Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Reykjavík in October
Reykjavík cools off: highs slip to 44°F (7°C), from 51°F in September, with lows of 38°F (3°C) and about 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 37/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 5.8 in (147 mm)
- Humidity
- 91%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 17 min
- Comfort score
- 37/100 · Tough
What October feels like
Afternoons only reach about 44°F (7°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 38°F (3°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.8 in (147 mm) across the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 17 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 4°C (7°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 44/100 in September to 37/100.
- Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Reykjavík in October
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron)
Old harbor fish shack known for lobster soup and fish skewers.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 44°F.
Kaldi Bar
Laugavegur bar pouring Kaldi beer from northern Iceland.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Brauð & Co.
Bakery with a painted facade, famous for cinnamon snails.
Why now A cozy break on a 44°F day.
Harpa
Concert hall with a glass facade by Olafur Eliasson on the harbor.
Hallgrímskirkja
Concrete church inspired by basalt columns, with a tower lift over the rooftops.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 44°F.
Nearby in October
- Vík in October~103 mi · highs 45°F, 9.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Jökulsárlón in October~172 mi · highs 42°F, 9.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Mývatn in October~177 mi · highs 36°F, 4.1 in rain · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Reykjavík in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It's middling, scoring 37/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 64. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Reykjavík in October?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in October?
Yes: about 5.8 in (147 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 64.5 in (1638 mm).
What should I pack for Reykjavík in October?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Reykjavík
Planning Reykjavík in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.