Reykjavik: The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

This tour is interesting because Reykjavik’s best sweets are not just food, they are a window into everyday Icelandic life. You’ll taste classics like kleina, candy-shop favorites, and ice cream flavors that don’t show up back home. It’s an easy way to slow down in the city without turning your whole day into a food marathon.

I like that the tour keeps things practical: a tight walking route, a small group (max 12), and samples that let you compare flavors city to city. I also like the guide angle, because you are not just eating, you are getting pointers on where to go next and what to look for in Icelandic sweets.

One consideration is the focus on sweet flavors, including Icelandic licorice, which is sweet and mild but still a “love it or learn to like it” ingredient for some people. The good news is there are other options if you would rather skip it.

Key highlights to look for

• Maximum 12 people, so the tasting stays relaxed and you can ask questions
• Kleina-style pastry and other seasonal favorites, so the exact shops can vary
• Icelandic chocolates with licorice and local-style flavors you may not recognize
• Ice cream stop with flavors like licorice and possibly skyr
• Candy finale that may include well known treats like Draumur and Þristur style combos
• Guides such as Matthias and Oli are praised for being personable and making the walk fun

A sweet strategy for your first Reykjavik walk

If you are landing in Reykjavik and feel like everything is moving too fast, this kind of tour gives you a simple plan. You walk a short stretch in the center, pause often, and reset your energy with pastry, chocolate, and ice cream. It’s also a smart way to figure out what you actually like before you start buying treats on your own.

You get a real “downtown Reykjavik” feel, not a staged, out-of-town production. You duck into bakeries and specialty shops where locals and visitors mingle, which is exactly what you want when the weather is changeable.

Price and what $90 buys you in practice

At $90 per person for about 2 hours, the value comes from concentration. You are not paying for a long ride or big venue time. You are paying for a guided route through multiple specialty shops, with multiple taste stops so you can compare.

This is not a meal replacement. It is a guided sampler. You should come hungry enough to enjoy the first pastry stop, but not so empty that you feel shaky after the sugar wave. Most people use it as a “start strong” activity, then they roll into the rest of the day with better food instincts.

Also, the tour price includes samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream. That matters because the cost of buying each item separately can climb fast when you start exploring Icelandic brands.

Where Ingólfur Square puts you (and why the timing matters)

The tour starts at Ingólfur Square, by the two tall stone pillars, with your guide meeting you there. The square is in the center and easy to locate once you use a map app. The guide usually wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

Arrive about 5 minutes early. A small group moves quickly, and being late makes it harder for the guide to get everyone in the right place.

You will be back at Ingólfur Square at the end. That gives you a built-in reset point for planning your next stop, whether that is a museum, a hot drink, or a longer walk.

Stop-by-stop: what happens from pastry to candy

The exact samples can shift by season, day, and time. That is normal for a tasting tour. The pattern stays the same: pastry or bakery stop first, then chocolate and licorice flavored options, then ice cream, and finishing with candies.

Baka Baka: the first Icelandic pastry hit

The tour usually kicks off with a visit to Baka Baka for a food tasting. This is where you are likely to try traditional Icelandic pastries such as kleina, a deep-fried doughnut-like pastry. Kleina has that warm, crisp texture contrast that makes it fun to eat on a cold day.

The guide typically shares how these treats are made and why they matter. One strong benefit of going first is that you get a baseline taste. After the first stop, everything else makes more sense because you start noticing ingredient choices and textures.

In at least one case, a guide included additional non-sweet snacking like dried fish along with the sweets. If you are curious, keep an open mind, but remember your main focus is still pastry, chocolate, ice cream, and candy.

Laugavegur: why this stroll is more than just sightseeing

From the bakery area, the walk continues along Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. You’re not touring a “view.” You are moving through a real commercial strip where you can picture how locals run errands and pick up gifts.

The guide uses the short sightseeing stretches to explain culinary culture and point out the kinds of shops you should remember later. If you like to return to places you learned about, this is where it pays off.

The pace is gentle. The point is to keep momentum without wearing you out before the ice cream stop.

Loo.koo.mas: a shopping stop that fits the sweet theme

Next comes a shop stop at Loo.koo.mas with a bit of time to browse. This is where you usually get the feeling for Icelandic candy and chocolate packaging, flavors, and the brands that pop up again and again across the city.

Because this is a shopping window, you can read labels and decide if you want to buy a favorite later. That is a practical advantage over tours that only give you one sample and then rush you out.

Ísbúðin litla Valdís: Icelandic ice cream, cold weather approved

The tour then heads to Ísbúðin litla Valdís for ice cream tasting. If you have never tried Icelandic ice cream flavors, this stop is a must, because it is a different flavor language than the vanilla and chocolate world you may know.

You can choose from multiple flavors, including unique Icelandic options like licorice and possibly skyr based ice cream. Skyr is Icelandic dairy, and when it shows up in desserts, you often get a creamy, tangy profile that tastes more “food-like” than super sugary.

Also, one of the smartest things about an ice cream stop is timing. You get a cooling break in the middle of the tour, which helps you reset your palate before the candy finale.

Taste of Iceland: the candy finale with licorice-friendly choices

The last tasting stop is at Taste of Iceland, where you wrap up with Icelandic candies and sweets. This is often where iconic chocolate bars and candy combos appear.

You might see options such as Draumur chocolate bars. You might also find the licorice and chocolate combo associated with Þristur. The tour description also makes it clear that licorice is sweet and mild, not the bitter kind you might fear.

Here is the practical takeaway. If you are nervous about licorice, you should still taste a small sample. Even people who do not love licorice often find the mild Icelandic style easier to handle once they have it in a chocolate context.

Guides make the walk feel personal, not like a lecture

Two names came up as standouts for guide personality: Matthias and Oli. The common thread is that the experience is not just about handing you a piece of candy. These guides are described as personable, fun, and full of facts that connect sweets to the culture of Iceland.

That matters because Icelandic sweets can look familiar but taste different. You might see cinnamon rolls, chocolate bars, and pastries that resemble other European styles, but the ingredients tell another story. Having a guide point out things like licorice flavor profiles, typical local ingredients, and why certain combinations show up helps you remember what you ate.

If you like practical travel tips, this is a good place to ask. A guide can also point you toward nearby stores for after the tour, especially if you want to buy gifts that taste authentically Icelandic.

Who will enjoy this most, and who should think twice

This works best for you if you:

• Want a low-effort, high-reward activity in central Reykjavik
• Like trying multiple types of sweets in one morning or afternoon
• Enjoy guided shop wandering, not just “here is your sample, bye”
• Want a quick way to learn what ingredients like licorice and skyr taste like in dessert form

You might think twice if you:

• Do not like sweet flavors at all
• Hate licorice flavors so strongly you prefer to skip that theme completely

The tour notes that there are other options for people who do not like licorice, but the tour is still built around it as a cultural ingredient.

Helpful notes before you go

Plan on weather-appropriate clothing. Reykjavik can shift quickly, and you are walking between several downtown stops. Bring a water bottle if you like, because tasting multiple sweets in a short window can leave your mouth dry.

This is also an English live guide experience. You will be moving around in the city center, so comfortable shoes make a difference.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, guided way to learn what Icelandic sweets actually taste like. The small group size, the variety across pastry, chocolate, ice cream, and candy, and the fact that you end back at Ingólfur Square make it an easy win for a day in Reykjavik. I especially think it is a smart first or mid-day activity because it gives you energy and food context fast.

Skip it if sweets are not your thing or if you are extremely licorice-averse. Even though the tour offers non-licorice options, the “sweet tooth” theme is still built around Icelandic licorice in at least a few of the tastings.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $90 per person.

Where do I meet my guide?

Meet at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik by the two tall stone pillars. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza, Aðalstræti 6.

What kinds of foods will I taste?

You can expect samples of Icelandic pastry, sweets, and ice cream. The exact items vary by season, day, and time.

Will I taste kleina and other Icelandic specialties?

The tour usually starts with a local bakery where you can sample traditional Icelandic pastries such as kleina. Other sweets and treats like Icelandic chocolates and candy are part of the route as well.

Is licorice included if I do not like it?

The tour includes Icelandic licorice options, but it also notes that there are other options if you do not like licorice. Licorice in Iceland is described as sweet and mild.

What flavors of ice cream might be offered?

You can choose from flavors at the ice cream stop, including licorice and possibly skyr.

How large is the group?

The tour is a small group with a maximum of 12 people.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What should I wear?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing, since Reykjavik conditions can affect walking.