What to Expect
Ships dock at Skarfabakki or the Old Harbour (Grandi area); both are 2 km from the city centre. Reykjavik's downtown is a 30-minute walk or short taxi ride. Hallgrímskirkja — the concrete Lutheran church visible from almost anywhere in the city — is the primary landmark. The Harpa concert hall on the waterfront is a 5-minute walk from Old Harbour. The city centre is genuinely walkable; the main commercial street, Laugavegur, is about 1 km long. Most cruise passengers are here specifically for Golden Circle excursions — Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss — which take 6–8 hours round trip.
Getting Around
The city bus (Strætó) costs ISK 560 (≈ €4) per ride; useful but limited to central routes. For Golden Circle and Reykjanes Peninsula, a rental car or organised tour is the only practical option. Car rental from Reykjavik airport or city offices: ISK 10,000–18,000/day (≈ €70–125). Taxis within the city: ISK 2,000–4,000 (€14–28) for most short trips. Reykjavik is walkable in its city centre core — the Harpa to Hallgrímskirkja walk takes about 20 minutes uphill.
Golden Circle and Geothermal
The Golden Circle is the standard Iceland day trip: Þingvellir National Park (site of the world's oldest parliament, 930 AD; visible tectonic plate rift), Geysir geothermal field (the Strokkur geyser erupts every 6–10 minutes), and Gullfoss waterfall (two-tiered, drops 32 metres). Distance from Reykjavik: 230 km round trip. Organised tours: ISK 9,000–14,000 (€63–97). Self-drive: ISK 10,000–18,000 for the car plus fuel. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is 45 minutes from the city toward the airport — book 2 months in advance in peak season (ISK 9,990–18,490/€70–129). Secret Lagoon near Flúðir is cheaper and less crowded (ISK 3,200/€22).
Food
Iceland is expensive. A sit-down lunch: ISK 3,000–5,500 (€21–38). The Reykjavik Flea Market (Kolaportið, weekends only) has cheap Icelandic street food — lamb soup, kleinur doughnuts, skyr. Fish and chips at the harbour: ISK 2,500–3,500 (€17–24). The famous Icelandic hot dog (pylsa) from the Bæjarins Beztu stand near the harbour: ISK 650 (€4.50). Lamb is better value than fish for a sit-down meal; the lamb here is genuinely distinctive — free-range on wild grass, no feedlots.
Tipping and Currency
Icelandic Króna (ISK). Cards accepted everywhere — Iceland is essentially cashless. Tipping is not expected; the practice has only become common relatively recently due to tourism. No service charge is added to bills. ATMs at the harbour and throughout the city centre.