Reykjavik Weather in January

January: dark and damp

January in Reykjavík feels cold, wet and often grey. Days are short, with little sunshine, and rain falls on many of them. You'll want indoor stops between walks: the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík Art Museum and cafés around Laugavegur all work well. A stroll by Hallgrímskirkja can still be lovely, but long outdoor plans are easy to disrupt with rain and limited daylight. Save exposed coastal walks for a clearer spell.

What's on

January 6 is Þrettándinn, the last day of Iceland's Christmas season. You may see bonfires and fireworks as people mark the occasion, though celebrations vary by year. Reykjavík's streets are generally quieter than in summer, and January is usually cheaper for accommodation than the busy summer months. New Year's visitors can make the turn of the month busier, so don't expect every week to feel equally quiet.

If you hate crowds, January suits a slower city break, with fewer summer visitors around Harpa and the Old Harbour.

Make the weather work

The city's swimming pools are a good rainy-day option. Laugardalslaug has outdoor pools and hot tubs, so you can enjoy a soak even when the air feels chilly. For another indoor stop, Perlan's exhibitions cover Iceland's nature and glaciers. Keep plans flexible: slick pavements and brief daylight can make a long walk less appealing than it looked on a map. If you're heading to Þrettándinn events, ask locally where the bonfires are taking place; locations can vary.