Reykjavík Cruise Port - One Day On Your Own - See Reykjavík's Top Attractions Without a Tour

Read the full cruise port guide: https://www.nowgoseeit.com/blog/cruise-port-reykjavik-iceland Watch the full cruise vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Hr8kE0shYkcEpEWbPJuWyro_yfvhtcm Today we’re in Reykjavík, Iceland—our final cruise port and one of the rare ones where you get a full day and overnight before disembarkation. That means extra time to explore, eat hot dogs with everything, browse quirky museums, shop for wool things you don’t need, and battle unpredictable Icelandic weather. In this video, we’re breaking down exactly how to make the most of your time here from the cruise port. This is part Reykjavík city guide, part cruise logistics breakdown, and part reality check about what happens when you try to use an umbrella in Iceland. We cover how to get from the ship to the city, what’s worth seeing on foot, and how to avoid getting stuck at Harpa when the last shuttle leaves at 6 PM. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO: – Where your cruise ship will likely dock (Skarfabakki pier) – How to use the free yellow “Cruise Shuttle” into town – What to expect inside the secure port area – Where to find tour vendors if you didn’t pre-book – Why you shouldn’t depend on the shuttle after 6 PM – What kind of weather to prepare for (hint: rain + wind = chaos) – Where to eat, shop, and explore on foot – The price of bathrooms, hot dogs, and museum entry – How to get to KEF airport the next morning without panic PLACES WE VISITED: HARPA CONCERT HALL Glass-paneled architecture on the waterfront. Free to enter, but bathrooms cost about $2.40 USD (card only). Worth a look even if you're just trying to escape the wind. HOUSE OF COLLECTIONS Part of the National Gallery of Iceland, housed in a historic 1908 building. Current exhibitions include “Resistance” and “Stay and Turn to Stone!” Admission is around $20 USD. A thoughtful, weird, and unexpectedly great stop. TJÖRNIN (THE POND) A scenic city lake with birds, joggers, and moody weather. We had to cut our visit short when it felt like we walked into the opening scene of an Icelandic crime drama. REYKJAVÍK CITY HALL Strange architecture, free restrooms, and home to a giant 3D relief map of Iceland. INGÓLFSTORG SQUARE Shops, bars, restaurants, and more souvenir puffin gear than you could ever need. Also where the locals go out late—because in summer, it never gets dark. REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM Contemporary art from Icelandic artists. Our visit included video installations and minimalist pieces with intense descriptions. Small but interesting. BÆJARINS BEZTU PYLSUR The famous hot dog stand. Order “eina með öllu” (with everything) and eat it standing up like everyone else. Made mostly with lamb, topped with crispy and raw onions, ketchup, mustard, and remoulade. THE PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM Yes, it’s a penis museum. Yes, it costs nearly $30 USD. No, we didn’t go in—but you might. SKÓLAVÖRÐUSTÍGUR (RAINBOW STREET) Colorful street lined with shops and cafés leading up to Hallgrímskirkja. Candy stores, wool shops, and Christmas ornaments in June. You’ll probably buy something and immediately wonder why. HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA Reykjavík’s iconic church. The interior is minimalist and peaceful. Take the elevator to the top for panoramic views—just be ready for the bells. We were standing right next to them when they rang. It was so loud it felt like being punched in the soul by a sound wave. LAUGAVEGUR Main shopping street filled with fashion boutiques, lava jewelry, souvenir shops, bookstores, and overpriced licorice. Quirky, fun, and very Reykjavík. MARINA DISTRICT Where you’ll find: – Saga Museum (wax figures) – Maritime Museum – FlyOver Iceland (motion ride) – Whales of Iceland (life-sized models) – The Lava Show (real molten lava) – Þúfa (grassy hill with fish-drying hut) EXCURSIONS Bookable from the port or marina. Options include whale watching, puffin tours, fishing trips, segways, bikes, and Northern Lights tours (late August to mid-April). SUN VOYAGER SCULPTURE Viking ship-shaped art piece on the waterfront. Classic photo stop. GETTING TO THE AIRPORT KEF airport is about 30 miles from the port. We pre-booked a taxi for about $40 USD per person. There were no walk-up taxis available the morning we disembarked. Seriously—book ahead. For more on what we saw, what we skipped, and what we’d do differently, read our full blog post: https://www.nowgoseeit.com/blog/cruise-port-reykjavik-iceland Want more port vlogs? Watch our full Iceland and Norway cruise series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Hr8kE0shYkcEpEWbPJuWyro_yfvhtcm Follow us for more real-world travel tips, behind-the-scenes clips, and destination ideas: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowgoseeit X (formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/nowgoseeit Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nowgoseeit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nowgoseeit Subscribe to @nowgoseeit for more cruise port guides and travel videos from around the world. Now Go See Reykjavík.