Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Christmas in Reykjavik has teeth. This two-hour walk brings you into the city’s holiday mood through Icelandic folklore, music, food, and local customs, not just decorated streets. I like the way the route mixes familiar sights such as Hallgrímskirkja with smaller stops at a bookshop, music store, and Christmas shop. I also like the personal touch from guides such as Ester, Stefán, Einar, and Barti, who have added language tips, songs, treats, and plenty of local stories.

The main caution is timing. The tour promises Christmas markets, but those markets may be closed on certain dates, especially New Year’s Eve. If the market is important to you, confirm what will be open before booking. The walk is also outdoors in winter, so warm clothing and sensible shoes are essential.

Key points before you book

• Icelandic Christmas is stranger than you may expect: Learn about the Christmas Cat, the 13 Yule Lads, Norse mythology, Christianity, and traditional decorations.
• The route ends at Hallgrímskirkja: You begin downtown at Ingólfstorg and finish by Reykjavik’s famous church, giving you a useful east-to-west introduction to central Reykjavik.
• Books, records, and gifts are part of the experience: Stops include Penninn Eymundsson, Litla Jolabudin, and 12 Tónar, so you get more than a standard sightseeing walk.
• Hot chocolate can be the best stop: Several tours have included warm drinks, cookies, candy, or treats, a welcome break in the cold.
• Guides shape the experience: Ester has been praised for her humor and warmth, while Stefán, Einar, and Barti have each brought different strengths, from history to music.
• The cost is $75.70 per person: That is a fair price if you value local storytelling and small cultural stops, but less appealing if you mainly want market shopping.

What this Reykjavik Christmas tour is really about

This is not a grand Christmas market excursion with hours of free shopping. It is a guided city walk built around the stories and customs that make Christmas in Iceland distinctive.

You will see holiday displays and market stalls, but the heart of the experience is cultural. You learn why books matter at Christmas, how Icelandic families decorate, where the frightening Christmas Cat fits into folklore, and how modern celebrations borrow from both Christian and Norse traditions.

That mix gives the walk more substance than a simple stroll past lights. It also makes the tour useful early in your stay. You get an introduction to central Reykjavik, pick up some local vocabulary, and discover shops you might otherwise pass without entering.

The published rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 18 ratings. That is a small sample, but the pattern is clear: the strongest praise goes to the guides. People have especially appreciated the friendly tone, clear explanations, humor, music, candy tasting, hot chocolate, and small surprises along the route.

Starting at Hlöllabátar on Austurstræti

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1, beside Ingólfstorg. To find it, 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.

This is a practical meeting place because the area has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling. You can wait out of the wind and rain instead of standing on an exposed street corner. The guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, which should make the group easy to spot.

One important detail: arrive early. A group once waited for a guide who was 15 minutes late in below-freezing weather, which is a long time in Reykjavik winter. The issue was handled poorly on that occasion, so I would not cut it close, especially if you are unfamiliar with the square.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It can have up to 99 participants, although the feel of the walk will depend heavily on the actual group size that day. A large group may make conversation and shop visits less personal.

Ingólfstorg: skating, stalls, and the first taste of Christmas

The first sightseeing stop is Ingólfstorg, the square where you meet. You will see an ice-skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls.

This is a good opening because it gives you an immediate visual sense of Reykjavik in December. Your guide can explain what you are looking at before moving into the less visible customs behind the celebration.

The drawback is that the market setup changes with the calendar. Stalls may not be operating every day, and on New Year’s Eve the market was closed. If you booked specifically for market shopping, this is the point where your expectations could fall short.

The tour lasts about two hours, so the stop is brief, around 10 minutes. Think of it as an introduction rather than a shopping session.

Austurvöllur and the Oslo Christmas tree

At Austurvöllur, the group visits Reykjavik’s traditional Oslo Christmas tree. The guide uses the tree to explain the custom of putting up Christmas trees and decorating homes in Iceland.

This stop adds a useful local angle to something that can otherwise feel familiar. Christmas trees are common across Europe, but the story of how a city marks the season can tell you a lot about its connections and traditions.

You will spend roughly 10 minutes here. It is also a chance to see one of central Reykjavik’s main squares while your guide adds general background about the city and Icelandic holiday life.

Penninn Eymundsson and Iceland’s Christmas book tradition

The bookshop stop is one of the most distinctive parts of the route. Books play a major role in Icelandic Christmas customs, and Penninn Eymundsson offers a chance to see Icelandic Christmas books up close.

You may find titles that are difficult to understand if you do not read Icelandic, but you can still appreciate the tradition and the visual appeal of the books. The stop may also help explain why bookshops are such a natural part of the Christmas season in Iceland.

This is not simply a retail detour. It connects everyday shopping with a long-standing holiday habit. If you want a small souvenir with more cultural meaning than a generic ornament, a book or illustrated title could be worth considering.

The planned visit lasts about 10 minutes, so do not expect a long browse. If you are a serious book buyer, you may want to return on your own after the tour.

Lækjartorg and the Christmas Cat

At Lækjartorg, the subject changes from friendly holiday customs to something much more alarming: the Christmas Cat.

The ferocious Christmas Cat is part of Icelandic folklore, and the guide uses this stop to explain the darker side of the season. Icelandic Christmas stories include the 13 Yule Lads, strange creatures, and warnings that are not exactly soft and sentimental.

This is one reason the tour works well for adults and older children. It gives you stories to look for in shop windows and public decorations around Reykjavik. A teenage group has particularly enjoyed this folklore-focused side of the walk.

The stop is short, about five minutes, but the story carries more weight than the timing suggests. You will not spend long at a single monument. Instead, the guide keeps the route moving through the city.

Litla Jolabudin for ornaments and gifts

Litla Jolabudin is a small Christmas shop open year-round. You visit to see Icelandic Christmas ornaments and perhaps pick up a gift.

The shop helps turn the tour into a practical shopping guide. Rather than being sent into a large department store, you get a look at a place focused on seasonal objects and local holiday style.

You should keep the shopping portion in perspective. The stop lasts around 10 minutes, and the tour is not designed for a relaxed buying spree. Still, it is useful if you want ideas before shopping elsewhere in Reykjavik.

I would carry a small amount of room in your luggage for purchases. The tour gives you several chances to find something compact, including books, ornaments, candy, and music.

12 Tónar: Icelandic music with a warm break

The stop at 12 Tónar is especially good for music lovers. Icelandic Christmas music draws from several countries, and the guide uses this downtown record store to talk about those influences and local performers.

This is also where some groups have enjoyed drinks and cookies, including hot chocolate. In a cold city walk, a warm break is not a minor luxury. It gives you time to thaw out and makes the cultural discussion easier to absorb.

Einar has offered a musical version of the tour, including singing around the Christmas tree and playing or sharing Icelandic holiday music. One group also heard a hymn written by his grandmother at the state church. That kind of personal detail can make the tour feel less like a standard script.

The musical element will not suit everyone equally. If you dislike group singing, you may find that part awkward. For a family with adult children or anyone who enjoys live music, though, it can be a memorable touch.

Hallgrímskirkja and the meeting of old and new traditions

The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s famous church on Hallgrímstorg 1. This is a strong finish because the church is one of the city’s essential landmarks, and the guide uses it to discuss the role of Christianity and Norse mythology in Christmas.

You will not simply be taken to a postcard view and dismissed. The final discussion brings together the themes introduced earlier: old stories, Christian customs, local folklore, music, and modern Christmas celebrations.

The tour ends here rather than returning to the starting point. That matters when planning your afternoon. You can continue sightseeing around the church, visit another central attraction, or walk back downhill toward the shopping streets.

The end point also makes this a useful orientation tour. You start near the harbor-side center and finish by one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable buildings.

How good are the guides?

The guides are the strongest part of this experience. Ester has been described as warm, funny, and so welcoming that you feel like you have a friend in Reykjavik. Stefán has impressed people with his Icelandic language tips, holiday history, answers to questions, and small surprises.

Barti has brought the folklore to life with stories about the Yule Lads and a festive sweater and Santa hat. Einar has made the route more musical, adding songs, local artists, and personal connections to the program.

These examples also show the tradeoff. The tour is not a fixed museum audio guide. Your enjoyment depends partly on who leads it and how that person handles the group, the weather, the shops, and the timing.

The best guides make the walk feel personal without losing its structure. They add context to ordinary streets and explain why Icelandic Christmas customs may seem both charming and slightly menacing.

Is $75.70 good value?

At $75.70 per person, this is not a cheap way to see Reykjavik. You are paying for the guide’s time, interpretation, and the chance to connect several cultural stops in one organized walk. The listed inclusions are limited to the guide, though hot drinks and treats have been included on some outings.

I think the price is reasonable if you want a focused introduction to Icelandic Christmas and would otherwise struggle to understand the customs on your own. The bookshop, Christmas store, record shop, and folklore stops give the experience more variety than a basic landmark walk.

The value drops if your main goal is shopping at Christmas markets. Market stalls may be closed, and most stops are short. You are buying a guided cultural experience, not two hours of free time in the markets.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 67 days. That suggests planning matters during the Christmas season. If you have a narrow schedule, reserve early, then check the date carefully.

Who should book this Christmas walk?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Reykjavik, families with teenagers, couples interested in local customs, and music lovers who may enjoy the 12 Tónar stop.

It is also a good choice if you like folklore. The Christmas Cat and Yule Lads offer a welcome change from predictable holiday stories, and the guide can connect those tales with things you see around town.

You should think twice if you need a fully indoor activity, dislike cold-weather walking, or want a large Christmas market with extensive shopping time. The route is outdoors and includes several short stops rather than long visits.

Most people can take part, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, you should plan for winter conditions and wear warm layers, gloves, a hat, and shoes with good grip.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, and the operator may cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you want stories and local color, not just pretty lights. The best parts are the guides, the Icelandic folklore, the book and music stops, and the welcome chance to warm up with hot chocolate or treats.

Before paying $75.70, check the date and ask whether the Christmas markets will be open. If they are closed, the guide may still provide a useful walk, but the experience will not match a market-centered expectation.

For a short first look at Reykjavik’s Christmas customs, I think this is a worthwhile choice. Just dress for the weather, arrive early at Hlöllabátar, and treat the market stalls as a bonus rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja Church, at Hallgrímstorg 1 in Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $75.70 per person.

What is included in the price?

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

Will the tour visit Christmas markets?

The route includes Ingólfstorg, where you can see an ice rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls. Market activity depends on the date, and the markets were closed on New Year’s Eve during one tour.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most people can participate. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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