The world's northernmost capital — a colorful, walkable city on the edge of a land of geysers, waterfalls, and lava fields. Your base for Iceland's greatest hits.
⚓ Docked (Skarfabakki) or Old Harbour🕒 Typical call: 9–11 hrs💵 Icelandic Króna (ISK) · cards everywhere🗣️ Icelandic · English universal
Docking
Skarfabakki / Old Harbour
To center
Shuttle or 35-min walk
Best For
Nature · Geology
Don't Miss
Golden Circle
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
Large ships dock at Skarfabakki, ~3 km east of downtown; smaller ships use the central Old Harbour. Either way, Iceland's famous sights are out of town, so most passengers tour.
From the pier to the land of fire and ice
1
Skarfabakki cruise terminalThe main deep-water berth, about a 35-minute walk or a quick shuttle/taxi/bus into the center. A terminal building offers info, tours, and transfers.
2
Old Harbour (smaller ships)Expedition and smaller ships may berth at the central Old Harbour, walkable to downtown and the whale-watching docks.
3
Touring the sightsThe Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and south-coast waterfalls are all 45 min–2 hrs away by road, so excursions or pre-booked transfers are the norm.
💡 Pro move: Iceland is cashless-friendly — cards work everywhere, even for a hot dog. Weather changes by the hour, so pack layers and a waterproof regardless of the forecast.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Reykjavik's big ships use Skarfabakki east of downtown, while smaller vessels berth at the central Old Harbour — both with shuttles or short transfers to the city's compact center.
Reykjavik is the gateway to Iceland's wonders. Pick one big landscape tour, then enjoy the walkable, characterful capital. These are the ones worth your day.
Iconic
Golden Circle
Iceland's classic trio: the erupting Strokkur geyser, the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park where the continental plates pull apart. The essential day out.
Soak in milky-blue, mineral-rich geothermal water amid a black-lava landscape near the airport. Pre-book entry slots — it's wildly popular and timed-entry only.
A longer run to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and the dramatic Reynisfjara black-sand beach — Iceland's south coast at its most cinematic.
Reykjavik's center is small, colorful, and made for walking. From the Old Harbour these routes need no tour — link to a map.
Old Harbour to Hallgrímskirkja
~3 km · 1.5–2 hrs · easy
From the harbour past the mirror-clad Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture, up Skólavörðustígur's rainbow street to the soaring Hallgrímskirkja church and its tower view.
Climate normals for Reykjavik, Iceland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
35°F / 2°C
27°F / -3°C
18
10:54 AM
4:20 PM
Feb
36°F / 2°C
28°F / -2°C
16
9:22 AM
6:01 PM
Mar
37°F / 3°C
29°F / -2°C
18
7:45 AM
7:28 PM
Apr
43°F / 6°C
34°F / 1°C
18
5:55 AM
9:01 PM
May
48°F / 9°C
39°F / 4°C
18
4:12 AM
10:37 PM
Jun
53°F / 12°C
45°F / 7°C
17
–
–
Jul
56°F / 13°C
48°F / 9°C
16
–
–
Aug
56°F / 13°C
47°F / 8°C
14
5:19 AM
9:41 PM
Sep
51°F / 11°C
43°F / 6°C
18
6:51 AM
7:52 PM
Oct
44°F / 7°C
37°F / 3°C
18
8:18 AM
6:06 PM
Nov
39°F / 4°C
33°F / 1°C
16
9:57 AM
4:25 PM
Dec
35°F / 2°C
27°F / -3°C
17
11:17 AM
3:28 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
💳
Leave the cash — cards rule. Iceland is almost entirely cashless; a contactless card covers everything from museums to that famous hot dog stand.
🧥
Layer for all four seasons. Reykjavik weather flips fast — wind, rain, and sun in one afternoon. Waterproof shell plus warm layers, any time of year.
♨️
Pre-book the Blue Lagoon. It's timed-entry and sells out — reserve a slot in advance or you may not get in on a cruise day.
🌭
Try a pylsur. Bæjarins Beztu's lamb hot dog near the harbour is a cheap, beloved Reykjavik institution — order it 'with everything.'
🚐
The sights are out of town. Downtown is lovely but the geysers, waterfalls, and lagoon are 1–2 hrs away — book a tour or transfer to see Iceland's headline landscapes.
💡
Test it out — tip from Gdr
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ❌ Not available — use taxisUber, Lyft, Grab, and Bolt ride-hailing are not available in Iceland. Local taxi app Hopp offers app-based taxi booking similar to Uber.
🚍 Hop-on Hop-off Bus
City Sightseeing Reykjavik operates a single route with 15-16 stops; buses stop at Skarfabakki cruise terminal. 24-hr ticket ~€39 (~$45 USD).
Skarfabakki terminal offers a complimentary shuttle to downtown Reykjavik with the final stop at Harpa Concert Hall. Check with your cruise line for schedule.
🚌 Paid Cruise Shuttle
€1–2/person
Many cruise lines run shuttles from Sundahöfn terminal to the city center for a small fee. Purchase tickets onboard or at the terminal.
🚕 Taxi
€15–20
Taxis from Sundahöfn to the city center run about €15–20. Reykjavik taxis are metered and reliable but pricey — confirm the fare estimate before departing.
🚌 Public Bus (Route 16)
550 ISK (~€3.50)
Strætó bus Route 16 connects Sundahöfn terminal to the city center. Single 90-minute ticket costs 550 ISK; pay via the Klappið app or onboard.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Reykjavik, Iceland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
