Things to Do in Reykjavík in September

September is a good month to visit Reykjavík if you want to spend time in the city while still having enough daylight for exploring outdoors. Summer is ending, evenings are getting dark again, and Reykjavík starts to settle into its autumn routine.

It is also a month when your plans need some flexibility. You might get a dry, mild afternoon followed by wind and rain a few hours later. Instead of planning every day around the weather, mix outdoor walks and day trips with swimming pools, museums, restaurants and other things you can do indoors.

Here are 11 things to do in Reykjavík in September, including a few local favourites that are easy to add to your trip.

What Is Reykjavík Like in September?

September is the start of autumn in Reykjavík and one of the best times to visit Reykjavík. Temperatures are cooler than in July and August, and you should expect some rain and wind even if the forecast looks good when you leave your hotel.

The biggest change during the month is daylight. At the beginning of September, Reykjavík has around 14.5 hours of daylight. By the end of the month, this drops to around 11.5 hours.

That still gives you plenty of time to explore during the day, but the darker evenings also mean Northern Lights season has started again.

September at a Glace:

Local tip: Do not plan your whole day based on the morning weather forecast. Reykjavík weather can change quickly. Check vedur.is for current weather. 

11 Things to Do in Reykjavík in September

1. Go to a Reykjavík Swimming Pool

If you want to do something locals actually do throughout the year, go swimming. There are several swimming pools in Reykjavík with outdoor pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and facilities for children. The pools stay open year-round, so colder September weather is not a reason to skip them.

You do not need to be a serious swimmer either. Plenty of people go mainly to sit in the hot tubs. Before entering the pool, you are expected to shower without swimwear and wash thoroughly with soap. This is standard swimming pool etiquette in Iceland.

Local tip: Try a neighbourhood pool rather than treating swimming as a full-day attraction. Vesturbæjarlaug, Sundhöllin and Laugardalslaug are all popular choices, depending on where you are staying.

2. Look for the Northern Lights

September is when proper darkness returns to Reykjavík, so it is possible to see the Northern Lights again. You do not necessarily need to leave the city, because with the right conditions, you can see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík, although darker surroundings help. Grótta at Seltjarnarnes, the waterfront, and Öskjuhlíð can all be better options than standing under the lights in the middle of downtown.

Check both the cloud forecast and aurora forecast before heading out. Strong aurora activity will not help much if the sky over Reykjavík is completely cloudy. There is also no need to dedicate every evening to waiting for the lights. If the Aurora forecast is poor, enjoy the city and try again another night.

If you are interested in understanding how the aurora forms, Perlan's Northern Lights Show explains the science and stories behind the Northern Lights indoors.

Local tip: If the forecast suddenly improves, go out. Aurora plans in Reykjavík are often better made a few hours in advance than several days ahead.

3. Walk Around Öskjuhlíð

Öskjuhlíð is one of Reykjavík's easiest places to get away from busy streets without actually leaving the city. The wooded hill has walking paths through birch and other trees, and September is when you can start to see some autumn colour. Because Iceland has relatively little woodland compared with many other countries, places like Öskjuhlíð feel noticeably different at this time of year.

Perlan sits at the top of the hill, so you can combine the walk with the museum or simply head up for views across Reykjavík. Wear shoes that can handle wet or muddy paths if it has been raining.

Local tip: Öskjuhlíð is easy to overlook because it sits outside the main downtown sightseeing route. If you have already walked Laugavegur and the harbour, it is a good place to see a quieter side of Reykjavík.

4. Spend a Few Hours at Perlan

September weather makes it useful to have at least one indoor activity planned. Perlan's Wonders of Iceland exhibition covers glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, geothermal activity and other parts of Iceland's natural environment. There is also an indoor ice cave, a planetarium and an observation deck overlooking Reykjavík.

You do not need to build an entire day around it. A visit works well before or after walking around Öskjuhlíð, particularly if the weather is too wet or windy for a longer outdoor plan.

If the sky is clear, the observation deck is also a useful place to get your bearings and see how compact Reykjavík really is.

5. Try Berry Picking at Heiðmörk

Berry picking, or berjamó, is a familiar late-summer and early-autumn activity for Icelanders. Heiðmörk is a large recreation area on the edge of Reykjavík with lava fields, woodland and walking trails. Depending on the season, you may find wild crowberries and bilberries growing there, and other Icelandic berries.

You do not need special equipment. Bring a small container and combine berry picking with a walk through the area.

Local tip: Icelanders often eat picked berries with skyr, cream or a little sugar. If you find enough, stop at a supermarket on the way back and try them with plain skyr.

6. Check What Is On at RIFF

If you are visiting towards the end of September, check the Reykjavík International Film Festival programme.

RIFF usually takes place in early autumn and brings Icelandic and international films to venues around Reykjavík, along with talks, special screenings and other events.

You do not have to be particularly interested in film festivals to find something worth seeing. The programme often includes smaller screenings and unusual events alongside traditional cinema screenings.

7. See What Events Are Happening in Reykjavík

September is a busy month for concerts, university events and cultural programmes around Reykjavík. The exact calendar changes every year, so this is one area where it is better to check local listings close to your trip rather than planning around one fixed event.

You may find live music, film screenings, exhibitions, food events or student festivals happening while you are in town. Smaller Reykjavík concerts or bigger headliners at Harpa Concert Hall can be a fun way to experience local nightlife without spending the whole evening moving between bars on Laugavegur.

8. Eat Something Seasonal

You do not have to look for unusual Icelandic food to eat well in Reykjavík. September is associated with the annual sheep round-ups in rural Iceland, and lamb is especially relevant at this time of year. You will find lamb on menus around the city, from traditional Icelandic food such as lamb soup to more modern restaurant dishes.

It is also a good month for warming food after being outdoors. Try fish of the day, Icelandic lamb soup, fresh bread from a local bakery, or a bowl of skyr rather than trying to fit every famous Icelandic food into one meal. 

For something more casual, Reykjavík's food halls are useful when people in your group want different things.

9. Spend an Evening at a Local Café or Bar

September is when evenings in Reykjavík start feeling noticeably darker again, which makes it a good time to slow down rather than trying to sightsee until late at night. Go for coffee and cake in the afternoon, find a small bar in the evening or check whether there is live music playing nearby.

The centre of Reykjavík is compact enough that you do not need a complicated nightlife plan. Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur and the streets around Ingólfstorg all have cafés, restaurants and bars within walking distance of each other.

Local tip: Coffee culture is a big part of daily life in Reykjavík, so you will find great coffee shops and cafés around the city. 

10. Walk the Coast Towards Grótta

Walk along Reykjavík's waterfront towards Seltjarnarnes and Grótta. This part of the capital area gives you open views across Faxaflói Bay and towards the mountains. It also has considerably less traffic than the city centre and is one of the best places to see the sunset in Reykjavík.

Later in September, the darker evenings make the area particularly popular with people looking for the Northern Lights in Reykjavík because there is less artificial light than downtown Reykjavík. Check the weather before setting off. An exposed coastal walk can feel much colder when the wind picks up.

11. Visit Kolaportið on the Weekend

If you are in Reykjavík over the weekend, visit Kolaportið flea market near the Old Harbour. It is not a polished tourist market. You will find second-hand clothes, books, household items, sweets, Icelandic food products, and antiques. It is also within walking distance of some of the trendy shops in Reykjavík.

Pair it with a walk around the Old Harbour, coffee nearby or lunch downtown rather than treating it as an attraction that needs several hours. It is a simple way to see a more everyday side of Reykjavík, particularly if the weather outside is not cooperating.

Local tip: Look at the Icelandic sweets and snack section even if you are not shopping for souvenirs. It is a better introduction to what people actually buy than many of the dedicated tourist shops nearby.

What Can You Do Outside Reykjavík in September?

September is also a good month to use Reykjavík as a base for day trips. The Golden Circle is an easy full-day option and includes Þingvellir, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss. The South Coast is another possibility, with popular stops including Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.

At the beginning of September, longer daylight hours give you more flexibility. Towards the end of the month, plan more carefully around sunrise and sunset, particularly if you are driving yourself. Do not assume September means summer driving conditions. Check the weather and road conditions before leaving Reykjavík, especially on days with strong wind or poor visibility.

What Should You Pack for Reykjavík in September?

The most useful approach is to pack layers.

Bring:

• A waterproof and windproof outer jacket
• A warm fleece or wool layer
• Comfortable waterproof or water-resistant shoes
• A hat and light gloves
• Swimwear for Reykjavík's pools
• A small backpack for extra layers
• A reusable water bottle

You probably do not need heavy winter clothing for ordinary sightseeing in Reykjavík, but you should be prepared for cold wind and rain.

If you are planning to spend evenings outside looking for the Northern Lights, bring an extra warm layer. Standing still for 30 minutes feels much colder than walking around the city.