Reykjavik: World War II Walking tour around the city centre

The British landing in Reykjavik in May 1940 is the starting point for this two-hour walk, but the story reaches well beyond military history. You follow the soldiers’ route from the Old Harbour into the city centre, using period photographs and videos to compare wartime Reykjavik with the streets around you today.

I like two things in particular: the tour connects specific places to the events of the occupation, and it also explains how the British and American presence changed everyday Icelandic life, from food to music. Guides such as Lucky bring warmth and humour to the subject, and may add local stories when they fit the group.

The main consideration is the weather. The walk runs in almost all conditions, and Reykjavik can feel colder than you expect even in summer. Bring rain gear and warm outdoor clothing, and be ready to walk for two hours with only some benches along the way.

Key points

• The Old Harbour marks the British landing place in May 1940, anchoring the tour in a real location rather than a general wartime account.
• Period photos and videos help you picture the old city as you walk through streets that have since changed.
• The route follows the soldiers into Reykjavik’s old town, including buildings they took over.
• The German Residence adds another angle to the wartime story, alongside discussion of the British and American presence.
• Social changes are part of the history, including shifts in Icelandic food and music.
• The walk is two hours and mostly flat, with one small hill, no stairs, and wheelchair access.

Starting outside Hotel Borg in Parliament Square

The meeting point is outside Hotel Borg, beside Austurvöllur, often called Parliament Square. Be there before the start time, but wait outside rather than going into the hotel. The tour ends back at the same place, which makes it easy to continue exploring the city centre afterward.

This is a useful introduction to Reykjavik because the walk begins in the heart of the city, then links familiar central streets to a turning point in Iceland’s modern history. You are not simply hearing a timeline. You are moving through the places where the story unfolded.

The guide speaks English, and the tour is focused on history. Expect a steady walk rather than a long stop inside buildings: the experience is about reading the city outdoors and understanding what happened in its streets.

Reaching the Old Harbour and the 1940 landing site

The Old Harbour is the tour’s key historical stop. In May 1940, British forces landed here as part of the invasion of Iceland. Seeing the landing place in person gives the episode a clear point on the map, and helps you understand how military events reached the centre of Reykjavik.

The guide uses period photographs and videos to show how the city looked at the time. That visual comparison is one of the most useful parts of the walk. A street or waterfront view can seem ordinary until you see how it appeared in a wartime image, and the contrast makes the past easier to picture.

This stop also sets up the tour’s larger question: what did the British presence mean for Icelanders beyond the arrival of troops? The experience treats the invasion as both a military event and a social turning point. If you are hoping for a tour devoted only to battles and equipment, this broader approach may be less focused than you want. If you like history tied to daily life, it adds welcome context.

Following the soldiers through Reykjavik’s old town

From the harbour, the walk follows the route British soldiers took into the centre. The guide describes how they moved through the old town and took over key buildings. Rather than treating those buildings as background scenery, the tour uses them to make the occupation’s footprint visible in the city.

The route is a practical way to connect the harbour with the heart of Reykjavik. You see how close the landing place is to the central streets, and how a military arrival could quickly affect the civic life of a small capital. Period images help bridge the gap between the streets you see now and the city during the war.

The old town section also includes side streets that can be easy to miss when you are walking around on your own. They are not presented as a separate sightseeing checklist. Their value is that they help build a fuller picture of the centre and its wartime use.

There is one small hill along the route, but most of the walk is flat, and there are no stairs. Benches are available at several stops, though not at every one. If you need frequent seating, it is worth keeping that in mind when deciding whether a two-hour walking tour suits you.

The German Residence and a wider wartime picture

The German Residence is one of the tour’s named highlights. Its inclusion broadens the story beyond the British landing and gives the guide a place to discuss Germany’s presence in Reykjavik during this period. The tour’s focus remains on the city and its wartime context, rather than on a visit inside the residence.

This is a good point in the walk to listen for how Iceland’s position in the war is explained. The route brings together different national presences in one compact area: the British occupation, the American military presence, and the German connection represented by the residence. The guide provides the narrative that makes those places meaningful.

The tour does not promise access to buildings, and the emphasis is on walking and interpretation. That suits visitors who want an outdoor history lesson without planning around interior visits. It may disappoint anyone expecting a museum-style tour with extensive time inside historic sites.

How American influence changed daily life

One of the most appealing parts of the experience is its attention to social change. The guide discusses the American presence in Iceland and how it affected ordinary life, including food people ate and music they danced to. Those details help turn a large subject into something you can relate to without needing a specialist background.

I find this focus especially useful if you already know the broad outline of World War II. Military dates and movements matter, but they do not tell the whole story of how a society changes when foreign forces arrive. Food and music offer a more personal way to understand that impact.

The guide’s style can add to this part of the tour. Lucky, one guide praised for being funny as well as well informed, has also included ghost stories when a group expressed interest. That suggests the experience can have a personal feel, but the tour remains history-focused. Treat local stories as an extra, not a promised part of every departure.

A guide-led walk with character

The guide is central to this experience. You are relying on someone to connect the harbour, central streets, photographs, buildings, and social history into one coherent story. The tour is in English, and the guide’s enthusiasm for Icelandic history is an important part of what makes the walk engaging.

The guide can also adapt the tone to the group. One visitor described a personalized experience, and Lucky was singled out for a mix of knowledge, humour, and local stories. You should not assume Lucky will lead your departure, since guide assignments can vary, but the available feedback points to an engaging, personable style.

That human element matters on a city walk. There is no indoor exhibit to do the explaining for you, so a good guide helps you notice why a particular street or building belongs in the story. The photographs and videos provide visual support, while the guide supplies context and answers along the way.

What the two-hour format means for your day

Two hours is long enough to cover several connected parts of central Reykjavik without turning the tour into a full-day commitment. It also gives the guide time to move beyond a quick overview, though the walk cannot cover every aspect of Iceland during World War II.

At $40 per person, the value rests on the combination of a guided city route, historical interpretation, and visual material. You are paying for more than a walk between landmarks: the guide explains how the British arrival relates to the streets, buildings, and social changes around you. If you would otherwise spend the time wandering without context, that can make the price worthwhile.

There are no drinks or snacks included, so bring what you need before setting out. The tour itself lasts two hours, and you should plan for outdoor conditions rather than expecting a café stop or indoor break along the way.

Dressing for Reykjavik weather

The tour goes ahead in almost all weather, so dress for the conditions rather than the season on the calendar. Even in summer, Reykjavik can feel cold. Comfortable shoes are important for a city walk, and rain gear and outdoor clothing are specifically recommended.

A camera is also worth bringing. The period photos and videos help you understand how the city has changed, while your own pictures can help you remember the route and its landmarks. Keep your hands free enough to walk comfortably, especially if the weather is wet or windy.

The weather advice is not a minor footnote. Two hours outside can feel very different from a short walk between indoor attractions. If you are underdressed, even a strong guide may not rescue the experience.

Access, age limits, and who will enjoy it most

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Most of the route is flat, there are no stairs, and there is only a small hill. Benches appear at several stops, though not throughout the walk, so consider your own comfort with the distance and available seating.

Children under 10 are not suited to the standard tour because of the subject matter. If you want to bring younger children, a private tour can be arranged with the provider, with the material adjusted accordingly.

This walk is best for adults and older children with an interest in history, city life, or how wartime events altered ordinary routines. It also works well for anyone who wants a compact orientation to central Reykjavik with a clear theme. If your main interest is architecture, shopping, or indoor attractions, this is a more specialized choice.

Should you book this Reykjavik history walk?

Book it if you want to understand what happened in Reykjavik during World War II by walking through the places connected to it. The Old Harbour landing site, route through the old town, photographs and videos, and discussion of American influence give the two-hour tour a clear shape and a human scale.

Skip it if you want a broad, general city tour, prefer to stay indoors, or need a walk with frequent seating. For most history-minded visitors who are prepared for the weather, $40 is a reasonable price for a guided account that links the wartime past to the streets of Reykjavik today.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet outside Hotel Borg at Austurvöllur, also known as Parliament Square. Do not wait inside the hotel.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long is the tour?

The walking tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What language is the tour in?

The live guide speaks English.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Old Harbour, Reykjavik’s old town, and the German Residence. It begins and ends outside Hotel Borg.

What is the tour about?

It covers the British landing in May 1940, the soldiers’ route into the city, the American presence, and social changes such as food and music.

Is the tour suitable for children under 10?

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

Is the walk wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Most of the route is flat, there are no stairs, and there is one small hill. Benches are available at some, but not all, stops.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing, and bring rain gear. A camera is also recommended.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and snacks bought along the way are not included.