Reykjavík

Reykjavík

Iceland

Witness geysers erupting in raw geothermal splendor and soak in steaming hot springs surrounded by otherworldly lava landscapes.

💱 Currency Icelandic Króna (ISK)
🗣 Language Icelandic
🕐 Time Zone GMT (UTC+0)
☀️ Best Time to Visit May–Sep
🚢 Typical Duration 7-16 nights
💰 Price Range From $50 pp
Port Type Departure & Port of Call
🚤 Tender Port No

Gateway to Iceland's dramatic landscapes, offering access to glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, and the Golden Circle, with excellent opportunities for Northern Lights viewing and Arctic exploration.

Cruises that visit Reykjavík

Build Your Day in Reykjavík

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
🛳 Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Blue Lagoon I spent around 6 hours and could have stayed longer without getting bored. Thermal baths · ★ 4.6 · 32k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu
Hallgrimskirkja One of the many free things to do in Iceland. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 28k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Thingvellir National Park Easy to walk to all different points and an entirely enjoyable experience. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 24k
Perlan The interactive experiences are stunning, immersive and very engaging. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 11k 🕐 Closes soon · 9 PM
Sun Voyager You can sit there for hours and never get bored. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 10k
Sky Lagoon The seven step ritual is a fun twist on the living experience. Thermal baths · ★ 4.7 · 9k
Icelandic Street Food Good atmosphere, attentive staff, delicious food, loved it!! Icelandic · ★ 4.6 · 7k
FlyOver Iceland The virtual reality was realistic, and the fly was fun. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 5k 🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu
Íslenski Barinn - The Icelandic Bar I had the smoked (cured) lamb on flatbread plus a delicious reindeer burger. Icelandic · ★ 4.7 · 5k
Lava Show Educational, entertaining, and a wonderful break from the rain! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 5k 🕐 Closes soon · 9 PM
National Museum of Iceland Activities area for kids to write, colour,dress up, play chess & read. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 4k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street We even got an earthquake and an active volcano out by the airport. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 4k
Lebowski Bar It is cool and busy, tastefully decorated, good music (live DJ). Bar · ★ 4.5 · 4k
101 Reykjavik Street Food The food, service and atmosphere were all great! Icelandic · ★ 4.5 · 3k
Whales of Iceland There’s a kid corner with play area, coloring books and small playground. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Kringlan Big, fresh, good parking, lot of stores Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 3k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Old Iceland The food was excellent and the cocktails were killer. Icelandic · ★ 4.8 · 3k
Grillmarkaðurinn Awesome menu, with unique food, perfectly prepared, and great atmosphere. Icelandic · ★ 4.6 · 3k 🕐 Closes soon · 9:30 PM
Kolaportið Market Eclectic mix of stuff, not any cheaper than buying in regular stores. Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM Sat
Reykjavík Kitchen A wonderful spot with terrific food, good drinks, and excellent service. Icelandic · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Sjávargrillið This restaurant was gorgeous.. had the best food, drinks and service! Icelandic · ★ 4.7 · 2k 🕐 Closes soon · 9:30 PM
Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center Great experience with VR and a lot of great interactive exhibits. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Smáralind It has a lot of name brand stores as well as quite a few eating places Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 2k 🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu
The Settlement Exhibition Interactive, interesting displays with soundscape. Local history museum · ★ 4.4 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Le KocK Great food, great atmosphere, and great service, would definitely come back! Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Árbær Open Air Museum Nice open air museum with some really interesting houses and decorations. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 1 PM Thu
Matarkjallarinn Excellent food, very friendly service, and a very relaxing atmosphere. Icelandic · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Ingólfstorg Christmas lights, ice skating, Cafe stands, and nice atmosphere. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k
Reykjavík Maritime Museum Well curated museum and lots of interactive activities for younger people. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 1k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Skál! Wonderful menu, great food & drink and the service was spot on! Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
LEMMY Very cool atmosphere, good beers, but most importantly perfect music Bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Skúli Craft bar Nice bartender, atmosphere, music choice, and location! Bar · ★ 4.6 · 1k
Einstök Bar Lovely ambience, super clean, excellent bartender customer friendly service. Bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Icewear Magasin Excellent merchandises, friendly and helpful staff! Outdoor clothing and equipment shop · ★ 4.4 · 0k 🕐 Closes soon · 9 PM
Jungle Cocktail Bar Great drinks, amazing atmosphere, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
The Unknown Bureaucrat And you can watch and feed the ducks and swans in the pond. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Viking Cow Life-changing experience well worth the trek across the city. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Kirsuberjatréð Friendly staff, and nice to see some of the handmade items. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Spúútnik Reykjavik First store I found and bought northern clothes for a fair price. Vintage clothing store · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Bingo Drinkery Killer espresso martini and relaxed vibe - complete with darts. Bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Litli Barinn The drinks are amazing, and the servers are helpful without being intrusive. Bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Drykk Bar Delicious and super creative cocktails, made by an awesome bartender! Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Eiðistorg Shopping Mall It’s convenient and has a bit of everything needed in a super market. Shopping mall · ★ 3.8 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Kokteilbarinn Amazing drinks, beautiful interior, lovely service. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Daisy Cocktail Bar Fantastic drinks, great decor/vibes, and fabulous staff. Cocktail bar · ★ 5 · 0k
Shopicelandic Very good value and a huge selection. Souvenir store · ★ 4 · 0k 🕐 Closes soon · 9 PM
Holtagarðar - Shopping Center Basic shopping spot (bonus) and some other stores in 2 floors, gym Shopping mall · ★ 4.4 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu
Thorvaldsens Bazar Items here were locally made and detailed with lots of options. Boutique · ★ 4.3 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Reykjavík is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Reykjavík

About Reykjavík

Reykjavík stands as one of Northern Europe's most vibrant cruise hubs, welcoming travelers aboard ships from 20 major cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises. With 444 upcoming cruises and a robust schedule year-round, this Icelandic capital serves as both an embarkation port for new adventures and a compelling port of call. Most cruises departing from here span seven nights, taking passengers to dramatic destinations like Akureyri, Isafjørdur, and the remote Seydisfjørdur, with peak season running from May through September.

What makes Reykjavík particularly special is the blend of urban exploration and raw natural beauty waiting just beyond the port. Cruise passengers can wander the colorful streets and vibrant culture of Iceland's charming capital, or venture out to witness some of the world's most spectacular landscapes, from powerful waterfalls to otherworldly geothermal areas. Whether you're embarking on an Arctic expedition or enjoying a brief port visit, Reykjavík offers an unforgettable introduction to Iceland's unique character.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Hallgrímskirkja Church & City Views

Ascend Iceland's most iconic church to panoramic vistas of Reykjavík's colorful rooftops and harbor. This striking modernist landmark, inspired by basalt columns, dominates the skyline and offers unmatched photo opportunities. The elevator ride takes just minutes from the Old Harbor area, making it perfect for time-conscious cruise passengers.

2

Fresh Seafood at Old Harbor

Savor Iceland's finest catch at harborside restaurants in the charming Old Harbor district. Try traditional fish soup, Arctic char, or the famous Icelandic langoustine while watching fishing boats and cruise ships pass by. This walkable waterfront neighborhood buzzes with local energy and authentic Nordic cuisine.

3

Golden Circle Day Trip Wonders

Experience three natural marvels in one excursion: Þingvellir National Park's tectonic rift, Geysir's erupting hot springs, and Gullfoss's thundering waterfall. These UNESCO-worthy sites lie just 50 kilometers from port, offering Iceland's most dramatic landscapes in a single, unforgettable journey accessible via organized shore excursions.

4

Laugavegur Street Shopping & Culture

Stroll Reykjavík's vibrant main shopping street, lined with Icelandic boutiques, galleries, and design shops showcasing local wool sweaters, jewelry, and crafts. This pedestrian-friendly avenue captures the city's creative spirit and connects to charming cafés perfect for sampling Icelandic coffee and pastries between purchases.

5

Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa

Immerse yourself in milky-blue mineral-rich waters at this world-famous geothermal resort, just 45 minutes from the cruise port. The surreal landscape of steaming pools surrounded by black lava fields offers ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation—a quintessentially Icelandic wellness experience you won't find anywhere else.

Cruise Lines at Reykjavík

Cruises Departing From Reykjavík

Cruises Visiting Reykjavík

Ship Schedule at Reykjavík

Reykjavík Location

Other Cruise Ports in Iceland

Frequently Asked Questions

What cruise lines sail from Reykjavík, Iceland?

Reykjavík is served by 20 major cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn, Holland America Line, PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, MSC Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Explora Journeys, HX Expeditions, Swan Hellenic, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Poseidon Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Virgin Voyages, Carnival Cruise Line, Polar Latitudes Expeditions, and Adventure Canada. With 444 upcoming cruises, you'll have excellent options for both ocean and expedition voyages.

When is the best time to cruise from Reykjavík?

The peak cruise season in Reykjavík runs from May through September, with July and August being the busiest months. June, July, August, and September offer the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, making them ideal for exploring Iceland's natural attractions. May is also an excellent shoulder season month with fewer crowds and pleasant conditions.

How much do cruises from Reykjavík cost?

Cruise prices from Reykjavík range from $943.50 to $91,949 per person, depending on the cruise line, ship type, itinerary length, and cabin category. Budget-friendly options are available through mainstream cruise lines, while luxury expedition cruises command premium pricing. Early booking and shoulder season travel can help secure better rates.

What are the top destinations from Reykjavík cruises?

Popular ports of call from Reykjavík include Isafjørdur, Akureyri, Heimaey Island, Seydisfjørdur, and Kangerlussuaq Havn. These destinations showcase Iceland's dramatic fjords, volcanic landscapes, and Arctic wildlife. Many cruises combine visits to multiple ports to provide a comprehensive Icelandic experience.

How do I get from Reykjavík port to the city center?

Reykjavík's cruise port is conveniently located just 2-3 kilometers from the city center, making it easily accessible by taxi, shuttle bus, or a 20-30 minute walk. Most cruise lines offer organized shore excursions, or you can arrange private transportation. Taxis are readily available at the port, and many visitors choose to explore the compact city center on foot.

What can I see and do in Reykjavík during a port day?

Reykjavík offers excellent attractions within walking distance or a short drive, including the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, the National Museum, and vibrant local restaurants and shops. The city's compact size makes it perfect for a day visit, and you can easily combine cultural exploration with natural wonders like nearby waterfalls and hot springs.

Is Reykjavík an embarkation port or a port of call?

Reykjavík functions as both an embarkation port and a port of call, offering flexibility for cruise itineraries. Many cruises begin or end in Reykjavík, while others include it as a destination within a larger Northern European or Arctic voyage. This dual role makes it a hub for exploring Iceland and the surrounding North Atlantic region.