Reykjavik: Christmas Walking Tour with Icelandic Traditions

What makes this Reykjavik Christmas walking tour interesting is that it turns a night walk into a story tour through Icelandic Christmas folklore. You’ll trace the season’s characters through downtown, including the 13 Santas of Iceland, while festive lights and sights keep the pace upbeat.

I especially like two things: first, the quick stop at a book store, because Icelanders really do treat reading as part of the holiday vibe. Second, you get classic holiday action at the city squares, including an ice skating rink atmosphere that makes the whole season feel real, fast.

One possible drawback is that it is only 2 hours, so it is not built for long, slow food breaks. If you are hoping for lots of extra time for hot drinks or shopping, you might feel a little rushed at the end.

Key Highlights Worth Getting Excited About

• The 13 Santas, their mother, and the ferocious Christmas Cat, plus other key characters that shape Iceland’s Yule stories
• Ingólfur Square stops, with an ice skating rink, holiday decorations, and market stalls
• A city-center scavenger feel as you try to spot Icelandic Yule lads hiding around Reykjavik
• A Christmas book store visit, where you’ll see how much Icelanders love books during the season
• Discounts included at select Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants

A Christmas Story Walk That Feels More Iceland Than Decoration

Reykjavik in December can feel like a movie set. But this tour adds something most holiday walks miss: the folklore behind the lights.

The star topics are not just generic Santa stuff. You’ll hear about the 13 Santas of Iceland and their family story, plus the darker characters that Iceland pairs with winter fun, like Grýla who eats naughty children, and the ferocious Christmas Cat. It is family-friendly, but it still keeps that Icelandic edge, the part that makes the stories memorable and a little spooky in a good way.

If you like your Christmas with local meaning, this is the kind of tour that helps you understand why Iceland celebrates the way it does, not just what it looks like.

Where the Tour Starts: Hlöllabátar by Ingólfstorg

You’ll meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavik. Aim to gather facing Ingólfstorg, right in front of the covered area with tables and benches.

The meeting instructions are very clear: look for the two tall stone seat-pillars, each over two meters high, and stand facing the square. You should see Center Hotel Plaza to your right.

Practical tip: show up a few minutes early, since it’s December and daylight is short. Also, guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, so it’s easy to spot the group.

Ingólfur Square: Ice Skating, Market Stalls, and Real Holiday Energy

The tour heads to Ingólfur Square, one of the best places to absorb the season quickly. This is where you get that “okay, it’s Christmas here” feeling in a very Icelandic way.

You’ll see:

• an ice skating rink
• holiday decorations
• Christmas market stalls

What I like about starting here is that it anchors everything. Before you hear folklore, you are already watching holiday life happen, people milling around, lights reflecting, and the general movement you get in a place that actually celebrates in winter outdoors.

A small consideration: it can be cold. Even if the square is active, the time outside still matters. Wear warm layers and comfortable shoes that can handle slick sidewalks.

Austurvollur and the Oslo Christmas Tree: A Big Visual Moment

Next, you’ll look at a famous Christmas landmark: the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvollur.

This stop works because it breaks the pattern of “small decorations, one street at a time.” You get a big focal point, and it also helps you understand Reykjavik’s role in Nordic holiday traditions, where influences travel but local storytelling stays front and center.

Even if you’ve seen photos of the tree, seeing it in person is different. The scale and the winter light make it feel special, and it gives you an easy waypoint to reset your attention for the story part of the walk.

Spot the Yule lads: A Game That Keeps You Moving Through the City

One of the tour’s more fun elements is the hunt for Icelandic Yule lads or Santa-style characters hiding around the city center.

This is where the walking becomes interactive. Instead of just following along, you’re trying to notice details in windows and street displays. It makes the walk feel shorter because your brain is doing something besides enduring the cold.

How to get the most out of it: keep your eyes up and scan slowly. December displays can be tucked into corners, and you’ll get more out of the tour if you notice what the guide points out as you go.

The Folklore Core: The 13 Santas, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat

This tour is built around storytelling, and that’s the heart of what makes it more than a holiday photo stroll.

You’ll learn about:

• the 13 Santas of Iceland
• their mother
• Grýla, associated with naughty children
• the ferocious Christmas Cat

I like tours that explain the “why,” not just the “who.” In this case, the characters aren’t random. They’re part of how Iceland brings moral lessons, winter mythology, and family tradition into the same season.

A practical note: folklore can be intense, even when it is told in a family-friendly way. If you’re traveling with younger kids, you’ll likely enjoy the darker characters as part of the playful winter tradition. Still, if your family doesn’t like spooky stories, you may want to brace for the darker bits.

A Christmas Book Store Stop: Iceland’s Reading Culture in One Quick Moment

After the city walking and character stories, the tour adds a stop that feels surprisingly Iceland: a book store with unique Icelandic Christmas books.

This is short, but it matters. Iceland has a reputation for literacy and reading, and Christmas shows up in the form of books, not just sweets and candles. Seeing the selection helps you understand that the holiday culture includes quiet, thoughtful traditions too.

If you enjoy buying gifts that feel personal, this is also a great moment to look for something you can’t find easily at home. Even if you do not plan to buy, it is worth stepping inside to see the theme displays.

Laugavegur and the Christmas Stores: Discounts That Make the Walk Pay Back

From there, you head toward Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. Along the way, you’ll check out a small Christmas store described as the one and only little shop.

The real money-value angle here is the discounts. The tour includes discounts at select Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants. That turns the tour from “interesting walk” into “walk that helps you spend smarter.”

How to use this effectively: if you do want souvenirs or snacks, keep some spending flexibility. The walk does not promise a full shopping spree, but it gives you timed chances to take advantage of those discounts before you move on.

Also, you might get opportunities to sample seasonal food and drinks Iceland considers Christmassy. The pacing is designed for light tastes while you keep moving, not for a long meal.

Skólavörðustígur Up to Hallgrímskirkja: The Ending That Feels Like a Win

The tour finishes by walking up Skólavörðustígur, toward the majestic Hallgrímskirkja church.

This end makes sense. It’s a recognizable landmark, and the uphill stroll helps you soak in the late-season lighting and the sense of moving toward the heart of the city’s main sight.

Along Skólavörðustígur, the guide also gives you chances to peek at select Christmas-related stores. You end with visual payoff and a feeling that you explored more than one tiny pocket of downtown.

Price and Value: Why 66 USD Can Work in December

The price is $66 per person for a 2-hour guided walk, available only in December.

Here’s how I think about value for this kind of tour:

You are paying for:

• a local English-speaking guide
• structured storytelling about Icelandic Christmas traditions and folklore
• included stops, including a Christmas market area and a book store
• discounts at select Christmas stores and restaurants
• a route that strings together key sights instead of you figuring it out cold in the dark

If you were to do it on your own, you could probably see many of the same streets and landmarks. But you would lose the context behind the characters, plus the built-in timing for the market and the shops where discounts apply.

Two-hour tours can sometimes feel like they rush the best parts. In this case, the schedule is pretty tight, so your best strategy is to treat it as a cultural primer, then do a second lap on your own later if you want longer shopping time or extra hot drinks.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip)

This is a strong fit if:

• you want Icelandic Christmas traditions explained by a local guide
• you like folklore, characters, and winter stories with a local edge
• you want a family-friendly activity that still feels distinctly Iceland, not generic
• you enjoy walking and short stops, rather than big museum-style blocks

It may be less ideal if:

• you mainly want a long food experience or lots of sit-down time
• you plan to shop heavily for hours and need extra shopping time built into the tour
• you dislike cold outdoor walking, even for a couple of hours

One encouraging detail from guide experience: some groups have had guides like Robyn, who has been described as giving a strong overview and keeping the tour friendly and helpful.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

If you want the quick answer: yes, especially if it is your first time in Reykjavik during Christmas season.

Book it when you want:

• a fast, guided way to understand Icelandic Christmas characters like the 13 Santas, Grýla, and the Christmas Cat
• a practical walk that connects squares like Ingólfur Square with sights like the Oslo Christmas Tree
• a built-in detour to a book store that feels genuinely Iceland, not touristy
• discounts that can offset part of the ticket price at Christmas shops and restaurants

Skip it if you already know the folklore and only want to shop or eat. In that case, a self-guided stroll may suit you better. But if you want context, pacing, and local storytelling wrapped around the festive lights, this tour is an efficient and fun way to start the season in Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas walking tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $66 per person.

What language is the tour guide?

The live guide speaks English.

Is the tour available outside December?

No. This tour is only available in December.

What can I expect to see at Ingólfur Square?

You’ll see an ice skating rink, holiday decorations, and Christmas market stalls.

Where exactly does the tour start?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop at Austurstræti 1. Gather facing Ingólfstorg in front of the covered area and near the two tall stone seat-pillars.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Are discounts or food included?

Discounts are included at select Christmas stores and restaurants. You may also have the chance to sample food and drinks Iceland considers Christmassy while on the walk.

Can I get a refund if my plans change?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.