Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavík’s Christmas story is stranger and more entertaining than a standard holiday stroll. This two-hour walk takes you from the city’s decorated squares to bookshops, music stores, folklore displays, and Hallgrímskirkja, while explaining the 13 Yule Lads, the Christmas Cat, and Iceland’s mix of Christian and Norse traditions.

I like the way the tour connects customs to real places, especially the bookshop, Christmas store, and 12 Tónar record shop. I also like the guides’ personal style. Stefán has taught visitors Icelandic phrases, Einar has shaped the walk around music, and Ester has been praised for making the group feel like old friends.

The main caution is timing. Christmas markets and shops may close on New Year’s Eve or outside their usual hours, so parts of the advertised route can change. If you book for December 31, confirm what will be open before you commit.

Key points to know before you book

• You walk from Ingólfstorg to Hallgrímskirkja: The route crosses central Reykjavík and ends at the city’s famous church.
• Icelandic folklore is the star: Expect stories about the Christmas Cat, the Yule Lads, trolls, and older Norse beliefs.
• The stops mix sightseeing with shopping: You visit Penninn Eymundsson, Litla Jólabúðin, and 12 Tónar, with time to browse.
• Guides shape the mood: Past guides have included Ester, Stefán, Einar, and Barti, each bringing a different approach.
• The cold matters: A hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and treat stop may provide a welcome break during the walk.
• The $75.70 price buys interpretation, not transport: You are paying for a themed local walk, guide attention, and cultural context rather than admission to major sights.

Starting at Ingólfstorg with a simple meeting point

The tour 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 on your right.

This is a practical meeting place. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling give you somewhere to wait out of the weather. Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, which should make the group easier to spot.

Give yourself time to arrive. One guide was reported as 15 minutes late on a very cold day, and that is not a small matter in Reykjavík in winter. The meeting point is central and near public transportation, but you still want gloves, a warm coat, and footwear suited to walking on potentially wet or icy streets.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It can accept service animals, and most people can take part. The stated maximum is 99 people, which is a large possible group for a walking tour, so ask about the expected group size if close conversation matters to you.

Ingólfstorg brings Christmas into the city center

Your first proper stop is Ingólfstorg, where the focus is on the ice-skating rink, decorations, and Christmas market stalls. This gives the walk an immediate holiday feel without wasting time on a long introduction.

The square is also a useful place to understand the tour’s method. You are not simply being shown pretty lights. The guide uses what you see to explain how Christmas appears in Reykjavík, from public decorations to seasonal shopping and outdoor gatherings.

The market element depends heavily on the date. On December 31, the market was closed, and the group could not experience the stop as described. That problem is avoidable with a quick check before booking. If the market is operating, this should be one of the most atmospheric points on the route. If it is closed, expect more storytelling and sightseeing than browsing.

Austurvöllur and the traditional tree

A short walk leads to Austurvöllur Square and the traditional Oslo Christmas tree. The guide explains the custom of Christmas trees and how Icelandic homes are decorated during the season.

This stop adds a useful piece of Reykjavík’s public life to the tour. The tree is not just a photo opportunity. It gives the guide a fixed point from which to discuss Icelandic holiday habits and the way traditions have changed or traveled across countries.

You spend about 10 minutes here. That is enough for an explanation and photographs, but not enough for a long pause. If you want a quiet look at the square, take a few minutes before or after the formal talk.

Penninn Eymundsson shows why books matter at Christmas

The stop at Penninn Eymundsson is one of the more distinctive parts of the walk. Books play an important role in Icelandic Christmas customs, and the shop offers a chance to see Icelandic Christmas books in person.

This is a better cultural stop than a generic souvenir shop. A guide can explain why books fit into the season, while you browse titles and get a sense of what Icelandic families read or give as presents. You may not understand every title, but the shop still helps make the tradition tangible.

The time here is listed as about 10 minutes. That is enough to look around, but you should not expect a full shopping session. If you find a book or gift you want, you may need to return later on your own.

The Christmas Cat and Reykjavík folklore

At Lækjartorg, the tour turns toward one of Iceland’s most memorable holiday figures, the Christmas Cat. This is the ferocious cat of Icelandic Christmas folklore, and it makes the season feel less like a familiar department-store holiday and more like a story from an older culture.

The guide also discusses the Yule Lads and related folklore. These 13 figures are a major part of Icelandic Christmas tradition, and learning about them gives you more context for the characters you may see in shop windows and seasonal displays.

This is where the walk earns its price through interpretation. You can see a Christmas decoration on your own, but you may not understand why the cat is threatening, why the Yule Lads arrive one by one, or how older folklore sits alongside Christian customs. The explanation turns an odd image into a memorable part of Icelandic culture.

Litla Jólabúðin is the best shopping pause

Litla Jólabúðin, or the little Christmas store, is open year-round and focuses on Icelandic Christmas ornaments. This is the most direct gift-shopping stop on the route.

You can browse for decorations and small presents, but keep your expectations in check. The tour gives you around 10 minutes here, so it is better for spotting possible gifts than for making a relaxed purchase decision. If you like something, note the location and return after the walk.

I like this stop because it links the folklore to objects you can actually take home. A Christmas Cat or Yule Lad story is easier to remember when you have seen the figures represented in local ornaments.

12 Tónar adds Icelandic music to the holiday story

At 12 Tónar, Reykjavík’s much-loved downtown music store, the guide turns to Icelandic Christmas music. The stop explains how holiday songs in Iceland draw from several countries and musical traditions.

This part can vary most with the guide. Einar has offered a particularly musical version of the tour, including singing around the town tree, a hymn written by his grandmother, and more Icelandic Christmas music inside the record shop. A hot drink, cookies, and local candy have also been part of some walks.

You should not book this experience expecting a formal concert. The music is woven into the tour, and the tone depends on the guide and the group. If you enjoy songs, local artists, and small personal details, this can be a highlight. If you prefer a quiet historical walk, it may feel more participatory than expected.

The local candy tasting is another small touch worth noting. It gives you a quick taste of the season rather than simply another explanation. Treats and hot chocolate can also make a real difference when the temperature drops.

Hallgrímskirkja gives the walk a strong finish

The route ends at Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s striking church on Hallgrímstorg. Here the guide explains the place of Christianity and Norse mythology in Icelandic Christmas traditions.

Ending here gives the walk a clear arc. You begin with public squares and seasonal commerce, move through books, folklore, ornaments, and music, then finish with religion and older belief systems. You also end at one of Reykjavík’s most recognizable landmarks, making it easy to continue sightseeing afterward.

The tour does not list entry inside the church as part of the experience. The stop is for discussion and viewing, so do not assume that you will receive a church interior tour. The final location is useful if you want to photograph the building or continue exploring the area independently.

Some guides have also taken photographs during or after the walk, including pictures by the Christmas Cat, 12 Tónar, and Hallgrímskirkja. That is a guide-dependent extra, not something to count on as a guaranteed inclusion.

What the guide can change

The guide is central to this experience. Ester has been praised for being funny, warm, and well informed, with a style that makes the group feel personally welcomed. Stefán has combined history, Icelandic language, and small surprises. Barti has focused on folklore, the Yule Lads, and the cultural meaning behind the decorations.

Einar’s version has been especially music-focused, with singing, a family connection to a hymn, music recommendations, drinks, cookies, and candy. That range tells you something important: this is not a rigid audio-guide route. The stops stay broadly similar, but the personality and emphasis can change.

A strong guide can make the difference between a pleasant walk and a memorable one. You should be comfortable with a little conversation and possible participation. Some versions have included singing or tastings, while others have centered more on history and folklore.

Is $75.70 fair for two hours?

At $75.70 per person, this is not a cheap way to get from one Reykjavík sight to another. You are paying a premium for a themed experience led by a local guide, with cultural explanation, seasonal storytelling, and possible treats.

The price makes more sense if you are visiting during the Christmas season and want context that you would not get from a standard city walk. It also suits you if you value personal stories, folklore, music, and a guide who can answer questions.

The value is weaker if you mainly want market shopping or guaranteed access to every stop. Shops have their own hours, markets can close, and the walk does not include major admission tickets or transportation. You may also find the cost high for a two-hour route if your main goal is simply to see Hallgrímskirkja and central Reykjavík.

Tips are not included. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the tour may be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavík Christmas walk?

I would choose this for first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to downtown Reykjavík with a seasonal theme. It is also a good match for adults, couples, families with older children, and young adults who enjoy folklore more than a standard monument-by-monument tour.

Teenagers may like the Christmas Cat, Yule Lads, candy tasting, music, and shopping stops. Very young children may have less patience for the historical explanations, especially in cold weather. The walk is also a good fit for music lovers if you happen to get a guide such as Einar, but the exact musical style is not guaranteed.

You should be ready to walk outdoors for about two hours, with short stops indoors. Wear warm clothing and plan for winter conditions. The hot drink stop, when offered, is welcome, but it should not replace proper cold-weather preparation.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Icelandic Christmas customs explained in place, with folklore, music, shopping, and central Reykjavík landmarks tied together by a local guide. Its best moments come from the human details: the Yule Lads, the fierce Christmas Cat, a bookshop full of seasonal titles, local music at 12 Tónar, and a warm drink when the cold sets in.

I would be cautious about booking it on December 31 or on a day when markets and shops may be closed. Confirm the expected schedule first. If you want a flexible, story-led introduction to Reykjavík during the holiday season, the tour offers good cultural value. If you want guaranteed market access, extensive shopping time, or a formal church visit, choose a different plan or use this as one part of your day.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavík Christmas Walking Tour start?

It starts 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 at Hallgrímskirkja Church, Hallgrímstorg 1, Reykjavík.

How long does the tour last?

The walk lasts approximately two hours.

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.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $75.70 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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