Reykjavik - city tour necessary or DIY?

We will be in Reykjavik on the Crystal Symphony for two full days plus one morning prior to sail away. I've got our full days set with private tours - one to the Golden Circle + Glacier and Snowmobiles, the other to Eyjafjallajokull (around the volcano). My question concerns the morning prior to sailing away at noon. We want to be back on board the ship by 11 a.m., and we thought that the morning would be a good time to explore the city of Reykjavik. Questions:

1) Can our city exploration easily be done on our own, or is there enough historical and other information that merits our hiring our private guide for the morning to show us the city?

2) Is the ship docked (or anchored) right in the city, or do we need to travel by taxi to reach the sites in the city? If travel is necessary, how long of a taxi ride is it?

3) Can you recommend any "must see" sites within the city?

4) Is the city compact - limited to a few main streets where the sites are located - or is it spread out that will require transportation to get from site to site?

Thanks,

Shelley

You can easily do the main sights on your own although there is a hoho bus (not frequent departures). Ships dock at least a 25-30 min walk away so a shuttle bus or taxi would be useful.

Most of the main sights are walkable with the only one that is a little further out being the Perlan. Hallgrims church is worth going to visit and if you have time on a clear day the views from the top are good

We will be in Reykjavik on the Crystal Symphony for two full days plus one morning prior to sail away. I've got our full days set with private tours - one to the Golden Circle + Glacier and Snowmobiles, the other to Eyjafjallajokull (around the volcano). My question concerns the morning prior to sailing away at noon. We want to be back on board the ship by 11 a.m., and we thought that the morning would be a good time to explore the city of Reykjavik. Questions:

 

1) Can our city exploration easily be done on our own, or is there enough historical and other information that merits our hiring our private guide for the morning to show us the city?

 

just walk on your own in town.. make sure you got to the church.. isat thru a part of a service and wih i had seen and hesrd more of the chour and organ.

 

2) Is the ship docked (or anchored) right in the city, or do we need to travel by taxi to reach the sites in the city? If travel is necessary, how long of a taxi ride is it?

 

our ship had shuttle bus so i am sure yours will too.

 

3) Can you recommend any "must see" sites within the city?

again the church.

 

4) Is the city compact - limited to a few main streets where the sites are located - or is it spread out that will require transportation to get from site to site?

 

Thanks,

Shelley

really easy to walk -will be cold and windy

One thing you might want to consider is going to one of the city's public pools. We have friends in the city, and every time we visit, we go to the pools several times during our visit. It is very relaxing, very inexpensive, and an authentic, local experience, if that is what you are looking for. Another must do is the hot dog stand by the water (Baejarins Beztu Pylsur). It's very famous, and it is nothing like an American hot dog once you add all the condiments - and that IS the way to do it. I would not spend the money to travel to the Perlan, though it may be included on your organized tour. It's a nice vantage point, but we did not find the museum very interesting. If you like architecture, the relatively new Harpa concert hall is a must do and easily walkable. The wall were designed to recall fish scales. The city has lots of neat shops and coffee shops, and you can spend some quality time just wandering around.

You can easily do the main sights on your own although there is a hoho bus (not frequent departures). Ships dock at least a 25-30 min walk away so a shuttle bus or taxi would be useful.

Most of the main sights are walkable with the only one that is a little further out being the Perlan. Hallgrims church is worth going to visit and if you have time on a clear day the views from the top are good

We just return from Iceland on our TA. Our table mates took the HOHO bus. they said it was a good way to see the city on a cold rainy day when they did not really want to walk. But, they said there was 1 hr before the bus returned to the stop. That made it hard to time. They did not feel each stop needed an hour--so, you were wasting time.

YMMV

We just returned from our visit and we have been there before.

The downtown area was around 15 minutes from where we docked.

It is exceptionally easy to get around on foot and with a map you will be fine.

As to weather you never know so prepare for the possibility of a rainy and windy days.

Keith

The church is about the only "tourist" sight to see and it was very nice - especially the views from the top.

The downtown area is not very big and we walked everywhere; and we're not spring chickens. ;) There was an excellent oriental restaurant on the main drag that served Sweet and Sour Lobster - it was to die for!! Small lobster tails were in it and they were juicy and delicious.

We really love Iceland. Have toured around Reykjavik, done the Golden Circle tour and relaxed at the Blue Lagoon. Next month we're staying for 2 days at the Blue Lagoon clinic hotel on our way to England. So excited!

I took a bike tour of the city. Easy ride and very good guides.

Cheers