Reykjavik: Christmas Walking Tour with Icelandic Traditions

Reykjavik turns into a fairytale in December. This Christmas walking tour mixes festive city lights with Icelandic folklore, from the 13 Santas to the ferocious Christmas Cat, all in a tight 2-hour loop you can actually finish without getting grumpy. I love that the stories are family-friendly and easy to follow, and I also like that you get real stops you can see and browse, not just street corner narration.

One watch-out: there can be a longer warm-drink moment near the end, so if your goal is maximum sightseeing, plan your expectations (and dress for cold waits).

Key Things You’ll Love About This Reykjavik Christmas Walk

• Folklore you can picture, including the 13 Santas, their mother, and Christmas cat chaos
• A practical downtown route, with stops at Ingólfur Square and Austurvollur so you see the season in the right places
• A book store visit that connects Icelandic Christmas to reading culture, not just shopping
• Yulelad spotting around the center, which turns the streets into a fun little scavenger hunt
• Store and market discounts along the way, so the tour can pay you back a bit

What the Stories Actually Teach You About Icelandic Christmas

The fun part of this walk is how the myths explain the holiday mood in Iceland. You’ll hear about the 13 Santas of Iceland and their mother, plus the character most parents use as a cautionary tale, Troll Grýla, who is tied to the idea of naughty children. It’s not scary in a Halloween way, more like a reminder that Christmas comes with rules, manners, and humor.

Then there’s the Christmas Cat, described as ferocious, which adds a playful edge to the whole tradition. Even if you do not know a word of Icelandic, the characters are vivid, and the guide ties them to how people in Reykjavik think about Christmas. I also like that a family-friendly tone keeps it from turning into a lecture.

In short, the stories give you context for what you’re seeing. Lights and markets are not random decoration. They connect to characters, food habits, and the idea that the season has both wonder and a bit of “behave.”

Meeting Point at Hlöllabátar, Austurstræti 1, and How to Get Started Smoothly

You meet outside Hlöllabátar, the sandwich shop at Austurstræti 1, in downtown Reykjavik. The instructions are clear: stand facing the square area around Ingólfstorg, and look for the two tall stone seat-pillars (each over two meters high). Center Hotel Plaza sits to your right from that viewpoint.

This matters because December weather can change fast, and you do not want to waste time searching. The waiting area in front of Hlöllabátar has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, which is a welcome detail when it is cold and windy.

Your guide is easy to spot, too. The guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. That little bit of visual cue helps you get moving quickly, and the whole tour stays on tempo.

Ingólfur Square Ice Rink, Holiday Lights, and Christmas Market Stalls

The first big stop is Ingólfur Square, where the season is staged right out in the open. You’ll see the ice skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls, all in one area. This is a good place to start because it sets the tone fast, and it helps you orient before the walking gets steeper later on.

At a market, you get two benefits. First, you see how locals shop and snack during the holidays. Second, you get a chance to feel the scale of Reykjavik’s December bustle without needing to fight crowds. If you like to picture how the holiday works day to day, this stop does that for you.

You might also have the chance to try Christmassy food or drinks along the walk. One reason I like tours like this is that they often turn “see the holiday” into “taste the holiday,” even if it is just a few bites.

Austurvollur and the Oslo Christmas Tree: A Quick Photo Stop With Meaning

After Ingólfur Square, you head toward Austurvollur to see the famous Oslo Christmas Tree. Even if you have seen photos before, seeing it in person in Reykjavik’s winter light hits different.

This is a straightforward stop, but it’s worth paying attention to why it’s placed here. The tree acts like a seasonal landmark. It helps you understand how Reykjavik threads international holiday signals into a local setting. You’re not just watching decorations, you’re seeing a tradition that has a relationship to the region.

Practical tip: Reykjavik winter gets dark early, and your eyes adjust slowly. Take a minute here to look around fully before you rush to the next street.

Yulelads Hiding in Plain Sight, and Why the Hunt Is Part of the Fun

One of the more playful pieces is the hunt for unique Icelandic Yulelads, sometimes treated as Santa-like characters. The idea is to look for them hiding around the city center as you walk. It sounds simple, but it changes how you move through downtown.

Instead of staring at your feet while you dodge winter sidewalks, you become active. You scan windows, corners, and street-level displays. That makes the whole 2 hours feel less like a “tour” and more like a guided game.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the easiest ways to keep them engaged. If you’re traveling alone, it’s still a fun way to break up the monotony of winter walking.

The guide will help connect what you find to the lore, which is the key. Without the story, the characters are just decorations. With the story, they become part of Icelandic Christmas identity.

The Book Store Stop: Iceland’s Love of Christmas Reading

A short visit to a book store is one of the tour’s smartest moves. You’ll see unique Icelandic Christmas books and get a sense that reading is not an afterthought in holiday culture. In a city known for books per person and serious reading traditions, this stop feels less random than it first sounds.

This is also a low-stress break in the walking rhythm. You get inside warmth, you get time to browse, and you get a chance to notice how Icelandic Christmas themes are expressed in language and illustrations.

I like this kind of stop because it gives you a souvenir that is different from mugs and postcards. A Christmas book also makes a great gift later, when you want something personal and tied to place.

Laugavegur and the Little Christmas Store You Actually Want to Browse

From the book store, you move toward Laugavegur, the main shopping street in Reykjavik. Along the way, you’ll check out select stores with Christmas-related things.

Then comes one specific highlight: the one and only little Christmas store. It’s a memorable detail because it implies scale and charm, not a big box shopping scene. Even if you do not plan to buy much, you get to see the kinds of decorations and gifts Icelanders gravitate toward in December.

This segment is ideal if you like browsing with purpose. The guide helps you focus on what to notice, and you’re not stuck wandering while everyone else is moving on.

Discounts at Christmas Stores, Stalls, and Restaurants

One of the most practical perks is that you get discounts at a couple of Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants. That’s not just a nice-to-have. At $66 per person, small savings can help tip the value into your favor, especially if you were already planning to snack or shop.

To make this work for you, decide early what you want to do after the tour. If you’ll want hot chocolate, a snack, or a small gift, keep a little budget flexible. Then you can use the discounts instead of paying full price on impulse.

Also, remember the discounts are only at select places. It helps to ask your guide what is worth using immediately while you are still in the neighborhood.

Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja: The End of the Walk and the Winter Climb Factor

The tour ends after a walk up Skólavörðustígur toward the majestic Hallgrímskirkja church. This is one of those Reykjavik stretches where winter conditions matter. The sidewalks can be slick, and the climb can feel longer than you expect once you are already cold.

Still, it’s a classic route, and finishing near Hallgrímskirkja gives you a satisfying end point. It’s also convenient for your next move, since you can continue exploring from a major downtown landmark.

If you’re sensitive to stairs or uneven footing, wear grippy shoes. Wheelchair accessible tours are listed, but you still want to go in with a realistic mindset about winter surfaces and how crowds move around downtown ramps.

Price and Timing: Is $66 Worth It for a 2-Hour Christmas Walk?

At $66 per person for a 2-hour guided walk, you’re paying for more than a stroll. You’re buying storytelling, short cultural stops, and access to places you might not choose on your own in winter.

Here’s the value breakdown as I see it:

• You get guided folklore built around Icelandic Christmas characters like the 13 Santas and Troll Grýla
• You see major seasonal anchors, including Ingólfur Square with its ice rink and the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvollur
• You get two inside or semi-inside stops, the book store and the market area feel
• You receive discounts at select Christmas shops and even a restaurant, which can offset the cost

The main drawback is pacing. There’s enough time in a 2-hour tour to include a warm-drink moment, and that can be helpful in cold weather. But if you prefer constant motion and maximum street time, you might find that section takes up more minutes than you’d like.

My practical take: this is worth it if you want context and a curated Christmas route, not if you just want to roam Reykjavik at your own pace.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Plan)

This tour is a great match if you want family-friendly folklore without needing background knowledge. The stories are designed to be fun to follow, and the Yulelad hunt gives kids something active to do.

It’s also a solid choice for couples who want a shared activity that feels local. Reykjavik can be magical in December, but it’s easy to miss the meaning behind the decorations if you only do photo stops.

Where it might not be ideal:

• If your main goal is shopping time, you may want a longer shopping-focused outing
• If you hate any slow part of a tour, the warm drink segment could annoy you
• If you need a very quiet experience, a walk-through downtown market area is inherently social

If you like walking, cold air, and holiday stories that connect directly to what you’re seeing, you’ll probably enjoy it a lot.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, guided way to understand Icelandic Christmas, with real stops like Ingólfur Square, the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvollur, and a warm book store break. The stories and discounts make it more than just a scenic walk, and the Yulelad hunt adds a playful edge.

Skip it or consider a different option if you mainly want maximum time in shops, dislike warm-drink pauses, or expect a slow, museum-style storytelling pace. For a brisk December introduction to Reykjavik’s holiday spirit, though, this is a smart use of two hours.

FAQ

When is this Reykjavik Christmas walking tour available?

It is only available in December.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $66 per person.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour is guided in English.

Where do we meet for the tour?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavík, facing the Ingólfstorg square area and the two tall stone seat-pillars.

What will we see during the walk?

You’ll see Ingólfur Square with an ice skating rink and holiday decorations, the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvollur, and you’ll visit a book store. You also walk through areas including Laugavegur and the path toward Hallgrímskirkja.

Are there discounts included?

Yes. The tour includes discounts at select Christmas stores, stalls, and restaurants.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is smoking allowed during the tour?

No, smoking is not allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later.