Arriving in Reykjavík by cruise ship gives you one of the finest port days available anywhere in northern Europe. The city is compact, walkable, and packed with things worth doing — and beyond the city, some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes are within easy reach. Here is everything you need to make the most of your time.
About the Port
Reykjavík’s cruise terminal is located at Skarfabakki, in the eastern part of the harbour, approximately 3 kilometres from the city centre. Some smaller vessels dock at the old harbour — Miðbakki — which is within comfortable walking distance of the main shopping and sightseeing areas.
From Skarfabakki, taxis and shuttle buses run regularly to the city centre. The journey takes around 10 minutes by taxi and costs approximately 2,000 to 2,500 ISK. Some cruise lines operate their own shuttle service — check with your ship. The walk from Skarfabakki to the city centre takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes along a flat, scenic coastal path if you prefer to go on foot.
Port Quick Facts
Main cruise terminal: Skarfabakki — eastern harbour, 3 km from city centre
Smaller vessels: Miðbakki — old harbour, walking distance to centre
City centre transfer: 10 minutes by taxi, 35 minutes on foot
Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK) — cards accepted almost everywhere
Language: Icelandic — but English is spoken fluently by virtually everyone
Typical port hours: Ships usually dock early morning and depart early to mid evening — confirm with your ship
What to Do in Reykjavík — The Best of the City
Reykjavík is a small, easy city to navigate on foot. The main sights are concentrated in the 101 district and along the old harbour waterfront — you can cover the city’s highlights comfortably in four to five hours, leaving time for a shore excursion in the afternoon or a long, relaxed lunch.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Iceland’s most iconic building — a soaring concrete church designed to resemble the basalt columns found across the country’s volcanic landscape. The tower observation deck offers the best panoramic view of Reykjavík available, and is worth the small entry fee. The church itself is free to enter. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
The Old Harbour and Harpa Concert Hall
The old harbour waterfront is one of the most pleasant areas of Reykjavík for a walk. Whale watching and puffin boat tours depart from here in summer. The Harpa Concert Hall — a stunning glass building on the harbour’s edge — is worth stepping inside even if there is no performance. Several of the city’s best fish restaurants are a short walk away.
Laugavegur — The Main Shopping Street
Laugavegur is Reykjavík’s main street and the best place to browse for Icelandic souvenirs, woollen goods, and local design. Look for lopapeysa sweaters, volcanic salt, skyr-based cosmetics, and handmade ceramics. The street also has excellent cafés for a coffee and a pastry. Budget an hour for a relaxed walk from end to end.
The National Museum of Iceland
The best single introduction to Iceland’s history, from the Viking Age to the present day. Well laid out, genuinely interesting, and not too large — you can cover the highlights in 90 minutes. Highly recommended for anyone who wants context for what they are seeing on their excursions.
Perlan — Wonders of Iceland
A glass-domed nature museum on a hill above the city, built on top of the geothermal hot water tanks that heat Reykjavík’s homes. The museum contains Iceland’s only indoor ice cave, an aurora planetarium show, and excellent exhibits on glaciers, volcanoes, and northern lights. It is the most complete overview of Iceland’s natural wonders available in one building. A short drive or taxi from the city centre.
Where to Eat
For a quick, iconic Reykjavík experience: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the legendary hot dog kiosk near the old harbour, has been serving Icelanders since 1937. Order eina með öllu — one with everything. For a proper sit-down meal, the harbour area restaurants offer excellent fish and seafood at a range of price points. Hlemmur Mathöll, a food hall in a converted bus station on Laugavegur, brings together some of the city’s best small food producers under one roof — ideal for a quick, high-quality lunch.
Shore Excursions — The Best Day Trips From Reykjavík Port
Reykjavík’s greatest strength as a cruise port is what lies beyond the city. Iceland’s most dramatic and famous natural sights are within reach of a single port day — and at Ice Paradise Tours, we specialise in making the most of the time you have. Here are the excursions we recommend most consistently:
The Golden Circle — Iceland’s Classic Route
Distance from port: approximately 60 to 120 km depending on the stop. Duration: 6 to 8 hours.
The most popular shore excursion from Reykjavík and for good reason — the Golden Circle covers three of Iceland’s most famous natural sites in a single loop. Þingvellir National Park, where the Viking parliament met in 930 AD and where two tectonic plates are visibly pulling apart. The Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts a column of boiling water every five to ten minutes. And Gullfoss — the Golden Waterfall — a two-tiered cascade of extraordinary power. All three are remarkable. All three are within easy reach of Reykjavík port.
The South Coast — Waterfalls and Black Sand
Distance from port: 150 to 180 km. Duration: 8 to 10 hours.
A longer excursion but one of the most spectacular. The South Coast route takes in Seljalandsfoss — the waterfall you can walk behind — Skógafoss, the powerful 60-metre cascade with a rainbow in sunshine, and Reynisfjara, Iceland’s dramatic black sand beach with its basalt columns and sea stacks. Best suited to ships with a late departure time. Ice Paradise Tours can tailor the stops to fit your available hours.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — Iceland in Miniature
Distance from port: 180 km. Duration: 8 to 10 hours.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often described as Iceland in miniature — a single landmass with glaciers, lava fields, fishing villages, black sand beaches, and dramatic sea stacks. At its tip, the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano was Jules Verne’s gateway to the centre of the earth in his famous novel. A full day is needed to do it justice, and the drive through the peninsula is one of the most scenic in the country.
The Blue Lagoon — Iceland’s Most Famous Attraction
Distance from port: 50 km. Duration: 3 to 4 hours including transfer.
The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is Iceland’s most visited attraction and one of the most recognised natural bathing sites in the world. The milky blue water, rich in silica and minerals and maintained at around 37 to 39 degrees, sits in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula — 40 minutes from the port. Advance booking is essential — the Blue Lagoon operates on timed entry and fills up months ahead in peak season. Ice Paradise Tours can arrange both the booking and the transfer.
Whale Watching — From Reykjavík Harbour
Distance from port: 10 minutes to the old harbour. Duration: 3 hours.
For passengers with limited time or those who prefer a half-day excursion, whale watching tours from the old harbour are an excellent option. Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises are regularly seen from May to October. Tours run year-round and most operators offer a free return trip if no cetaceans are spotted. A genuine wildlife experience without leaving the city.
Reykjanes Peninsula — Lava, Volcanoes, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Distance from port: 40 to 60 km. Duration: 3 to 5 hours.
The Reykjanes Peninsula — the volcanic ridge connecting Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport — has become one of Iceland’s most dramatic and most active geological landscapes. Recent eruptions have added entirely new lava fields to the peninsula, and the area around Grindavík and Fagradalsfjall allows visitors to walk on lava that is, in some areas, only months old. Combined with the Bridge Between Continents — a walkway crossing the fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates — Reykjanes offers a genuinely extraordinary half-day excursion for those interested in Iceland’s living geology.
How to Choose — Matching the Excursion to Your Time
4 to 5 hours in port: Stay in the city — Hallgrímskirkja, the old harbour, Laugavegur street, the hot dog kiosk. Or take a whale watching tour from the harbour.
6 to 7 hours in port: The Golden Circle covers all three main stops comfortably in this window. Or combine the Blue Lagoon with a couple of hours in the city.
8 to 10 hours in port: The South Coast, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, or a full Golden Circle with extra stops. These are the excursions that deliver the most dramatic Icelandic landscapes.
All day in port: Combine the Golden Circle with a stop at the Secret Lagoon for a natural hot spring soak. Or go south to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach — a longer drive but one of the most spectacular sights in Iceland.
Practical Tips for Cruise Passengers
Book excursions in advance: The Blue Lagoon, popular whale watching tours, and popular guided excursions fill up well ahead of peak season. If your ship’s arrival date is confirmed, book before you sail.
Cards are accepted everywhere: Iceland is almost entirely cashless. You will rarely need Icelandic Króna — virtually every café, shop, taxi, and attraction accepts Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payment is standard.
Weather changes fast: Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable. Bring a waterproof layer regardless of the forecast. The inner layers matter too — temperatures on the water or at altitude are always several degrees colder than in the city.
Allow time to return to the ship: Always build a buffer into your return schedule. Road delays, traffic near the port, or running over time on an excursion can happen. Aim to be back at the terminal at least 45 minutes before your ship’s departure.
Private tours offer more flexibility: Ship-organised excursions are convenient but run to fixed schedules and carry large groups. A private or small-group tour with Ice Paradise Tours moves at your pace, stops where you want to stop, and can be adjusted to your ship’s exact schedule.
Tipping: Tipping is not a strong cultural expectation in Iceland as it is in North America. A tip for exceptional service is always welcome but never obligatory.
Make Every Hour Count
A day in Reykjavík is not enough time to see Iceland. But it is enough time to understand why people come back. The city is charming and walkable, the food is excellent, and within an hour of the port you can be standing in front of an erupting geyser, walking behind a waterfall, or soaking in a geothermal pool with a glacier on the horizon.
At Iceland Paradise Tours, we work specifically with cruise passengers to build excursions that fit your ship’s schedule precisely — no rushing back, no missed departures, and no time wasted. Whether you want a private Golden Circle tour, a South Coast adventure, or simply reliable transport and a knowledgeable guide for the day, we can put it together for you.
Get in touch before you sail. We will take care of everything on the ground.