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This summer over 260 cruise ships are expected to visit this Icelandic city, bringing over 300 thousand visitors, a key reason why the port of Reykjavik is so important. Laugavegur, or "the Wash Road," is the hippest shopping street in this compact city. An easy walk from port, the district offers a wide range of designer clothes, artisan wools and housewares. It's also home to an excellent bookstore and several spots for modern, design-driven home goods that bridge the gap between decorative and utilitarian. Built on a lava field and heated with geothermal energy, the famous Blue Lagoon is an easy 45-minute drive from Reykjavik.
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There's plenty to do on dry land as well with cruises to Iceland — relax in a steam room, dine at LAVA Restaurant or shop for skincare products to bring a piece of Iceland home. Among the most visited spots is Blue Lagoon, a naturally heated, open-air spa pool whose mineral-rich waters offer wellness-boosting, relaxing soaks. Just about every cruise line from Marella Cruises to Holland America Line feature Blue Lagoon excursions, so it's generally rather busy. Independent-minded passengers could instead rent a car and head to one of the lesser-known geothermal pools or even try one of Reykjavik's naturally heated public baths. In 2023, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 265 ship calls with estimated ~285,000 passengers (of whom ~90,000 turnaround). This represented a 31% increase over 2022 when were handled 184 ship calls and a total of 170,770 cruisers.
The Best Way To Experience Reykjavik And Its Cruise Port
More than half of Iceland's population lives in Reykjavik (or nearby), in one of the world's smallest capital cities -- some 190,000 people. Cruise ships are increasingly paying calls on Reykjavik from late May to early October, especially during the summer months, when the daylight literally lasts 'round the clock. Visitors and residents alike seem to stay awake, golfing, strolling the compact town's picturesque streets, drinking Gull beer at sidewalk cafes and cycling along the seafront promenade.
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) Becomes First Cruise Company to Establish Shore Power Connection in Iceland - Mynewsdesk
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) Becomes First Cruise Company to Establish Shore Power Connection in Iceland.
Posted: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Harpa Concert Hall
Venture into old Reykjavik to wander along the colorful display of corrugated iron houses along narrow streets. Diverse architecture and quirky street art adorn this creative city, making it one of the most charming sights to enjoy in Reykjavik. The parliament building and a historic cathedral overlook the leafy green square of Austurvöllur, a public garden home to a statue of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of Iceland’s independence movement. During the Christmas season, you can enjoy festive displays here and view the Christmas tree gifted annually from Oslo. Reykjavik offers a wonderful range of things to see, giving you a generous glimpse into the history and culture of this part of the world, from the 19th-century Parliament House to the pretty streets of old Reykjavik.
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At 73 metres tall, it provides stunning panoramic views of Reykjavik and its surrounding natural beauty. Don’t worry if you don’t relish the idea of climbing the numerous stairs; lifts are available. The Reykjavik cruise terminal at Skarfabakki is the newest and can accommodate ships up to 335 metres at its pier. Here, you’ll disembark directly onto the pier, where you’ll find tourist information, currency exchange, restrooms and internet access.
Eskifjordur, Iceland
Perched on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula on the southern shore of Faxa Bay, the southwestern city of Reykjavik offers guests a memorable stay in the North Atlantic. A popular hot dog stand, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, has various locations in the city. The Cruise Liner Visitor center offers computers and is a Wi-Fi hot spot. This iconic sculpture, located near the Miðbakki terminal, represents a dreamboat and an ode to the sun. The terminal's location (in Sundahofn) is convenient as the harbor is just ~3 km / 2 mi from downtown. The glass dome nowadays serves as a 360-degree observation deck, offering magnificent panoramic views of Reykjavik, the surrounding mountains, and the ocean.
Currently, Reykjavik Harbour's turnaround/homeport operations are managed from a small building and tents positioned at a 619-m/2030-ft-long quay. During no-ship days, the new terminal will double as an event space (venue for meetings, conferences, incentives, exhibitions, concerts, etc). Located less than an hour drive from Reykjavik, the site was formed by the collision of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, resulting in a stunning landscape of rocky cliffs and fissures. Þingvellir is also home to the Alþingi, one of the world’s oldest parliamentary assemblies, established in 930 AD. Additionally, the Áróra Northern Lights Planetarium and the Glaciers and Ice Cave exhibition provide immersive experiences.
The cruise terminal outside the city center offers little to see or do, but cruise lines typically offer a free shuttle service to and from town (a 10-minute ride). Though central Old Harbour can accommodate smaller ships from such lines as Noble Caledonia and Silversea Cruises, most lines dock some 3km to the east at one of the main cruise port's six berths. Shuttles are generally provided for those who don't fancy the 40-minute walk into town. Also extremely popular is the Golden Circle touring itinerary that takes in three of Iceland's most awe-inspiring natural attractions. Thingvellir National Park's rift valley, mighty Gullfoss waterfall and the water spout at Geysir (which lends its name to all the world's geysers) lie close to one another about an hour from the city.
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Located only 50 km/31 miles (a 45-minute drive) southwest of Reykjavik, this world-famous geothermal spa offers a unique bathing experience in mineral-rich waters heated by Earth’s forces. Here you can witness the thrilling eruptions of the active geysers, including the famous Strokkur, which erupts approximately every 5-10 minutes, shooting hot water high into the air. When looking for what to do in Reykjavik cruise port, one of the best activities is simply exploring the three main streets in the city centre, Laugavegur, Bankastræti, and Skólavörðustígur. Smaller vessels dock in the heart of town in the Old Harbour, but most ships use the Skarfabakki cruise terminal, which is roughly 2 miles from the town center. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link.
We’ll answer questions such as where do cruise ships dock in Reykjavik, how to get to Reykjavik from the cruise port and what to do in Reykjavik on port days. With its widespread lava fields, massive glaciers, deep fjords, lush lowlands and high plains, Iceland is a haven for geology and nature lovers. The most popular tours visit the Golden Waterfall, the Strokkur Geyser, Thingvellir National Park, the Blue Lagoon and The Pearl, a domed building offering exceptional views of the city.
Originally built as hot water storage tanks, the structure was transformed into a multi-purpose complex and is known for its imposing mirrored glass dome and outstanding architecture. Surrounded on three sides by the sea, this enchanting island country captivates with its surreal beauty, from cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers to the vibrant city vibes of Reykjavik. Designed to look like a Viking long-ship while representing dreams of hope, progress and freedom, the 18-metre-long, stainless steel sculpture shimmers in the sunlight and looks spectacular against its ocean backdrop. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
Nearby is regularly spouting Geysir, a thermal spring from which all hot springs have taken their name. Port Reykjavik cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Reykjavik, Iceland.
Huge increase in scheduled arrivals of Cruise Ships next summer - Iceland Monitor
Huge increase in scheduled arrivals of Cruise Ships next summer.
Posted: Thu, 11 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The significant growth was predominantly from turnaround operations/roundtrip itineraries leaving from and ending in Reykjavik. In October 2023, the Port announced plans for building a new cruise terminal (at Sundahofn), with construction works slated to start in 2023-Q3. One of the best activities by Reykjavik cruise port is to visit the tower.
The interior is raw and unspoiled like a geography lesson brought to life, while whale and dolphin encounters await offshore. To take in some impressive architecture, head to the Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country at 244.4 feet high. Known as “the church on the hill,” this building features distinct curved wings alongside a tower-like exterior. An operating parish church, you can explore the grounds and perhaps hear the sound of organs.
Harpa’s striking glass facade, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson and Danish firm, Henning Larsen Architects, reflects Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and captures the ever-changing natural light. Nestled on the city’s waterfront, the award-winning Harpa Concert Hall stands as a testament to Iceland’s dedication to the arts. Named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, the cathedral features a distinctive tower that you can climb via the elevator.
Skarfabakki Harbour is located approximately 45 minutes from Keflavík International Airport. Nonstop flights to Reykjavik take up to three hours with the likes of Icelandair (from Manchester, London and Glasgow), easyJet fly (from London and Manchester) and British Airways (from London). Iceland’s national spirit is Brennivín, also referred to as “black death,” which is produced by only one distillery in Iceland.
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