Reykjavik Cruise Port Guide

Reykjavik cruise port is Iceland's capital and the primary cruise hub for Arctic and North Atlantic itineraries. Most cruise ships dock at Skarfabakki (Old Harbor), about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from downtown Reykjavik, though smaller expedition ships occasionally use the Old Harbor directly next to the city center.

This is a major embarkation port for Iceland-focused cruises and Arctic circumnavigations, and also a popular port of call on Transatlantic, Iceland/Greenland, and Northern Europe itineraries. Reykjavik itself is remarkably small for a national capital, with only about 130,000 residents (230,000 in the wider metro area, which still means two-thirds of Iceland's population lives within 30 miles of downtown).

The city has a distinctive Nordic character with colorful corrugated-metal houses, the Hallgrímskirkja church (a 74-meter concrete spire visible from across the city), an excellent dining scene built around local lamb and seafood, and an outsized arts scene for a city of its size.

The real draw of Iceland cruises is the surrounding landscape: geysers, waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic geology all within day-trip range. Most passengers use Reykjavik as a base for Golden Circle tours, Blue Lagoon visits, or whale watching in the bay.

Skarfabakki is about 2.5 kilometers from downtown Reykjavik. The city does not provide a free cruise shuttle. Options are taxis (about ISK 3,500 to 5,000, or $25 to $40, for the 10-minute ride), a paid cruise shuttle organized by the port (ISK 1,500 to 2,500, or $10 to $20 per person round trip), or a 30 to 40 minute walk along the coastal path.

Public buses (Straeto) serve Skarfabakki via lines 12 and 16 for ISK 500 ($4) per ride, but schedules are infrequent. Once in Reykjavik, the compact downtown is walkable. From Hallgrímskirkja at the top of the hill, Harpa concert hall on the waterfront, Laugavegur (main shopping street), and the Old Harbor area are all within a 15-minute walk.

For destinations outside Reykjavik, most cruise passengers use organized excursions or rent cars. Rental cars are available at Keflavik Airport (45 minutes from Reykjavik) and in downtown. Budget roughly $80 to $150 per day.

Iceland's roads are generally good but weather can change rapidly. The Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes from downtown Reykjavik by road. The Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) is a 4 to 6 hour round-trip loop.

Taxi tours are expensive but flexible at about ISK 120,000 ($900) for a full-day Golden Circle. Shuttle buses and organized tours are more economical. You don't need a rental for Reykjavik itself but a rental or organized excursion is essential for seeing Iceland's countryside.

Iceland cruise season runs roughly May through September, with peak traffic June through August. The best months for weather are June through August, when temperatures range 45 to 60°F (7 to 16°C) and daylight hours are extreme (24-hour daylight in late June, the midnight sun).

This is also when most cruise ships visit. Summer in Iceland doesn't mean warm. Bring layers even in July. May and September have cooler temperatures (40 to 55°F / 4 to 13°C) and fewer crowds, but the landscape is less green and some tours may have reduced schedules.

The shoulder seasons have the benefit of potential Northern Lights visibility if you can stay into late September. Winter cruises are very rare but some expedition lines offer December to February sailings for aurora viewing.

Expect 30 to 40°F (-1 to 4°C), short daylight hours (4 to 6 hours), and dramatic landscapes. The big annual event is Iceland's Independence Day on June 17 with parades and cultural events in Reykjavik.

Music festivals like Iceland Airwaves (November) and Secret Solstice (June) also draw crowds. For the best combination of weather, midnight sun, and lighter crowds, late May through early June or mid-August through early September is the sweet spot.

Reykjavik's compact downtown has enough to fill a full port day before you consider countryside trips. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, the massive concrete church inspired by Iceland's basalt columns. The 74-meter tower is accessible by elevator for panoramic city views (ISK 1,000 entry).

The Sun Voyager (Sólfar) sculpture on the waterfront is a popular stop for photos. Harpa, the glass-facade concert hall at the Old Harbor, has striking architecture worth seeing from outside and inside (free lobby access).

The Old Harbor area has whale watching and puffin tour operators, Reykjavik Maritime Museum, and several seafood restaurants. Laugavegur, the main shopping street, has Icelandic wool shops, design boutiques, and cafés.

The Reykjavik Art Museum (three locations), the National Museum of Iceland, and the Settlement Exhibition (with a preserved Viking-era longhouse beneath the streets) are all worth a visit (ISK 2,000 to 3,500 each).

For food, try local specialties: lamb (Iceland's sheep outnumber people), seafood (cod, haddock, Arctic char), Skyr (a traditional yogurt-like dairy product), lobster soup at Sægreifinn (a beloved soup stand at the Old Harbor), and hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu (a famous walk-up hot dog stand that Bill Clinton once ate at).

Icelandic beer and brennivín (a caraway schnapps) are the local alcoholic specialties. For the countryside, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is the most popular day trip (45 minutes from Reykjavik). Admission is about ISK 12,000 to 20,000 ($90 to $150).

It books up weeks in advance. The Golden Circle driving loop covers Þingvellir National Park (continental drift visible, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Geysir (the geyser after which all geysers are named), and Gullfoss (Iceland's most famous waterfall).

A 4 to 6 hour round-trip by car or organized tour.

Iceland's landscape makes excursions essential for most cruise passengers. Golden Circle tours are the most popular at $100 to $200 per person for a full day covering Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss with guided commentary and lunch.

Blue Lagoon excursions (transport plus entry) run $150 to $300 depending on package level. Whale watching from Reykjavik Old Harbor runs $80 to $150 per person for 2 to 3 hour trips (minke whales and humpbacks are common in summer).

South Coast tours covering Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara run $180 to $300 for a long (10 to 12 hour) day. Glacier hiking and ice cave tours run $150 to $350 and provide genuine adventure.

Super jeep tours into the highlands run $200 to $400 for rugged 4x4 volcanic landscape trips. Northern Lights tours are winter-only and run $80 to $150 (not relevant for most summer cruise passengers).

Helicopter tours over glaciers and volcanoes run $400 to $900 and are spectacular. For first-time Iceland visitors, the Golden Circle is the defining day. For a shorter port day, Blue Lagoon plus a downtown walk works well.

For adventure, glacier hiking or super jeep tours provide memorable experiences.

Most ships dock at Skarfabakki cruise terminal, about 2.5 km from downtown. Expedition ships sometimes use the Old Harbor right next to the city. Confirm your terminal. Transfers to downtown cost ISK 1,500 to 3,500 depending on method.

The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). Iceland is very card-friendly. Even hot dog stands accept contactless payments. Cash is rarely needed. ATMs are available at banks if required. Icelandic is the official language but English is universal.

Don't worry about language barriers. Tipping is not customary in Iceland. Service charges are included at restaurants and taxis round up only if you want. Dress for weather that changes rapidly. Layers are essential year-round.

Waterproof jacket, hat, gloves (even in summer for some tours), and sturdy walking shoes. For Blue Lagoon or swimming, bring a swimsuit (can be rented for ISK 1,500). Hydrogen sulfide in the geothermal spas can tarnish silver jewelry.

Remove rings and necklaces beforehand. Iceland is safe. Essentially no street crime even in downtown Reykjavik late at night. Standard precautions apply. The biggest mistake cruise passengers make in Reykjavik is prioritizing Blue Lagoon over Golden Circle.

Blue Lagoon is excellent but similar to spa experiences elsewhere. Golden Circle is uniquely Icelandic and essential for first-time visitors.