Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas traditions are wonderfully odd. On this two-hour walk, you’ll hear about the 13 Yule Lads, the fearsome Christmas Cat, Icelandic books, music, and the mix of Norse beliefs and Christianity behind the holiday. It is less about checking off major sights and more about understanding what Christmas feels like in Iceland.

I like the easy downtown route and the way the tour connects ordinary places to local customs. I also like the built-in shopping stops, especially the bookshop, Christmas store, and record shop, where guides such as Stefan, Einar, and Barti have added language lessons, music, candy, hot chocolate, and personal stories.

The main concern is timing. The Christmas markets are not open every day, and on New Year’s Eve one group found that much of the advertised festive program was unavailable. If you book for December 31, confirm exactly what will operate that day before you commit.

Key points to know before you book

• Icelandic folklore is the main event: Learn about the Christmas Cat, the 13 Yule Lads, and older Norse customs.
• The route ends at Hallgrímskirkja: You finish beside Reykjavik’s famous church after walking through the central shopping area.
• Shopping is part of the experience: Stop at Penninn Eymundsson, Litla Jólabúðin, and 12 Tónar for books, ornaments, music, and gifts.
• Guides shape the tour: Ester, Stefan, Einar, and Barti have each brought different touches, from songs and family connections to Icelandic phrases.
• Expect cold-weather walking: The tour lasts about two hours, with outdoor stops and a short break that may include hot chocolate, coffee, tea, cookies, or candy.
• Check holiday dates carefully: Markets and shops may close on New Year’s Eve, changing the experience considerably.

What this Christmas walk is really about

This is a small-city walking tour with a Christmas theme, not a grand parade of attractions. You move from square to square, shop to shop, and landmark to landmark while your guide explains how Icelanders celebrate.

That approach works well in Reykjavik. The city center is compact, so you can cover a good deal on foot without spending time on a bus. The scheduled stops are short, usually five or ten minutes, but walking between them gives the guide room to add general facts about the city, Icelandic history, and daily life.

I would think of this as a cultural introduction with festive decoration around it. You see an ice rink, a Christmas tree, gift shops, a music store, and a major church. The real value comes from learning why those places matter during the season.

The standard price is $75.70 per person, which is not cheap for a two-hour walk. I think the cost makes more sense if you use the guide actively: ask about the Yule Lads, Icelandic words, food customs, books, music, and the old beliefs behind Christmas. If you only want to look at lights and markets, you can do much of that on your own.

The tour has a maximum of 99 people, so the actual group may be larger than the intimate walk you picture. The available feedback gives it a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 18 ratings, with the strongest praise aimed at the guides’ warmth, humor, and ability to make local customs easy to follow.

Meeting at Ingólfstorg

The walk begins outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1, beside Ingólfstorg. Face the square and look for the two tall stone seat-pillars, each more than two meters high. Center Hotel Plaza is to your right.

This is a useful meeting point because the area has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling. In winter, that shelter matters. You are not left standing in the open while trying to find the group.

The guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Still, arrive with enough time to orient yourself. One group reported that the guide arrived 15 minutes late in very cold weather, which made the wait unpleasant. That was a clear low point, and it is worth keeping in mind when planning your day.

Ingólfstorg and the first taste of Christmas

Your first proper stop is Ingólfstorg, the square where you meet. During the season, it can have an ice rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls.

The guide uses these sights to set the mood and explain the public side of Christmas in Reykjavik. This is a quick ten-minute look, not a long market visit. You may have time to see the stalls, but the tour is not designed around extended shopping.

That distinction matters. The description promises markets, yet market schedules can change. On December 31, the markets were closed, and the walk could not deliver this part of the program. If you are booking near New Year’s Eve, ask whether the rink, stalls, and shops will actually be open.

Austurvöllur Square and Iceland’s Christmas tree

Next comes Austurvöllur Square and its traditional Oslo Christmas tree. The tree is a reminder that Christmas customs can carry political and cultural stories as well as religious meaning.

Here, the guide talks about Christmas trees and decorations in Icelandic homes. This is a good point to ask how Icelandic households decorate, which customs are old, and which are newer additions.

The stop lasts about ten minutes. It is not a formal ceremony or a long historical lecture. You are looking at a central city square while hearing the background that turns a decorated tree into something more meaningful.

Penninn Eymundsson and the Icelandic book flood

The stop at Penninn Eymundsson explains why books are so closely tied to Christmas in Iceland. You can see Icelandic Christmas books and browse for a souvenir with more local character than a standard trinket.

This is one of my favorite parts of the route because it links a holiday habit to something you can take home. A book is also a practical gift. You might find Icelandic titles, Christmas material, or something connected to the country’s strong reading culture.

The visit is scheduled for about ten minutes, so do not expect a long shopping session. If you want to buy something, keep your wallet and bag ready. The guide’s explanation is the main purpose, with shopping as a useful bonus.

Lækjartorg and the Christmas Cat

At Lækjartorg, the subject turns darker. Icelandic folklore includes the Christmas Cat, a ferocious creature associated with the holiday season.

This is the sort of detail that gives the tour its personality. Christmas in Iceland is not only about warm lights, presents, and sweet treats. The old stories also contain warnings, strange creatures, and a strong connection to the harshness of winter.

The stop takes only about five minutes, but the tale helps explain the unusual figures you may see in shop windows and public decorations. It also gives children and teenagers something memorable to hold onto, although the story may be more interesting to older children than very young ones.

Litla Jólabúðin for ornaments and gifts

Litla Jólabúðin, or the Little Christmas Shop, is open year-round and offers Icelandic Christmas ornaments. You have time to look around and perhaps find a gift.

This is a straightforward shopping stop, but it fits the tour well. After hearing about local customs, you can see how those ideas appear in ornaments and decorations. I would treat it as a chance to browse, not as a required purchase.

Because the visit is about ten minutes, you will want to focus on small items that are easy to carry. The tour does not include shopping costs, so anything you buy is extra.

12 Tónar and Icelandic Christmas music

The route continues to 12 Tónar, a much-loved downtown music store. The guide explains how Icelandic Christmas music draws from several countries and traditions.

Music gives this walk a welcome change of pace. Instead of only hearing stories about Christmas, you get a sense of how the season sounds. Einar has led a particularly musical version of the tour, with singing around the town tree, a hymn written by his grandmother, and more Icelandic Christmas music at the record shop.

That musical approach will not suit everyone equally. A family of music lovers found it especially entertaining, while singing may not appeal to every adult in the group. The shop has also been a place for drinks and cookies, adding a warm pause during a cold walk.

You should not assume every guide will run the same musical program. The guide can shape the experience. Ester has been praised for humor and a family-like welcome. Stefan has added Icelandic language, small surprises, and detailed holiday stories. Barti has used a Christmas sweater and Santa hat while explaining folklore and the Yule Lads.

Ending beside Hallgrímskirkja

The tour finishes at Hallgrímskirkja, at Hallgrímstorg 1. The church is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmarks, and ending here gives the walk a clear visual finish.

The final discussion looks at Christianity and Norse mythology in Icelandic Christmas traditions. That pairing is important. The holiday is not presented as one simple religious custom. Instead, the guide shows how older Norse ideas and Christian practice exist together in the stories and celebrations.

The stop lasts about ten minutes. You end outside the church, not at the original meeting point, so plan your next activity from Hallgrímskirkja. The location is near public transportation, and you are well placed to continue exploring central Reykjavik.

A few people have also received photographs taken at the Christmas Cat, 12 Tónar, and Hallgrímskirkja after the walk. Treat that as a possible guide-specific extra rather than a guaranteed feature.

Cold weather, pacing, and what to wear

This is an outdoor walking tour in Reykjavik during the Christmas season. Even with short stops, you will be outside for much of the two hours.

Wear warm layers and shoes suitable for winter streets. The covered meeting area protects you at the start, and the café-style pause at the music shop or another local stop can help, but the tour is not indoors for its full duration.

The pacing should suit most people who can take part in a normal city walk. Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The route is near public transportation, but no transport is included.

The scheduled stops add up to about 70 minutes, leaving the rest of the two hours for walking, explanations, and any food or drink pause. That means the experience should feel active but not rushed.

The food, drink, and small extras

Hot chocolate and treats have been part of some departures, along with tea, coffee, cookies, or local candy. These details can make a real difference in winter, especially when the walk reaches the middle of its route.

Local candy tasting was a highlight for one group, and the hot chocolate stop at a local hangout was especially well received. Still, the included description only promises an expert guide, not food or drinks. Consider these refreshments possible additions rather than something guaranteed on every departure.

Tips are not included. If your guide gives you a thoughtful, lively experience, you may wish to leave a gratuity, but it is separate from the ticket price.

Who will get the most from this tour

I think this walk suits first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Reykjavik and Icelandic Christmas customs. It is also a good fit for couples, families with teenagers, and adults who enjoy folklore, books, music, and local shopping.

Teenagers may like the Christmas Cat, the Yule Lads, candy, and the chance to move through real shops instead of listening to a long lecture. Young children may enjoy the decorations and treats, but the history and folklore could be less engaging for them.

Music lovers should pay attention to the guide assigned to the departure. Einar’s musical style has included singing, hymns, and extra time with Icelandic Christmas recordings. Other guides may focus more on language, folklore, or general city history.

I would skip this tour if your main goal is a guaranteed market visit on a specific date. It is also not ideal if you want a private, slow shopping experience. The group limit can reach 99 people, and the program can change when holiday businesses close.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels because that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would pay special attention to the date. Christmas markets and shops are central to the appeal, but their holiday hours can vary. For December 31, contact Your Friend In Reykjavik before booking and ask what will remain open and what the guide plans to substitute.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you want stories, folklore, music, and local context wrapped around a short Reykjavik walk. The best guides make the experience personal. Ester brings humor and warmth, Stefan adds language and detailed explanations, Einar can turn it into a musical outing, and Barti has made the folklore feel playful and festive.

At $75.70, it asks a fair amount for two hours, so the value depends on the guide and the extras. I think it is worthwhile for visitors who would otherwise pass through the decorated squares and shops without understanding them.

For a market-focused visit, check the operating date first. If your schedule is flexible and you enjoy Icelandic customs more than a simple sightseeing checklist, this is a friendly way to get your bearings and hear the stories behind Reykjavik’s Christmas season.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins outside Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. Face Ingólfstorg and look for the two tall stone seat-pillars. Center Hotel Plaza is to your right.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends beside Hallgrímskirkja Church at Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is food or drink included?

The only listed inclusion is an expert guide. Some departures have included hot chocolate, tea, coffee, cookies, treats, or local candy, but these extras are not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.