Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik glows after dark. This two-hour walk turns the city center into a small Christmas storybook, with Icelandic folklore at its heart. I like the unusual Yule Lad tales and the easy route from downtown markets to Hallgrímskirkja. I also like the chance to see local Christmas customs rather than just admire shop windows. The main drawback is timing: the tour runs only in December, and cold, wind, or rain can make two hours outside feel long.

You will hear about Grýla, the troll mother who eats naughty children, and the fearsome Christmas Cat. Guide Bjornvain has earned special praise for being funny, friendly, and well informed, with small surprises and extras along the way. At $74 per person, this is not a cheap city walk, but the seasonal stories, guide, and possible food or drink samples give it more substance than a simple lights stroll.

Key things to know before you book

• Iceland has 13 Yule Lads: You will learn how these mischievous figures differ from the single Santa familiar to many visitors.
• The route ends at Hallgrímskirkja: The walk climbs Skólavörðustígur toward Reykjavik’s famous church, giving the tour a clear and memorable finish.
• The Oslo Christmas Tree is a major stop: Austurvöllur Square provides one of the city’s best-known holiday sights.
• A real Christmas Cat appears in the stories: This is Icelandic folklore with sharper teeth than the usual cheerful holiday fare.
• You may sample seasonal food or drinks: The tour connects stories with the things Icelanders eat and drink at Christmas.
• Discounts add practical value: You can receive discounts at selected Christmas shops, stalls, and restaurants.

Why Reykjavik feels different at Christmas

Reykjavik’s Christmas traditions are not simply an Icelandic version of the familiar Santa story. The city has 13 Yule Lads, each with a particular habit and personality. They visit one at a time during the days before Christmas, making the season feel like a long procession of characters rather than a single arrival.

Their mother, Grýla, adds a darker edge. She is a troll who is said to eat naughty children, and her presence gives the stories the wild, slightly comic tone common in Icelandic folklore. Then there is the Christmas Cat, a creature far less cuddly than its name suggests.

I like this part of the tour because it gives the lights and decorations a local meaning. You are not just walking past pretty streets. You are hearing why Christmas in Iceland includes trolls, strange visitors, books, special foods, and a cat that you would not want prowling near your Christmas tree.

Meeting at Hlöllabátar and Ingólfstorg

The tour begins outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is on your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling make this a sensible place to wait if the weather is unpleasant.

Look for the guide wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back. That detail matters in a crowded city center, especially when several groups may be gathering around the square.

The first stop is Ingólfstorg, where you can see the ice-skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls. The planned visit takes about 15 minutes. It is a gentle opening, giving you time to settle into the pace and begin noticing how Reykjavik uses its central squares during December.

The limitation is simple: this is an outdoor tour. A covered meeting point helps at the start, but the rest of the route requires proper winter clothing. Wear layers, not just one heavy coat. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the tour information specifically advises dressing for the conditions.

Austurstræti and the Oslo Christmas Tree

From Ingólfstorg, the group moves along Austurstræti, with about 20 minutes set aside for a visit, guided walking, and shopping. This section brings you into the heart of downtown Reykjavik, where holiday displays and shop windows help set the mood.

The main seasonal sight here is Austurvöllur Square and its Oslo Christmas Tree. The tree is a long-running symbol of the connection between Reykjavik and Oslo, and it gives the tour a useful pause from the folklore. You get a public square, a famous decoration, and a chance to take photographs without rushing through the stop.

This is also where the guide may help you spot Yule Lad figures placed around central Reykjavik. Keep your eyes open as you walk. Finding these characters turns an ordinary stroll into a small hunt, which works especially well for children.

The tour is family-friendly, but the stories are not all sweet. Grýla and the Christmas Cat can be startling for younger children, depending on their taste for scary folklore. I would explain beforehand that Icelandic Christmas includes monsters as well as presents.

Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street

The walk continues toward Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and includes a photo opportunity, sightseeing, and time to look around.

Laugavegur is useful for understanding modern Reykjavik at Christmas. Here, holiday traditions meet stores, cafés, and everyday city life. You can expect the guide to point out seasonal details while keeping the group moving toward the next stop.

The pace should suit anyone who wants a broad introduction rather than a long shopping session. You will not have unlimited time to browse every store, so consider this part a guided look at the street, not a dedicated retail outing.

The route also gives you a chance to warm up briefly in shops along the way, although the tour does not promise indoor breaks. Comfortable shoes matter. Reykjavik’s center is compact, but you will be walking for two hours, often stopping and starting on cold streets.

Litla Jólabúðin and Iceland’s love of books

One of the most distinctive stops is Litla Jólabúðin, the little Christmas store. The visit lasts around 30 minutes, making it one of the longest portions of the tour.

A short stop at a bookshop comes before or around this section, where you can see Icelandic Christmas books and learn about the country’s strong reading culture. Christmas book-giving is an important Icelandic custom, and the tour uses this to explain something broader about local life, not just holiday shopping.

I like the book connection because it gives the tour a quieter, more personal detail. Lights and markets are easy to photograph anywhere. A discussion of books reveals how Icelanders mark the season inside their homes.

At Litla Jólabúðin, you can browse Christmas-related items and take photographs. The visit may be especially useful if you want a small souvenir with a clear connection to the season. Discounts at selected Christmas stores and stalls can also help soften the cost of the tour, provided you planned to shop anyway.

Do not count on every discount covering the $74 ticket. Think of the savings as a bonus, not the main reason to book.

Skólavörðustígur and Hallgrímskirkja

The final section heads up Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. The route includes about 30 minutes of sightseeing, photographs, guided commentary, and selected Christmas-related shops.

Skólavörðustígur is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable streets, and the uphill walk gives the tour a sense of progress. You finish at Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s famous church, rather than returning to the starting point.

That ending is practical as well as scenic. Hallgrímskirkja is an easy landmark to recognize, and you can continue sightseeing in the area after the tour. You can also use the church as a clear reference point when planning the rest of your evening.

The final stop is not just a photo finish. After hearing about Yule Lads, Grýla, the Christmas Cat, food, books, and markets, arriving at the church gives the walk a satisfying close. You finish in one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable places, with the decorated center behind you and the upper part of the city ahead.

What the $74 price really covers

At $74 per person, this is priced above a basic free-style city walk. You are paying for a live English-speaking guide, a seasonal route, and local stories that would be hard to assemble on your own in such a short time.

The strongest value comes from the guide. A good storyteller makes the 13 Yule Lads memorable, explains Grýla without making the tale too confusing, and keeps the group engaged while walking in winter weather. Bjornvain received especially warm praise for being funny, friendly, and well prepared, so the guide’s personality may make a real difference to your experience.

You may also sample Christmassy food and drinks, though the information does not promise a set tasting menu. Treat that as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed meal. The tour also offers discounts at certain shops, stalls, and restaurants.

I would consider the price reasonable if you are visiting Reykjavik specifically during December and want a guided seasonal activity. I would be less keen if you only want general sightseeing, since many of the streets and landmarks can be visited independently.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and reserve-now-pay-later booking make it easier to fit into an uncertain winter schedule. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the central meeting point yourself.

Who will enjoy this Christmas walk most

This tour suits families who enjoy stories, visitors making their first December visit to Reykjavik, and anyone curious about the parts of Icelandic Christmas that do not appear on standard holiday cards.

It is also a good choice if you want a gentle introduction to downtown. The route connects Ingólfstorg, Austurvöllur, Austurstræti, Laugavegur, Litla Jólabúðin, Skólavörðustígur, and Hallgrímskirkja in one compact outing.

You may want something else if you dislike cold-weather walking, have limited mobility, or prefer museums and indoor attractions. The tour information does not provide accessibility details, so ask the operator before booking if that is important for you.

Private groups are available. That option may suit families with young children or groups that want more control over the pace, questions, and stops.

Practical advice for a better evening

• Dress in layers and wear weatherproof outer clothing.
• Choose comfortable shoes suitable for two hours of city walking.
• Arrive at the Hlöllabátar meeting point early enough to locate the guide’s light blue jacket.
• Bring a camera for Ingólfstorg, the Oslo Christmas Tree, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja.
• Keep some time after the tour if you want to continue browsing around the church or downtown.
• Expect folklore with a dark comic streak, not only cheerful Santa stories.
• Treat food and drink samples, discounts, and surprises as possible additions rather than the core promise.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if your Reykjavik visit falls in December and you want local Christmas traditions explained by a guide rather than simply photographed. The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat give the walk a character you will not get from a standard city tour.

The tour is less compelling if you are watching every dollar, dislike outdoor winter activities, or have already spent plenty of time in central Reykjavik. At $74, the value depends on how much you want the storytelling and seasonal focus.

For most December visitors, I would book it early in the trip. You will learn what the holiday figures mean, see the main downtown decorations, and finish at Hallgrímskirkja with a better sense of Reykjavik’s Christmas personality.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour meet?

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk finishes at Hallgrímskirkja church after heading up Skólavörðustígur.

How long does the Christmas walking tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $74 per person.

In what language is the tour conducted?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Does the tour run all year?

No. This tour operates only in December.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What should I wear?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and layers. The tour takes place outdoors.

Is the tour suitable for families?

Yes. It is described as family-friendly, though some folklore involves Grýla, who eats naughty children, and the ferocious Christmas Cat.

Can I book a private group?

Yes. A private group option is available.

Are food or drink tastings included?

You may sample Christmassy Icelandic food or drinks during the walk, but a specific tasting selection is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel the booking?

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