Reykjavik Cruise Guide

Overview

Reykjavik's foundation is as romantic and beguiling as its location, set on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a lunar volcanic netherworld, with the shadowy hulk of Mount Esja in the background.

Although it still feels like a provincial town, with its low buildings and brightly painted houses, Greater Reykjavik (including the Old Town, harbour and six surrounding municipalities) is home to three out of five Icelanders.

For the cruise passenger, there are bountiful cultural attractions, countless cafes, geothermal swimming baths and myriad day trip opportunities into the vast and wild landscape around the relatively small Icelandic capital.

Sightseeing

One of the most charming things about Reykjavik is that everything visitors would want to see is handily located within walking distance. Spreading eastwards from the Old Town is modern Reykjavik, which is home to the main shopping streets of Laugavegur and Laekjargata.

Highlights
• Perlan on Öskjuhlíd Hill
• Hallgrímskirkj church
• The Old Town
• National Museum
• Arbaerjarsafn open air folk museum

Tourist Information

Tourist Information Centre
Adalstraeti 2
Tel: +354 590 1550.
Website: www.visitreykjavik.is

Shopping

The main shopping streets of Laugavegur and Laekjargata are situated in the newer part of Reykjavik to the east of the Old Town. Lopapeysa (Icelandic jumpers), fluffy, earth-coloured Lopi wool blankets and coats, jackets, hats and hand knits, earthenware containers in natural colours and crushed lava ceramic pieces are popular purchases.

Eating Out

Icelandic specialities include gravlax (marinated salmon), hangikjot (smoked lamb), hardfiskur (dried fish), skyr (curds) and marinated herring. Reykjavik's speciality is codchrynn, or 'the chin of the cod', marinated in vinegar and fried in egg.

When To Go

Winters are long and bleak, with just four hours of daylight on some days, although the chance to view the Northern Lights makes up for this. Summer brings the famed midnight sun, with the streets taking on a much lighter atmosphere at night.

Transfer Times

Nearest Destination

Reykjavik.

Transfer Distance

2.8km (1.7 miles).

Transfer Time

10 minutes.

Key Facts

Region

Iceland

Time Zone

GMT.

Currency

Icelandic Krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar.

Language

Icelandic.

Location

Southern Iceland, north Atlantic Ocean.

Population

120,000.

Government

Republic.

Religion

Predominantly Lutheran protestant.

Social Conventions

Visitors will find Iceland is a classless society with a strong literary tradition. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. An Icelander is called by his first name because his surname is made up of his father's Christian name plus ‘son' or ‘daughter' (eg John, the son of Magnus, would be called John Magnusson, while John's sister, Mary, would be known as Mary Magnusdóttir).

Tipping: Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are not expected.
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