Reykjavik: World War II Walking tour around the city centre

This tour is interesting because it turns Reykjavik’s city center into a living map of World War II, from where the British first landed in 1940 to the buildings that changed hands during the occupation. I like how the guide keeps it grounded in real places you can stand in front of, especially Old Harbour and the landing site. I also like the human angle, the way British and American presence gets linked to everyday culture, like what people ate and what they danced to.

One possible drawback: it is a walking tour with weather in Iceland always in the mix, so you will want solid rain gear and comfortable shoes, even in summer, since you go in almost all weather.

Key Things You Will Notice on This Walk

• Old Harbour landing site in May 1940, where the story starts and you can point to the spot
• Reykjavik Old Town streets and key buildings, followed like a route the soldiers used
• German Residence stop, adding a heavier tone beyond the invasion headlines
• British plus American influence, explained through food, music, and social change
• Side streets you would miss on your own, plus period photos and videos during the walk
• A two-hour pace, with mostly flat walking but some hill work

Meeting at Hotel Borg, Then Straight Into the WWII Map

You meet outside Hotel Borg at Austurvollur (Parliament Square). From there, you walk toward the Old Harbour, and the guide sets the tone fast, using period photographs and videos to bring the era into focus.

What I like about the starting plan is that it helps you get your bearings without wasting time. You are already in the core, and within a short stretch you are looking at the exact landing place the British made in May 1940. You also feel early on that this is not just military trivia, the tour connects events to how Reykjavik functioned afterward.

Practical note: this is a two-hour walk, so wear shoes you trust on wet pavement. You will also want outdoor clothing, because the tour runs in almost all weather.

The Old Harbour Stop, Where the British Landing Becomes Real

The Old Harbour is the highlight for a reason. Instead of hearing a distant story, you stand where the invasion began, and the guide ties that location to the moment it mattered.

The route is explained step by step, and the period media helps a lot. Photos and videos are used to show what it looked like at the time, so you can compare then versus now as you move through town. It is the kind of setup that makes the walk feel like you are reading the city with fresh eyes.

If you are the type who likes cause and effect, this is where it clicks. The British presence was not an isolated event, it triggered a chain reaction across the city, from which buildings were used to how people experienced social change.

Reykjavik Old Town: Following the Troops Through Streets and Buildings

After the landing, the walk moves into Reykjavik Old Town, following the route soldiers took into the heart of the city. Along the way, the guide points out how key buildings were taken over as events unfolded.

This part is especially useful if you normally rush through city centers. You start noticing small street patterns, corners, and building placements that you might skip on a self-guided stroll. The tour also includes those side streets in the center you would not find otherwise, which is where the city starts to feel less like a postcard and more like a lived-in place.

One practical consideration: it is not a sit-and-watch tour. You will be on your feet most of the time, and while there are benches at several stops, it is not at all of them. Most walking is flat, but there is a small hill, so plan for that effort.

British and American Presence: Food, Music, and Social Change

World War II in Iceland is often described through the military lens, but this tour does something more interesting. The guide also explains the American presence and focuses on how both powers changed Icelandic society, not only politics.

You will hear how that shift showed up in everyday life, including what people ate and how music and dancing fit into the new social atmosphere. That is a smart angle because it turns history into something you can imagine in daily terms, not just something you memorize.

This is also where the guides personality matters. One guide name you may hear is Lucky, and she blends humor with strong storytelling. If you like spooky atmosphere, she even works in some ghost story material for people who ask, as long as the group is into it. That mix of facts and mood is one reason the tour gets such strong scores.

German Residence: A Different Tone for the Same War

The tour also includes a stop at the German Residence, and it changes the emotional temperature of the walk. By the time you reach it, you are thinking beyond the invasion narrative and into the broader reality of occupation and influence.

This stop matters because it keeps the story from going one-direction only. You see that the WWII chapter in Reykjavik involved multiple forces, and the city had to cope with the presence of more than one side. Even if you are not a history buff, the guide helps you connect why certain buildings mattered and what that says about control and daily life.

Because the tour is only two hours, the German Residence stop is part of a tight sequence. You are not left wandering, you are guided to keep the themes in your head as you move.

How the Two-Hour Format Works in Real Life

A two-hour walking tour is a sweet spot in Reykjavik. It is long enough to feel like you covered real ground and meaningful stops, but short enough that you still have time for other plans the same day.

Here is what that means for you on the ground:

• You will hit several specific points in the center, including Old Harbour, Old Town, and the German Residence.
• You will get period media at the start, then keep the story moving with the route into city streets.
• You will have enough time to ask questions without it turning into an all-day lecture.

Weather is the other big factor. Iceland can change mood quickly, and the tour goes in almost all weather. I strongly recommend bringing rain gear even when the forecast looks friendly. Also pack outdoor clothing that can handle wind, since walking in damp air can feel colder than you expect.

Accessibility is straightforward. The tour is wheelchair accessible, with no stairs, and the route is mostly flat. There are benches at several of the stops, but not every stop, so expect a bit of standing and moving between points.

Price and Value: Is $40 a Good Deal for Reykjavik?

The price is $40 per person for a two-hour, English-speaking guided walking tour of the city center. On paper, it is not “cheap,” but it also is not the kind of tour where you mainly pay for transportation.

You are paying for three key things:

1) A guide who connects the WWII timeline to specific places you can see, like the landing place at Old Harbour.

2) Period photographs and videos that make the past feel less abstract.

3) The added route value, including side streets and key buildings in the center.

For me, the best value comes from the way the guide explains cultural and social change, not just who landed and when. That is the difference between reading history on a sign and understanding why Reykjavik looks the way it does today.

Also, the tour includes a live guide, so you can steer questions. If you want more on the American side of the story, or you prefer the personal angle, you can usually steer the conversation.

What to Bring (So You Enjoy It Instead of Surviving It)

This is one of those tours where what you wear matters as much as what you learn. Bring comfortable shoes, a camera if you like to document street-level details, and rain gear.

Outdoor clothing matters even more than you might think. Reykjavik can feel colder than it looks, especially when you are outside for most of the two hours. Pack layers you can adjust, so you do not end up overheating or freezing mid-walk.

If you are sensitive to standing, take advantage of benches when the guide offers them. There are benches at several stops, just not at all of them.

Who Should Book This WWII Walk, and Who Might Skip It

This tour is a strong fit if you want history you can physically follow. I especially think it works well if you enjoy stories that connect military events to changes in daily life, like food, music, and social habits.

It is also a good choice if you like guides who bring personality. The guide experience comes through in the reviews, including Lucky being super friendly, funny, and willing to include ghost story bits for people who enjoy that tone.

You might skip it if:

• You want a light, purely scenic stroll. This covers WWII themes, and the subject matter can be heavy.
• You are traveling with kids under 10, since the tour is not suitable for that age group. For younger kids, you can arrange a private tour with The War Tour where material can be adjusted.

If you are traveling with mobility needs, you are still in the right place because it is wheelchair accessible with no stairs and mostly flat walking. Just plan for a small hill and the fact that not every stop has a bench.

Should You Book This WWII Walking Tour in Reykjavik?

Yes, you should book it if you want a focused, high-impact way to understand Reykjavik during World War II and how it reshaped the city’s social life. The walk hits key points that matter, including the Old Harbour landing site, the German Residence, and the streets of the Old Town where the story becomes tangible.

I would not book it if you dislike weather-based walking, since the tour goes in almost all conditions. And I would not book it for kids under 10 due to the subject matter.

If you are on the fence, here is the simple way to decide: if seeing the exact WWII landing place and following the route through Old Town sounds fun to you, the $40, two-hour format is a solid match, especially with a live English guide and period photos and videos.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik World War II walking tour?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet outside Hotel Borg, at Austurvollur (Parliament Square). Do not go inside the hotel.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $40 per person.

What stops and highlights are included?

The tour focuses on the Old Harbour (the British landing place), Reykjavik Old Town, and the German Residence.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, rain gear, and outdoor clothing. The tour goes in almost all weather.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10. If you want to bring younger children, you can arrange a private tour with The War Tour and the material can be adjusted.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible. The route has no stairs, is mostly flat, and there are benches at several stops, though not all stops.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, so you will need to purchase anything you want.