Updated 29 Oct 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is September 2027 a good month to visit Reykjavik?
Lively — the typical September day in Reykjavik is busier than 63% of its year.
If you are coming for something that only happens in September, that is the trade. If not, January is quieter.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Reykjavik's own year — not a headcount.
September sits between the seasons in Reykjavik: cool and wet, around 10°C / 51°F with rain on about 19 days, Lively on 20 of 30 days — 10 days run Busy or Packed.
Mostly yes, if the weather does not put you off. The typical September day in Reykjavik is Lively, and 10 of the 30 days in our window run Busy or Packed. Expect around 10 °C by day, with rain on about 19 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Germany. Cruise ships call on 11 of the 30 days, 4 at once on Thursday 9 September. Late September is the month's quietest stretch in Reykjavik — the typical day at 62%, against 76% in early September. The crush is at Laugavegur, Bankastraeti and Skolavordustigur; the quiet is at the Laugardalur valley. The calmest day is Monday 13 September, the busiest Wednesday 8 September.
In short, a solid middle-ground pick.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Reykjavik, September ranks 6th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Wed 8 Sep, busier than 90% of the year; its lightest is Mon 13 Sep at 62%.
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 →
Pack for wet first — rain on 19 of 30 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Reykjavik in September?
The busiest days are the 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th, and 6 more. Away from those, most days sit Lively. The calmest stretch is the 19th–30th.
Ships call on 11 of 30 days, a typical call day carrying at least 361 guests between them — real, but a secondary part of the crowd here; the season moves the needle more.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 62% of the year and its heaviest at 90%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 13 hours.
Either side of it, August picks up and October is far calmer.
The calmest days include the 13th, 16th and 17th — 14 days share that level, so there is room to choose.
Wed 01 Sep Lively busier than 63% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
Record Reykjavik on Wed 1 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: school holidays in Germany. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 199 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 02 Sep Busy busier than 76% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
- Star Pride — guest capacity 343 07:00–17:00
- Viking Mars — guest capacity 928 02:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Thu 2 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,271 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 1 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 03 Sep Busy busier than 76% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
- MS Fram — guest capacity 200
- MSC Explora 4 — guest capacity 926 09:00–18:00
- Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162 02:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Fri 3 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,288 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Wed 1 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 04 Sep Busy busier than 80% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
- MSC Explora 4 — guest capacity 926 18:00–?
- Mein Schiff 1 — guest capacity 2,534 13:00–19:00
- Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
- World Voyager — guest capacity 196 08:00–02:00
Record Reykjavik on Sat 4 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,818 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Sun 5 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 05 Sep Lively busier than 63% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- World Voyager — guest capacity 196 18:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Sun 5 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: school holidays in Germany. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 196 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 06 Sep Lively busier than 63% of days here · United States public holiday
Record Reykjavik on Mon 6 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: United States public holiday; Germany school holidays. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 07 Sep Busy busier than 79% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
- AIDAluna — guest capacity 2,050 08:00–18:00
- Silver Endeavour — guest capacity 252 18:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Tue 7 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 2,302 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 6 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 08 Sep Packed busier than 90% of days here · ⚓3 · Germany school holidays
- Douglas Mawson — guest capacity 154
- National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
- Norwegian Prima — guest capacity 3,215 07:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Wed 8 Sep 2027 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,495 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Tue 7 Sep (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-2027-09-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 09 Sep Busy busier than 82% of days here · ⚓4 · Germany school holidays
- Douglas Mawson — guest capacity 154
- National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
- Norwegian Prima — guest capacity 3,215 18:00–?
- Oceania Sirena — guest capacity 684 07:00–19:00
Record Reykjavik on Thu 9 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,179 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Fri 10 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 10 Sep Lively busier than 63% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- National Geographic Resolution — guest capacity 126
Record Reykjavik on Fri 10 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: school holidays in Germany. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 126 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 11 Sep Busy busier than 74% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
- National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126
- Seabourn Quest — guest capacity 458 07:00–18:00
Record Reykjavik on Sat 11 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: school holidays in Germany. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 584 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Fri 10 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 12 Sep Busy busier than 75% of days here · ⚓2 · Germany school holidays
- National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126
- Viking Mira — guest capacity 998
Record Reykjavik on Sun 12 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 1,124 guests at double occupancy. Why: school holidays in Germany. Nearest calmer day: Mon 13 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 13 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany school holidays
- Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
Record Reykjavik on Mon 13 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: school holidays in Germany. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 199 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 14 Sep Lively busier than 64% of days here · ⚓2
- Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199 02:00–?
- World Voyager — guest capacity 196 08:00–18:00
Record Reykjavik on Tue 14 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 395 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 15 Sep Busy busier than 68% of days here · ⚓2 · China public holiday
- Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
- Quark Ultramarine — guest capacity 199
Record Reykjavik on Wed 15 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. Why: China public holiday. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 361 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Tue 14 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 16 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- Ocean Explorer — guest capacity 162
Record Reykjavik on Thu 16 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 162 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 17 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- MS Fram — guest capacity 200
Record Reykjavik on Fri 17 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 200 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 18 Sep Busy busier than 68% of days here · ⚓2
- Douglas Mawson — guest capacity 154 02:00–?
- MS Hamburg — guest capacity 394 06:00–17:00
Record Reykjavik on Sat 18 Sep 2027 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 548 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Fri 17 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 19 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Sun 19 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 20 Sep Lively busier than 63% of days here · Germany public holiday
Record Reykjavik on Mon 20 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. Why: Germany public holiday. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 21 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- National Geographic Endurance — guest capacity 126
Record Reykjavik on Tue 21 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 126 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 22 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Wed 22 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 23 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Thu 23 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 24 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Fri 24 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 25 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Sat 25 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 26 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- MS Fram — guest capacity 200 02:00–?
Record Reykjavik on Sun 26 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 200 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 27 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Mon 27 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 28 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here
Record Reykjavik on Tue 28 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 29 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- Le Commandant Charcot — guest capacity 245 21:00–02:00
Record Reykjavik on Wed 29 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 245 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 21:00–02:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 30 Sep Lively busier than 62% of days here · ⚓1
- Le Commandant Charcot — guest capacity 245
Record Reykjavik on Thu 30 Sep 2027 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 245 guests at double occupancy. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/reykjavik/#d-2027-09-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 29 Oct 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of September is quietest in Reykjavik?
Late September is the month's quietest stretch in Reykjavik — the typical day at 62%, against 76% in early September.
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- Need flexibility? The 19th–30th is the month's calmest stretch — the easiest window to move around in.
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
September weather in Reykjavik
Cold — around 10°C / 51°F, so pack a proper coat, with rain on about 19 days, so keep a layer handy.
Worth booking the marquee sights ahead for the busy days, but you can keep the rest of the trip flexible.
More about Reykjavik in September
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.
