Reykjavik Weather in November

November: damp and dim

November feels cold, wet and often grey in Reykjavík. The high is 3°C and the low is 0°C, with rain on many days. There's little daylight, so you'll have less time for outdoor sightseeing than in summer.

You can still explore Hallgrímskirkja, browse shops along Laugavegur, or visit the National Museum of Iceland when the weather turns. Long hikes and beach days are poor bets; rain and short days can make them uncomfortable. If you want to see the northern lights, dark evenings help, but cloudy skies can get in the way.

Events and quieter streets

Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík's well-known music festival, is usually held in November. It brings local and international acts to venues around the city, so the centre can feel busier during festival days.

Outside the festival, November is quieter than the summer high season. You'll generally find fewer visitors and lower accommodation prices than in peak summer, though festival dates can raise demand. If you hate crowds, it's a good month to wander the Old Harbour or stop for coffee in Grandi.

Make the most of the weather

A Reykjavík city break works well in November if you're happy to mix indoor stops with short walks between them. Rain can linger, so leave room to swap an outdoor plan for a museum or a long café break.

For a local way to warm up, visit Laugardalslaug, a geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs. It's a welcome end to a cold, damp day, and you can ride a city bus there from the centre. Don't confuse it with the Blue Lagoon: Laugardalslaug is part of everyday Reykjavík life.