Iceland Reykjavik Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Reykjavik is very-high
May is very-high for Reykjavik.
Best shoulder-season month. Daylight 17h. All coastal roads open. Wildflowers bloom + lower-than-July pricing. The smart-money window for Iceland.
Travel score
Smart-money shoulder month — daylight 18 hours + wildflowers
May Weather at a Glance
May averages 50°F / 10°C highs and 39°F / 4°C lows with 11 rainy days and 50mm. Sunshine 6 hours. Daylight 18h — feels endless. Sea 6°C still too cold for swimming. Wind drops vs winter. The best balance of weather + price of any month: all coastal sights accessible, Midnight Sun beginning, summer crowds not yet arrived.
May Travel Advice
Pre-book Snæfellsnes Peninsula day tours ($150-200) or rent 4x4 for self-drive ($110-160/day). Reykjavík Arts Festival programme posted at listir.is — many events free or under $30. Sleep mask essential for late-May 22:00+ sunsets. Whale + puffin combo tour from Old Harbour ($90-110, 3-4h).
Flying In from Overseas
Pre-summer travelers from US East Coast + UK + Germany + Scandinavia. Direct flights: NYC-KEF $400-650, London $250-450, Frankfurt $400-600. Korean travelers via Helsinki $1,500-2,400. Asian visit numbers rising for shoulder-season value. Memorial Day weekend (US, late May) adds bump.
May Pricing Trends
Rising shoulder pricing: Reykjavik 4-star $250-500/night, Hotel Borg $500-900, ION Adventure Hotel $600-1,100. Blue Lagoon $103-180. 4x4 rental $110-160/day. Whale + puffin tour $90-110. Flights from NYC $400-650.
Reykjavik May Weather Stats
Avg High
10°C
Avg Low
4°C
Rainy Days
11
50mm total
Sunshine
6h
Daily avg
Humidity
73%
moderate
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 50
Sea Temp
6°C
no swimming (cold)
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
7°C
Nighttime
1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 50 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10/4°C mild + comfortable
- Daylight 17h
- All coastal roads + Snæfellsnes open
- Cheaper than June-Aug (-25% off peak)
- Wildflowers + green landscapes
- Puffin season + whale watching peak begins
Cons
- Hotels rising vs April
- Tourist crowds returning
- Variable weather (still some storms)
- F-roads (highland) closed
May Events & Festivals
- Reykjavík Arts Festival (mid-May — 2-week multi-venue art + music)
- Bird-watching peak (puffin nesting begins)
- Highland F-roads still closed (open mid-June)
Reykjavik in May — Full Picture
Best shoulder-season month. Daylight 17h. All coastal roads open. Wildflowers bloom + lower-than-July pricing. The smart-money window for Iceland.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Day 10°C waterproof jacket + knit/light fleece, evening 4°C add fleece + light scarf. Like Korean late March / early April. Sunglasses essential — sun angle low + extended daylight create glare. Waterproof shoes for wet trails.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current6.7°C
1.3°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
13.7°C
8°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
7.3°C
2.7°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
2.3°C
-2.7°C
13/mo
Reykjavik Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -3° | 13d·75mm | 1h | 80% | 0 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -2° | 12d·70mm | 2h | 79% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 4h | 78% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 1° | 12d·60mm | 5h | 75% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 10° | 4° | 11d·50mm | 6h | 73% | 3 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 13° | 7° | 10d·50mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 14° | 9° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 75% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 14° | 8° | 11d·60mm | 5h | 78% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 11° | 6° | 13d·70mm | 4h | 79% | 2 | Busy | Peak |
| 7° | 3° | 13d·75mm | 3h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 1h | 81% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 2° | -3° | 14d·80mm | 0h | 82% | 0 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Reykjavik May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Reykjavik in May is very-high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Reykjavik in May?
Reykjavik May averages a high of 10°C and a low of 4°C.
Does it rain much in Reykjavik in May?
Reykjavik May averages 50mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Reykjavik in May?
Day 10°C waterproof jacket + knit/light fleece, evening 4°C add fleece + light scarf. Like Korean late March / early April. Sunglasses essential — sun angle low + extended daylight create glare. Waterproof shoes for wet trails.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Reykjavik in May?
Reykjavik May sunrise is 04:15 and sunset is 22:15, with 18h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Reykjavik in May?
Reykjavik May air quality (AQI) averages 28, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Reykjavik in May?
In May, Reykjavik is great for Golden Circle self-drive, South Coast 2-day (Vík overnight), Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Is May peak season in Reykjavik?
Reykjavik May crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Reykjavik
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.