Reykjavik: World War II Walking tour around the city centre

History gets personal here. This two-hour walk follows the route taken by British soldiers after their May 1940 landing, linking the Old Harbour with Reykjavik’s old streets and the German Residence. I like the use of period photographs and videos, which help you compare wartime Reykjavik with the city you see today. I also like the wider focus: this is not only a military tour, but a look at how foreign troops changed Icelandic food, music, and daily life.

The main drawback is the weather. You spend the whole tour outside, and Iceland can feel cold even in summer. You also walk up and down a small hill, with benches at some stops but not all. At $40 per person, the price is fair if you want a focused history walk, but less appealing if you prefer broad sightseeing or dislike standing outdoors for two hours.

Key points to know before booking

• The tour begins at Parliament Square: Meet outside Hotel Borg in Austurvollur, not inside the hotel.
• The Old Harbour marks the British landing: You visit the exact place connected with the May 1940 invasion.
• The route follows the soldiers into town: The walk links the harbour, Reykjavik Old Town, and key buildings taken over by the troops.
• The story includes American influence: Food, music, and social habits are part of the discussion, not just military movements.
• Period images add useful context: Photographs and videos show how much the city has changed.
• The walk is accessible but outdoors: Most of the route is flat, has no stairs, and is wheelchair accessible, though one small hill is included.

Why World War II matters in Reykjavik

Iceland is often presented through volcanoes, waterfalls, sagas, and fishing villages. World War II can feel like a side note beside those larger subjects. This walk makes a good case for giving the war two hours of your time because it explains a major turning point in modern Icelandic life.

Before the invasion, Reykjavik was a much smaller city than it is today. The British arrival brought soldiers, military activity, and a sudden connection to a wider conflict. The American presence followed, and the tour looks at how that contact affected ordinary habits as well as defense.

That social angle is the reason I would choose this walk over a narrow military lecture. You hear about the food people ate and the music they danced to. Those details help you see the occupation as something that reached kitchens, dance halls, streets, and family life.

The subject is not aimed at very young children. The tour is recommended for people aged 10 and older because of the material covered. If you are traveling with younger children, a private version can be arranged with age-appropriate content.

Meeting at Austurvollur and Hotel Borg

The starting point is easy to find in Austurvollur, Reykjavik’s Parliament Square. Wait outside Hotel Borg rather than going into the hotel. This is a useful detail, since arriving at the right building but waiting indoors could leave you searching for the group.

Austurvollur gives the walk a fitting beginning. From here, you are already in the center of Reykjavik, close to the political heart of Iceland. The guide uses the square as the starting point before leading you toward the harbour.

You do not need transportation for this experience. The full route takes place on foot, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it easy to fit into a day of central Reykjavik sightseeing. You can also use it early in your stay, when you want to understand the city’s layout.

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour is only two hours, but you will be standing and walking outdoors, and the guide does not provide a seat at every stop.

The Old Harbour and the May 1940 landing

The Old Harbour is the emotional center of the walk. Here, you see the place identified as the exact landing point of the British invasion in May 1940. Instead of treating the event as a date in a textbook, the guide connects it to a real stretch of waterfront that you can stand beside.

Period photographs and videos are especially useful at this stop. Reykjavik has changed greatly, and modern buildings can make it hard to picture the city during the war. The visual material helps you see the difference between the waterfront then and now.

I appreciate this approach because it gives you two views at once. You see the present-day harbour, then use historical images to picture the soldiers arriving and the city they encountered. The result is more concrete than a simple account of troop movements.

The harbour stop may also be the most exposed part of the walk. Bring rain gear and an outer layer, even if the forecast looks mild. The tour runs in almost all weather, and Icelandic wind or rain can change your comfort quickly.

Following the route into Reykjavik Old Town

From the harbour, the group follows the route the soldiers took toward the center of Reykjavik. The walk passes through the old town and discusses the key buildings that were taken over as the troops moved inward.

This part of the tour gives the invasion a clear shape. You are not just hearing that foreign forces arrived. You are tracing their movement from the water into the city and seeing how close military action was to everyday urban life.

The route also leads through side streets that you might not find on your own. These are not presented as separate attractions, but they add texture to the walk. You get a sense of how a compact city could be occupied quickly and how military control affected central buildings.

Most of the route is flat, and there are no stairs. There is one small hill to walk up and down. Wheelchair users can take the tour, but it is still worth considering the outdoor conditions and the fact that some stops have no benches.

The German Residence and a wider wartime picture

The German Residence is one of the named stops, giving the tour a point of comparison beyond the British arrival. Its presence helps broaden the story from one invasion to the competing forces and interests surrounding Iceland during the war.

The walk is not limited to a list of buildings. The guide places the residence within the wider political and military story, then connects it with the British occupation and later American presence. That wider frame is useful if you know little about Iceland’s position during World War II.

You should not expect a museum visit or an indoor tour of the buildings. The experience is a walking tour of the city center, with explanations given at outdoor locations. That means the value comes from the guide’s storytelling and interpretation rather than from access to interiors.

British soldiers, American influence, and daily life

The British invasion is the starting point, but the American presence receives serious attention too. This is where the tour moves beyond battle plans and military occupation.

The guide discusses changes in Icelandic society, including the food people ate and the music they danced to. Those examples may sound small, but they are useful because they show how an international military presence can alter daily life.

A military history tour can sometimes feel distant from the place you are visiting. Here, the focus on food and music brings the subject closer to Reykjavik residents. You begin to think about contact between Icelanders and foreign troops as a social event, not only a strategic one.

The balance should suit you if you want history with a cultural angle. If your main interest is equipment, battle tactics, or a detailed military timeline, this walk may feel too broad. Its purpose is to explain what the occupation meant for the city and its people.

One guide praised in the feedback is Lucky, who was described as funny and especially well informed about the subject. The same feedback noted that she could add ghost stories when asked. That does not appear to be a standard part of the route, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised feature. Still, it suggests that the tone can be flexible and personal.

Period photos make the changing city easier to understand

The photographs and videos are more than decoration. They help you read Reykjavik as a historical place.

Modern Reykjavik can hide the scale of its wartime changes. A photograph shown beside the present street view can reveal altered buildings, different waterfront conditions, or a city that once felt much smaller and more exposed.

I would pay close attention during these comparisons. The best benefit of a city walking tour is often the ability to see familiar streets differently after the guide has finished. You may pass the same places later in your trip and remember the wartime scene attached to them.

The visual material also helps if you are not already comfortable with Icelandic history. You do not need a large amount of background knowledge to follow the story. The route, images, and landmarks provide a clear sequence.

Guide style and the value of a small subject

The available rating is 4.8 out of 5 from six ratings, with particular praise for the guides’ friendly manner, humor, and command of the subject. One participant described the tour as personalized and said it changed the way they viewed the American military presence in Iceland.

That is a strong sign for this kind of experience. A history walk depends heavily on the person leading it. The facts matter, but so do pacing, clarity, and the ability to connect a building or street with a human story.

The War Tour is an English-language experience with a live guide. The format allows you to ask questions as you go, although the exact group size and guide for your date are not specified. If you enjoy conversation and interpretation, that is a plus. If you prefer reading displays at your own speed, an indoor museum may suit you better.

The subject also rewards curiosity. I would ask about the difference between British and American involvement, how local residents responded, and which social changes lasted after the war. The tour already covers food and music, so those questions can help you explore the cultural side further.

Is $40 a fair price for two hours?

At $40 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Reykjavik. You could walk around the center on your own for little or no cost. The question is what the guide adds.

For that price, you receive a dedicated two-hour walk, an English-speaking guide, historical photographs and videos, and a route built around a specific subject. You also reach side streets and wartime locations that would be easy to pass without understanding their importance.

I think the price is reasonable for history fans and for repeat visitors who have already seen the main landmarks. It is also a good choice if you want a short activity that stays within central Reykjavik and does not require a bus or a full-day commitment.

The value is weaker if you want general city orientation. This is not a standard introduction to Reykjavik’s churches, museums, shopping streets, or food scene. Its focus is World War II and the cultural changes linked to foreign military forces.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start reduces the risk of booking around uncertain weather. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Iceland activities before your trip.

Weather, clothing, and walking comfort

Take the clothing advice seriously. The tour runs in almost all weather, and summer does not guarantee warmth. Bring rain gear, outdoor clothing, and comfortable shoes.

You should also bring a camera. The route’s value comes partly from comparing present-day Reykjavik with the old images shown by the guide. A camera can help you remember the locations, though the real benefit is the explanation you receive on site.

There are benches at several stops, but not every stop. If you need regular seating, ask about the route when booking. The absence of stairs and the mostly flat path make the tour wheelchair accessible, but the small hill and long periods outdoors still matter.

I would schedule this walk when you have enough time to arrive at Austurvollur without rushing. A late arrival could mean missing the opening explanation, which sets up the harbour and the British landing.

Who should take this Reykjavik history walk?

This tour is a good fit for you if:

• You enjoy local history more than a general sightseeing checklist.
• You want to understand how World War II affected Icelandic society.
• You like seeing historical photographs in the places they depict.
• You are interested in both British and American involvement.
• You are comfortable walking outdoors in changeable weather.
• You are at least 10 years old and can follow serious wartime subject matter.

I would be more cautious if you have young children, want an indoor activity, or hope for a detailed tour of military artifacts. The walk is also not ideal if heavy rain or cold makes outdoor sightseeing unpleasant for you.

Should you book the World War II Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a focused, well-guided look at a part of Reykjavik that is easy to miss. The Old Harbour landing point, the route through Old Town, the German Residence, and the discussion of food and music create a useful link between military events and ordinary life.

At $40, the tour earns its price through interpretation rather than access to attractions. I would especially recommend it early in your stay, when the route can give you a stronger sense of the city’s past. Just dress for Icelandic weather, wear solid shoes, and choose another activity if you need a child-focused or fully indoor experience.

FAQ

Where does the World War II walking tour begin?

It begins in Austurvollur, also called Parliament Square, outside Hotel Borg. You should wait outside the hotel, not inside.

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends back at the same meeting point outside Hotel Borg.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What places does the route include?

The route includes the Old Harbour, Reykjavik Old Town, and the German Residence. It also follows the route taken by British soldiers into the city center.

Does the tour visit the exact British landing place?

Yes. The Old Harbour stop is described as the exact place where the British landed in May 1940.

Does the tour cover American involvement in Iceland?

Yes. The guide discusses the American presence and its effects on Icelandic society, including food and music.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 because of the subject matter. A private tour can be arranged for younger children with adjusted material.

Is the walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Most of the route is flat, there are no stairs, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. It does include walking up and down a small hill, and benches are available at some but not all stops.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, rain gear, and outdoor clothing. The tour takes place in almost all weather, and even summer in Iceland can be cold.