Reykjavik Cruise Port Guide (Iceland)
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and one of the easiest cruise ports in the country to explore independently.
The city center is compact and walkable, although most larger cruise ships dock a short drive away, with shuttle buses usually running into town.
I visited Reykjavik on a cruise and spent part of the day exploring the city before heading out on a Golden Circle tour.
In this Reykjavik cruise port guide, I’ll explain where cruise ships dock, how to get around, and the main things to do during a cruise stop, including the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon.
Where Cruise Ships Dock in Reykjavik
Cruise ships in Reykjavik usually dock at one of three main locations: Skarfabakki, Kornagarður, or Miðbakki.
Skarfabakki
Skarfabakki is the main cruise terminal for large ships.
It is located in the Sundahöfn harbour area, about 4 km from downtown Reykjavik.
This is not the most convenient location for walking straight into town, but it is well set up for cruise passengers, with shuttle buses, taxis, tour pickups, and car rental options nearby.
Kornagarður
Kornagarður is close to Skarfabakki and is often used when multiple ships are in port.
For passengers, the logistics are similar.
You should expect to use a shuttle, taxi, tour pickup, or public bus rather than walk into the city.
Miðbakki
Miðbakki is the most convenient berth for independent visitors.
It is located in the Old Harbour, close to Harpa Concert Hall, the waterfront, shops, museums, and the main downtown streets.
If your ship docks here, you can start exploring Reykjavik on foot almost immediately.
Can You Explore Reykjavik on Your Own?
Yes — Reykjavik is very easy to explore independently.
If your ship docks at Miðbakki, you can walk straight into the city.
From Skarfabakki or Kornagarður, you’ll first need a shuttle, taxi, or public bus to downtown.
Once there, the main sights are all within walking distance.
If you plan to visit places outside the city, like the Golden Circle or Blue Lagoon, a tour is usually the better option on a cruise day.
Getting Around from Reykjavik Cruise Port
Walking from the Port
Walking works best if your ship docks at Miðbakki in the Old Harbour.
From there, you can reach Harpa, the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and several museums without transport.
From Skarfabakki or Kornagarður, walking into the city is possible but not ideal for most cruise passengers.
Shuttle Buses to the City Center
When ships dock at Skarfabakki or Kornagarður, free shuttle buses are usually provided by the cruise line or port authorities.
- The drop-off point is typically near Harpa Concert Hall
- From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the main shopping street
- Shuttle rides take around 10 minutes each way, and buses run as they fill up.
This is the most convenient option for most cruisers.
Public Buses
Reykjavik has a public bus system, and bus 16 serves the Skarfabakki area.
This can work if you are comfortable using local transport, but for a short cruise stop, it is not always the simplest option.
Taxis and Private Transfers
Taxis are reliable but expensive in Reykjavik.
They are useful if you are traveling with luggage, have limited mobility, or need a direct transfer.
Private transfers can also make sense for families or small groups, especially if you are going from the cruise port to the airport, Blue Lagoon, or a hotel.
Car Rentals
Renting a car works well if you have a long port stop and feel comfortable driving in Iceland.
Roads around Reykjavik and the Golden Circle are generally easy to follow, but on a cruise day, timing is important.
I’d only do this with good weather and a clear plan for the day.
Shore Excursions from Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a great base for excursions, especially if you want to see Iceland’s landscapes beyond the city.
The Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, whale watching, and South Coast tours are all popular choices, depending on how much time you have in port.
I booked my Golden Circle tour via Viator during my cruise stop, and the whole day went very smoothly.
👉 Explore Reykjavik shore excursions with Viator and GetYourGuide, two reliable platforms for cruisers.
🎥 Watch my YouTube video covering the Reykjavik cruise port, city highlights, and my Golden Circle tour.
How Much Time You Need in Reykjavik
- 4–5 hours: Enough time to explore central Reykjavik, including Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, the Old Harbour, and the waterfront.
- 6–8 hours: You can stay in the city or fit in a shorter excursion like whale watching or the Blue Lagoon.
- 8–10+ hours: Enough time for a Golden Circle tour. I did this during my cruise stop and still returned comfortably before all-aboard.
- Overnight stay: You can combine Reykjavik with longer tours, museums, the Blue Lagoon, or northern lights tours in winter.
What to Do in Reykjavik Cruise Port
These are the main things to do in Reykjavik from a cruise ship, starting with the easiest city plan, then the major excursions that cruisers usually compare.
Explore Reykjavik City Center on Foot
If you do not book a tour, this is the easiest and most flexible way to spend your port day.
It works especially well if your ship docks at Miðbakki or if your shuttle drops you near Harpa.
Reykjavik’s city center is compact and easy to understand.
The city developed around its harbour, and today most of the main visitor areas sit between the waterfront, Old Harbour, and the main shopping streets.
You can comfortably see:
- Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik’s modern glass waterfront concert venue.
- Laugavegur and Bankastræti, the main streets for shops, cafés, and souvenirs.
- Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s famous church inspired by Icelandic basalt lava formations.
- The Old Harbour, a relaxed waterfront area with boats, cafés, and tour departures.
- The Sun Voyager, a well-known sculpture facing the sea and mountains.
Allow about 2–3 hours for a relaxed walk, more if you stop for lunch or go up the Hallgrímskirkja tower.
👉 Explore Reykjavik walking tours and local activities
Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmark and one of the best viewpoints in the city.
The church was completed in 1986 and its design was inspired by Iceland’s volcanic basalt columns.
It sits slightly uphill from the main shopping streets, so allow an extra 10 minutes for the walk.
Inside, the church is simple and bright, with a large pipe organ and a calm atmosphere.
The main reason to visit is the tower.
From the top, you get wide views over Reykjavik’s colorful rooftops, the harbour, the coastline, and the mountains beyond the city.
This is a good stop if you want a classic Reykjavik photo and a clear view of how the city sits between sea and mountains.
👉 Explore Hallgrímskirkja tours and activities
Walk the Waterfront and Old Harbour
The waterfront is one of the nicest areas to explore on foot and fits naturally into a short cruise stop.
It connects Harpa, the Sun Voyager, and the Old Harbour, all within an easy walk.
The Old Harbour was once the center of Reykjavik’s fishing industry and is still active today, with boats, whale-watching tours, cafés, and walking paths along the water.
You’ll also pass the Sun Voyager, one of Reykjavik’s most photographed landmarks, inspired by the idea of exploration and Viking history.
👉 Explore waterfront walks and harbour-area activities
Take a Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle is the most popular full-day excursion from Reykjavik and one of the main reasons many cruisers choose a tour here.
The route usually includes Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
Þingvellir is important because Iceland’s early parliament was founded there in 930 AD, and it also sits where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
At Geysir, most tours stop to see Strokkur, a geyser that erupts every few minutes.
Gullfoss is a powerful two-tiered waterfall and one of Iceland’s most famous natural sights.
Most Golden Circle tours take around 6–8 hours.
I booked mine through Viator and met the tour near Harpa, which worked well after taking the cruise shuttle into town.
We returned with enough time before all-aboard, which is exactly what you want on a long excursion day.
💡 If you want a more detailed look at the day, including timing tips, photos, and how the tour worked during a cruise stop, you can read my full Golden Circle tour review.
You can also check the exact Golden Circle tour I booked through Viator in Reykjavik.
👉 See Golden Circle shore excursions from Reykjavik
Relax at the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous places, but it requires more planning than a city walk.
It is located about 50 km from Reykjavik, in a lava field near Keflavik.
The lagoon is known for its warm, milky-blue geothermal water and silica-rich surroundings.
It is more of a relaxing spa experience than a sightseeing stop.
For a cruise day, the main issue is timing.
Tickets have fixed entry times, and you need transport both ways.
It can work well with a long port stop or on embarkation/disembarkation day if your flight schedule allows it.
I would not try to squeeze it in casually without pre-booked transport.
👉 Browse Blue Lagoon transfers and cruise-friendly tours
Go Whale Watching from Reykjavik
Whale-watching tours depart directly from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, so it’s easy to fit into a cruise day.
Most tours last around 2–3 hours, and depending on the season, you may spot minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, or porpoises.
Sightings are never guaranteed, but Reykjavik is one of Iceland’s most popular whale-watching locations.
This is a good option if you want to experience Icelandic nature without spending the whole day outside the city.
👉 Check whale-watching tours from Reykjavik Old Harbour
Visit Perlan if You Have Extra Time
Perlan is a modern museum and observation deck located on Öskjuhlíð hill, about a 10–15 minute drive from the cruise port.
It’s best known for its glass dome and panoramic views over Reykjavik.
Inside, the exhibitions focus on Iceland’s nature, including glaciers, volcanoes, and the northern lights.
It’s a good option if the weather is poor or you want to learn more about the country without leaving the city.
Should You Book a Shore Excursion in Reykjavik?
Book a shore excursion if you want to see Iceland’s famous landscapes beyond the city.
The Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and South Coast all require transport and careful timing on a cruise day.
If you mainly want to explore Reykjavik itself, doing it on your own works very well.
Personally, I’d recommend staying in the city for a shorter stop and booking a tour if this is your only chance to experience Iceland’s waterfalls, geysers, and volcanic landscapes.
Practical Tips for Cruise Visitors
- Iceland uses the Icelandic króna (ISK).
- Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket, even in summer.
- Comfortable walking shoes are useful for uneven sidewalks and uphill streets.
- Reykjavik weather can change quickly, especially on longer excursion days.
- Harpa Concert Hall is a convenient meeting point in the city center.
- Reykjavik is expensive, especially for food, taxis, and tours.
Is It Worth Staying in Reykjavik?
Yes — Reykjavik works very well for an independent cruise day, especially on shorter port stops.
But if this is your first time in Iceland and you have a full day in port, I’d seriously consider a Golden Circle tour.
Reykjavik is enjoyable, but Iceland’s landscapes are what most people remember most.
FAQ
❓ Where do cruise ships dock in Reykjavik?
Cruise ships usually dock at Skarfabakki, Kornagarður, or Miðbakki. Large ships normally use Skarfabakki or Kornagarður, while smaller ships may dock at Miðbakki in the Old Harbour.
❓ Can you walk from the Reykjavik cruise port to the city center?
It depends where your ship docks. Miðbakki is walkable from the ship. Skarfabakki and Kornagarður are about 4 km from the city center, so most cruisers use a shuttle, taxi, bus, or tour transfer.
❓ How far is Reykjavik cruise port from downtown?
Skarfabakki and Kornagarður are about 4 km from downtown Reykjavik. The drive usually takes around 10–15 minutes. Miðbakki is already in the Old Harbour area.
❓ Are there shuttle buses from Reykjavik cruise port?
Shuttle buses often run between Skarfabakki or Kornagarður and the city center, usually dropping passengers near Harpa Concert Hall. Always check onboard or at the terminal on your cruise day.
❓ Can you do the Golden Circle from Reykjavik cruise port?
Yes, the Golden Circle is one of the most popular shore excursions from Reykjavik. Most tours take around 6–8 hours, so it works best with a full port day.
❓ Is the Blue Lagoon worth it on a cruise day?
Yes, but timing matters. The Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik and requires advance booking with a fixed entry time. It is easiest with an organized transfer.
❓ What is the best thing to do in Reykjavik on a short cruise stop?
For a short stop, stay in the city center. Walk from Harpa to the waterfront, Old Harbour, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja.
Helpful Resources
- Port of Reykjavik – Official port information, terminals, and cruise operations
- Visit Reykjavik – City maps, attractions, and seasonal updates
- Strætó – Reykjavik public bus routes and schedules
- Vedur – Iceland’s official weather forecasts (very useful before excursions)
- Golden Circle guide and itinerary — useful for planning stops and timing from Reykjavik.
Ports Often Included with Reykjavik
- Akureyri – North Iceland highlights and excursions
- Ísafjörður – Westfjords scenery and quiet town walks
- Seyðisfjörður – Scenic fjord arrival and walkable center
- Djúpivogur – Small port with easy exploration
- Lerwick – Shetland Islands, walkable town & coastal views
- South Queensferry – Gateway to Edinburgh and its top sights
- Invergordon – Scottish Highlands and loch excursions
- Amsterdam – Homeport and easy DIY city exploration
- Southampton – Major UK homeport with London access
Planning more cruises? You can browse all my regional cruise port guides here: Mediterranean • Caribbean • Northern Europe • USA & Canada • Australia & New Zealand • Middle East
