Nuuk or Reykjavík in August?
On climate data, Reykjavík comes out ahead overall in August. See the per-criterion details below.
NuukPhoto: Vincent van Zeijst · CC BY-SA 3.0
ReykjavíkPhoto: rheins · CC BY 3.0Key figures in August
| Criterion | Nuuk | Reykjavík |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 7 °C | 13 °C |
| Average daily low | 4 °C | 8 °C |
| Sea | 5 °C | 11 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 14 rainy days (est.) ★ | 18 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 5 h/day ★ | 4 h/day |
| Humidity | 90 % | 86 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Reykjavík is about 6 °C warmer by day.
- Nuuk is drier, with about 4 fewer rainy days.
- The sea at Reykjavík is about 6 °C warmer.
Nuuk or Reykjavík in August: the short answer
In August, Reykjavík comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Nuuk 25/100 vs Reykjavík 26/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on August as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Nuuk averages a climate score of 23/100, Reykjavík 18/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in August, side by side
The average daily high is about 7 °C in Nuuk and 13 °C in Reykjavík — warmer in Reykjavík. Average daily lows are around 4 °C versus 8 °C.
On rain, Nuuk sees about 14 rainy days in August and Reykjavík about 18 — drier in Nuuk. Nuuk gets more sunshine (5 vs 4 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In August the water is about 5 °C at Nuuk and 11 °C at Reykjavík — warmer for swimming at Reykjavík. Neither Nuuk nor Reykjavík reaches the ~21 °C swimming threshold in any month. Peak sea warmth is August for Nuuk and August for Reykjavík.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Nuuk records roughly 158 rainy days and Reykjavík about 224 — the drier of the two overall is Nuuk. At their sunniest, Nuuk reaches about 7 hours of sun a day (June) and Reykjavík about 6 (June). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Nuuk has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Reykjavík has no clear standout month. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the August scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Nuuk scores higher in August (Nuuk 17 vs Reykjavík 15).
City breaks: Reykjavík scores higher in August (Nuuk 40 vs Reykjavík 45).
Active & hiking: Reykjavík scores higher in August (Nuuk 32 vs Reykjavík 42).
Family: Nuuk scores higher in August (Nuuk 17 vs Reykjavík 15).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For August specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Nuuk carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Nuuk if its strong months and profile match your plan, Reykjavík if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.