Christmas lights in Reykjavik, on foot. This Reykjavik Christmas walking tour turns the city center into a moving story—where you learn about Icelandic Yuletide characters like the 13 Santas and their mother, plus Troll Grýla, and you track them around the shops. I especially like the mix of folklore and real, visible holiday sights like the Christmas markets near Ingólfstorg and the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur Square. One drawback: it runs only in December, so you’ll be dressing for cold weather and walking in dark, wintry streets for the full 2 hours.

You meet outside Hlöllabátar Sandwich Shop by Ingólfstorg Square (look for the two tall stone pillars). From there, the route is compact and centered on the classic downtown walk: Ingólfstorg, Austurstræti, Laugavegur, the little Christmas shop area, and up toward Hallgrímskirkja.

What really sells this tour is that it feels built for the season, not just a generic sightseeing loop. You’ll get guided stops for photos, a quick look at Icelandic Christmas books, and even chances to sample Christmassy food and drinks—plus potential discounts at Christmas stores and stalls along the way.

Key highlights to watch for

• Elf Stone sightings and other local little surprises as you wander
• Ingólfstorg Christmas markets with an ice rink vibe nearby
• Austurvöllur Square and the Oslo Christmas Tree for that signature holiday photo
• The ferocious Christmas Cat and darker folklore tones mixed in
• Litla Jólabúðin / the Little Christmas store along Laugavegur shopping streets
• Hallgrímskirkja finish after walking up Skólavörðustígur for the big winter church backdrop

Starting at Hlöllabátar: the easy meet-up before the magic

I like a tour that starts somewhere obvious. Here, you meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, so if you’re arriving early, you can spot the landmarks fast and settle in under the covered area near the benches and tables.

Your guide is easy to pick out too—often in a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. And if you’re the type who likes a plan, the tour is only 2 hours, which means less time “waiting for the holiday mood” and more time using the streets while they’re at peak sparkle.

Ingólfstorg Square: ice rink energy and downtown market smells

The first stop puts you right into the holiday pulse of the city. Near Ingólfstorg, you’ll spend about 15 minutes with a guided look at the Christmas decorations and stalls, plus the ice skating rink atmosphere in the same area.

This is a smart early move for a couple reasons. First, it gets you warmed up with bright, classic holiday scenes while you’re still fresh from the meet-up. Second, Ingólfstorg is a perfect launch point to understand how Reykjavik lays out its Christmas sparkle: not in one isolated attraction, but woven into the normal downtown flow.

If you like winter city ambiance—hot air, cold air, people bundled up moving between stalls—this area delivers.

Austurstræti and the central legends: where the walk turns into a story

Next comes Austurstræti, around 20 minutes of guided strolling and sightseeing. This is where the tour starts to feel less like a line of stops and more like a guided thread through Icelandic seasonal lore.

You’ll hear about Icelandic Christmas traditions and folk tales, including the darker side of the season. The tour specifically points to Troll Grýla, a figure tied to the idea of naughty children, and it also builds toward the search element that runs through the route—finding the Yule lads, the Santa-like characters hiding around the city center.

I like this part because it changes how you look at streets. Instead of seeing shop windows and lanterns, you start scanning for characters, symbols, and little references that you’d likely miss on your own. It turns walking around Reykjavik in December into something interactive, not just photogenic.

Laugavegur and Austurvöllur Square: the Oslo Christmas Tree moment

Downtown Reykjavik really shines when you’re in the right lanes, and this tour places you there. You’ll hit the main shopping street, Laugavegur, for a guided stretch with photo stops and sightseeing time—about 20 minutes focused on that holiday shopping corridor.

But one of the true anchor sights is at Austurvöllur Square. The walk includes time to see the Oslo Christmas Tree, one of the most recognizable holiday symbols in Reykjavik’s city center.

Why this matters: the Oslo tree gives you a clean, dramatic reference point. It’s the kind of landmark that makes your photos feel like they belong to Reykjavik, not just any winter market city. And it also helps you gauge the route visually—so even after the tour ends, you’ll understand how the center connects.

Spotting Yule lads around the shops: the fun scavenger vibe

A key part of the experience is the hunt. As you walk, you try to find unique Icelandic Yule lads, sometimes described in the tour as Santa Clauses, hiding around the city center.

I enjoy this because it’s family-friendly without being childish. It gives you a simple job to do—watch, spot, react—while your guide keeps the story moving. You’re not stuck listening for two hours with nothing to do. You’re scanning for clues, then getting the explanation when you find them.

It’s also a good fit if you’re traveling with kids, or if you’re an adult who just likes a bit of play in December. The tour is explicitly family-friendly, so the pacing and story tone are meant to work across ages.

Litla Jólabúðin and the Little Christmas store: where the shopping feels themed

After the central streets, you get a more focused shopping moment at Litla Jólabúðin, including photo time, a visit, and around 30 minutes of shopping.

This stop is perfect for two types of travelers:

• the ones who want small gifts and ornaments that look genuinely Icelandic
• the ones who want a break from walking while still staying in the Christmas mood

And yes, you can expect a “one and only” vibe here—this is the little Christmas store stop that keeps the holiday theme consistent with the rest of the tour. On top of that, the tour includes a bonus element: discounts at a couple of Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants. That means the shopping isn’t only for browsing; it can actually stretch your budget a bit.

I’d treat the stop like this: go in with a short wishlist (ornament, small keepsake, something quirky) and give yourself permission to spend, but keep an eye on what you might carry back.

The bookstore stop: Icelandic Christmas books and a quieter kind of tradition

One of my favorite surprises on any walking tour is when it slows down for something local that isn’t just a photo wall. Here, there’s a short visit to a book store to see unique Icelandic Christmas books.

That might sound small, but it’s genuinely useful for understanding the culture. The tour highlights Icelanders’ love of books, especially during Christmas time, and this stop gives that theme a physical place. You get to see the covers, the season’s book selections, and the kind of winter reading people pick up when they’re in a homebound mood.

If you like souvenirs that aren’t edible or wearable, a Christmas book is a great way to bring Iceland home. Even if you don’t buy, this is a solid mental reset from the busy shopping streets.

Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur: the finish with big winter views

The tour ends with a walk up Skólavörðustígur toward the majestic Hallgrímskirkja church. Expect photo time, a guided look, and a final stretch of sightseeing around 30 minutes in that area.

This ending works. It gives you a “release” moment after the denser shopping and character-hunting parts. The church setting is dramatic in winter light, and it’s the sort of landmark that makes your Reykjavik trip feel complete even if you’ve been mostly in the center all evening.

Also, because you’re approaching Hallgrímskirkja along a well-known pedestrian path, you can tell the city’s shape and elevation more clearly than if you’d just taken taxis. It’s a comfortable way to end with a sense of place, not just a store receipt.

Food, drinks, and discounts: how the tour tries to make it worth it

This isn’t only stories and photos. The tour says you might sample some Christmassy food and drinks along the way. That’s a big deal when you’re spending 2 hours outdoors in December, because it adds a practical payoff and makes the experience feel more “seasonal” than “just sightseeing.”

Then there are the bonus discounts at Christmas stores, stalls, and even restaurants. Those discounts aren’t just a perk—they change the tour’s value math. If you were already planning to buy a small ornament or try a winter snack, having discounts baked into the route is a straightforward way to get more out of the ticket.

Price and logistics: what $74 buys you in real terms

The price is $74 per person for a 2-hour guided walking tour in December. For this amount of time, you get a live English-speaking guide, a structured route through multiple holiday focal points, and folklore storytelling tied to what you’re seeing—not separate from it.

I’d call it good value if you care about the season’s characters and traditions. If you’re only after generic holiday lights and don’t want folklore explanations, you might decide it’s more than you need. But if you want context—why certain figures matter, how the Christmas season is framed in Icelandic tradition—this is priced like a guided experience with real stopping points.

Quick practical note: the tour runs only in December, and you should bring weather-appropriate clothing and wear layers. That’s not optional in Reykjavik winter, and it makes a huge difference to how much you enjoy the walk.

Who this tour suits best (and who may prefer something else)

This is ideal for:

• families looking for a Christmas activity with Icelandic folklore
• adults who enjoy story-driven walks more than museum-style history
• shoppers who want a themed route on Laugavegur and a specific little Christmas store stop
• anyone who wants a compact evening plan centered on downtown landmarks

It may be less ideal if:

• you hate walking in cold weather and want a mostly indoor itinerary
• you’re in Reykjavik for only a short time and don’t have December flexibility
• you prefer to explore entirely on your own, without a structured guide narrative

In other words: this is a holiday experience built around walking, looking, and listening.

A note on guides and what to look for

The tour is led by local guides from Your Friend in Reykjavik, and from the small set of guide stories tied to past departures, I’d expect friendly energy and a sense of humor. One guide name that stands out is Bjornvain, described as fantastic for being knowledgeable, friendly, and funny.

Even without focusing on any one person, I recommend arriving a few minutes early so you can settle, meet your guide, and get oriented while everything is still relaxed. That way you start scanning for characters right away, instead of spending the first part of the walk checking your phone map.

Should you book this Reykjavik Christmas walking tour?

Yes, if you want your Reykjavik Christmas to feel Icelandic, not just festive. The combination of downtown Christmas markets near Ingólfstorg, the Oslo Christmas Tree at Austurvöllur Square, the Yule lad hunt, and the Hallgrímskirkja finish is a smart use of only 2 hours—especially in December when the city’s holiday mood is freshest.

Book it with confidence if you enjoy folklore and small, specific stops like a Christmas-themed bookstore visit and the Little Christmas store. Pass it up if you only want general lights with zero story or if cold-weather walking will drain you.

If you’re deciding between self-guided wandering and a guided route, this one leans toward guidance that actually helps you notice things—characters, traditions, and the meaning behind what you’re looking at.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

When does the tour run?

It operates only in December.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes, the live tour guide speaks English.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The included items are the walking tour and the guide.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.