Reykjavik: Christmas Walking Tour with Icelandic Traditions

Icelandic Christmas is stranger and more fun than the usual red-suited Santa story. On this two-hour walk through central Reykjavik, you’ll meet the 13 Yule Lads, their troll mother Grýla, and the fierce Christmas Cat that is said to eat people who do not receive new clothes.

I like the way the tour links folklore to real city sights, from the skating rink and market stalls at Ingólfur Square to the famous Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur. I also like the bookshop stop, since Iceland’s love of books is a genuine part of Christmas culture, not just a shopping detour.

The main caution is pace and time. Reykjavik’s December weather can be wet, windy, and cold, and one past outing devoted its final 45 minutes to hot chocolate. That may sound lovely to some people, but if you want constant sightseeing, ask your guide early how the time will be divided.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads: Learn why Iceland has a whole parade of mischievous Christmas figures instead of one Santa.
• See festive central Reykjavik: The route includes Ingólfur Square, Austurvöllur, Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur, and Hallgrímskirkja.
• Visit a bookshop: See Icelandic Christmas books and learn why reading is such a large part of the holiday season.
• Hear the darker folklore: Grýla eats naughty children, and the Christmas Cat is not a cuddly pet.
• Plan for cold weather: Wear warm layers and comfortable walking shoes for two hours outside.
• Use the added discounts: Selected Christmas shops, market stalls, and restaurants offer savings after or during the walk.

Reykjavik Christmas folklore is the real attraction

This tour works best when you treat it as a folklore walk with Christmas scenery, not as a sightseeing tour with a few holiday decorations added on. The central idea is Iceland’s collection of Yule Lads, known locally as Jólasveinar.

Instead of a single Santa arriving in one night, Icelandic tradition gives you 13 separate characters. They arrive one by one before Christmas, each with a particular bad habit or prank. You might spot small Yule Lad figures around the city center as you walk, and the guide explains the stories behind them.

The tales have a sharper edge than many modern Christmas stories. Grýla, the Yule Lads’ mother, is a troll who eats naughty children. The Christmas Cat is also a serious part of the tradition, not a cute mascot invented for tourists. The stories give the walk a welcome dose of Icelandic humor and darkness.

I like this approach because it gives you something to remember after the lights come down. You are not simply looking at decorations. You are learning why Icelandic Christmas customs feel so different from the familiar Santa tradition.

The tour is family-friendly, but parents should know that some folklore is more frightening than sweet. Younger children may enjoy the mystery and strange characters, while very small children could find Grýla and the Christmas Cat unsettling.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1, beside Ingólfstorg. Face the square and the two tall stone seat-pillars, each more than two meters high. Center Hotel Plaza will be on your right.

This is a sensible meeting place in December. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling provide shelter while you wait. Look for a local guide wearing a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

You should arrive ready to walk rather than expecting a coach or a heated vehicle. The route stays in central Reykjavik, and the two-hour length is manageable for most people who are comfortable walking through winter streets. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but cold weather, slippery surfaces, and the condition of the streets can still affect comfort.

The guide leads in English. Private versions are also available in any language, but that is a separate option from the regular group walk.

Ingólfur Square, skating, and market stalls

One of the first festive sights is the ice skating rink and Christmas market area at Ingólfur Square. This is where the tour’s holiday mood becomes visible right away, with lights, decorations, and stalls gathered in one compact part of downtown.

The square is useful for more than photographs. It gives you a quick look at how Reykjavik marks the season in public spaces. You can see the city’s Christmas atmosphere without spending half a day at a formal market.

Market stalls also connect the stories to practical holiday life. Depending on the day, you might find seasonal food or drinks that Icelanders consider part of Christmas. Sampling is not guaranteed, so think of it as a possible extra rather than part of the basic price.

The square can be a lively place during December, but this tour is not designed as a long shopping session. You will have time to look, listen, and perhaps use a discount at selected stalls. If you want to browse every stand at leisure, return on your own after the walk.

The Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur

The route continues toward Austurvöllur, the square in front of Iceland’s Parliament, to see the famous Oslo Christmas Tree. The tree is a long-running symbol of the friendship between Iceland and Norway, and it gives the walk a useful piece of modern history alongside the older folklore.

This stop also shows how compact central Reykjavik is. The route moves between major sights on foot, with no transport needed. You get a sense of the city center as a connected series of squares, streets, shops, and public buildings rather than isolated attractions.

The tree is most appealing after dark, when the lights carry the scene. December offers plenty of darkness in Iceland, so even an early afternoon tour may feel properly seasonal. Check the start time carefully when booking, since availability changes and daylight is limited.

Searching for Yule Lads around downtown

As you walk, the guide may point out Yule Lad figures hiding around Reykjavik’s center. This turns the route into a small search game, especially for children.

It also gives the guide a way to explain the figures in place rather than presenting a long lecture. You might hear about the Yule Lads’ names, habits, and arrival schedule while moving between streets and shops.

That mix of storytelling and observation is one of the tour’s strongest features. I prefer it to a talk held indoors because the folklore stays connected to the city around you. You are hearing about Icelandic Christmas while actually seeing the places where modern Reykjavik celebrates it.

The tradeoff is that the figures may be easy to miss if you are focused on conversation, weather, or taking photographs. Stay near the guide and keep looking above shop windows, around public spaces, and along the route.

A bookshop stop with a distinctly Icelandic angle

The short bookshop visit is a particularly good detail. Iceland has a strong reading culture, and Christmas is closely linked with books. Seeing Icelandic Christmas books gives you a more personal view of the holiday than a row of souvenirs does.

You may not be able to read the titles, but the stop still makes sense. Your guide can explain how books fit into the season, and you can look at the covers, illustrations, and displays. It is also a welcome chance to step indoors and warm up.

This is not a full literary tour, and the visit is described as short. If you enjoy books, it may be one of the most memorable stops. If you want nonstop outdoor sightseeing, it may feel like a pause, though that pause is useful in December.

The bookshop also provides a good place to buy a small, distinctly Icelandic gift. Just remember that the tour’s main purpose is cultural explanation, not extended shopping time.

Laugavegur and the little Christmas shop

From the bookshop, the walk heads toward Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. The route includes a visit to a small Christmas store, plus selected shops along Skólavörðustígur.

This part of the walk shows the commercial side of Christmas. You can browse decorations and seasonal items, but the guide’s commentary keeps the focus on local customs rather than simply encouraging purchases.

Discounts at selected Christmas stores, stalls, and restaurants add some value. The exact offers can vary, so do not book the tour solely to save money on shopping. Think of the discounts as a useful bonus if you already plan to buy a seasonal item or stop for food.

Laugavegur is also a practical place to return later. If the two-hour visit does not give you enough time to browse, you can come back independently, now knowing where the shops are and what kind of items interest you.

Walking Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja

The final section climbs Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s most recognizable church. The street is one of the city center’s best-known routes, lined with shops and views toward the church at the top.

The route ends near Hallgrímskirkja, giving the tour a clear finish rather than leaving you in the middle of a shopping street. You can continue exploring the church area afterward, though the church itself is not described as an included interior visit.

This uphill section matters in winter. Skólavörðustígur is not a mountain hike, but you should still wear shoes with good grip and dress for wind. Comfortable footwear is more important than looking festive.

The church provides a strong final landmark and helps you understand the shape of central Reykjavik. After two hours of stories, markets, and decorated streets, you finish at a place that is easy to recognize and use as a base for your next stop.

What the guide adds to the walk

A good guide matters here because the sights alone are modest. The skating rink, tree, shops, and church can all be seen without paying for a tour. You are paying for the connections between them, especially the stories about Yule Lads, Grýla, the Christmas Cat, food, drinks, books, and family customs.

The guide also controls the tone. The best version of this walk should feel like an entertaining conversation while moving through the city, with time for questions and occasional indoor warmth. Feedback about the guides has been especially positive, with Robyn described as friendly and well informed. Guide assignments can change, so do not assume she will lead your departure.

English is the standard language for the regular tour. If you need another language, a private tour is available in any language, but you should select that option rather than expect it from the regular group.

Is $66 a fair price for two hours?

At $66 per person, this is not a bargain city stroll. You are paying for a local guide, a planned route, folklore, a bookshop stop, a Christmas market visit, and possible discounts and food samples.

The value depends on your interest. If you would otherwise spend the evening walking central Reykjavik alone, you can see many of the same public sights for free. But you would miss the structured stories and the explanation of Icelandic Christmas customs.

I think the price makes the most sense for a first visit in December, especially if you want context rather than just decorations. It is also good value for families who want a simple, organized activity that does not require transport or a full day.

The discounts may soften the cost if you use them. Still, treat them as extras. The main product is the guide’s interpretation of Icelandic Christmas, not a shopping package or a meal.

Weather, clothing, and timing

December in Reykjavik demands proper clothing. Wear warm layers, a waterproof outer layer, gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes with reliable grip. The tour is only two hours, but standing outside while listening can feel colder than walking continuously.

The covered meeting area is helpful, but most of the experience takes place outdoors. Smoking is not allowed on the tour.

Because the walk is seasonal, it is available only in December. That is a limitation, but also part of the appeal. You get the decorations, lights, market stalls, and winter darkness that make the subject feel timely.

The tour is suitable for individuals, couples, and families interested in Icelandic customs. People who want a fast, photo-heavy sightseeing circuit may find the folklore sections too slow. People who enjoy stories, traditions, and small cultural details will likely get more from it.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you are in Reykjavik during December and want to understand Icelandic Christmas beyond the standard Santa image. The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat give the walk a strong local identity, while the bookshop and market stops add useful variety.

I would especially recommend it for families, first-time visitors, and anyone arriving early in a Christmas holiday. The friendly guides, including Robyn on some departures, are a major part of the experience.

Skip it if you dislike winter walking, want a long shopping session, or prefer major landmarks without storytelling. Also ask about the hot chocolate timing if you want the full route and are concerned about spending a large part of the final hour indoors.

For most December visitors, $66 is reasonable if you value local explanation and seasonal atmosphere. Come dressed for Icelandic weather, keep your eyes open for Yule Lads, and let the strange folklore do the heavy lifting.

FAQ

When is the Christmas walking tour available?

The tour is available only in December.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavik. Face Ingólfstorg and the two tall stone seat-pillars, with Center Hotel Plaza to your right.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The regular tour is conducted in English. A private version is available in any language.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I wear?

Dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes. The route takes place mainly outdoors during December.