Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Christmas in Reykjavik comes with trolls. This two-hour walk brings you into the city’s holiday mood through Icelandic folklore, Christmas lights, markets, and stories about the 13 Yule Lads. I like the way it mixes familiar sights with local traditions, and I also like that it ends at Hallgrímskirkja after following the main shopping streets uphill. The main consideration is the weather: December in Reykjavik can be cold, dark, wet, and windy, so warm layers are essential.

I also appreciate the small extras, including possible tastings, discounts at selected Christmas shops and restaurants, and a stop at a book store. The tour costs $74 per person, which is fair if you want context and company while exploring the city center, but it may feel expensive if you only want to see the lights or browse the markets on your own.

Key points at a glance

• Meet beside Ingólfstorg: Find the guide outside Hlöllabátar, facing the square and its two tall stone pillars.
• Hear the full Yule Lad story: Learn about Iceland’s 13 mischievous Christmas figures, their troll mother Grýla, and the feared Christmas Cat.
• See Reykjavik’s festive center: The route includes Ingólfstorg, Austurstræti, Laugavegur, and the Christmas decorations around Austurvöllur.
• Visit Litla Jólabúðin: The small Christmas shop offers a focused look at Icelandic holiday goods.
• Finish at Hallgrímskirkja: The final stretch follows Skólavörðustígur toward Reykjavik’s famous church.
• Plan for December weather: Wear layers and clothing suited to wind, rain, and cold streets.

What makes this Christmas walk worth your time

Reykjavik is compact, and you can see many of these streets without a guide. The value here comes from the stories. Icelandic Christmas is not simply a Scandinavian version of Santa Claus. Its cast includes 13 Yule Lads, each with a particular habit, plus Grýla, a frightening troll who eats naughty children, and the Christmas Cat.

That folklore gives ordinary streets a bit more character. A decorated square becomes a place to hear old tales. A shop window becomes a clue in a seasonal story. An elf stone becomes a chance to discuss Iceland’s long connection with hidden people and the unseen world.

The tour is also family-friendly without being limited to young children. Adults who enjoy folklore, books, food, and local customs should find plenty to take from it. One of the strongest elements is the guide’s storytelling. Bjornvain received particular praise for being friendly, funny, and well informed, with special attention to the Yule Lads and the tour’s small surprises.

The walk operates only in December. That is a limitation, but it also means the timing matches the experience. You are not getting a generic Reykjavik city walk with a few Christmas decorations added. The route is built around the season.

Starting at Hlöllabátar and Ingólfstorg

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar, a sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and the square has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling where you can wait.

Look for a guide wearing a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. That detail matters in a busy central area, especially if several walking tours are gathering nearby.

Ingólfstorg is a sensible opening point. The square takes on a festive look in December, with holiday decorations, market stalls, and an ice skating rink. You get an immediate taste of Reykjavik’s Christmas season before the storytelling begins in earnest.

Allow yourself enough time to arrive without rushing. The meeting point is in the downtown center, but the tour does not include hotel pickup. You need to make your own way there.

Ingólfstorg’s rink, stalls, and elf stone

The first section introduces the Christmas atmosphere through the square’s decorations and seasonal activity. The ice skating rink gives the stop a cheerful feel, while the market stalls offer a first look at holiday shopping in central Reykjavik.

An elf stone is one of the more unusual details connected with the walk. Icelandic folklore has a strong place for elves and hidden people, and an elf stone gives the guide something concrete to point out rather than offering only abstract stories.

This is where the tour begins to show its difference from a standard lights walk. You are not simply moving from one decorated street to another. The guide connects places and traditions, helping you understand why folklore still appears in Icelandic Christmas culture.

Market stalls may be appealing if you want gifts or seasonal snacks, but keep your expectations sensible. The tour includes time to see the markets, not a long independent shopping session. If you find something you want to buy, you may need to return later.

Austurstræti and Austurvöllur’s Oslo Christmas Tree

The route continues through Austurstræti, one of the central streets in the downtown area. This part includes guided sightseeing and some shopping time, so you can expect a mix of walking, looking into storefronts, and hearing more about Christmas customs.

The tour then takes in Austurvöllur Square and the famous Oslo Christmas Tree. The tree is a long-running seasonal feature in Reykjavik and gives the walk one of its clearest Christmas photo stops.

This portion is useful early in your stay because it helps you get your bearings in central Reykjavik. You see how the squares and streets connect, and you can note places you may want to revisit for food or shopping.

The guide may also introduce Icelandic Christmas food and drinks during the walk, with possible samples. The information provided does not promise a set tasting menu, so I would treat this as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book. The tour is primarily a guided walk with stories and sightseeing.

Finding the 13 Yule Lads

The Yule Lads are the heart of the experience. Iceland has 13 Christmas figures rather than one single Santa Claus, and each has a distinctive personality or mischief. The guide looks for representations of these figures around the city center while explaining how they fit into local Christmas tradition.

This is especially good for families. Children have characters to search for, while adults get a memorable explanation of Icelandic folklore. The hunt adds a simple activity to the walk and keeps the stories tied to the streets around you.

You also hear about Grýla, the Yule Lads’ troll mother. She is a far less gentle Christmas figure than the usual holiday characters, with a reputation for eating naughty children. The Christmas Cat adds another fierce note to the story.

The ferocious Christmas Cat is not just a cute seasonal decoration. In Icelandic tradition, the cat is linked with Christmas clothing and the danger of not receiving something new to wear. The guide brings these customs to life through stories, making them easier to remember than a list of facts.

A Reykjavik book store and Iceland’s Christmas reading habit

One of the tour’s most appealing stops is a short visit to a book store. You see Icelandic Christmas books and learn about the country’s love of reading, particularly during the holiday season.

This stop adds some cultural depth to the walk. Christmas is not presented only through lights, food, and shopping. Books are part of the season too, and the store gives you a quiet indoor break from the December weather.

The visit is brief, so it is not intended as a long browsing period. Still, it is a useful stop if you want a sense of daily Icelandic culture rather than a string of photo opportunities. You might also find a book that makes a more personal souvenir than a standard Christmas ornament.

Laugavegur and Litla Jólabúðin

From the central streets, the walk reaches Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. This is where the experience shifts toward storefronts, seasonal goods, and the city’s commercial Christmas mood.

The highlight here is Litla Jólabúðin, or the Little Christmas Store. The tour includes time to visit and take photos, with about 30 minutes assigned to this part of the route. It is a focused stop for Christmas-related items and gives you a chance to browse a shop built around the season.

I would consider this one of the best parts for gift shoppers. The visit is more specific than simply walking past decorated stores, and the tour may provide discounts at selected Christmas shops, stalls, and restaurants.

Those discounts can improve the $74 value, but the exact savings and participating businesses are not specified. Do not book the tour solely for the discounts. Think of them as a bonus after you have already decided that the stories and guided walk appeal to you.

Laugavegur also makes the route practical. If you want to return later for independent shopping, you will already know where the main stores are located. The walk gives you an overview, then leaves you free to come back with more time.

The uphill finish at Hallgrímskirkja

The final stretch follows Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. This is a handsome route through one of the city’s best-known central areas, with selected shops along the way offering more Christmas-related sights.

The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja after a photo stop and guided sightseeing. The church is one of Reykjavik’s defining landmarks, and finishing there gives the tour a clear endpoint rather than leaving you in the middle of a shopping street.

Be aware that this final section goes uphill. The distance is manageable for most people who are comfortable with a two-hour city walk, but winter clothing and slippery conditions can make the route feel harder. Good shoes are a smart choice.

Ending at the church also gives you flexibility. You can take photos, explore the area, or continue elsewhere in central Reykjavik after the tour. Hotel transport is not included, so you will need to arrange your own return or onward plans.

How much value do you get for $74?

At $74 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing option. You are paying for a two-hour guided walk, an English-speaking local guide, seasonal storytelling, and access to a route that combines markets, public squares, shops, and folklore.

The price makes more sense if you want a structured introduction to Reykjavik during December. A guide can explain the Yule Lads, Grýla, the Christmas Cat, elf traditions, and local holiday customs while you move through the city. That context is hard to get from simply walking around with a map.

The value is weaker if you plan to visit the same streets independently and do not care much about folklore. Reykjavik’s center is easy to explore on foot, and you can see the Christmas tree, decorations, shopping streets, and church without joining a tour.

I think the tour is best for a first visit during the Christmas season, families who enjoy stories, and anyone who wants a light cultural activity between larger Iceland excursions. The private group option may be worth considering if you want a more personal pace or are traveling with your own group.

The tour has a rating of 4.6 from 18 reviews, and the most warmly praised points are clear: friendly guides, a fun atmosphere, the Yule Lad stories, and the extra touches. Bjornvain was singled out for being funny, friendly, and well prepared. One short review simply called the tour enjoyable, while another praised the festive lights, the city, and the guide’s handling of local folklore.

December comfort, timing, and practical planning

This is a walking tour, not a bus excursion. You spend two hours outside, with short indoor visits and stops along the way. Dress in layers, as requested by the operator, and choose weather-appropriate clothing rather than relying on a single heavy coat.

Bring protection from cold and wet weather. December conditions can change, and the route includes open squares, shopping streets, and an uphill finish. Warm footwear will make the experience more pleasant.

The tour is offered in English. It lasts two hours, though the stops include a mixture of sightseeing, shopping, photos, and storytelling rather than continuous walking. The listed sections include about 15 minutes at Ingólfstorg, 20 minutes around Austurstræti, 20 minutes on Laugavegur, 30 minutes at Litla Jólabúðin, and 30 minutes at Hallgrímskirkja.

The published timings add up to more than a strict two-hour schedule, so treat them as approximate stop lengths rather than a minute-by-minute promise. Guides may adjust the pace and time spent in each place.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your December plans depend on weather or changing arrival times.

Who should book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want more than pretty lights. It works best when you are curious about Icelandic Christmas customs and enjoy hearing stories while walking through the city.

It is a good fit for:

• Families interested in trolls, elves, and the Yule Lads
• First-time visitors who want a downtown orientation
• Christmas shoppers looking for Litla Jólabúðin and seasonal markets
• Readers and culture lovers who would enjoy the book store stop
• Visitors who prefer a short guided activity rather than a full-day excursion
• People who want a festive introduction before exploring Reykjavik independently

I would skip it if you dislike walking in winter weather, have very limited interest in folklore, or want a large amount of free shopping time. The tour does not include hotel pickup, and the final uphill walk to Hallgrímskirkja may not suit everyone.

Should you book it?

Book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour if you want the city’s holiday decorations explained through local stories. The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla, the Christmas Cat, the elf stone, the book store, and the Little Christmas Store give the experience a clear Icelandic identity.

At $74, it is a considered purchase, not an automatic bargain. I think the price is justified for a first-time December visit, especially if you value a friendly guide and a bit of folklore with your sightseeing. If you do book, meet at Hlöllabátar, arrive ready for the weather, and keep some time afterward to revisit Laugavegur or the markets at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour meet?

The tour meets outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling provide a waiting area.

Where does the walking tour finish?

The tour finishes at Hallgrímskirkja church after following Skólavörðustígur uphill.

How long does the Christmas walking tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $74 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English with a live guide.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point and arrange your onward transport from Hallgrímskirkja.

What Christmas traditions are covered?

The tour covers the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads, their troll mother Grýla, the Christmas Cat, Icelandic Christmas food and drinks, elf folklore, and the country’s Christmas reading traditions.

Is the tour suitable for families?

Yes. The experience is described as family-friendly and includes stories about trolls, elves, and the Yule Lads.

Is a private tour available?

Yes. A private group option is available.