What is the weather like in Reykjavik in May?

Expect temperatures between 4°C and 10°C with 39% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Reykjavik in May?

Reykjavik in May scores 65/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Recommended for planning your trip.

Who should visit Reykjavik in May?

May in Reykjavik is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Reykjavik Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

10°C

Hottest around day 28

Avg Low

4°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days

31days

39% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring season

Sea Temperature in May

Atlantic Ocean(Atlantshafið)

7.6°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Atlantic Ocean

Atlantshafið

Reykjavik coastline

Essential Travel Info for Reykjavik

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

ISK

kr Icelandic króna

Language

Icelandic

Driving

Right side

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.107

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Reykjavik

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

41/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jul

Low

Sep

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

110

Jul

105

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH)

London Heathrow (LHR)

Manchester (MAN)

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Iceland.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Iceland.If rabies exposures occur while in Iceland, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is May a Good Time to Visit Reykjavik?

👍Recommended for planning your trip(65/100)

Short Answer

Bundle up for Reykjavik in May: temperatures hover around 10°C during the day and drop to 4°C at night. Just 39% rain probability but bring winter layers.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Seismically active region

14 earthquakes recorded in this month (30-year data)

Cold sea - swimming challenging

7.6°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Plenty of sunshine

10.3h of sunshine daily

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

64% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.19m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 7.6°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
77% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Reykjavik in May averages 10°C with 39% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Reykjavik in May

What are the temperatures in Reykjavik in May?

Daytime highs average 10°C, nights drop to 4°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Reykjavik in May?

Expect around 31 days with measurable rainfall. An umbrella is advisable.

What to wear in Reykjavik in May?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is May peak season in Reykjavik?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Reykjavik Weather in May

Sea Temperature in May

Reykjavik May Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Reykjavik

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is May a Good Time to Visit Reykjavik?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Reykjavik in May

What are the temperatures in Reykjavik in May?

How many rainy days in Reykjavik in May?

What to wear in Reykjavik in May?

Is May peak season in Reykjavik?