Make the most of a stopover

It’s not uncommon for a cruise ship to arrive in port one day and leave the next. If this is the case for you, consider yourself fortunate and plan your time carefully, we say!

In Iceland, the most likely location for an overnight cruise stop is Reykjavik. Here, we will outline a few different options for cruise ships which stay two days in Reykjavik.

Bite size chunks

An overnight cruise stop can be a great opportunity to split your sightseeing up a bit, for example by skipping the traditional six-to-eight-hour tour in favour of two shorter jaunts.

A tailored Reykjanes private tour, possibly making extra time for a dip at the world-famous Blue Lagoon spa, could be an ideal way to spend an evening. Then, after a leisurely breakfast the following day, take a Reykjavik sightseeing tour to really get your bearings in the world’s northernmost capital city. What could be better?

Alternatively, you might want to use your extra time to travel further afield.

A real feast

At 13 hours long, our Jokulsarlon & South Coast private tour is too long for most cruise visitors. But not for you, if you’ve got all night!

Set off at nine or ten (hey, maybe even eleven!) in the morning and get back before midnight, seeing some of Iceland’s most stunning sights along the way and getting to see the countryside bathed in the pastille colours of a tranquil, long Icelandic summer evening. Time of day is a relative concept in the summertime, after all, as there is no darkness at all for at least two months (and very little for about two more).

Marinate overnight

Of course, you don’t need to go far to make the most of a long stop. Staying put for the night is a great opportunity to get to know the city a little better.

Why not start your visit with our Reykjavik Sightseeing tour, which is a great way to get your bearings. Then, later on, head back to the city centre to visit one of its many acclaimed restaurants—or just to sample its renowned nightlife, if you’d prefer to eat on board your ship.

The following morning, armed with what you’ve learnt on your tour, you can hit the streets with confidence, visiting museums and galleries, cafés, shops, and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even hop on a city bus and head out to the suburbs to one of Reykjavik’s many geothermal public swimming pools.

Other great places to visit that are a bus or taxi ride away from downtown include: the family park and zoo, the botanical gardens, or the quaint and quirky Arbaejarsafn open-air museum.

However you choose to spend your stopover, we hope you enjoy having a little extra time in our beautiful capital city. And remember: we at Arctic Shorex are always here to help. If there’s anything specific you want to see or do, just drop us a line!