A first weekend in Reykjavík: church hill, city pond and harbour
Hallgrímskirkja: tower views, worship and a useful downhill walk
Harpa to the Sun Voyager: a short Reykjavík waterfront walkAn example packing list for Reykjavík in December
Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.
Clothing
- Underwear
- Bras (if worn)
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Thermal base layer
- Comfortable trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Hooded windproof waterproof shell
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Weather-resistant walking shoes or boots with grip
- Warm socks
- Swimwear (for a planned pool or bathing visit)
- Waterproof overtrousers (for exposed outdoor outings)
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Deodorant
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen
- Hairbrush or comb
- Shaving supplies (if used)
- Menstrual products (if needed)
- Contact lens solution (if used)
Essentials
- Passport or accepted travel ID
- Travel tickets and booking confirmations
- Wallet and payment cards
- Phone
- Charging cable and charger
- Travel adapter (if needed)
- Medication (if needed)
- Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
- Refillable water bottle
- Day bag
Monthly weather and packing notes
December calls for insulation beneath a windproof waterproof shell and good grip for cold or icy streets. Daylight is short; Hallgrímskirkja’s published holiday calendar restricts sightseeing on key Christmas dates, so confirm alternatives before setting off.
- Daytime
- 2–6°C
- Evenings
- -3–1°C
- Rain
- Rain, sleet or snow possible
- Daylight
- Short daylight; plan outdoor stops around actual sunrise and sunset.
- Packing style
- Warm removable layers beneath a hooded windproof waterproof shell
Packtricia calculated December Reykjavík-area ERA5 reanalysis averages via Open-Meteo for 1991–2020: mean daily high 3.5°C, mean daily low -0.9°C and mean monthly precipitation 128.7mm. Thirty complete year-months contribute equally using daily high/low means and precipitation sums. Requested coordinates 64.1466,-21.9426 returned grid 64,-22 at 7m model elevation. These regional gridded estimates are not station normals or forecasts. Display bands extend rounded means by 2°C either way and do not bound extremes. Precipitation includes snow water equivalent and is not a daily rain probability. Wind, footing and actual-date forecasts require separate checks; city averages do not establish conditions on rural excursions, glaciers or at sea.
Outfit ideas for your outings
Hallgrímskirkja and central streets
- Thermal base layer
- Comfortable trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Hooded windproof waterproof shell
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Comfortable shoes with grip
Harpa, Sun Voyager and the old harbour
- Thermal base layer
- Comfortable trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Hooded windproof waterproof shell
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Weather-resistant shoes
- Waterproof overtrousers (for an exposed outing)
Tjörnin and a confirmed museum visit
- Thermal base layer
- Comfortable trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Hooded windproof waterproof shell
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Comfortable walking shoes
What to leave behind
- Only light summer clothes: even summer waterfront stops can feel cold.
- Slippery or untested footwear for wet or icy pavements.
- A city-only kit for a rural, glacier or boat excursion; follow its actual conditions and equipment requirements.
Reviewed 2026-10-16
Open-Meteo historical weather methodology · Reproducible Reykjavík-area ERA5 query · Icelandic Met Office: actual weather and warnings · Hallgrímskirkja: current dated opening and service restrictions · Reykjavík City Museum: Maritime Museum and seasonal vessel tours