Reykjavik on a cruise stop: a self-guided city game from the port

Yes, Reykjavik works on a cruise stop if you set off promptly. Large ships dock at Skarfabakki, about 4 km east of downtown, while smaller ships use Miðbakki in the Old Harbour. Our hunt starts at the Sun Voyager sculpture on the seafront: about 40 minutes on foot along the coast from Skarfabakki, 7-10 minutes by taxi, or 8 minutes' walk from Miðbakki. The hunt takes about 2 hours and ends at Hallgrímskirkja. It fits a normal port day if you go straight there.

From Skarfabakki to Sun Voyager

1. From Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn) and the new Vör terminal, follow the coastal path west along Sæbraut. Sun Voyager stands on the shore on the way into downtown, so you reach the start after about 40 minutes, before the centre itself.
2. Rather not walk? Strætó bus 16 stops close to Skarfabakki and runs towards the centre (pay with the Strætó app or a card). Taxis at the terminal take about 7-10 minutes, but queues of 30-60 minutes are reported when several ships are in, so pre-booking is advised.
3. There is no free port shuttle in 2026. If your cruise line runs its own shuttle to Harpa, Sun Voyager is a few minutes' walk east along the shore. Hopp e-scooters can also be rented near the Skarfabakki terminal.
4. From Miðbakki in the Old Harbour, walk east along the waterfront past Harpa to Sun Voyager, about 8 minutes. From Hafnarfjörður, take Strætó bus 1 from the Fjörður stop into Reykjavik, about 30 minutes.

A Reykjavik port day, hour by hour

1. 0:00Off the ship at Skarfabakki and onto the coastal path along Sæbraut, windproof layer on.
2. 0:40At Sun Voyager on the seafront: open the app and start the hunt.
3. 1:40Around halfway: the route has taken you past Harpa, the Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral towards Lake Tjörnin and City Hall.
4. 2:40Finish at Hallgrímskirkja on the hill, after Rainbow Street.
5. 2:50Taxi or bus 16 back to Skarfabakki; on foot it is about 4-5 km from the church.
6. 3:30Back on board with at least an hour in hand before all-aboard time.

Tips for Reykjavik when time is short

• Sun Voyager lies on the coastal walk from Skarfabakki, so walkers reach the start before the centre and save the detour.
• No free port shuttle runs in 2026: check whether your cruise line has one, or plan bus 16, a taxi or the 40-minute coastal walk.
• Taxi queues at Skarfabakki can be long when several ships are in port, so pre-book your return or leave plenty of margin.
• Hallgrímskirkja, the finish, sits on a hill above the centre, and the walk back to Skarfabakki from there is about 4-5 km.
• Weather changes fast and the seafront is exposed to wind: bring a windproof layer even on a bright morning.
• The game is outdoors and works in rain too; if a shower passes, pause and pick up again when it clears.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

• You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
• Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
• You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
• Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Reykjavik cruise stop: questions

Pick your Reykjavik game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.