What to know before you go ashore at the Reykjavik cruise port

The new Vör Cruise Terminal at Skarfabakki, about 4 kilometers/2.5 miles along the waterfront east of the city center, is Reykjavík’s modern gateway for cruise quests and now serves as the city’s primary large-ship cruise berth. Officially opened on May 29, 2026, Vör is Reykjavík’s first new guest terminal in 60 years and replaces the temporary facilities previously used at the port.

The purpose-built terminal offers more than 5,000 square meters (53,000 square feet) of space across two floors, with dedicated areas for check-in, baggage handling, immigration, guest information and passenger waiting. It is designed to handle a large volume of travelers while simultaneously making arrivals and departures quicker and easier.

The terminal’s close proximity to Reykjavik’s central area gives cruise guests a convenient, modern hub for exploring the city as well as departing on curated Princess® excursions venturing farther into the surrounding countryside.

The Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off bus excursion is a great way to see all the highlights of the city at a relaxed pace, with the guide-led comfort of knowing exactly where to reboard. The tour takes you to The Old Harbour (Gamla Höfnin), a lively, photo-worthy waterfront neighborhood that exudes evidence of its industrial fishing heritage while also serving as a modern, creative cultural center. The Reykjavik City Museum’s interactive, multimedia experience is sure to delight people who love museums generally as well as younger visitors looking for a non-traditional experience.

The Laekjargata area features some of the country’s oldest historic houses, and you can also visit the nearby zoo and botanical garden. Fans of technology, architecture or nature will want to visit The Pearl (Perlan), a distinctive natural history museum featuring a gleaming glass and steel dome resting on top of six massive concrete water tanks. Four of these tanks store millions of gallons of Reykjavík’s hot geothermal water, while the others house major cultural and scientific exhibits, including an indoor ice cave constructed using authentic snow and ice gathered from the Blue Mountains (Bláfjöll) with illuminated corridors to showcase ice crevices, textures and ash layers from historical volcanic eruptions.

If you’ve been to pretty much any major world city over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the growing trend toward “tuk-tuks,” or small 3-wheeled vehicles used as quick-trip taxis or tour guide vehicles. The Princess Tuk-Tuk Tour of Reykjavik excursion is a fun and unconventional way to see the capital city’s past and present from the perspective of a local guide. Traveling by tuk-tuk provides an up-close look at Reykjavik’s streets, architecture and neighborhoods while allowing you to cover more ground than you would be able to on foot during a shore day.

The route passes through the Old Harbour, where shops mingle with traditional fishing cottages that reflect the city’s maritime heritage. In the Old Town, you’ll travel along cobbled streets and past City Hall before continuing to the striking Harpa Concert Hall, known for its geometric glass facade inspired by Iceland’s basalt landscapes.

The tour also explores lively Laugavegur Street, lined with shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as neighborhoods filled with Reykjavik’s distinctive, colorfully painted timber houses. In the Old West Side, your tuk-tuk passes embassies, local restaurants and residential streets that reveal another side of everyday life in the capital. With a local guide providing context along the way, this excursion offers an engaging introduction to Reykjavik’s history, culture and contemporary character in a fun, low-stress format that doesn’t require a lot of walking.

The Princess Best of the Golden Circle excursion is a popular way to experience several of Iceland’s most celebrated natural and historic landmarks in a single guided day trip. The route includes Thingvellir National Park, which combines remarkable geology with an important place in Icelandic history. The park lies within the rift zone between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, creating a landscape of rocky fissures, cliffs and valleys shaped by ongoing geological forces. Interestingly, this is where Iceland’s early parliament met, amid this dramatic natural landscape. 

At Gullfoss, the Hvítá River rushes across two dramatic levels before plunging into a deep, narrow canyon. This powerful flow creates perpetual clouds of mist above the falls and, when conditions are right, you can see multiple rainbows. Viewing areas provide different perspectives of the cascading water and surrounding canyon, making Gullfoss one of the most memorable landscapes along the Golden Circle.

The excursion includes lunch, and also takes you to the Geysir geothermal area, where steaming vents, bubbling pools and the frequently erupting Strokkur geyser demonstrate Iceland’s intense geothermal activity.

Another excursion takes you to one of Iceland’s most recognizable attractions, the Blue Lagoon, famous for its milky-blue geothermal waters surrounded by dark volcanic terrain. Its warm, mineral-rich geothermal water is naturally enriched with silica, algae, magnesium and potassium. Guests can relax (in swimwear) year-round in the water, which typically remains at between 37°C and 40°C (98°F to 104°F).

Be sure to check out all of the other available Reykjavik excursions and explore other things to do in Reykjavik. 

Iceland’s main cruise season runs from May through September, when the long, local daylight hours provide plenty of time for sightseeing and exploring the country’s dramatic landscapes. Even during summer, however, Iceland typically remains cool, generally ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Wind, rain and rapidly changing conditions are common, and a sunny morning can give way to clouds or showers later in the day.

Packing layers is the best way to prepare for Iceland’s variable weather. A waterproof, windproof jacket provides protection from rain and coastal winds, while sweaters or fleece layers can be added or removed as temperatures change. Comfortable walking shoes with good traction are also recommended for exploring Reykjavik, including the local waterfalls, geothermal areas and the often uneven natural terrain.

If you’re lucky enough to experience a day ashore in Reykjavik, you’ll be sure to have a fulfilling experience. The newly opened terminal and Princess guided excursions of the city and countryside are all designed to make things as relaxing and memorable as possible.

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