quiet period for families — fewer crowds but limited outdoor activities Spring marks the start of the good season in Reykjavik. Temperatures rise (9°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. With 60% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
Browse by month
All months for Reykjavik
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌨️ January | -2°C | 2°C | 59% | 5.1 | 0.1h | 0.5/10 |
| 🌨️ February | -2°C | 3°C | 63% | 5.6 | 2.6h | 0.7/10 |
| 🌨️ March | -1°C | 4°C | 53% | 4.2 | 6.3h | 2.1/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 2°C | 7°C | 54% | 4.3 | 7.6h | 3.1/10 |
| 🌦️ May | 4°C | 9°C | 60% | 4.0 | 9.4h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 7°C | 11°C | 53% | 3.2 | 8.6h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ July | 9°C | 13°C | 51% | 2.7 | 8.9h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌦️ August | 9°C | 13°C | 46% | 3.5 | 8.5h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌦️ September | 6°C | 11°C | 60% | 4.8 | 6.4h | 3.3/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 3°C | 7°C | 58% | 5.0 | 4.0h | 1.4/10 |
| 🌨️ November | 1°C | 4°C | 50% | 4.2 | 1.0h | 0.9/10 |
| 🌨️ December | -2°C | 3°C | 57% | 4.4 | 0.0h | 0.6/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, Reykjavik averages 9°C, 60% rainy days and 9.4h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.0/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 4.7/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +4°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -9%
- ☀️ Sunshine : -0.5h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Reykjavik in May
Is May a good time to visit Reykjavik?
May is not recommended for Reykjavik (score 4.0/10). With 60% rainy days and 9.4h of sunshine, consider July (4.7/10) instead.
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavik in May?
Yes, 60% of days see rain in May. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Reykjavik
Find places to stay in Reykjavik in May
Search on Hotels.com
Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Reykjavik
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Reykjavik
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
←
Explore also
Similar destinations in May
Lofoten Islands
Papua New Guinea
Isle of Skye🌍 Top destinations
Other top destinations in May
Santiago
Trinidad
Socotra
Puerto Escondido
PantelleriaWeather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Best in EuropeGuides & comparisons