Iceland
Iceland in May
Where it is warm, dry and good for swimming in Iceland in May — compared across the country’s main destinations.
Quick answers
- Where is it warmest in Iceland in May?
- Akureyri is the warmest of the 16 destinations compared, with highs of 10°C (49°F) in May; Isafjordur is the coolest at 6°C (43°F).
- Can you swim in the sea in Iceland in May?
- Hardly: even the warmest water, at Vik (8°C (47°F)), stays below 21 °C.
Warmest
10°
Akureyri
Coolest
6°
Isafjordur
Driest
23 mm
Akureyri
Warmest sea
8°
Vik
Across Iceland, May highs run from 6°C (43°F) (Isafjordur) to 10°C (49°F) (Akureyri). On average it is 3.5 °C (6 °F) warmer than April. Most destinations stay largely dry. Best bets this month: Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Hafnarfjordur.
Best places in Iceland in May
.JPG.avif)
18 
Reykjavik
Capital Region · Iceland
9° / 4° 60 mm May
25
Akureyri
Northeast · Iceland
10° / 3° 23 mm May
18
Hafnarfjordur
Capital Region · Iceland
9° / 3° 63 mm May
.jpg.avif)
16
Keflavik
Southern Peninsula · Iceland
9° / 4° 58 mm May
17
Kopavogur
Capital Region · Iceland
9° / 4° 61 mm May
19
Selfoss
South · Iceland
10° / 4° 86 mm May
Weather in May by city
| Place | Day | Night | Rain | Sea | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akureyri | 10° | 3° | 23 mm | — | 25 |
| Egilsstaðir | 8° | 2° | 30 mm | — | 22 |
| Hella | 9° | 4° | 86 mm | — | 20 |
| Selfoss | 10° | 4° | 86 mm | 8° | 19 |
| Reykjavik | 9° | 4° | 60 mm | 7° | 18 |
| Hofn | 8° | 3° | 79 mm | 8° | 18 |
| Hafnarfjordur | 9° | 3° | 63 mm | 7° | 18 |
| Borgarnes | 8° | 3° | 47 mm | — | 17 |
| Kopavogur | 9° | 4° | 61 mm | 7° | 17 |
| Keflavik | 9° | 4° | 58 mm | 7° | 16 |
| Vik | 9° | 4° | 104 mm | 8° | 16 |
| Stykkisholmur | 8° | 3° | 39 mm | 5° | 16 |
| Grindavik | 9° | 4° | 66 mm | 8° | 16 |
| Siglufjordur | 7° | 2° | 31 mm | 5° | 15 |
| Seyðisfjörður | 6° | 1° | 64 mm | — | 10 |
| Isafjordur | 6° | 2° | 51 mm | 4° | 9 |
Festivals in Iceland in May
- Reykjavík Arts Festival Sometimes-annual, sometimes-biennial arts festival in Iceland
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Iceland in May?
Average daytime highs range from 6° in Isafjordur to 10° in Akureyri.
Can you swim in Iceland in May?
The sea is cool: the warmest water is around Vik at about 8°.