Reykjavík Shore Excursions

Across Iceland — laws, safety & health

National rules and risks that apply anywhere in Iceland — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.

Laws that catch visitors out

• Illegal drugs, even small amounts (including cannabis and khat), carry severe penalties — lengthy imprisonment and substantial fines.
• It is illegal to smoke or use e-cigarettes in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings — you could be fined.
• Drink-driving limits are stricter than the UK; riding a scooter after drinking is treated the same as drink-driving a car.
• Off-road driving is strictly controlled and illegal — check the Icelandic Road Administration before leaving marked roads.

Drones

Drone flying in Iceland follows the common EU/EEA rules (EASA — Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Open category). You must register as a drone operator before flying any drone that has a camera and is not a toy; a single registration is recognised across the EU/EEA. Label the drone with your operator ID, keep within the Open-category limits (subcategories A1/A2/A3), and check the national “geographical zones” that restrict or ban flying near airports, over crowds and at sensitive sites (national parks and eruption sites are commonly restricted). Register and check the zone map through Iceland’s transport authority (ICETRA / Samgöngustofa) before you travel.

via EASA — EU civil-drone rules (Regulation (EU) 2019/947), Open category · 24 Jun 2026

Scams to watch

Crime levels are low, but petty theft and antisocial behaviour can occur, particularly around bars in Reykjavík town centre.

Health hazards

Going too close to the ocean, cliff edges and hot springs is a common cause of accidents in Iceland. Volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula have been ongoing — monitor local media and the official SafeTravel.is alerts, keep away from newly solidified lava, and note that volcanic gas pollution can reach dangerous levels near eruption sites. Weather can change rapidly.

via UK FCDO travel advice — Iceland (safety and security) · 24 Jun 2026

Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — Iceland · checked 24 Jun 2026

Traffic drives on the right. Look left first when you cross the road.

Docking & terminals in Reykjavík

Ships berth alongside in Reykjavík — it is not a tender port. There are two very different cruise areas: Skarfabakki, the main cruise pier at Sundahöfn about 4 km east of the city centre (where most large ships dock), and Miðbakki at the Old Harbour, right in the heart of the city close to the main attractions.

• Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn — main cruise pier) — ~4 km east of the city centre (About 4 km from the city centre — not a comfortable walk. Public bus 16 stops close to the cruise terminal, city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station, and it is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route.)
• Miðbakki (Old Harbour — central berth) — In the city centre — walkable (In the heart of Reykjavík at the Old Harbour — central attractions, restaurants and shops are an easy walk.)

Mobility & step-free access

Getting around between the pier and town:

• Public bus (from Skarfabakki) — Bus 16 stops close to the Skarfabakki cruise terminal; city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station — Reykjavík's Strætó city buses link the pier with the centre.
• Hop On–Hop Off — Skarfabakki is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route into the city and around the main sights.
• Walk (from the Old Harbour) — From Miðbakki at the Old Harbour the city centre, restaurants and main attractions are an easy walk.
• Taxi — Taxis serve both cruise areas; Reykjavík's compact centre is otherwise easily walkable once you are in it.

Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.

Heading back at the end of the day: The two cruise areas are different: most large ships dock at Skarfabakki (~4 km from the centre, bus 16/5 or Hop On–Hop Off), while the Old Harbour (Miðbakki) is central and walkable. Check which one your ship uses before heading ashore.

Cruise lines don’t always tell you which pier you’re on, and it’s easy to forget once you’re ashore. As you leave the ship, note or photograph your pier’s name — then give your taxi that exact pier (or your ship’s name) for the trip back.

Confirm which berth your ship uses — Skarfabakki (the main pier, ~4 km out) needs a bus or the Hop On–Hop Off, whereas Miðbakki at the Old Harbour is right in the centre.

Getting around & must-sees in Reykjavík

Getting around

From Skarfabakki (the main pier, ~4 km out) take bus 16/5 or the Hop On–Hop Off into the city; from the Old Harbour (Miðbakki) the centre is a short walk. Reykjavík's centre itself is small and walkable.

• Public bus (from Skarfabakki) — Bus 16 stops close to the Skarfabakki cruise terminal; city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station — Reykjavík's Strætó city buses link the pier with the centre.
• Hop On–Hop Off — Skarfabakki is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route into the city and around the main sights.
• Walk (from the Old Harbour) — From Miðbakki at the Old Harbour the city centre, restaurants and main attractions are an easy walk.
• Taxi — Taxis serve both cruise areas; Reykjavík's compact centre is otherwise easily walkable once you are in it.

More on getting around ↗

Must-see sights

• Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa & the Old Harbour — The landmark Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall on the waterfront, the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Old Harbour — all in the compact, walkable centre.
• Day-trips: Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon — The classic Iceland excursions (the Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss — and the Blue Lagoon) are long drives out of the city; book ahead and watch the timing against all-aboard.

More sights & details ↗

Taxis & ride-hailing — Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt do not operate in Iceland; transport is by licensed taxi (e.g. Hreyfill, BSR) or public bus.

Getting back to the pier

From the Old Harbour getting back is a short walk; from Skarfabakki use bus 16/5 or the Hop On–Hop Off. For long day-trips (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon) leave generous return time, and remember it is a taxi or coach, not Uber.

• Bus / Hop On–Hop Off (to Skarfabakki) — For the main Skarfabakki pier (~4 km out), take bus 16, city bus 5, or the Hop On–Hop Off back from the centre — check the last suitable departure against all-aboard.
• Walk (Old Harbour) — If your ship is at the Old Harbour (Miðbakki), the centre is a short walk from the ship.
• Taxi (return from day-trips) — Taxis serve both berths; note Iceland has no ride-hailing apps, so use a licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer when returning from a Golden Circle / Blue Lagoon day-trip — and leave a wide margin for the long drive.

More on getting back ↗

Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.

Eating & shopping in Reykjavík

Icelandic food leans on lamb and the sea — langoustine, cod and other fresh fish — plus skyr (the thick cultured dairy) and the much-loved Reykjavík hot dog (pylsur). The Old Harbour and the city centre are where to find them; Visit Reykjavík lists current venues.

Where to eat

• Old Harbour & city centre — The Old Harbour and the Laugavegur/centre streets hold Reykjavík's seafood restaurants, cafés and the celebrated hot-dog stands, walkable from the central berth.

Local specialities

• Seafood & lamb — Langoustine, cod and Icelandic lamb are the mainstays of the local table.
• Skyr & the Reykjavík hot dog — Skyr, the thick Icelandic cultured-milk product, and the famous pylsur hot dog with crispy onions.

More on eating here ↗

Areas and specialities as described by the source — not our recommendations; confirm openings and prices locally.

Local know-hows in Reykjavík

Money

Currency

Icelandic króna (ISK)

Cards

Iceland is largely cashless — credit and debit cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including small purchases and buses.

ATMs

ATMs are available in the city; in practice you rarely need cash, as Iceland is one of the most card-based societies.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Iceland — service is included in prices — though a tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.

More on money here ↗

Practicalities

Language

Icelandic is the national language; English is spoken very widely.

Tap water

Reykjavík's cold tap water is supplied by Veitur Utilities and is excellent to drink: it is mostly groundwater, naturally filtered through lava, and the Public Health Authority of Reykjavík samples the network every week, with 97–100% of samples meeting the quality requirements in recent years. One genuine local tip (Veitur's own): drink the COLD tap water — the hot water is geothermal and can carry a faint sulphur smell, so it is not meant for drinking.

Plugs

Iceland uses the standard European Type C / Type F round-pin sockets; mains supply is AC 230V, 50Hz.

More practical info ↗

Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.

Port busyness in Reykjavík

Moderately busy

Reykjavík is Iceland's main cruise port but a small capital, so on multi-ship days in the short May–September season the compact centre and the day-trip roads (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon) feel busy even though the city absorbs foot traffic well.

Peak pattern: Morning departures of Golden Circle / Blue Lagoon tours; busiest in the May–September season and on multi-ship days.

Quieter: Outside the May–September season and once the day-trip tours have left the centre.

• Iceland's main cruise port, but a small capital city (~130,000)
• Two cruise areas (Skarfabakki main pier + the central Old Harbour)
• Short, concentrated May–September season

This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.

What we’ve checked in Reykjavík — and when

We last checked the facts on this page between 24 Jun 2026 and 26 Jun 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.

Docking & getting ashore

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 24 Jun 2026

Getting around

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 26 Jun 2026

How busy it gets

Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 24 Jun 2026

Travel advisories

FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically

How we check, and what “not stated” means