Port of Reykjavik cruise port guide

Port of Reykjavik — Reykjavik, Iceland.

Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital — a compact, colourful city of around 130,000 people sitting on a peninsula between two mountain-edged bays, powered almost entirely by geothermal and hydro energy, and surrounded by some of the most dramatic volcanic landscape on earth. The city itself is walkable, quirky and remarkably cosmopolitan: excellent coffee, serious seafood, a lively arts scene and the landmark Hallgrímskirkja church rising above it all. But the reason most cruise passengers come to Iceland is what lies outside the city — the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss), the Blue Lagoon, and, if you're here October through March, the Northern Lights. Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe; budget accordingly.

Getting ashore

Where do cruise ships dock in Reykjavik?

Ships dock at Skarfabakki pier (the main cruise terminal) or sometimes at the older Sundahöfn terminal nearby — both are about 3km from the city centre.

How do I get from the cruise port to town?

Free shuttle buses typically run to Harpa concert hall (the city-centre landmark on the harbour) and Lækjartorg square — confirm with your ship. Taxis are readily available (Uber does not operate in Iceland; Hreyfill and Hopp are the local taxi apps). Reykjavik city centre is easy to navigate on foot once you arrive: the main shopping street (Laugavegur), the old harbour, Hallgrímskirkja and the Harpa are all within 20 minutes of each other.

Getting around

The city centre is compact and walkable — Laugavegur (the main shopping and café street), the old harbour (Grandi area), Hallgrímskirkja church and Harpa concert hall form a walkable triangle that takes no more than 30 minutes to cross. For the Golden Circle: organised coach tours are the most practical option (8–9 hours, departs from city); private transfers or rental cars work if you're planning carefully — the Golden Circle loop is about 300km. For the Blue Lagoon: 45 minutes by bus or transfer from the city, and advance booking is mandatory (the lagoon operates on timed entry and sells out days or weeks ahead in peak season). Do not turn up at the Blue Lagoon without a reservation.

Don't miss

• Golden Circle day tour (8–9 hrs (full day)) — Iceland's most famous driving circuit — three extraordinary sites in sequence: Þingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are visibly pulling apart, and where Iceland's parliament was founded in 930 AD), the Geysir geothermal area (the original geyser that gave the word to all languages; Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes to 30 metres), and Gullfoss waterfall (a double-tiered fall of glacial meltwater thundering into a canyon — one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe). Allow 4–5 hours minimum for all three sites. Book an organised tour if you don't have your own car.
• Blue Lagoon (2–3 hrs at the lagoon + 45 min each way) — Iceland's most famous attraction — a vast outdoor geothermal pool of milky-blue silica-rich water at 37–39°C, surrounded by black lava fields, with in-water silica mud masks, a swim-up bar and sauna facilities. Located near Keflavík airport, 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Advance booking is absolutely mandatory — entry sells out days or weeks ahead in summer. Budget from about €85 (Comfort entry from ~ISK 12,000 includes a towel, silica mask and a drink; robes come with the higher tiers). A unique and genuinely extraordinary experience, but the logistics must be sorted before arrival.
• Hallgrímskirkja church & tower (45 min) — Iceland's most recognisable building — a Lutheran church designed to resemble the basalt lava columns common across the Icelandic landscape, rising 74 metres above the city. The tower lift (1,500 ISK, about €10) gives the best elevated view of Reykjavik, the harbour, and the mountains beyond. The interior is stark and beautiful. The Leif Eriksson statue outside faces the USA, commemorating his voyage 500 years before Columbus.
• Old Harbour (Grandi) & whale watching (3 hrs (whale watch) or 1 hr (harbour walk)) — Reykjavik's old fishing harbour has been converted into a creative district of restaurants, coffee roasters, the Whales of Iceland museum and the Marshall House gallery. Whale watching tours depart from the harbour throughout the day (humpback and minke whales are common; orcas are rarer) — about 2.5–3.5 hours and roughly €90 per person, with reasonable success rates in summer. The harbour area is also the best place for the freshest fish and chips in Iceland.
• Laugavegur street & city centre (2 hrs) — Reykjavik's main street is an excellent 800-metre stretch of independent shops, cafés, bookshops, wool shops and design studios — the best concentration of Icelandic goods in the country. The surrounding streets (Bankastræti, Skólavörðustígur) are equally rewarding. The National Museum of Iceland is a short walk up Suðurgata. The Reykjavik Art Museum has three buildings across the city. The city is small enough that wandering is always rewarding.

Planning your day

The key decision in Reykjavik is made before you arrive: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, or city day. You cannot do all three justice in a single port call. Golden Circle is the most spectacular landscape experience and occupies most of the day (8–9 hours). Blue Lagoon requires advance booking and is an afternoon-into-evening experience (factor in 45 min each way plus 2–3 hours at the lagoon). A city-only day works well: start at Hallgrímskirkja tower for the view, walk down Skólavörðustígur to Laugavegur for shopping and coffee, loop down to the old harbour (Grandi) for lobster soup at Sægreifinn, then walk along the waterfront to Harpa concert hall. If you have a late port departure, add the National Museum. Bring a waterproof regardless of the morning forecast — Icelandic weather changes fast, and a wet windswept afternoon without gear is uncomfortable.

Food & drink

Reykjavik punches well above its size for food — a serious restaurant scene has emerged since the 2010s, built on extraordinary local ingredients: Arctic char, Atlantic cod and haddock, Icelandic lamb (among the best in the world, raised on mountain grass), skyr, and geothermally baked bread. The old harbour Grandi area has the best casual seafood; Laugavegur has the best café and restaurant concentration. Budget for Iceland pricing — a basic lunch is €20–30 per person.

Where to eat

• Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) — A Reykjavik institution in a small green harbour hut on Geirsgata — famous for its lobster soup (a rich, creamy soup of Icelandic langoustine) and grilled skewers of catch-of-the-day fish. Order at the counter; there is often a queue at lunchtime. Open daily from 11:30am. The most beloved informal eating in Reykjavik.
• Messinn — Consistently rated among Reykjavik's best seafood restaurants — fresh Icelandic fish served in sizzling pans with potatoes and vegetables (cod loin, Arctic char, wolffish, plokkfiskur), plus langoustine starters. Open daily from 11:30am; reservations recommended for lunch. On Lækjargata in the city centre.
• Brauð & Co — The most beloved bakery in Reykjavik — sourdough, cinnamon rolls, exceptional pastries, and strong coffee. A tiny shop with a queue most mornings. On a side street off Laugavegur; worth the walk for breakfast or a mid-morning break.
• Café Loki — A small traditional Icelandic café directly across from the church — rye bread (rúgbrauð), skyr, plokkfiskur and hákarl (fermented shark, for the brave) all on the menu. The most accessible introduction to traditional Icelandic food in the city, with a direct view of the church.

Must try

• Icelandic lamb — Free-range mountain lamb with a distinctive, clean flavour from grazing on Arctic grasses and wild herbs — considered among the finest in Europe. Served roasted, as lamb soup (kjötsúpa — a hearty broth with root vegetables), or as slow-braised leg at the better restaurants. The lamb here is genuinely superior to most of Europe.
• Skyr — Iceland's ancient dairy product — technically a soft cheese but eaten like thick yogurt, very high in protein, slightly tart and completely ubiquitous. Available everywhere from corner shops to fine restaurants. The Icelandic skyr is categorically different from the 'skyr' sold as yogurt in European supermarkets. Try it with Icelandic berries and cream.
• Plokkfiskur (fish stew) — A traditional Icelandic comfort dish — mashed fish (usually haddock or cod) with potatoes, onion and béchamel, sometimes topped with breadcrumbs and baked. The kind of honest home cooking that sustained Icelanders through long winters. Served at traditional restaurants and some cafés.
• Fish and chips — harbour style — The old harbour's Grandi area has some of the freshest fish and chips in Iceland — daily-caught Atlantic cod and haddock fried to order. Sægreifinn (the Sea Baron) is the most famous address: a shack-style restaurant famous for lobster soup and grilled fish skewers, a harbour fixture for over two decades.

Know before you go

• 🗣️ Language — Icelandic — one of the oldest Germanic languages, largely unchanged since the medieval sagas. English is spoken fluently by almost every Icelander under 70; you will have no communication difficulties anywhere. Signs are generally bilingual.
• 📋 Documents — Iceland is in the Schengen Area (though not the EU). US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a valid passport; no visa required for short stays. EU/EEA citizens need a valid passport or national ID card.
• 🛍️ Shopping & hours — City centre shops open 10am–6pm weekdays, 10am–5pm Saturdays, noon–5pm Sundays; tourist-facing shops on Laugavegur stay open later. Best buys: Icelandic wool sweaters (lopapeysa — the traditional circular-yoke design, sold at the Handknitting Association shop on Skólavörðustígur), lopapeysa accessories, skyr (the thick Icelandic dairy product), dried fish snacks, Icelandic schnapps (brennivín, nicknamed 'Black Death'), Icelandic sea salt, and local design goods. Iceland is extremely expensive — expect to pay 30–50% more than Western Europe for most goods.
• 🌤️ Weather — Famously unpredictable — the Icelandic saying 'If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes' is mostly accurate. Summer (June–August) brings long days (nearly 24-hour daylight in June), temperatures of 8–15°C (46–59°F), but wind, rain and cloud can arrive without notice. Dress in layers with a waterproof outer layer always accessible. Northern Lights are only visible October through March (darkness required) and are completely unpredictable even then.
• 📶 Connectivity — Excellent 4G/LTE coverage throughout Reykjavik and on all main tourist routes (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Ring Road). Wi-Fi at virtually every café and hotel. Icelandic SIM cards are available at the airport and in city phone shops (Síminn and Vodafone Iceland) — worthwhile for a day of independent travel. EU roaming does not apply (Iceland is EEA not EU) — check your plan.
• ♿ Accessibility — Reykjavik city centre is generally flat and well-maintained with accessible pavements. Hallgrímskirkja has accessible entry and the tower lift is accessible. The old harbour area is flat. Þingvellir has some accessible boardwalk paths over the rift valley floor. The Blue Lagoon has an accessible entrance and changing facilities. Geysir and Gullfoss have viewing areas reachable from the car parks, though the surfaces are uneven volcanic rock and gravel.
• ⏱️ Getting back — For Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tours, the operator manages return timing. For independent travel: Reykjavik city centre to the cruise terminal is 10–15 minutes by taxi. Confirm which terminal your ship is using (Skarfabakki or Sundahöfn) before you leave the ship, as they are not immediately adjacent. Allow at least 45 minutes before all-aboard from the city centre.

Sources: visitreykjavik.is (official tourism); inspiredbyiceland.com; guidetoiceland.is; ricksteves.com/iceland