Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas traditions are wonderfully strange. This two-hour walk introduces you to the 13 Yule Lads, the fierce Christmas Cat, Icelandic book-giving customs, and the mix of Christian and Norse beliefs that shape the season. You move through decorated squares, shops, and landmarks rather than sitting through a standard city lecture.

I like the way the tour connects folklore with things you can actually see and buy, especially the bookshop, Christmas store, and music shop. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Ester has been praised for her warmth, Stefan for adding Icelandic language and small surprises, and Einar for turning the walk into a musical outing. The main drawback is timing: on New Year’s Eve, the markets and some stops may be closed, so the experience may not match the advertised route.

Key points to know

• The Christmas Cat and Yule Lads: Learn the darker, funnier side of Icelandic seasonal folklore.
• A walk through central Reykjavik: See Ingólfstorg, Austurvöllur, Lækjartorg, and Hallgrímskirkja in about two hours.
• Good shopping stops: Browse Icelandic books, ornaments, gifts, and local music.
• Guide quality matters: Guides including Ester, Stefan, Barti, and Einar have each brought a different style.
• Cold-weather planning is essential: Much of the tour takes place outdoors, with a warm drink break on some departures.
• New Year’s Eve caution: The Christmas markets may be closed on December 31, changing the advertised experience.

Reykjavik Christmas traditions with a slightly mischievous edge

At $75.70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to walk around Reykjavik. You are paying for a local English-speaking guide, a themed route, and the chance to connect ordinary city sights with Icelandic customs that are easy to miss on your own.

I think the price makes the most sense if this is your first visit to Reykjavik, especially during the Christmas season. The guide gives you context for the decorations, shop windows, folklore figures, and seasonal foods you will encounter elsewhere. If you only want a quick look at the city center, you could walk these streets yourself for free.

The tour has an average rating of 4.6 from 18 reviews. That is a strong result, though the small number means you should pay attention to the details rather than rely on the score alone. The best experiences seem to depend partly on the guide and partly on the date of your visit.

Meeting at Hlöllabátar and Ingólfstorg

The walk begins outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1, beside Ingólfstorg. This is a central and fairly easy meeting point, but use the directions carefully. Face the square and look for the two tall stone seat-pillars, each more than two meters high. Center Hotel Plaza should be on your right.

The waiting area has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, which is useful in Reykjavik’s winter weather. Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. That detail matters when several groups are gathering in the same square.

The first formal stop is Ingólfstorg itself. You spend about 10 minutes looking at the skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas stalls. This gives you a quick sense of the seasonal mood before the walk turns toward stories and traditions.

Do not expect a large European-style Christmas market. Reykjavik’s seasonal displays are more modest, and opening dates and hours matter. The New Year’s Eve warning is especially important: one departure took place when the markets were closed, even though they were a central part of the advertised plan.

Austurvöllur and the Oslo Christmas tree

At Austurvöllur, the guide discusses the traditional Oslo Christmas tree and the custom of decorating Icelandic homes. This stop is useful because it shifts the tour from scenery to social habits.

The tree is tied to the relationship between Reykjavik and Oslo, and it provides a natural starting point for talking about how Christmas decorations have changed over time. You also get general information about Reykjavik as the guide moves between seasonal subjects.

This is one of the better parts of the walk for families and first-time visitors. Instead of simply pointing at a decorated tree, the guide explains why it matters. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so it is brief but not rushed.

Penninn Eymundsson and Iceland’s book-giving custom

At Penninn Eymundsson, the focus turns to books. Books are an important part of Christmas in Iceland, and the shop gives you a practical look at that tradition. You can see Icelandic Christmas books and browse for a gift that feels more connected to the country than a generic souvenir.

I like this stop because it makes the custom tangible. You are not just hearing about Icelandic reading habits in the abstract. You are standing in a bookshop, looking at the kinds of titles people might choose during the Christmas season.

The shop also gives the group a short indoor pause, though the tour is still mainly outdoors. If you want to buy something, allow time after the guide’s explanation and be aware that shopping is an opportunity, not the main purpose of the tour.

Lækjartorg and the Christmas Cat

At Lækjartorg, the guide introduces the Christmas Cat, one of Iceland’s most memorable seasonal figures. This is not a sweet little house cat. In Icelandic folklore, the creature has a much more threatening role, and the story helps explain why Christmas traditions here can feel darker than the usual Santa-and-reindeer version.

The stop takes about five minutes, but it often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the route. The tour also covers the Yule Lads, the 13 figures who arrive one by one before Christmas. Their names and behavior give Icelandic folklore a comic, slightly unruly character.

Families with older children and teenagers may especially enjoy this section. Very young children could find the Christmas Cat or the more frightening parts of the stories unsettling. The tour description does not promise a child-focused presentation, and one music-loving group found it better suited to young adults than little ones.

Litla Jólabúðin for ornaments and gifts

Litla Jólabúðin is a small Christmas shop that stays open year-round. The guide takes you inside to look at Icelandic ornaments and seasonal items, and you have the chance to shop for gifts.

This stop works well if you want something small and easy to pack. It also gives you a look at how Iceland presents Christmas through local designs rather than only through folklore. You might find a useful souvenir here, but the tour does not include purchases, so budget separately.

The shop is also a welcome break from the cold. Reykjavik’s winter weather can make a two-hour walk feel longer than expected, particularly if wind or below-freezing temperatures arrive. Wear proper layers even if you are looking forward to the indoor stops.

12 Tónar and the musical side of Christmas

At 12 Tónar, one of downtown Reykjavik’s best-known music shops, the guide discusses Icelandic Christmas music and the outside influences that have shaped it. This is a good change of pace after the folklore and shopping stops.

Music lovers should pay attention when choosing this tour. Einar has led a particularly musical version, including singing around the town Christmas tree, a hymn connected with his grandmother, local candy tasting, and time with drinks and cookies in the record shop. Those details may not appear on every departure, but they show how much personality a guide can bring to the same route.

The music stop is also one of the places where the tour can feel local rather than purely scenic. You are not just passing a famous building. You are entering a shop tied to Reykjavik’s music culture and hearing how seasonal songs fit into the wider tradition.

Ending at Hallgrímskirkja

The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s famous church, after roughly 10 minutes of discussion about Christianity and Norse mythology. The final stop gives the guide a chance to explain how different belief systems appear in Icelandic Christmas customs.

Hallgrímskirkja is a fitting endpoint because it is both a major city landmark and a place connected to the Christian side of Christmas. The conversation about Norse mythology keeps the ending from becoming a simple church visit. It ties together the Yule Lads, the Christmas Cat, older beliefs, and modern celebrations.

Your tour ends at Hallgrímstorg 1, rather than returning to the meeting point. That is convenient if you want to continue exploring the church or walk uphill toward other central Reykjavik sights. It also means you should plan your next activity from Hallgrímskirkja, not from Ingólfstorg.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide is the heart of this tour. Ester has been praised for making people feel like family while still bringing humor and strong local knowledge. Stefan has added Icelandic phrases, answers to questions, historical context, and small surprises. Barti has presented the Yule Lads and folklore with a cheerful Christmas sweater and Santa hat.

Einar’s version leaned strongly toward music, with singing, candy, a hymn, and time in the record shop. Another departure included two guides in training, giving the group more chances to ask questions.

These examples show both the strength and the limitation of a small operator-led walking tour. A warm, lively guide can make familiar streets memorable. The exact balance of music, folklore, shopping, and general city information may vary according to who leads the group.

The guide is described as fun-loving and expert, and the tour is offered in English. Tips are not included, so bring that cost into your planning if you feel the guide gave you a good experience.

Hot chocolate, treats, and the cold-weather question

Several versions of the experience have included hot chocolate, tea, coffee, cookies, or local candy. These extras are especially welcome during a Reykjavik winter walk. One stop for a hot drink can reset your energy and give the group a chance to talk in a warmer setting.

You should not treat these refreshments as a guaranteed feature unless your booking details confirm them. The core inclusion is the English-speaking guide. The route and seasonal subject matter are the reliable parts of the experience.

The tour lasts about two hours, but winter conditions affect how it feels. Dress for outdoor walking, with warm layers and shoes suited to cold streets. The covered meeting area helps at the start, and shops provide short indoor breaks, but most of the route remains on foot.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this walk if you want more than a list of Reykjavik landmarks. It suits first-time visitors, couples, older children, teenagers, and adults who enjoy folklore, books, music, or local customs.

It is also useful early in a Reykjavik stay. You get your bearings in the center, learn where several key squares are, and finish at Hallgrímskirkja. The guide’s general city information can help you decide what to revisit later.

Music fans should look for a departure led by Einar if that option is available. Families with young children should consider the darker folklore and the two-hour walking format. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the tour operates near public transportation.

The maximum group size is listed as 99 people. That is a large possible group for a walking tour, though the actual number on a particular date may be smaller. If you prefer a quiet, intimate walk, check the group size at booking.

Price, timing, and the New Year’s Eve problem

At $75.70, the tour offers value through interpretation rather than admission tickets. There are no paid entries listed, and the stops themselves are free. You are paying for the route, local stories, guide time, and the convenience of seeing several seasonal places in one organized walk.

That value drops sharply if the central Christmas features are unavailable. A December 31 departure had a late guide arrival and closed markets, leaving much of the advertised plan changed. The guide still tried to provide an alternative, but the problem was not the guide’s personality. It was the mismatch between what was sold and what could operate that day.

I would be cautious about booking this tour on New Year’s Eve unless the operator confirms which stops will be open. If the date is flexible, choose a day when the markets and shops are operating. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you want Icelandic Christmas explained through real streets, shops, music, and folklore. The best parts are the Christmas Cat, the Yule Lads, the bookshop, 12 Tónar, and the guide’s personal storytelling. The walk also gives you a useful route through central Reykjavik and finishes at Hallgrímskirkja.

I would skip it if you only want a market visit, need a guaranteed indoor activity, or are traveling on a date when the markets are closed. For the strongest experience, avoid December 31, dress warmly, and confirm whether refreshments or special musical touches are planned.

For most visitors in Reykjavik during the Christmas season, this is a worthwhile introduction to the city’s traditions. Just remember that the guide and the calendar matter as much as the route.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavik, beside Ingólfstorg. Face the square and look for the two tall stone seat-pillars, with Center Hotel Plaza on your right.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja Church, at Hallgrímstorg 1.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

An expert local guide is included. Tips are not included.

Does the tour include Christmas market visits?

The route includes Ingólfstorg, where you can see the skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls when they are operating. Market availability can vary, especially on New Year’s Eve.

Is shopping included?

The tour provides opportunities to browse and shop at places such as Penninn Eymundsson and Litla Jólabúðin. Purchases are not included in the tour price.

Can service animals participate?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.