Reykjavik Iceland

584 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Atlas Ocean Voyages (22 Cruises)

Holland America Line (42 Cruises)

Cruise HAL Holland America Line ms Rotterdam ship

ms Rotterdam

2668 Passengers
99935 tons
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Lindblad Expeditions (33 Cruises)

Oceania Cruises (34 Cruises)

Ponant (57 Cruises)

Princess Cruises (82 Cruises)

Cruise PCL Princess Caribbean ship

Caribbean Princess

3140 Passengers
112894 tons
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Cruise PCL Princess Regal Ship

Regal Princess

3560 Passengers
142299 tons
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises (23 Cruises)

Scenic Cruises (44 Cruises)

Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse

228 Passengers
17 tons
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Scenic Eclipse II.

Scenic Eclipse II

228 Passengers
17085 tons
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Seabourn Cruise Line (80 Cruises)

Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn Pursuit

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Seabourn Venture

Seabourn Venture

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Silversea Cruises (16 Cruises)

Viking Ocean Cruises (40 Cruises)

Reykjavik, Iceland | Cruise Port Guide

A capital where hot water rises from the ground and whales swim just off downtown: Reykjavik is unlike any other major port of call in Europe. Most ships dock at the Skarfabakki terminal, about four kilometres from the heart of the Icelandic capital; taxis, city buses and cruise line shuttles cover the distance, and walkers can follow the waterfront in about fifty minutes, a route dotted with sculptures and views of Mount Esja.

Hallgrímskirkja and the colourful streets

The day's most reliable landmark can be seen from almost everywhere: Hallgrímskirkja, a pale concrete church 73 metres tall whose façade evokes basalt columns. The tower elevator leads to an unbeatable view of the red, blue and green tin roofs tumbling down toward the bay. Below, Skólavörðustígur and Laugavegur streets are packed with Icelandic wool shops, galleries, cafés and bookstores; the first, painted in rainbow colours, draws the eye straight up to the church forecourt. The world's northernmost national capital is easy to explore on foot: the entire centre fits within a one-kilometre radius.

Harpa, the old harbour and the whales

Facing the sea, Harpa concert hall catches the light in its thousands of glass cells inspired by basalt crystals, a façade designed with the artist Olafur Eliasson. A few minutes along the water, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the steel skeleton of a ship facing the open sea, is one of the most popular photo stops in the country. The nearby old harbour has kept its fishing boats, but its sheds now house seafood bistros and excursion ticket offices: whale-watching trips leave from here and encounter minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and sometimes humpbacks in Faxaflói Bay. At the corner of the sheds, a modest hot dog stand has been feeding locals since 1937; the lineup is part of the folklore.

Geysers, waterfalls and lagoons

In town itself, the glass dome of Perlan, set atop former hot water tanks, combines exhibits on volcanoes with a panoramic terrace. Many passengers, however, devote the port call to the natural wonders of the interior. The Golden Circle tour combines in a single day Þingvellir National Park, a rift valley where one of the world's oldest parliaments sat, the Geysir geothermal field, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every five to ten minutes, and the double waterfall of Gullfoss. Hot-water lovers instead head for the geothermal lagoons, including the famous Blue Lagoon near Keflavík airport, about 50 minutes away by road: booking is essential. Either way, leave a comfortable margin before the all-aboard time.

Three ways to experience the port call

OptionTime requiredFor whom
Downtown on foot: church, Harpa, old harbour3 to 4 hoursFirst encounters with the capital
Whale-watching from the old harbour3 to 4 hoursFamilies and wildlife lovers
Golden Circle or geothermal lagoonAlmost a full dayNature-minded travellers

Before the lines are cast off

Reykjavik leaves a singular blend of urban life and raw elements: you can sip a carefully made espresso an hour after watching steam rise from a fissure. Walking back to Skarfabakki along the bay, Mount Esja changes colour once again with the light, as if to remind you that Iceland is only just beginning behind the city. Pack clothing for all four seasons in the same day; it's local advice, and it's no joke. Few port calls make you want to come back for real so quickly, for a whole week this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Skarfabakki, the cruise terminal, about four kilometres from the heart of the capital. Taxis, city buses and cruise line shuttles cover the distance, and walkers can follow the waterfront in around fifty minutes, past sculptures and views of Mount Esja.
Yes, but allow about fifty minutes along the bay from Skarfabakki. Once downtown, the entire centre fits within a kilometre and is easily covered on foot: the world's northernmost national capital is also one of the simplest to walk.
The 73-metre pale concrete church that dominates the city, its façade suggesting basalt columns. It is the day's most reliable landmark, visible from almost anywhere. The tower lift leads to a commanding view over the red, blue and green metal roofs tumbling towards the bay.
On Skólavörðustígur and Laugavegur, which hold the Icelandic wool shops, galleries, cafés and bookshops. The first, painted in rainbow colours, leads the eye straight to the Hallgrímskirkja forecourt.
The waterfront concert hall, whose thousands of glass cells inspired by basalt crystals catch the light. Its façade was designed with the artist Olafur Eliasson. A few minutes along the water stands the Sun Voyager, a steel skeleton of a ship facing the open sea and one of the country's most popular photo stops.
Yes, trips leave from the old harbour a few minutes from the centre and meet minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and sometimes humpbacks in Faxaflói bay. Allow three to four hours: this is one of the few capitals where you can watch cetaceans starting from downtown.
The route combines, in one day, Þingvellir National Park — a rift valley that hosted one of the world's oldest parliaments — the Geysir geothermal field, where Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, and the double waterfall of Gullfoss. Plan on nearly a full day: it does not combine with seeing the city.
Yes, it sits near Keflavík airport, about 50 minutes' drive away. Booking is essential and the round trip takes up much of the day. Always keep a comfortable margin before your all-aboard time.
Three formats. The centre on foot — church, Harpa, old harbour — takes three to four hours and suits a first visit. A whale-watching trip from the old harbour also takes three to four hours and works well for families. The Golden Circle or a geothermal lagoon fills nearly the whole day.
Pack for four seasons in one day: the advice is local and entirely serious. A waterproof shell, a warm layer and comfortable shoes settle the matter, whatever the date on the calendar.