Reykjavik, Iceland cruise port guide
Reykjavík is mirrored in the waters of its bay, as you can see when your cruise ship sets anchor in the port. The quays along the seafront host a variety of shops, live music clubs and cafés. Take a stroll down Frakkastigur up to Lækjartorg, to admire the Sólfar, also known as the Sun Voyager, a large modern steelsculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason, that represents a Viking vessel, with the bow pointing towards the north. Go back in history as you reach the historic centre, in the districts of Aðalstræti and Suðurgata, where you can still see the remains of some primitive Icelandic dwellings. Also the church of Hallgrímur, probably the most important architectural monument in Reykjavik, is worth a visit. As you will discover during your MSC cruise of Northern Europe, geothermal energy positively conditions the life of the entire country and there is an abundance of spas. Don’t miss an excursion to the Þingvellir national park, in the south west region of the island, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004. On the northern shores of the Þingvallavatn, the largest Icelandic lake, the Öxará river forms the Öxaráfoss waterfall in the vicinity of Almannagjá, the largest cleft in this land. If you like waterfalls, you should not miss a visit to Gullfoss, in the south east of the island: the river Hvítá here drops down 11 and then 21 metres forming the queen of all Icelandic waterfalls and then continues along a narrow gorge in the plateau. In this area we also find the Strokkur, the only geyser that regularly erupts every 4-8 minutes. Then proceed to Geysir, in the Haukadalur valley, the oldest known geyser, from which the term originates. Its eruptions spray boiling water up to 60 metres into the air, but often reach higher than 100 metres: it is the tallest of the active geysers.
About Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland, the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state at latitude 64°N. A city of 135,000 residents set on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay and ringed by mountains and geothermal terrain, it serves as both a major port of call and the primary cruise homeport in Iceland. The city is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, volcanic landscapes, midnight sun in summer, and northern lights in winter.
The Golden Circle—the 300 km circuit visiting Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss—is Iceland's defining day excursion and accessible year-round. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa 50 km from Reykjavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula is the country's most-visited single attraction, requiring advance booking during summer. Within the city, the Hallgrímskirkja church offers an observation tower with panoramic views, while the Harbor House Museum (Hafnarhús) and National Museum anchor the cultural offer. The old harbor has developed into a dining and whale-watching hub. Whale watching tours from the old harbor are highly productive in summer, frequently encountering minke whales and white-beaked dolphins.
Quick facts
Cruises visiting Reykjavik, Iceland
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Lands of The Midnight Sun
Star Pride · Scandinavia · 11 nights
from $3,639
$330 / night
Endless Days Of The North Sea & Iceland
Star Pride · Scandinavia · 18 nights
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Discovering Iceland & the British Isles
Borealis · United Kingdom · 13 nights
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Southeast Greenland - Reykjavík to Reykjavík
National Geographic Resolution · Polar Regions · 9 nights
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Iceland Majestic Landscapes - Reykjavik to Bergen
Viking Mira · Polar Regions · 12 nights
from $7,799
$649 / night
Iceland & Norway
Sky Princess · Europe · 14 nights
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