Reykjavik in May
Bright, quiet and fresh
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is the best month to visit Reykjavik.
May is a pleasant time with long days, puffins starting to arrive and fewer tourists than summer.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 3–9°C
- Cool and fresh, with long daylight and frequent changes.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- $$$
- Mid-range hotel rates.
+Long days and relatively quiet attractions.
–Still cool and showery.
My tip for May
Check puffin tour season start dates and pack warm layers.
- Puffins
- City walks
- Day trips
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
1st of 12 overall in Reykjavik, 5th for weather, 2nd for space, 4th for value. The emptiest month is November; the best value is November.
See all twelve months for ReykjavikWeather
Weather in Reykjavik in May
In May Reykjavik averages a high of 9°C (48°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F), with about 92 mm of rain or snow. The warmest month is July (around 14°C) and the coolest is January (around 1°C); the wettest month is September.
- Average high
- 9°C
- 48°F
- Average low
- 3°C
- 37°F
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
Climate data: ERA5 reanalysis 1991–2020 (Open-Meteo). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Reykjavik in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Reykjavik?
- May is the best month to visit Reykjavik. It ranks 1 of 12 months in Reykjavik overall (5 for weather, 2 for space, 4 for value). The main upside: Long days and relatively quiet attractions. The main downside: Still cool and showery.
- What is the weather like in Reykjavik in May?
- Average highs are around 9°C and lows around 3°C. Expect about 92 mm of rain or snow. Cool and fresh, with long daylight and frequent changes. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 14°C) and the coolest is January (around 1°C).
- Is Reykjavik crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate. Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday. The quietest month is November.
- How expensive is Reykjavik in May?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Mid-range hotel rates. The best-value month is November.
- When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (this month). The quietest month is November and the best value is November.
Ready to book May in Reykjavik?
Long days and relatively quiet attractions.
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