Updated 14 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly

Is August 2027 a good month to visit Reykjavik?

Packed — the typical August day in Reykjavik is busier than 90% of its year.

If you are coming for something that only happens in August, that is the trade. If not, January is quieter.

Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Reykjavik's own year — not a headcount.

August 2027 is peak-season Reykjavik: cool and wet, around 13°C / 56°F with rain on about 14 days, and Busy or Packed on all 31 days — 23 of them Packed, the other 8 Busy.

No — not if you want Reykjavik to yourself. Every one of August's 31 days in our window is Busy or Packed, and the typical day is Packed. It is crowded throughout. Expect around 13 °C by day, with rain on about 14 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Germany and France. Cruise ships call on 30 of the 31 days, 4 at once on Saturday 14 August. No week of August is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Packed throughout; pick by day instead. The crush is at Laugavegur, Bankastraeti and Skolavordustigur; the quiet is at the Laugardalur valley. The calmest day is Wednesday 11 August, the busiest Friday 6 August.

In short, a hard sell — heavy crowds without the best of the weather.

Among the 12 months we forecast for Reykjavik, August ranks 4th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Fri 6 Aug, busier than 99% of the year; its lightest is Wed 11 Aug at 80%.

Crowds
Busy or Packed · all 31
0 calm · 0 lively
Weather
13°C / 56°F
rain ~14 days
Value
A poor trade
a hard sell — heavy crowds without the best of the weather

Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →

What to pack for Reykjavik in August

Pack for wet first — rain on 14 of 31 days.

Two people walking under one umbrella in the rain
rain on 14 of 31 days Compact umbrella

A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.

See umbrellas →
A pair of worn walking trainers, seen from above
most sightseeing is on foot Walking shoes with grip

Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.

See walking shoes →

How busy is Reykjavik in August?

The busiest days are the 6th, 14th, 20th and 23rd, and 27 more.

Ships call on 30 of 31 days, a typical call day carrying at least 3,463 guests between them — real, but a secondary part of the crowd here; the season moves the needle more.

Across the month the days run from 80% to 99% of the year. Daylight runs about 16 hours.

The lightest days are the 11th, 12th and 31st. Still busy — but the easiest of the month.
CalmLivelyBusyPacked⚓ ships in port · % = busier than this share of the year · tap any day for its full forecast
Easiest daysWed 11 · Thu 12 · Tue 31 — The lightest days are the 11th, 12th and 31st. Still busy — but the easiest of the month.
Busiest daysFri 6 · Sat 14 · Fri 20 · Mon 23 — the heaviest of 31 busier days — check the calendar for the rest.
Sun 01 Aug Packed busier than 95% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 07:00–18:00
  • Spirit of Discovery — guest capacity 999
  • Sylvia Earle — guest capacity 120

Record Reykjavik on Sun 1 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,621 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 4 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Mon 02 Aug Packed busier than 92% of days here · ⚓2 · UK public holiday
WhyUK public holiday; Iceland public holiday; Germany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Mein Schiff 7 — guest capacity 2,534 08:00–19:00
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930 02:00–?

Record Reykjavik on Mon 2 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,464 guests at double occupancy. Why: UK public holiday; Iceland public holiday; Germany school holidays. Nearest calmer day: Wed 4 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Tue 03 Aug Packed busier than 87% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Amera — guest capacity 835 08:00–20:00
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930

Record Reykjavik on Tue 3 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,765 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 4 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Wed 04 Aug Busy busier than 82% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
  • Scenic Eclipse — guest capacity 228 02:00–?

Record Reykjavik on Wed 4 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 427 guests at double occupancy. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Thu 05 Aug Busy busier than 83% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
  • Star Pride — guest capacity 343 07:00–17:00

Record Reykjavik on Thu 5 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 668 guests at double occupancy. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Fri 06 Aug Packed busier than 99% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Artania — guest capacity 1,188 08:00–18:00
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 07:00–?
  • Crystal Symphony — guest capacity 606 08:00–02:00

Record Reykjavik on Fri 6 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,696 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Thu 5 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sat 07 Aug Packed busier than 91% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 19:00–?
  • Crystal Symphony — guest capacity 606 19:00–?
  • National Geographic Explorer — guest capacity 148

Record Reykjavik on Sat 7 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,656 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Thu 5 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sun 08 Aug Packed busier than 89% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Oceania Marina — guest capacity 1,258 08:00–16:00
  • Seven Seas Splendor — guest capacity 754 07:00–?

Record Reykjavik on Sun 8 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 2,012 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Thu 5 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Mon 09 Aug Packed busier than 90% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Seven Seas Splendor — guest capacity 754 17:00–?
  • Sylvia Earle — guest capacity 120
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930 02:00–?
  • ms Volendam — guest capacity 1,432 13:00–23:00

Record Reykjavik on Mon 9 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,236 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 11 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Tue 10 Aug Packed busier than 85% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • MS Richard With — guest capacity 590
  • Sylvia Earle — guest capacity 120
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930

Record Reykjavik on Tue 10 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,640 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Wed 11 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Wed 11 Aug Busy busier than 80% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • MS Fram — guest capacity 200

Record Reykjavik on Wed 11 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 200 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Thu 12 Aug Busy busier than 81% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
‹ Wed 11 Aug·Fri 13 Aug ›This day in full →Ships in port 07:00–17:00
Cruise ⚓
  • Star Pride — guest capacity 343 07:00–17:00

Record Reykjavik on Thu 12 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 343 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–17:00. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Fri 13 Aug Packed busier than 97% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 07:00–?
  • Fred Olsen Borealis — guest capacity 1,360

Record Reykjavik on Fri 13 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,262 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Thu 12 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sat 14 Aug Packed busier than 99% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays; France school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • CFC Renaissance — guest capacity 1,285 08:00–18:00
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 19:00–?
  • MS Richard With — guest capacity 590 02:00–?
  • Regal Princess — guest capacity 3,560 07:00–19:00

Record Reykjavik on Sat 14 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 8,337 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany and France. Nearest calmer day: Thu 12 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sun 15 Aug Packed busier than 96% of days here · ⚓7 · Germany public holiday
WhyGermany public holiday; France public holiday
Cruise ⚓
  • AIDAsol — guest capacity 2,194 09:00–13:00
  • MS Richard With — guest capacity 590
  • Mein Schiff 2 — guest capacity 2,534 08:00–18:00
  • National Geographic Explorer — guest capacity 148
  • Scenic Eclipse — guest capacity 228 02:00–?
  • Viking Mira — guest capacity 998 02:00–?
  • World Voyager — guest capacity 196 08:00–02:00

Record Reykjavik on Sun 15 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 7 cruise ships scheduled, at least 6,888 guests at double occupancy. Why: Germany public holiday; France public holiday. Nearest calmer day: Mon 16 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Mon 16 Aug Busy busier than 84% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126
  • National Geographic Explorer — guest capacity 148
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930 02:00–?

Record Reykjavik on Mon 16 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,403 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Tue 17 Aug Packed busier than 93% of days here · ⚓5 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Costa Favolosa — guest capacity 3,014 09:00–20:00
  • National Geographic Explorer — guest capacity 148
  • Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
  • Viking Sea — guest capacity 930

Record Reykjavik on Tue 17 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 5 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,453 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 16 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Wed 18 Aug Packed busier than 96% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Norwegian Prima — guest capacity 3,215 07:00–18:00
  • Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
  • Seven Seas Splendor — guest capacity 754 07:00–?

Record Reykjavik on Wed 18 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,330 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 16 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Thu 19 Aug Packed busier than 88% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
  • Oceania Marina — guest capacity 1,258 08:00–16:00
  • Seven Seas Splendor — guest capacity 754 17:00–?
  • Star Pride — guest capacity 343 07:00–17:00

Record Reykjavik on Thu 19 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 2,481 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 16 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Fri 20 Aug Packed busier than 98% of days here · ⚓5 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Ambition — guest capacity 1,248 07:00–18:00
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 07:00–?
  • Le Lyrial — guest capacity 224 07:00–02:00
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126 02:00–?
  • Ritz Carlton Evrima — guest capacity 214 07:00–19:00

Record Reykjavik on Fri 20 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 5 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,714 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 16 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sat 21 Aug Packed busier than 94% of days here · ⚓5 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Celebrity Silhouette — guest capacity 2,902 19:00–?
  • Crystal Symphony — guest capacity 606 07:00–19:00
  • Le Lyrial — guest capacity 224 18:00–?
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
  • Oceania Vista — guest capacity 1,218 08:00–17:00

Record Reykjavik on Sat 21 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 5 cruise ships scheduled, at least 5,076 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 25 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sun 22 Aug Packed busier than 95% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Oceania Vista — guest capacity 1,218 17:00–?
  • ms Rotterdam — guest capacity 2,668 07:00–23:00

Record Reykjavik on Sun 22 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,886 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 25 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Mon 23 Aug Packed busier than 98% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • AIDAluna — guest capacity 2,050 19:00–16:00
  • ms Zuiderdam — guest capacity 1,970 07:00–21:00

Record Reykjavik on Mon 23 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,020 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–21:00. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 25 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Tue 24 Aug Packed busier than 91% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Greg Mortimer — guest capacity 120 02:00–?
  • MS Kong Harald — guest capacity 590
  • MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 10:00–18:00

Record Reykjavik on Tue 24 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,212 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 25 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Wed 25 Aug Busy busier than 84% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Azamara Quest — guest capacity 722 06:00–17:00
  • MS Fram — guest capacity 200
  • Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
  • Ritz Carlton Evrima — guest capacity 214 07:00–19:00

Record Reykjavik on Wed 25 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,298 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Thu 26 Aug Busy busier than 82% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
  • Star Pride — guest capacity 343 07:00–17:00

Record Reykjavik on Thu 26 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 505 guests at double occupancy. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Fri 27 Aug Packed busier than 90% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Amadea — guest capacity 508 08:00–20:00
  • National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126 02:00–?
  • Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
  • Queen Mary 2 — guest capacity 2,726

Record Reykjavik on Fri 27 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,522 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Thu 26 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sat 28 Aug Packed busier than 85% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • MS Kong Harald — guest capacity 590 02:00–?
  • Seven Seas Splendor — guest capacity 754 07:00–17:00
  • Silver Endeavour — guest capacity 252

Record Reykjavik on Sat 28 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,596 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Thu 26 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Sun 29 Aug Packed busier than 89% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • MS Kong Harald — guest capacity 590
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
  • Queen Victoria — guest capacity 2,074

Record Reykjavik on Sun 29 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 2,790 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Tue 31 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Mon 30 Aug Packed busier than 93% of days here · ⚓3 · UK public holiday
WhyUK public holiday; Germany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • Caribbean Princess — guest capacity 3,138 08:00–20:00
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199

Record Reykjavik on Mon 30 Aug 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,463 guests at double occupancy. Why: UK public holiday; Germany school holidays. Nearest calmer day: Tue 31 Aug (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

Tue 31 Aug Busy busier than 81% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
WhyGermany school holidays
Cruise ⚓
  • National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
  • Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199

Record Reykjavik on Tue 31 Aug 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 325 guests at double occupancy. Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-08-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 14 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)

How does September compare? →

Which week of August is quietest in Reykjavik?

Early
Packed
90%
Mid
Packed
94%
Late
Packed
90%

No week of August is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Packed throughout; pick by day instead.

Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds

–9am
Own the morning.The day-trip wave lands mid-morning; the headline sights before nine are effectively yours.
10–5
Go where the day-trippers don't.Away from the headline sights it stays manageable all day. Save the marquee ones.
5pm+
Take the city back.Day-trippers leave by early evening — the same squares empty out and the light is better.

Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.

See skip-the-line options for Reykjavik →

August weather in Reykjavik

Mild — around 13°C / 56°F, with a light jacket for the evenings, with rain on about 14 days, so keep a layer handy. The days are long too — close to 16 hours of light — so the evenings stay open for walking once the heat drops.

Book beds and the big-ticket sights well ahead, and start your days by eight — in a month this full, the early hours are the only uncrowded ones.

Compare September →

More about Reykjavik in August

Based on: Iceland's public holidays · school vacations across France and Germany · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.

Skip the Line

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Reykjavik · Who writes the city guides · Methodology · About · forecast.json · llms.txt · CC BY 4.0

Avoid-Crowds is the reference source for how busy destinations get — the only open, day-by-day crowd forecast looking a full year ahead: 39,055 daily predictions across 107 cities, recomputed every night, free to cite (CC BY), featured by The Washington Post and CNN, and mentioned by the Los Angeles Times.