Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour worth booking?
Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $72 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (18)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $72 per person
This Christmas, join Your Friend in Reykjavik for a walking tour through the Christmas lit and festive streets of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Together we will explore the Icelandic Christmas traditions and discover the 13 Santas of Iceland, their mother, the Troll Grýla that eats naughty children, and finally, the ferocious Christmas Cat. This family-friendly tour brings Icelandic Christmas traditions brought to life with exciting stories and Icelandic folklore. We will also come to know the delicious food and drinks that Iceland considers Christmassy and maybe sample some on our walk. Our meeting point is in Fógetagarðurinn for this Christmas Walking Tour through downtown Reykjavik.
What you get
About this experience
This Christmas, join Your Friend in Reykjavik for a walking tour through the Christmas lit and festive streets of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Together we will explore the Icelandic Christmas traditions and discover the 13 Santas of Iceland, their mother, the Troll Grýla that eats naughty children, and finally, the ferocious Christmas Cat. This family-friendly tour brings Icelandic Christmas traditions brought to life with exciting stories and Icelandic folklore. We will also come to know the delicious food and drinks that Iceland considers Christmassy and maybe sample some on our walk. Our meeting point is in Fógetagarðurinn for this Christmas Walking Tour through downtown Reykjavik.
What's included
Included
- An expert fun loving guide
Not included
- Tips
What you'll see and do
We meet up outside Hlöllabátar the sandwich shop at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavík. Please gather facing the square (Ingólfstorg) and the two tall stone seat-pillars (each over two meters high). You will see Center Hotel Plaza is to your right. The area in front of Hlöllabátar has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling overhead, providing shelter and a comfortable waiting place. Our expert local guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.
5 minutes here
First, we admire the Ice skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls at Ingólfur Square.
10 minutes here
Austurvollur Square
A visit to the beautiful traditional Oslo Christmas tree. Talking about the tradition of trees and decorations in Icelandic homes.
10 minutes here
Penninn Eymundsson
Books are a big part of the Christmas traditions of Iceland and a visit to a book store is in order. Here you will some unique Icelandic Christmas books.
10 minutes here
The ferocious Christmas cat is a big part of Icelandic Christmas folklore. We will explore a bit of Icelandic folklore here.
5 minutes here
Litla Jolabudin
The little Christmas store is open year-round and it's in order to take a look at some Icelandic Christmas ornaments. Maybe you will find some Christmas gifts of your own here.
10 minutes here
12 Tonar
Icelandic Christmas music borrows a lot from various country's and a visit to our most beloved downtown Music store is in order.
10 minutes here
Hallgrimskirkja
We end up by the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja church to talk about the role Christianity and Norse Mythology has in Christmas
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
Outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling make it a comfortable spot to wait. Our expert local guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We end up by the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja Church
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Your Friend In Reykjavik
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
18 verified traveler reviews for Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The Extraordinary Ester E!
Ester E. Is a fabulous tour guide! I really do feel like I have a friend in Reyjkavik !!! So knowledgeable and funny. She made you feel like family
Response from the operator: Dear Kimberly, Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! 😊 We’re thrilled that Ester E. made such a wonderful impression, knowledgeable, funny, and made you feel like part of the family, truly capturing the heart of our tours 🏙️💛✨. It warms our hearts to know you feel like you have a friend in Reykjavík, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon! 🌍💙 With gratitude and warm regards Steina Your Friend In Reykjavík & Team
via Viator
An easy and fun tour
Despite the rain, “Stefan I” was a delightful and funny guide and gave us not just Christmas (with ALL the Santas) but history, folklore, stories about growing up in Iceland, cool shops and stalls (including a store with its own cat😍), and then a nice respite inside a cozy coffeehouse/record store where we were treated with hot chocolate and pastries. Something for everyone! Loads of fun in just two hours.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re thrilled that Stefán Í made your tour so delightful and fun, despite the rain 🌧️✨. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed a mix of Christmas sights, Icelandic history and folklore, local stories, cool shops (and a store cat! 😍), and a cozy coffeehouse/record store with hot chocolate and pastries ☕🥐. We’re so glad this two-hour tour offered something for everyone and hope to welcome you back for more Reykjavík adventures soon! 🌍💙 With gratitude and warm regards Steina Your Friend In Reykjavík & Team
via Tripadvisor
Christmas in Iceland Comes Alive
We did the Christmas Walking Tour with Einar on 12/1 and really enjoyed learning about the folklore and traditions--Gryla, the Yule Lads, and the Yule Cat--associated with Christmas in Iceland. Einar walked us around the Oslo tree, singing a Christmas song, and then followed that up with a couple of verses of one of his favorite Christmas songs in the Domkirkjan i Reykjavik - he has a BEAUTIFUL voice and it was such a treat to hear him sing. We finished up at 12 Tonar, where he played a couple of songs his grandmother wrote (!) and which have been published; one has been covered by the artist Bjork. Such an outstanding tour; we highly recommend the tour and Einar in particular. Thank you so much!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! 🎄✨ We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the Christmas Walking Tour with Einar and got to learn all about Icelandic folklore and traditions—from Gryla and the Yule Lads to the Yule Cat. 🐱🎅 Hearing Einar sing in the Domkirkjan and at 12 Tonar truly makes the tour extra special, and we’re so glad you appreciated his beautiful voice and musical stories. What a magical way to experience Reykjavik at Christmas! 🎶❄️ With gratitude and warm regards Steina Your Friend In Reykjavík & Team
via Tripadvisor
Shiesty business practice
Got to be really honest about this one...it was extremely disappointing. We booked based on the description that we'd get to see/tour the Christmas markets and have that experience. Aside from our guide being 15 mins late (which is an eternity when the temps are in the negative degrees), he began his introduction simply stating because it was NYE, the Christmas markets were all closed and pretty much everything in the description of the tour would not be happening, but he'd be doing his best to give us something. Though, we did like the guide, our question is this: if they knew the markets would be closed on the 31st and they couldn't offer the tour as described...why run the tour that day?!!? They didn't have to offer it. Or, they could also easily have just contacted us ahead of time, told us things would be different on the day we booked and offer us the opportunity to cancel. But, instead, they took our money, had us show up, and then told us we were never going to get what we actually paid for. Just shiesty business practice in our opinion and also the reason for our rating. I'd not book again with them based on this experience.
via Viator
Lovely tour with singing guide
Lovely tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and excited by the stories he shared with us. Our group loves the songs the guide would sing.The stop at the Candy store was lovely minus the gross candy (my personal opinion lol) you should still try it though. It was amazing to learn so much in such an interesting way.
Response from the operator: Dear 391salemf, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed touring with us and that our singing guide made your experience memorable. It sounds like you had a great time learning about Reykjavik and even trying some unique treats at the candy store! We appreciate your recommendation for future guests to give everything a try. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back soon! With gratitude and warm regards Steina Your Friend In Reykjavík & Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Your Friend In Reykjavik, who run 17 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.2.
See everything Your Friend In Reykjavik runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $72 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Silfra Snorkeling Between Continents Photos Included- Self Drive, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Included: An expert fun loving guide. Not included: Tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. Benches, tables, and a covered ceiling make it a comfortable spot to wait. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Reykjavik. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?
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Across 18 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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