Reykjavik Sunrise & Sunset: January 2026

January Sunrise & Sunset in Reykjavik: Complete Monthly Guide

In January 2026, Reykjavik has an average of 5h 33m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 11:20 at the start of the month to 10:13 at the end, while sunset shifts from 15:43 to 17:11.

January in Reykjavik brings short winter days with early sunsets. Average sunrise in January is 10:54 and average sunset is 16:22. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in January

Day length in Reykjavik in January changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, the rate of day length change in January is approximately 3 to 5 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Reykjavik shifts by approximately 60 to 90 minutes over the course of January.

Golden Hour in Reykjavik in January

Golden hour in Reykjavik in January occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Januaryat Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, golden hour lasts approximately 25 to 40 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Reykjavik in January: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in January begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Reykjavik in January

Civil twilight in Reykjavik in January begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Reykjavik in January extends the usable light day by approximately 90 to 120 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for January in Reykjavik

Shooting in Reykjavik in January requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in January:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In January, Reykjavik's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this January table for Reykjavik are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Reykjavik (64.1355°, -21.8954°) and the local timezone (Atlantic/Reykjavik). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: January Sunrise & Sunset in Reykjavik

What is the average sunrise time in Reykjavik in January?

The average sunrise time in Reykjavik in January 2026 is approximately 10:54. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Reykjavik at latitude 64.14° and longitude -21.90°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 11:20 on the first of the month to 10:13 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Reykjavik get in January?

Reykjavik receives an average of 5h 33m of daylight per day in January 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 4h 23m on the first of the month to 6h 58m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Reykjavik in January?

The earliest sunrise in Reykjavik in January 2026 occurs on 2026-01-31 at 10:13. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-01-01 at 11:20.

What time is golden hour in Reykjavik in January?

Golden hour in Reykjavik in January occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (10:54 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 25 to 40 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (16:22 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is January a good time to photograph sunrise in Reykjavik?

January offers late sunrise times in Reykjavik (around 10:54), which is convenient for photographers. Winter light is crisp and directional, and clear cold mornings often produce vivid color in the sky before and during sunrise.

When does civil twilight start in Reykjavik in January?

Civil twilight in Reykjavik in January begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, civil twilight in January starts around 10:29 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.