Reykjavík is a small, colourful capital that serves as the base for Iceland's raw landscapes — erupting geysers, thundering waterfalls, geothermal lagoons and lava fields. Most of the headline sights are outside the city, so plan your day with care.
Large ships dock at Skarfabakki in Sundahöfn harbour, about 3 km east of downtown. Smaller ships use the Old Harbour right in the centre.
Skarfabakki has a terminal building with tour desks; the Old Harbour is walkable to everything.
Shuttles run from Skarfabakki to downtown (often to the Harpa concert hall); it's about a 35-minute walk.
The Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon and south-coast waterfalls are 45 minutes to 2+ hours away.
Two harbour areas.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most large ships | Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn) | 📍 Docked |
| Smaller / expedition ships | Old Harbour (Miðbakki) | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
✈️ Airport: Keflavík International (KEF) — about 45–50 min
🚐 Getting to the ship: Flybus or private transfer; Blue Lagoon combos possible.
🏨 Where to stay: Downtown Reykjavík near Laugavegur.
Starting your cruise here? Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises and Seabourn sail from Reykjavík; the other lines below visit on their itineraries. Tap one to see current sailings.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Reykjavík.
Þingvellir National Park's rift valley, the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall.
Find tours →Milky-blue geothermal water in a lava field near the airport. Timed entry — pre-book.
Find tours →Minke and humpback whales, dolphins and (in summer) puffins from the Old Harbour.
Find tours →Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the black sands of Reynisfjara.
Find tours →Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
The Harpa concert hall, Sun Voyager sculpture, the rainbow street of Skólavörðustígur and the tower of Hallgrímskirkja.
Around the city pond, City Hall and Austurvöllur square by Parliament.
Best time: June–August. Cool, 12–15°C / 54–59°F; nearly 24-hour daylight in June.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F / 2°C | 27°F / -3°C | 17 |
| Feb | 37°F / 3°C | 28°F / -2°C | 15 |
| Mar | 37°F / 3°C | 28°F / -2°C | 17 |
| Apr | 43°F / 6°C | 34°F / 1°C | 15 |
| May | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 13 |
| Jun ⭐ | 54°F / 12°C | 45°F / 7°C | 13 |
| Jul ⭐ | 57°F / 14°C | 48°F / 9°C | 13 |
| Aug ⭐ | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 14 |
| Sep | 52°F / 11°C | 43°F / 6°C | 16 |
| Oct | 45°F / 7°C | 36°F / 2°C | 17 |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C | 30°F / -1°C | 16 |
| Dec | 37°F / 3°C | 27°F / -3°C | 17 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
Skarfabakki to downtown (Harpa).
Metered; Iceland is expensive.
Pay with Klapp app or contactless.
Stops at Skarfabakki.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Reykjavík.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Golden Circle waterfalls, geysers and the Blue Lagoon.
Perlan is a documented wheelchair-accessible indoor viewpoint, but its location on Öskjuhlíð makes transport planning different from a downtown waterfront stroll.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Lifts and adapted access documented
Perlan describes two lifts serving its floors, wheelchair access to the ice cave and planetarium, and adapted parking near the entrance. Confirm any device-specific requirements for the attraction mix you book.
Viewpoint without an outdoor hill walk
The operator identifies the observation platform as accessible. Reykjavík tourism also lists the museum as wheelchair accessible and notes its hilltop setting; arrange vehicle access instead of treating the downtown walking estimate as an accessible route.
Planning suggestion: Plan an adapted terminal transfer to Perlan and an indoor visit with the observation deck, adjusting to current weather.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
Plans stay in this browser when storage is available. Email opens your own mail app; nothing is submitted automatically.
Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
