Christmas in Reykjavik has a story to tell. This private Christmas-themed walking tour strings together city highlights and Icelandic holiday traditions, with the guide sharing local legends like the legendary 13 Santas as you go. You’ll also get a hot drink and pastry to keep you comfortable while you’re out in the winter air.

I especially like the private format: it’s only your group, so you can move at your pace and ask questions without feeling rushed. One possible drawback: the tour meeting point at Ingólfur Square can be a little confusing if you arrive flustered, so give yourself extra time to find your guide.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• A legend-heavy Christmas theme featuring the legendary 13 Santas explained by your guide
• Short, practical route built around classic downtown squares and famous landmarks
• Free-to-stop sightseeing with admission listed as free at each main stop
• Local flavor stops at a bookstore, ornament shop, and a music store (not just photo ops)
• Iconic Christmas visuals including the blue tree, an Oslo-style Christmas tree, and the Christmas cat folklore

Why This Private Christmas Walk Works So Well in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is small enough that you can see a lot on foot, but winter changes everything. Sidewalks get slick, daylight is short, and you don’t want to waste time hunting for the best spots on your own. This tour is designed for that reality: it’s a compact downtown walk that mixes sights with meaning, so every stop has a reason beyond being pretty.

You get two big advantages right away. First, it’s private, so you’re not squeezed into someone else’s group rhythm. Second, you’re not just collecting landmarks—you’re learning how Icelandic Christmas traditions show up in everyday places: shops, stories, decorations, and even music.

That learning piece matters more than you’d think. Icelandic Christmas folklore can sound odd if you only read it online. But when someone explains how it connects to local life, the city makes more sense. This is exactly the kind of tour where a good guide turns “I saw a statue and a tree” into “I get why people care.”

And yes, you’ll pause for a warm break. The included coffee/tea/hot cocoa and pastry is simple, but it’s a smart move in December. It turns the tour from a cold sprint into a comfortable walk you can actually enjoy.

The First Stretch: Ingólfur Square, the Ice Rink, and the Holiday Glow

You start at Ingólfur Square (Austurstræti 4). This is a great starting point because it’s already full of winter energy. The tour route is set up so you see holiday decorations right away, plus an ice skating rink and Christmas market stalls in the area.

Even if you’re not planning to skate or buy anything, this first stop helps you orient fast. You’ll know where you are and what kind of holiday atmosphere you’re stepping into. It also sets a baseline for the rest of the walk: you’ll keep noticing how Reykjavik uses public spaces for seasonal traditions.

Logistically, also keep in mind that the tour is about 2 hours (approx.). That means each stop stays focused and doesn’t linger forever. At Ingólfur Square, you’ll get a quick look at the rink and market area, not a long browsing session. If you want to shop heavily, plan to do that after the tour (your legs will thank you).

Fógetagarðurinn and the Blue Christmas Tree by Skúli the Sheriff

Next, you head to Fógetagarðurinn. Here, the centerpiece is the statue of Skúli the sheriff, described as the father of Reykjavik, plus a beautiful blue Christmas tree near the square.

This is the kind of stop that looks like it’s just for photos—until the guide ties it back to local identity. Icelandic Christmas isn’t only about imported traditions. In Reykjavik, you’ll keep seeing how history and culture blend into the holiday look. A blue tree by a statue doesn’t feel random once someone gives you context.

One thing I like about this structure is how it changes your pace. You’re not always jumping from shop to shop. You’ll get a moment where you can stand, look, and listen. In winter weather, those short “stand and learn” moments are often more valuable than nonstop walking.

Austurvollur Square and the Oslo-Style Christmas Tree

At Austurvollur Square, the tour visits a traditional Oslo Christmas tree and talks about Icelandic habits around decorations—specifically how trees and ornaments show up in Icelandic homes.

This is a good stop for anyone who wonders if Iceland’s Christmas is its own thing or a mix of influences. The guide’s job here is to connect the visible symbol (the tree) to the lived tradition (how people decorate at home). It’s the difference between seeing a pretty object and understanding what it represents.

Also, the square setting helps. Open spaces make it easier to spot the tree from different angles, and you can take your time getting your bearings. In a city walk, those little pauses are what keep the whole experience relaxed rather than frantic.

Penninn Eymundsson: Christmas Books as a Real Tradition

Then you’ll make your way to Penninn Eymundsson, a bookstore where Christmas books play a major role in local holiday tradition.

This stop is one of the most “Iceland” parts of the route, because it shifts the focus away from décor and onto culture. Books are quiet, but they’re practical. They make great gifts, and they’re the kind of item you can’t really replicate with a generic souvenir.

If you like browsing at a comfortable pace, this is where you’ll enjoy the most time. The tour duration is short, but a bookstore is naturally slower than a street market. You’ll get to see what Icelandic Christmas themes look like in printed form—stories, poems, and the kind of seasonal publishing that reflects local tastes.

Lækjartorg A and the Ferocious Christmas Cat

At Lækjartorg A, you’ll hear about the ferocious Christmas cat, a major part of Icelandic Christmas folklore, and you’ll explore a bit of that myth side of the season.

Folklore stops can go two ways on tours: either they’re a quick “we have a cat” mention, or they become memorable storytelling. This one is built to be the first kind of stop that sticks. When folklore is part of Christmas culture, it often explains why certain symbols pop up where you least expect them.

If you enjoy odd, human-scale legends, you’ll probably grin here. A “ferocious” cat might sound like a cartoon, but in Icelandic seasonal storytelling, it’s part of the fun and the identity.

Litla Jolabudin: Year-Round Ornament Shopping That Feels Local

Next is Litla Jolabudin, described as a little Christmas store open year-round. The tour includes a look at Icelandic ornaments, and it’s clearly intended for gift ideas—especially if you want something small but meaningful.

This store works well on a walking tour because it’s compact and easy to browse. You don’t need a long shopping spree; you just need a chance to see what local Christmas crafts and designs actually look like. If you’re the type who likes to pick gifts based on real cultural style (rather than mass-market stuff), this is a smart stop.

A practical note: because the tour is around 2 hours, you’ll likely do quick browsing rather than buying everything on the spot. That’s not a bad thing. It helps you avoid returning to your hotel with a dozen half-thought purchases.

12 Tonar and the Christmas Music Connection

At 12 Tonar, the walk includes time at a beloved downtown music store tied into Icelandic Christmas traditions. The guide also talks about how Icelandic Christmas music borrows from various countries.

This is another stop that makes the tour more than a sight tour. Music is one of those traditions you can hear and feel, even if you can’t catch a live performance. A music store gives you a window into what people choose to listen to during the season.

If you’re thinking about bringing home something more personal than a decoration, a music stop can inspire good ideas. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a nice way to end the shopping-and-story sequence before the final landmark.

Hallgrímskirkja: Where Christianity and Norse Mythology Meet

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja at Hallgrímstorg 1. This is where you shift from symbols and shops to the bigger cultural picture. The guide talks about the role of Christianity and Norse mythology in Christmas.

This is the end stop that gives the whole walk its meaning. Reykjavik’s Christmas vibe comes from more than one tradition, and Icelandic culture often holds old and newer beliefs in the same space. A church landmark might seem like a straightforward “Christianity” place at first glance, but the guide’s framing is about the blend—how people think about Christmas through both myth and faith.

It also feels like a satisfying finish. By the time you reach Hallgrímskirkja, you’ve seen decorations, legends, shops, and stories. Ending at a major landmark makes it feel like a complete loop rather than a series of random stops.

Price, Value, and What You’re Paying For

At $159.41 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t a budget tour. But private tours cost money because you’re buying time with an expert guide and a route that’s already planned for winter.

Here’s what you get for your spend, based on the tour details:

• An expert, fun-loving guide
• Coffee/tea/hot cocoa and pastry included
• A tight route through key downtown spots (with free admission at the listed stops)
• Convenience features like pickup offered and a mobile ticket
• A private setup where only your group participates

I also like that it’s priced per person, not per group in a way that encourages awkward math. Still, the practical value depends on who you’re traveling with. If you’re a couple or a small family, private usually feels worth it because you’re not splitting guide time with strangers.

One other timing detail to remember: this tour is booked about 123 days in advance on average. That’s a hint that December demand can be real. If your dates are flexible, you can sometimes wait. If they’re not, booking earlier is the safer move.

Small Logistics That Make Winter Tours Better

This tour is designed to work with city movement. It’s near public transportation, and the walking route covers areas that are easy to connect to if you need to jump on/off. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate according to the tour info.

Also, the end point at Hallgrímskirkja is a great place to keep going. After the tour, you’re near one of the main downtown anchors, so it’s easier to decide what to do next—whether that means a quick café stop or continuing sightseeing on your own.

On meeting: because the start point is a specific square and street area, I suggest arriving early enough to find your guide calmly. If you’re traveling in windy weather, that extra buffer prevents stress.

Who Should Book This Christmas Walking Tour

I think this tour fits best if you want:

• A guided introduction to Icelandic Christmas traditions (especially folklore like the 13 Santas)
• A private pace for asking questions and taking photos without pressure
• A mix of culture + shopping stops + a major landmark finish

It’s also a good choice if you only have a short window in Reykjavik and you want to build context fast. If you’re the type who likes to understand why something matters before you treat it like a postcard, you’ll likely enjoy this structure.

If you’re mainly looking for long shopping time or a big market crawl, you might feel the stop-and-go format more than you want. The tour is short on purpose, so it keeps everything manageable.

Should You Book It?

Book it if you want a private, story-focused Christmas walk that stays compact, includes a warm drink, and gives you more context than a basic sightseeing loop. The route through Christmas-themed landmarks plus culture stops like a bookstore and music store gives you a fuller sense of what Icelandic Christmas actually looks like in real daily life.

Skip it or pair it with other plans if you need lots of free time to shop or you dislike structured timing. This tour is a well-run highlight reel, not an all-day wandering spree.

If you’re deciding right now, I’d make the call based on one question: do you want a guide to explain the holiday traditions as you walk? If yes, this is a strong pick for Reykjavik in December.

FAQ

How long is the private Reykjavik Christmas walking tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Ingólfur Square, Austurstræti 4, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja, Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is this tour private or shared?

It’s private. Only your group will participate.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes an expert fun-loving guide, plus coffee and/or tea (or hot cocoa) and a pastry.

Are there admission fees for the stops?

The listed stops show admission ticket free.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What kind of tickets does the tour use?

A mobile ticket is included/used for the experience.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is it okay to cancel if plans change?

Yes, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.