Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

Reykjavik’s Christmas story is stranger and more entertaining than the usual Santa tale. On this two-hour walk, you’ll meet Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads, their child-eating troll mother Grýla, and the enormous Christmas Cat said to punish those without new clothes. The route links these folk tales with lit-up squares, market stalls, and the city’s main shopping streets.

I like the way this tour joins folklore with real local customs, rather than treating Christmas as a backdrop for photographs. I also like the short book-store visit and the stop at Litla Jólabúðin, a small Christmas shop that gives the walk a more personal feel. The main drawback is simple: Reykjavik in December can be cold, windy, wet, or dark, so the weather can shape your enjoyment.

• Meet the Yule Lads: Learn why Iceland has 13 mischievous Christmas figures instead of one Santa.
• See central Reykjavik lit for Christmas: The route includes Ingólfstorg, Austurvöllur, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja.
• Look for the Oslo Christmas Tree: Austurvöllur’s famous tree is one of the walk’s main seasonal sights.
• Hear the darker side of Christmas: Grýla and the ferocious Christmas Cat add a distinctly Icelandic twist.
• Visit festive local shops: The route includes a book store and Litla Jólabúðin, with possible discounts along the way.
• Finish at Hallgrímskirkja: The walk ends by Reykjavik’s best-known church after climbing Skólavörðustígur.

Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour: What Makes It Different

This is not just a lights tour. It is a guided introduction to the way Icelanders tell Christmas stories, decorate the city, exchange books, and mark the season with food and drink.

The central idea is the Icelandic Yule Lad tradition. Instead of one Santa arriving on Christmas Eve, Iceland has 13 Yule Lads who come one by one before Christmas. Each has a particular habit or nuisance associated with him. The stories are playful, but they can also be odd and slightly frightening, which gives the walk more character than a standard holiday shopping tour.

You will also hear about Grýla, the Yule Lads’ troll mother. She is said to eat naughty children. Then comes the Christmas Cat, a ferocious creature tied to the old custom of receiving new clothes for Christmas. These tales are especially useful for families because they give children something specific to listen for as you move through the city.

The guide brings the stories to life in English. One especially praised guide was Bjornvain, described as friendly, funny, and well informed. Guides can vary, but the format depends on that personal storytelling, so expect an informal walk rather than a formal lecture.

Meeting Outside Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg

The tour begins outside Hlöllabátar, a sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg. Look for the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is on your right, and benches, tables, and a covered ceiling provide a practical place to wait.

Your Friend in Reykjavik guides usually wear a light blue jacket with the company name on the back. That detail matters in a crowded central square, especially in December when people are wrapped in coats and hats.

Ingólfstorg is a useful starting point because it puts you right among Reykjavik’s seasonal decorations. The square has an ice skating rink and Christmas market stalls, so you begin with something to see rather than spending the first part of the tour simply walking to the action.

Arrive dressed in layers. The company gives a clear warning to dress for the weather, and that advice is worth taking seriously. You will be outdoors for the entire route, with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.

Ingólfstorg and the First Christmas Market Views

The first section focuses on Ingólfstorg, with about 15 minutes for guided sightseeing. You can expect to look at the skating rink, decorations, and market stalls while the guide explains the seasonal setting.

This is a short stop, but it helps you get your bearings in downtown Reykjavik. The market stalls are part of the atmosphere rather than a large, stand-alone market visit. If you want a long period for shopping, this tour may feel too guided and too brief. If you want a quick look at the festive center before moving on, the timing works well.

This is also a good place for the guide to introduce Icelandic Christmas food and drinks. The tour may include a chance to sample some, but samples are not listed as a guaranteed inclusion. Think of them as a possible extra, not the main reason to book.

The cost is $74 per person. That is not a bargain for two hours if you only want Christmas lights and photographs. The value improves if you want the stories, explanations, and small stops that help you understand what you are seeing.

Austurstræti and the Oslo Christmas Tree

From Ingólfstorg, the walk moves toward Austurstræti for roughly 20 minutes of visiting, guided commentary, and shopping. This part gives you a closer look at central streets and seasonal activity.

A key sight is Austurvöllur Square and its Oslo Christmas Tree. Reykjavik receives this tree from Oslo, Norway, and it has become one of the city’s familiar Christmas symbols. It is a particularly worthwhile stop because it connects the local celebration with a broader Nordic tradition.

You are not simply passing a decorated tree while rushing to the next stop. The guide uses the square to add context to Christmas in Iceland and to help you spot Yule Lad figures around the city center. Keep your eyes open as you walk. Some of the fun comes from finding these characters among the decorations.

Austurstræti also gives you time to browse or pause, but this is still a walking tour, not a dedicated shopping outing. The guide keeps the group moving toward the next parts of the route.

A Book Store and Iceland’s Christmas Reading Habit

One of the most appealing details is the brief visit to a book store. You will see unusual Icelandic Christmas books and hear about the strong place books hold in Icelandic Christmas traditions.

This stop adds substance to the tour. Many holiday walks focus on lights, food, and retail displays. A book store shows a quieter side of the season and gives you a clue about how Icelanders spend Christmas at home.

The visit is short, so you should not expect a full literary tour or a long chance to browse. Still, it is a useful pause from the outdoor route. If you want a souvenir with more local meaning than a generic ornament, Icelandic books may be worth a look, though the tour does not promise that you will buy one or that a specific title will be available.

For families, this stop also balances the more dramatic folklore. The Yule Lads and Grýla are memorable, but the book tradition gives the walk a calmer cultural detail.

Laugavegur and the Little Christmas Store

The route then reaches Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street, for about 20 minutes of photographs, sightseeing, and guided commentary. This is the city’s most obvious retail section of the walk, with shops and festive displays along the way.

The tour includes a stop at Litla Jólabúðin, or the Little Christmas Store, for about 30 minutes. You can expect time to look around, take photographs, and see Christmas-related goods in a small, focused setting.

This stop will suit you if you like ornaments, seasonal decorations, and compact specialty shops. It may be less appealing if you prefer museums or historical buildings to retail stops. The shop is part of the charm here because it gives you a concentrated dose of Icelandic Christmas shopping without requiring you to work out where to go on your own.

The company also offers discounts at a couple of Christmas shops, stalls, and restaurants as a bonus to the tour. Ask the guide how the discounts work and which businesses are included, since the supplied details do not identify every shop or the size of each discount.

You may also get a few surprises along the way. They are not specified in advance, which is part of the fun, but you should not book this walk expecting a set meal or a long shopping session.

Skólavörðustígur and the Walk to Hallgrímskirkja

The final section follows Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. This part lasts about 30 minutes and includes a photo stop, guided sightseeing, and a look at selected shops with Christmas-related items.

Skólavörðustígur is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable streets, and walking uphill toward Hallgrímskirkja gives the tour a clear finish. The church is a major landmark, so ending there makes practical sense if you want to continue exploring central Reykjavik afterward.

The church itself is the closing sight rather than a separate interior visit. The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja, and there is no promise of entry or a guided look inside. That distinction matters if you want a full church visit. You can plan that separately after the walk, subject to opening arrangements.

The route is not long by walking-tour standards, but Reykjavik weather can make two hours feel different from two hours on a mild summer day. Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and bring enough layers to adjust as conditions change.

Is $74 a Fair Price for Two Hours?

At $74 per person, this tour sits in the higher range for a two-hour city walk. You are paying for a live English-speaking guide, seasonal storytelling, a planned route, and access to a few small stops that might be easy to miss on your own.

The price makes the most sense if you care about Icelandic folklore. A self-guided walk can show you the same squares and streets, but it will not explain why the Christmas Cat matters or introduce the 13 Yule Lads in the same way.

The value is also better for a first evening in Reykjavik. The route gives you a quick introduction to downtown, including the main shopping street, a central square, festive stalls, and Hallgrímskirkja. You can then return to the places you liked best.

It is less convincing if your main goal is shopping. The stops at the market stalls and Little Christmas Store are useful, but neither is presented as an extended shopping period. You also pay separately for anything you buy, and hotel transport is not included.

The tour accepts reservations with payment later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Those terms are useful in December, when weather and changing holiday plans can affect your schedule.

Who Will Enjoy This December Walk?

I would recommend this tour to families who enjoy stories, couples looking for an easy festive activity, and first-time visitors who want a short introduction to central Reykjavik during the Christmas season.

It is especially suitable if you want:

• Icelandic folklore explained in plain English
• A guided look at Christmas decorations and markets
• A small amount of shopping mixed with sightseeing
• A route that begins downtown and ends at Hallgrímskirkja
• A family-friendly activity with some unusual, slightly spooky tales

You may want another option if you dislike cold-weather walking, want a large Christmas market, or prefer a tour focused on food. Food and drink may be sampled, but they are not the main feature and are not listed as included.

The walk is available only in December. A private version is also available if you want a more personal format or prefer not to join a shared group. The supplied information does not state the private-tour price, group size, or whether the route changes.

Practical Tips for a More Comfortable Walk

Wear layers rather than relying on one heavy coat. Reykjavik’s December conditions can shift, and layers let you adjust without losing time.

Choose shoes suited to wet streets and a steady walk. The route includes city squares, shopping streets, and an uphill stretch toward Hallgrímskirkja, so comfort matters more than fashion.

Meet at the exact starting point outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg. If you are using a map, the provided meeting-point link is useful. Look for the light blue jacket worn by the local guide.

Keep some room in your schedule after the tour. Since the walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja, you can continue exploring the church area, return down Skólavörðustígur, or revisit Laugavegur and the Christmas shops.

If you hope to receive a discount at a shop, stall, or restaurant, ask the guide before you leave. The discounts are an added benefit, but the participating businesses and exact terms are not specified.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you want Christmas folklore with your sightseeing, rather than a simple lights-and-shopping stroll. The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat give the tour a strong Icelandic identity, while the book store, Little Christmas Store, Oslo Christmas Tree, and Hallgrímskirkja keep the route varied.

At $74, it is best value for someone who wants a guide to explain the customs and stories. It is not the best choice for a visitor who only wants market time or a cheap way to see decorations.

For a December visit, I would choose this walk early in your stay. It helps you understand the city center, points out places you can revisit, and gives you a festive introduction without taking up a full day. Just dress warmly, arrive at Hlöllabátar prepared for outdoor walking, and treat any food samples or surprises as extras rather than guarantees.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour begin?

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

Where does the walking tour finish?

The tour finishes at Hallgrímskirkja church after walking up Skólavörðustígur.

How long does the Christmas walking tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off 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 in December.

Can I cancel the tour and receive a refund?

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