Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas story is wonderfully odd. Instead of one cheerful Santa, Iceland has 13 Yule Lads, their child-eating troll mother Grýla, and a huge Christmas Cat said to punish those without new clothes. This two-hour walk brings those characters into the city’s lights, markets, bookshops, and decorated streets.

I like the stop at Austurvöllur Square, where you see the Oslo Christmas Tree, and the way the walk mixes folklore with ordinary Reykjavik life. I also like the small bookshop visit and the stop at Litla Jólabúðin, the little Christmas store. The main consideration is the price: at $74 per person, this is not a cheap stroll, so it makes the most sense if Icelandic traditions and a seasonal setting are high on your list.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland has 13 Yule Lads: You learn the names and habits of these mischievous Christmas figures, plus the stories of Grýla and the Christmas Cat.
• The route crosses central Reykjavik: You walk from the area around Ingólfstorg and Austurvöllur to Laugavegur and Hallgrímskirkja.
• The Oslo Christmas Tree is a main sight: The tree at Austurvöllur gives the tour one of its most recognizable holiday stops.
• Litla Jólabúðin adds a shopping break: You have time to browse Reykjavik’s dedicated little Christmas store.
• The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja: The church provides a clear finish on Skólavörðustígur, near more shops and city sights.
• It runs only in December: Dress in layers, and remember that the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

Why Reykjavik’s Christmas folklore makes this walk different

Many Christmas tours are mainly about lights and decorated streets. This one gives you a story to follow. The Icelandic version of Christmas is full of creatures that are funny, unsettling, and far removed from the polished Santa traditions you may know.

The 13 Yule Lads arrive one at a time before Christmas. Each has a particular habit or nuisance associated with him. The tour uses these characters to explain local customs and gives you a reason to look around the city for Yule Lad figures hiding in the center.

Then there is Grýla, the trolls’ mother, who is said to eat naughty children. Her presence gives Icelandic Christmas folklore a wonderfully fierce edge. The Christmas Cat is another memorable character, especially because this is not a cuddly seasonal mascot. The cat is described as ferocious and is tied to the old expectation that people receive new clothes for Christmas.

I like this material because it gives the walk a clear purpose. You are not simply following a guide past Christmas lights. You are learning why Iceland’s seasonal traditions feel so distinct, and the stories are likely to hold the attention of children as well as adults.

The English-speaking guide leads the tour throughout. One guide named in the available tour feedback is Bjornvain, praised for being friendly, funny, and well informed about the Yule Lads and Icelandic folklore. Guide assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that he will lead your departure.

Meeting at Ingólfstorg

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is on your right. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling give you a practical place to wait, which matters in December when the weather may be cold, wet, or windy.

Look for a guide wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back. The walk begins in the downtown core, so you do not need a bus or taxi between stops. Hotel pickup is not included, and you should allow time to find the sandwich shop before the stated starting time.

The route is described as beginning from the Fógetagarðurinn area, while the specific meeting instructions place you outside Hlöllabátar by Ingólfstorg. Use the supplied map and the detailed meeting directions when you plan your arrival. The important point is that you meet in the central square area, not at Hallgrímskirkja, where the walk finishes.

Ingólfstorg’s lights, skating rink, and market stalls

The first sightseeing stop is Ingólfstorg, where you see the ice skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls. This is a pleasant introduction because the square immediately puts you in a seasonal mood without requiring a long walk first.

The market is also a useful place to get a sense of downtown Reykjavik at Christmas. You might find seasonal foods, drinks, and small gifts, though the tour does not promise a particular vendor or purchase. The guide may introduce you to Christmassy Icelandic food and drinks, and there may be a chance to sample something during the walk.

Keep your expectations sensible here. This is a guided city walk, not a dedicated food tour, and any sampling is presented as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed meal. If you want a full dinner, plan that separately.

Austurstræti and the Oslo Christmas Tree

From the square, the walk continues through Austurstræti and toward Austurvöllur Square. This portion includes about 20 minutes of guided visiting and shopping, giving you time to see the decorated center and look into selected stores.

The key sight is the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur. Norway has presented the tree to Reykjavik for many years, and its location gives the square a strong holiday focus. On this walk, the tree is more than a quick photo stop. It becomes part of the guide’s explanation of how Christmas is marked in the Icelandic capital.

Austurvöllur is also a useful orientation point. It helps you connect the old center, the main shopping streets, and the route toward Hallgrímskirkja. If you are new to Reykjavik, this early part of the walk gives you a practical sense of where the city’s central sights sit in relation to one another.

Books, Christmas customs, and a short shop visit

One of the more appealing details is the brief visit to a bookshop. Iceland has a strong Christmas book tradition, and the guide uses the stop to explain the affection Icelanders have for books, particularly at Christmas.

You will see special Icelandic Christmas books and learn about this seasonal reading habit. It is a small stop, but it adds a local detail that a standard lights tour might miss. I prefer this kind of visit to a long lecture because it connects a cultural custom to something you can actually see on a shelf.

The stop also gives you a break from walking outdoors. December weather in Reykjavik can change quickly, so a short indoor visit is welcome. Still, do not expect a long bookstore browsing session or a formal literary event. The purpose is to show you a distinctive Christmas custom and keep the route moving.

Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street

Next, you head to Laugavegur, the main shopping street in Reykjavik. The tour includes a photo stop, sightseeing, and time to look at shops. At Christmas, the street offers a useful contrast with the folklore: you see how the city’s modern retail center takes on a seasonal appearance.

This is a good part of the route for practical browsing. You may spot Icelandic gifts, seasonal decorations, and shops that you want to revisit later. The guided portion helps you notice Christmas-related details, while the short stop gives you a chance to take photographs.

The tradeoff is that a walking tour cannot provide a full shopping trip. The route has to continue, and the time on Laugavegur is limited. Treat this as an introduction to the street, then return on your own if you find a store worth more attention.

Litla Jólabúðin, the little Christmas store

The stop at Litla Jólabúðin is one of the most specific parts of the walk. The name means the Little Christmas Store, and it gives you a focused look at Christmas merchandise rather than a general shopping street.

You have about 30 minutes here, including a photo stop, a visit, and shopping. That is a generous portion of a two-hour tour, so this is important if you like seasonal decorations, small gifts, and distinctly Christmas-themed shops. The tour also promises some fun surprises along the way, though the exact surprises are not specified.

You may receive discounts at a couple of Christmas stores, stalls, and restaurants as a bonus to joining the walk. Check the terms with your guide before buying anything, since the available offers may vary. These discounts can add value, but I would not use them to justify the full price unless you already expect to shop or eat at the participating places.

Walking uphill to Hallgrímskirkja

The final stretch follows Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. This is a particularly recognizable Reykjavik route, with shops and seasonal displays along the way. The walk ends by the church after about 30 minutes of sightseeing and a photo stop.

Hallgrímskirkja gives the experience a strong finish. Its dramatic exterior is easy to recognize, and ending there makes it simple to continue sightseeing in central Reykjavik afterward. You might also use the location as a starting point for a later visit to the church, though this tour is focused on the Christmas walk rather than a full church tour.

The route is not entirely flat. The walk up Skólavörðustígur is manageable for many people, but you should wear comfortable shoes and prepare for winter pavement. The tour is only two hours, yet cold weather can make that time feel longer if your clothing is poor.

What the $74 price really buys you

At $74 per person, the tour costs more than a self-guided walk through Reykjavik’s decorated center. You can visit the squares, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja without paying an admission fee, and you can look up Icelandic Christmas folklore on your own.

The value comes from the guide’s storytelling and the structure of the route. You receive two hours of local explanation, a planned path through several seasonal stops, a bookshop visit, time at Litla Jólabúðin, and possible food or drink samples. You may also use discounts at selected Christmas shops, stalls, and restaurants.

I would book it if you want someone to explain the Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat in a lively way. I would skip it if you mainly want to see lights and shop at your own pace. The paid walk is most worthwhile for visitors who value cultural context and prefer a fixed route.

The rating is 4.6 from 18 reviews, with strong praise for the festive lights, the unusual folklore, and a guide called Bjornvain. That matches the tour’s main strength: it gives you stories and personality rather than just a route through decorated streets.

Who should take this December walk

This is a good choice for families. The Yule Lads and Grýla provide memorable material for children, while adults get a closer look at Icelandic customs and seasonal food traditions. The tone is intended to be family-friendly, but the troll stories may be more mischievous than sweet.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a short introduction to central Reykjavik. You see Ingólfstorg, Austurvöllur, Austurstræti, Laugavegur, Litla Jólabúðin, and Hallgrímskirkja in one compact outing.

Book it if you have only a short time in the capital and want a guided Christmas activity rather than a museum visit. It is also available as a private tour if you want a group experience arranged just for your party.

This may not suit you if you dislike shopping stops, cold-weather walking, or folklore involving trolls and children being eaten. It is also less useful for someone who has already explored central Reykjavik and wants a more specialized food, history, or northern lights activity.

Practical advice for a comfortable walk

Dress for Icelandic December, not for the Christmas lights in a shop window. Wear layers and choose weather-appropriate clothing. A warm outer layer, gloves, and shoes suited to wet or slippery streets will make the two hours much more pleasant.

Plan to arrive at the meeting point outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg. The guide generally wears a light blue Your Friend in Reykjavik jacket, which should help you identify the group.

The tour is in English. It lasts two hours and does not include transportation, hotel pickup, or hotel drop-off. You finish at Hallgrímskirkja, so plan your next stop from there rather than expecting a return to the starting square.

The walk operates only during December. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is helpful when your Iceland schedule depends on weather.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book this tour if you want Christmas in Reykjavik to feel like more than lights, shopping, and photographs. The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat give the walk a strong local identity, while the Oslo Christmas Tree, Christmas markets, bookshop, and Litla Jólabúðin keep it connected to the city itself.

At $74, it is a considered purchase for two hours, but the route is well suited to families, first-time visitors, and anyone who enjoys folklore. If your priority is an inexpensive stroll, do it independently. If you want the stories explained by an English-speaking local guide, and you like the idea of finishing by Hallgrímskirkja, this December-only walk is a sensible festive choice.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour meet?

The meeting point is outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling are nearby.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Hallgrímskirkja church after walking up Skólavörðustígur.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $74 per person.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

Does the tour operate all year?

No. This Christmas walking tour operates only in December.

Is the tour available as a private experience?

Yes. A private group option is available.

What should I bring?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing and wear layers. You should dress for December conditions in Reykjavik.