Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

This Reykjavik Christmas walking tour is interesting because it turns the city’s holiday lights into a moving story, with folklore characters guiding you from stop to stop. I like the mix of local Christmas traditions and big myth characters like the Troll Grýla and the ferocious Christmas Cat. The main drawback to consider is simple: it is a winter walk, so you are outside a lot, and you will want layers.

I also like the guide energy. In past tours, guides such as Bjornvain have been singled out for being friendly, funny, and really good at making the stories land, not just reciting facts. You get a family-friendly rhythm that feels like a proper downtown stroll, just with extra plot.

Over about two hours, you start near Ingólfstorg Square, hit Christmas markets and the ice skating rink area, then make your way past the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur. After that, you hunt for Yule lads around the center, stop for Icelandic Christmas books, browse Laugavegur and the Litla Jólabúðin shop, and finish with views around Hallgrímskirkja.

Key things to know before you go

• A Christmas folklore storyline, including the 13 Santas of Iceland, their mother, Troll Grýla, and the ferocious Christmas Cat
• Downtown Reykjavik stops that feel seasonal, from markets and decorations to the Oslo Christmas Tree
• A Yule lads hunt for the Icelandic Santa figures hiding in the city center
• A quick bookstore visit focused on Icelandic Christmas books
• Time for shopping along Laugavegur, including the Little Christmas store, Litla Jólabúðin
• Small bonuses like discounts at Christmas stores, stalls, and even some restaurants

Reykjavik in December, in two hours: what you’re really buying

At $74 per person for a 2-hour guided walk, you are paying for three things: (1) the route, (2) a guide who knows how to keep the stories moving, and (3) a Christmas theme that feels very Icelandic, not copy-paste holiday.

The best part is that the tour does not try to cram everything into one day. You focus on central Reykjavik and the holiday touchpoints that make the city look like it belongs to the season. Then you get the cultural layer, so the lights and decorations come with meaning, like why certain characters show up at Christmas time and what role they play in Icelandic folklore.

One practical note: this is outdoors, and December weather in Reykjavik can be brisk. The tour’s own advice is to dress for the weather and wear layers, so build that into your plan. If you come prepared, the cold becomes part of the atmosphere, not a spoiler.

Meeting by Hlöllabátar near Ingólfstorg Square

You meet outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop, right by Ingólfstorg Square. The meeting point description is very specific, which I love when I’m traveling, because it reduces the stress of guessing in dark winter light.

You should look for the two tall stone pillars and the fact that CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. There are benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, so you have somewhere to wait comfortably if you arrive a little early. The guides typically wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, so they are easy to spot.

If you like a plan that starts fast and stays simple, this is a good fit. You do not need hotel pickup. You just show up at the agreed spot and then follow the group at a walking pace.

Ingólfstorg and Ingólfur Square: lights, ice rink energy, and market stalls

The tour kicks off around Ingólfstorg, then moves toward the Christmas market area at Ingólfur Square. This is where the holiday mood first clicks into place.

You will spend time taking in the ice skating rink setting, plus the holiday decorations and the market stalls. Even if you do not buy much, this kind of start helps you calibrate quickly. You see the sights without rushing through them, and you get that classic Reykjavik Christmas scene: bright lights, winter air, and small stalls that make the city feel lived in.

This is also a practical portion for first-time visitors. The market area is a comfortable way to get your bearings while still being in “Christmas mode,” which matters because later you will be walking the main streets and looking for hidden characters.

Austurstræti and the shift from markets to main-town stories

From Ingólfstorg you move along Austurstræti, and the tour turns more narrative as you go. This is not just about what you see. It’s also about what the guide explains while you walk.

That matters because Christmas in Iceland is not only about trees and ornaments. The tour is built around Icelandic Christmas traditions and folk stories. You will hear about the big seasonal figures that show up in Icelandic folklore, including the troll Grýla who is described as eating naughty children.

The benefit of walking between stops like this is that the story flow feels natural. One moment you are looking at holiday decorations, and the next you are learning the backstory behind why Icelanders talk about these characters at this time of year. It connects the visuals to culture.

Finding the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur Square

Next comes Austurvöllur Square and the famous Oslo Christmas Tree. This is one of those sights that you can photograph from multiple angles, and it works well as a mid-tour anchor.

Why it’s worth a stop: it gives your eyes something recognizable and symmetrical after the more scattered feel of market stalls and street decorations. It also helps break the walking rhythm. You get a clear pause point where you can reset, take photos, and listen as the guide continues the Christmas character storyline.

If you only had time for one “big Christmas photo” in downtown Reykjavik, this stop is a strong candidate. The tour makes sure you get there instead of letting it become a quick passing glance.

The Yule lads hunt, the elf stone, and myth characters that feel fun, not scary

This tour’s special sauce is how it mixes seasonal sights with Icelandic folklore characters. That includes searching for the unique Icelandic Yule lads or Santa Clauses hiding around the city center.

This is the kind of activity that works even when you’re traveling with kids, because it turns sightseeing into a game. Adults can play along too. It gives your brain a job during the walk, instead of just scanning for lights.

Along the way, you will also hear about the Elf Stone, and you will encounter the story arc that ends with the ferocious Christmas Cat. Depending on your tolerance for spooky tales, this may be either hilarious or slightly intense. Either way, the tour is described as family-friendly, so the tone is typically more playful than scary.

And one thing I appreciate: the folklore is not treated like a museum lecture. It is delivered as part of what you see and where you walk. You learn, then you look again at the streets with new context.

A bookstore stop for Icelandic Christmas books

Between the folklore hunt and the main shopping street, you get a short visit to a book store. This is a small stop, but it’s one of my favorites on Christmas walks like this, because it adds a distinctly Icelandic flavor.

The tour highlights the love Icelanders have for books, especially during Christmas time. Even if you do not buy anything, this stop gives you a quick break from the cold and a sense of everyday culture. It also helps the tour feel more than just a shopping circuit.

If you like travel moments that are a little quieter, this bookstore pause is a smart move. It also balances the more energetic market and main street areas so the whole experience feels varied rather than one long shopping push.

Laugavegur and Litla Jólabúðin: shopping time with a themed purpose

Then it’s up to Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. This is where the tour becomes more hands-on, because you check out the one and only Little Christmas store, Litla Jólabúðin.

You will spend time there with a photo stop and shopping. This is a good moment for souvenirs that actually fit the theme of Icelandic Christmas lore, not only generic holiday décor. The tour also notes fun surprises along the way, which you should expect to be small practical extras tied to the Christmas theme.

Also keep your expectations realistic. This is a walking tour, not a mall tour. You will see stores you might want to revisit, but you will not have hours and hours of free wandering. If shopping is a top priority, go in knowing you are getting a slice of the downtown retail world with a guide steering the route.

Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja: the finish line with big views

To end, you walk up Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. This part matters because Hallgrímskirkja is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmarks, and finishing near it helps the tour feel complete.

Along the way, you will peek at select stores and Christmas-related things. The tour’s structure makes the final stretch feel like a gentle build. You start with markets and light displays, then you move through storytelling and shopping, and you end with a church backdrop that gives everything a grand, wintery ending.

The tour finishes at Hallgrímskirkja, so you can plan your post-tour time around that location, whether you want to keep walking, grab something warm nearby, or simply take more photos now that your eyes are adjusted to the holiday lighting.

Price and value: is $74 for a 2-hour guided Christmas walk worth it?

Let’s talk value, since $74 is not a token fee.

For that price, the tour includes a guided walking experience. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you are responsible for getting to the meeting point yourself. But you do get something that can justify the cost: a themed route with multiple major Christmas stops, a strong folklore element (including the 13 Santas of Iceland and Grýla), and time set aside for photos, a bookstore visit, and a named Christmas shopping stop (Litla Jólabúðin).

On top of the core tour, the bonus adds up. You get discounts at a couple of Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants. That matters if you were already thinking about buying something small. If you are not shopping much, you can still get value from the guided stories, but the discount component will obviously help more for souvenir shoppers.

Duration is also a value factor. Two hours is long enough to feel like you experienced Christmas downtown, but short enough that you’re not stuck outside all evening. If you are visiting in a busy season and want a focused activity, this length is a good sweet spot.

What to wear and how to plan for Reykjavik winter

The tour advice is straightforward: wear weather-appropriate clothing and dress in layers. That’s it, and it is good advice.

Here is how I’d translate that into real planning. Assume you will be outside at night or low-light conditions, moving between sights, stopping for stories, and getting photo moments. If you dress too lightly, the walk will feel longer than it is. If you dress in layers, you stay comfortable, and the whole thing feels like a real winter evening rather than a cold chore.

If you are deciding between doing this tour early vs later, pick the time that fits your energy. You can treat it like your “Christmas orientation” walk, or you can treat it as your evening activity after you have already eaten and warmed up.

Family-friendly folklore, for kids and for the curious

The tour is described as family-friendly, and that fits the subject matter. The characters like Grýla and the ferocious Christmas Cat sound intense on paper, but the experience is built around telling the stories in a way that works for mixed ages.

This is also a good tour for adult travelers who want something more character-based than a standard sightseeing walk. It’s not just lights. It’s lights with backstory.

One more practical point: the tour includes English-language guides, so you do not have to worry about translation gaps if English is your comfort zone.

Should you book the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

If you want a Christmas activity that feels Icelandic, this is a strong yes. The tour is built around local folklore, the Oslo Christmas Tree, downtown Christmas markets and decorations, and a clear downtown route that ends at Hallgrímskirkja. The price is fair for a guided walk that includes multiple timed stops plus a bookstore moment and a named Christmas store.

I would book it if:

• you like holiday lights with stories behind them
• you want a 2-hour plan that keeps you moving but not exhausted
• you’re traveling with kids, or you enjoy playful scavenger-style moments for Yule lads

I might skip it if:

• you hate being outside in winter conditions
• you only want sightseeing and you do not care about folklore or Christmas character stories

If you do book, come dressed for cold weather and treat it like your curated Christmas walk through the center of Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $74 per person.

When does this tour operate?

It is only operated in December.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja.

Is the tour guided and in English?

Yes. It includes a live tour guide and the tour is in English.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What is included in the ticket price?

The included items are the walking tour and the guide.

Does the tour include trying Christmas food or drinks?

The tour description says you may sample Christmassy food and drinks on your walk, but the only listed inclusions are the walking tour and guide.

What should I bring?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing and wear layers.