+354 780 4500

|
Reykjavik

REYKJAVÍK BY CRUISE: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 4–8 HOURS STOP IN REYKJAVÍK

What to do on a cruise stopover in Reykjavík

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Speciality Museums & Tours from the City Harbour

 

Touching down in Iceland’s capital for just a few hours? Reykjavík’s compact layout means you can pack in a ton of fun without feeling rushed.

Most of the attractions are clustered downtown and in the Grandi (Old Harbour) area, within walking distance of each other, perfect when time is tight.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Aurora Reykjavik – The Northern Lights Center

FlyOver Iceland

Lava Show

Whales of Iceland

Whale and Puffin Watching

Tips for Your Visit

Conclusión

 

Reykjavik

Downtown Reykjavík with its iconic landmarks

1. Reykjavík City Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off!

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

If you want a broader taste of Reykjavík beyond the harbour, this iconic Hop-On Hop-Off Bus lets you:

  • Cruise around town with audio commentary in multiple languages
  • Stop at highlights like Hallgrimskirkja church, art museums, Harpa, the Grandi museums. and more
  • Set your own pace: you don’t have to stick to a tight tour schedule

This is especially helpful on a short stop because you can decide what to skip or linger at, based on how much time you have.

Round loop if you stay onboard: 80–85 minutes. Hop-off options mean you can tailor your stroll stops.

Huésped disfrutando de un baño en Sky Lagoon

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Northern Lights cinema

Enjoy the northern lights all-year-round at Aurora Reykjavík, the Northern Lights Center of Iceland

2. Witness the Beauty of the Northern Lights… even in the summer!

Aurora Reykjavík – The Northern Lights Center

Kick off your visit of the up-and-coming Grandi Old Harbour District with Aurora Reykjavík, our unique Northern Lights Museum. You’ll explore videos, science, myths, interactive displays, and a breathtaking aurora film on a giant screen.

All indoors and year-round (great if the weather’s chilly. Or during the summer – when the lights are not visible in nature).

If you visit during the northern lights season, the exhibition also has information on the best camera settings to capture the aurora borealis with your own devices!

Duration: 40–60 minutes

Pro Tip: It’s right near several other attractions, so you can hop from one to the next easily.

3. Fly Over Remote Icelandic Landscapes – in Reykjavík!

FlyOver Iceland

The immersive flight ride of FlyOver Iceland takes you soaring over Iceland’s dramatic scenery: mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and more, with motion effects and surround visuals. It’s a unique virtual experience that’s great for all ages.

Duration: 40 minutes
Right around the harbour, so it’s easy to combine with the next stop.

Visitors enjoying the flyover Iceland experience, with stunning views over the Icelandic shore

Visitors enjoying the FlyOver Iceland ride

Visitors taking pictures and admiring fresh glowing lava formations at Lava show

Real lava showcased by experts during the Lava Show

4. Witness Earth’s Fierce Power 

Lava Show Reykjavík

Step into the geological theatre at Lava Show, where real molten lava flows right in front of the spectators, as volcanic experts share fiery insights. It’s an unforgettable way to experience Iceland’s volcanic heartbeat: dramatic, educational, and totally unique.

Duration: 50 minutes

Visitors of all ages watching a whale swim on a cinema screen

One of the informative movies at Whales of Iceland

5. Get to Know the Marine Giants… on land!

Whales of Iceland

Just a short stroll away is the life-sized whale museum of Whales of Iceland, featuring enormous models of the ocean’s giants, interactive exhibits, films and educational displays. It’s a crowd-pleaser whether you’re into science, nature, or simply cool photo ops.

Duration: 60 minutes

Bonus: Many visitors squeeze this in right after Aurora Reykjavík and the Lava Show thanks to the tight proximity of all these experiences.

6. … or at sea!

Join a Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik

Experience the awe of the ocean’s giants, guided by knowledgeable marine biologists and sea-life specialists. Sail from Reykjavík Old Harbour, and encounter magnificent humpback whales, playful dolphins, inquisitive minke whales, and – if luck is on your side – the legendary blue whale.

Relax on a traditional whale watching cruise designed for comfort, or join a dynamic RIB boat tour, for an extra-close exciting adventure. Incredible natural encounters are waiting right outside Reykjavík’s doorstep!

Duration: 2hrs (RIB boat) / 3hrs (classic whale watching cruise)

Whale and RIB boat

Reykjavík RIB Whale Watching, get close and personal with the giants of the sea

Colonia de frailecillos en las islas de la bahía de Reikiavik

Puffin island in the Reykjavík bay

7. Encounter the Mighty Puffin

Puffin Tour from Reykjavík Old Harbour

Join a puffin watching tour and see Iceland’s iconic seabirds up close in their natural habitat. During summer, Iceland becomes home to the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colony, where these charming birds come ashore to breed. Guided by experts, you’ll visit the best viewing spots – an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Duration: 1.5 hours (classic experience) 1 hour (premium RIB boat tour)

Tips for a Smooth Port Day in Reykjavík

  • Book tickets online in advance whenever possible to avoid lines.
  • Many museums are walking distance from the cruise dock, perfect for short stops.
  • If weather turns brisk, you’ve got plenty of indoors options right near each other.
  • Keep an eye on your ship’s departure time, and always plan to be back a bit early!
Reykjavik

Colourful houses in central Reykjavík

Final Thought: Making the Most of Your Time Ashore

Even with just a few hours ashore, Reykjavík offers a rich mix of experiences within easy reach of the cruise dock — from cultural attractions and immersive museums to scenic rides and wildlife encounters.
Plan ahead, prioritize the activities that excite you most, and you’ll turn your brief stop into a memorable taste of Iceland’s natural beauty, history, and vibrant city life before heading back to your ship.

You can explore Aurora Reykjavik’s full range of tours and activities here:  https://aurorareykjavik.is/tours-and-activities/

ÚNETE AL MEJOR TOUR DE AURORAS BOREALES EN ISLANDIA

Así que, si puedes, compra el billete, sube al viaje. Encontrarás nuestra selección de tours aquí:

ver todos los tours

NUESTROS TOURS MÁS POPULARES

Northern Lights Superjeep Tour from Reykjavik with free Pickup
RESERVA AHORA

TOUR EN SUPER JEEP DE LA AURORA BOREAL

ASPECTOS DESTACADOS:

 ✓ Tour guiado premium de Auroras Boreales en un super jeep

✓ Recogida y regreso gratuitos

✓ Fotografías gratuitas de calidad

✓ Chocolate caliente chocolate casero

✓ Vehículos con calefacción todo el viaje

 

 

TASA DE ÉXITO MÁS ALTA

ENTRADA A AURORA REYKJAVÍK INCLUIDA - AHORRA 3900 ISK

NORTHERN LIGHTS AND SOUTH SHORE Combo Tour with Reykjavik Sightseeing and AURORA REYKJAVIK
RESERVA AHORA

AURORA BOREAL Y COSTA SUR

ASPECTOS DESTACADOS:

✓ OFERTA 2 EN 1: AHORA MÁS DE 2000 ISK

✓ Visita el glaciar Sólheimarjökull

✓ Pasea por la ciudad de Vík

✓ Camina por la playa de arena negra

✓ Contempla las majestuosas cascadas Skógafoss y Seljalandsfoss

✓ Presencia la La danza de las Auroras Boreales

 

MEJOR RELACIÓN CALIDAD-PRECIO

AURORAS BOREALES GARANTIZADAS: REINTENTO GRATUITO SI NO SE VEN LAS LUCES

 

 

Small Group Northern Lights Photography tour with free pickup in Reykjavik
RESERVA AHORA

TOUR DE AURORAS BOREALES EN GRUPO REDUCIDO

ASPECTOS DESTACADOS:

✓ Tour de Auroras Boreales en minibus

✓ Fotografías gratuitas de ti bajo las Auroras Boreales

✓ Chocolate caliente y pasteles caseros

✓ Recogida y regreso gratuitos

EL TOUR MÁS POPULAR

Preguntas frecuentes sobre la Aurora Boreal

¿Cuándo puedo ver las Auroras Boreales en Islandia?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April.
During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night.
However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
¿Por qué no puedo ver la aurora boreal en verano?
To be able to see the northern lights you need sufficient darkness. During summer we have what we call the “midnight sun”, meaning that there are no hours of actual nighttime darkness. These conditions are perfect for late night hiking and exploring, but make it impossible for us to observe the Aurora in Iceland between May and early August.
Want to know more about light conditions in Iceland? Check the sun graph and learn about twilight and dusk in Iceland.
¿A qué hora aparecen las auroras boreales?
Las auroras boreales se suelen ver estadísticamente entre las 9:00 pm y la 1:00 am,pero pueden aparecer en cualquier momento, siempre que esté oscuro (y el cielo esté despejado).
Durante los meses de invierno, cuando las horas de luz son limitadas, las auroras boreales suelen aparecer incluso a las 7:00 pm.
Como no se puede predecir la hora exacta de una aurora , mantén, manten la vista en el cielo. ¡Y recuerda , la paciencia es clave!

 

 

¿Cuánto duran las auroras boreales?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
¿Puedo ver la aurora boreal cuando está nublado?
Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky and check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
¿Las auroras boreales sólo aparecen cuando hace frío?
The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.
¿Se ven las auroras boreales en toda Islandia?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
¿Son realmente coloridas las auroras boreales?

Las auroras boreales se presentan en una variedad de colores. El verde es, con mucho , el más común, pero también pueden aparecer en vibrantes tonos de rosa, morado, rojo, violeta y azul.
Sin embargo, a simple vista , las auroras boreales pueden verse bastante tenuesy, en ocasiones, percibirse como blancas o grisáceas. Esto se debe a las limitaciones de nuestra visión nocturna..
Las cámaras , en cambio, pueden capturar una versión más fiel de los colores, ya que, en la mayoría de los casos, es posible ajustar la configuración del dispositivo para adaptarse mejor a las condiciones nocturnas.
Descubre más sobre cómo mejorar tu visión nocturna y aprender a tomar excelentes fotografías de auroras aquí.

¿Desaparecerán las auroras boreales en el futuro?

No, las auroras boreales no van a desaparecer!
La aurora boreal ha sido visible en el Ártico durante siglos, y eso no va a cambiar pronto.
Lo cierto es que la actividad solar, responsable de la aparición de las auroras boreales en nuestro planeta , cambia con el tiempo, siguiendo un ciclo de once años.
Durante cada ciclo solar, el Sol pasa de un pico a un mínimo de actividad. Durante el pico, el llamado"máximo solar", podemos esperar una mayor actividad y, potencialmente, auroras boreales más intensas visibles desde latitudes inusuales (en el hemisferio norte, esto significa que las auroras se avistan más al sur de lo habitual). Mientras que, durante el mínimo solar, estos fenómenos inusualmente intensos se vuelven más raros.
Aun así, en latitudes árticas , las auroras boreales se pueden ver con claridad durante todo el ciclo. E Islandia, al estar dentro del "cinturón de auroras", es y seguirá siendo el destino perfecto para la búsqueda de auroras boreales.!

¿Qué es el valor BZ?

El Bz value is part of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), which is the magnetic field carried by the solar wind coming from the Sun.
Why does it matter for the Northern Lights? Earth’s magnetic field points north. If the solar wind’s magnetic field (Bz) points south (a negative Bz), it connects with Earth’s field and lets charged solar particles into the atmosphere. This interaction helps create the northern lights. If instead, Bz is positive (northward), the fields don’t connect well, and fewer particles get in — meaning weaker or no aurora.
Think of Bz like an ON/OFF switch: negative Bz (south) = ON, good chance of Aurora soon. Positive Bz (north) = OFF, Aurora less likely.
Learn more about Bz and how the forecast works aquí.

Which are the best forecast apps and websites for Northern Lights hunting?

Chasing the Northern Lights is all about timing, clear skies, and up-to-date aurora forecasts. These tools help you know when and where there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora — so you can plan your night the smart way. For the best results, we recommend using more than one source, as different forecasts interpret data differently.

WEB FORECASTS

TOP MOBILE APPS

  • My Aurora Forecast – Offers real-time KP index, global aurora maps, push alerts and multi-day forecasts — great for travelers and serious aurora watchers alike.
    And don’t forget to unable notifications, so you’ll get alerts when aurora activity spikes.
    📍App Store
    📍 Google Play

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to experience one of nature’s most magical displays. Whether you’re planning your trip or already in Iceland, the Aurora awaits!