Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas folklore has a sharper edge than the usual Santa-and-sleigh routine. On this two-hour walk, you’ll hear about 13 Yule Lads, their child-eating troll mother Grýla, and the fearsome Christmas Cat, while following the city’s holiday lights from downtown squares to Hallgrímskirkja.

I like the way this tour pairs stories with real places, including the Oslo Christmas Tree and the small Little Christmas Store. I also like that it brings in Icelandic Christmas books, food, and drink, so the experience is about local customs as well as decorations.

One thing to weigh: the tour operates only in December, and Reykjavik’s winter weather calls for warm layers. At $74 per person, it makes the most sense if you want a guided introduction to Icelandic Christmas traditions, not simply a stroll past lights.

What makes this Reykjavik Christmas walk special

• Iceland’s Yule Lads: Hear how the 13 mischievous Christmas figures differ from a single Santa Claus.
• Grýla and the Christmas Cat: Folklore gives this walk some wonderfully spooky notes alongside its festive mood.
• Ingólfstorg and Austurvöllur: See downtown decorations, seasonal stalls, an ice rink, and the Oslo Christmas Tree.
• A bookshop stop: Get a glimpse of Iceland’s Christmas book tradition, including the country’s affection for books at this time of year.
• The Little Christmas Store: Spend time at a small shop devoted to Christmas goods on Laugavegur.
• A central finish: The route ends at Hallgrímskirkja, reached by way of the attractive Skólavörðustígur street.

Following the lights from Ingólfstorg

The tour begins outside Hlöllabátar, a sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square. Look for the two tall stone pillars; CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling make this a useful place to wait. Your Friend in Reykjavik guides usually wear a light blue jacket marked with the company name on the back.

The starting point is central and easy to identify, but it is worth checking the map before setting out, especially if you are unfamiliar with the downtown streets. The walk finishes at Hallgrímskirkja, not back at the starting point, so plan your next stop from there.

At Ingólfstorg, the tour takes in the ice rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls. This is a good first stop because it gives you the classic visual side of Reykjavik at Christmas, while your guide sets the scene with Icelandic customs and stories. You’ll have roughly 15 minutes here, enough to look around and take in the square without turning the walk into a long market visit.

The market stalls and rink make the atmosphere tangible, but the tour is not described as a dedicated shopping outing. Think of this as a guided walk with brief chances to browse, rather than a slow afternoon spent choosing gifts. The guide may also introduce Christmassy food and drink, and there may be a chance to sample something, though sampling is not guaranteed.

Austurstræti, the Oslo tree, and downtown stories

From the square, the route continues through central Reykjavik toward Austurvöllur and its famous Oslo Christmas Tree. The tree is a focal point of the city’s seasonal decorations and an especially fitting stop for a tour about Icelandic Christmas traditions. You’ll have time for a guided visit and sightseeing, with the itinerary allowing about 20 minutes in this part of the walk.

The route also takes you along Austurstræti, where there is time for a look around and some shopping. The value here is less about ticking off a major landmark and more about hearing how local traditions fit into the city’s everyday streets. A guide can give context that a passing glance at a decorated square cannot.

As you walk, keep an eye out for Yule Lads tucked around the city center. These characters are a useful thread through the tour: their stories help explain why Icelandic Christmas folklore is not simply a local version of the familiar Santa tale. You’ll also hear about Grýla, their troll mother, and the Christmas Cat. The stories add a playful, sometimes grim contrast to the lights and cheerful displays.

This is a family-friendly tour, but the folklore may be a little more mischievous than a gentle picture-book Christmas. That is part of its appeal for older children and adults. If you are bringing young children, you know best how they’ll respond to tales of trolls and a cat with a fearsome reputation.

Books and the Little Christmas Store on Laugavegur

One of the more distinctive stops is a short visit to a bookshop. Icelanders’ love of books is especially associated with Christmas, and seeing Christmas titles in a local shop helps bring that tradition into focus. It is a modest stop, not a long literary tour, but it offers a more everyday view of the season than decorations alone.

The walk then reaches Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. There is time for a photo stop, a guided look around, and a visit to Litla Jólabúðin, the Little Christmas Store. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at the shop, making it the longest stop on the route.

I like that this visit gives you a specific place to browse rather than a vague suggestion to go shopping later. If you want a small Christmas keepsake, this is the obvious point to look. The tour also mentions discounts at a couple of Christmas shops, stalls, and restaurants, which can add value if you plan to use them. The exact discounts and participating places are not specified, so treat them as a useful extra rather than a reason to book on their own.

Laugavegur is also where the tour’s balance becomes clear. You get seasonal shopping and time for photos, but the guide’s stories remain the main event. If you prefer to spend a long time in each shop, you may want to return on your own after the tour.

Skólavörðustígur and the finish at Hallgrímskirkja

The final stretch climbs Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. The route is described as a beautiful walk, with a few selected shops to look into for Christmas-related items along the way. The church is the tour’s end point and a striking place to finish a downtown outing.

You’ll have around 30 minutes for this final section, including a visit, guided sightseeing, and a photo stop. That gives the walk a clear destination and makes it easy to continue exploring from the church afterward. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to make your own way to the starting point and onward from the finish.

The route is on foot for the full two hours. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and use layers; December weather can make a warm hat, gloves, and a wind-resistant outer layer practical choices. Those specific items are not listed as requirements, but dressing warmly is sensible for a winter walking tour.

What you get for $74

At $74 per person, this is a paid guided walk rather than a ticket to a single attraction. The value comes from combining Christmas lights, central Reykjavik sights, local shopping stops, and a guide’s explanations of folklore and seasonal habits in one two-hour route.

I’d find the price easier to justify if I were visiting Reykjavik in December and wanted a structured way to understand what makes Icelandic Christmas different. Stories about the Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat are the sort of details that can turn a pleasant decorated street into a memorable cultural stop. The bookshop and Little Christmas Store also give the walk a more local feel than a route focused only on photo spots.

The tour includes the walk and an English-speaking guide. Hotel transport is not included, and food or drink sampling is only a possibility, not a stated inclusion. If your main priority is a market meal, a long shopping session, or transport between sights, this is not designed to provide those things.

The reported rating is 4.6 from 18 reviews, and the strongest praise points to the guide’s delivery and the distinctive folklore. One guest singled out Bjornvain as friendly, funny, and good at bringing the Yule Lads and other stories to life, and appreciated the small extras. That is useful evidence of what can make the experience work, but it does not guarantee that Bjornvain will lead your tour.

Who should take this tour

This walk suits you if you are in Reykjavik during December, enjoy folklore, and want a seasonal activity that works for both adults and families. It is also a practical choice early in a stay: you get oriented to several central streets and squares while learning the stories behind the decorations.

It may be less suitable if you want a long, unhurried shopping trip, prefer to stay indoors in cold weather, or are visiting outside December. The route includes shops, but the timed stops keep the group moving. You can always return to Laugavegur or the Christmas Store afterward if you want more browsing time.

The guide is central to the experience. The stories are the thread linking the squares, shops, and church, so this is a better choice if you enjoy listening and asking questions than if you only want to see the lights at your own pace. Private groups are available, which may suit families or companions who prefer a more personal outing.

Booking terms offer flexibility: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the available starting times when choosing a date. The tour is in English.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you’ll be in Reykjavik in December and want more than a quick look at holiday decorations. The best reason to go is the combination of Icelandic folklore, downtown Christmas sights, and a guide who can connect them into one short walk. The Yule Lads and the Christmas Cat are memorable company for a winter evening.

Skip it if your dates fall outside December, you mainly want to shop at your own pace, or you would rather avoid a two-hour walk in winter weather. For the right visitor, $74 buys a focused introduction to Reykjavik’s Christmas season, with a few distinctive stops that are easy to miss when wandering without local context.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

When does the tour operate?

It operates only in December.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk finishes at Hallgrímskirkja.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the walking tour and a guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I wear?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and dress in layers.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.