Cats run Reykjavik, if you know where to look. I love how this cat-focused walk turns downtown landmarks into a hunt for Iceland’s famous feline characters, and I love the time at the Reykjavik Cat Coffeehouse, where you can pet cats while sipping coffee or hot cocoa. One possible drawback: it is a steady 2-hour rain-or-shine walk, so you’ll want good outerwear and a comfy pace.

I also like that the guides mix local cat lore with real city context. Names you might hear include Barði, Ester, Stefan I, and Einar, and their storytelling can make familiar sights feel fresh. If you want Reykjavik in a low-pressure way with a strong theme, this is a fun fit.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Start at the stone pillars at Ingólfstorg for an easy, central meetup outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop
• Follow the cat legends of Iceland and beyond while you move through the downtown core
• Meet shop and street cats along the route and try to spot local celebrities like Baktus, Jonsi, and Ofelia
• Pet cats at Kattakaffihúsið with coffee or hot cocoa plus an Icelandic pastry
• See major sights on foot, including Hallgrimskirkja (passed by) and the Einar Jónsson Museum area
• A real-world impact: 10% of profits go to the Cat Protection Society and Kattholt

The route starts at Ingólfstorg’s pillars, not a random street

The tour meets outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square. The setup is clear: you’re looking at the two tall stone pillars, with the CenterHotel Plaza off to your right. If you like easy navigation, this is a good start point because Ingólfstorg is right in central Reykjavik.

Your guide is easy to spot too. Many guides wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, which helps when you arrive early and the weather is doing its own thing. You’ll start walking right away, with a first stop at Ingólfstorg where you get oriented and set the tone for the cat theme.

My advice: arrive a few minutes early, especially in rain. Central Reykjavik is walkable, but groups can spread out along the square. Being on time helps you get that first story, not just the first minutes.

Ingólfstorg and Gyllti kötturinn: how the cat story ties to Iceland’s settlement era

One of the most effective parts of this tour is how it uses the city as a living map. You begin with Ingólfstorg, then head toward Gyllti kötturinn (the golden cat). Even if you’ve only seen Reykjavik in postcards, these first landmarks help you understand what comes next: why cats became part of everyday life here.

The guide frames it around cat history beginning with Iceland’s earliest settlements. That matters because it stops the experience from feeling like a quirky gimmick. Instead of treating cats like props for photos, the walk connects them to how people lived, stored food, and protected homes over centuries.

You also get myth-driven storytelling, including cat myths from Iceland and from around the world. That mixture is one reason people love the tour: it gives you both a real “why” and the fun “what if” versions that traditions pass along.

Potential snag to plan for: you’ll be walking and listening, so if you’re the type who wants long silent breaks, this may feel a little talk-heavy. The best experience comes when you’re willing to follow the guide’s pace and story line.

Lake Tjörnin makes a great pause point for folklore

Next up is Lake Tjörnin, a simple but meaningful stop. The tour keeps the pace city-friendly, and this is where you typically get a guided moment that feels like a breather between streets. It’s also a smart waypoint because the lake area gives you a change of scenery without taking you too far from downtown.

This is where the myths really start clicking into place. You’ll hear cat stories with Icelandic roots and also world-wide references. The point is not memorizing names and dates. It’s learning how cats show up in local imagination, jokes, legends, and symbolism.

If you’re curious about how Icelandic folklore works more generally, this is a good entry. You don’t need background knowledge; the guide connects the dots as you go. And since the tour is themed around cats, the stories stick better than random history facts you might hear on other walks.

Weather note: if it’s raining, this area can still work, but it may slow your group a bit if people are adjusting hoods or trying to keep phones dry. Keep your rain gear accessible so you aren’t fumbling during stops.

Kattakaffihúsið: the cat café stop is why most people remember the tour

The centerpiece is the Reykjavik Cat Coffeehouse, also known as Kattakaffihúsið. This is where the tour shifts from street hunting to cozy time: you settle in, order a coffee or hot cocoa, and get an Icelandic pastry. Depending on what’s being served that day, the pastry can be something like kleina/klenät, which shows up in people’s experiences.

More important than the drink is the cat moment. You don’t just see cats from a distance. You get to pet cats at the café. In several accounts, the café atmosphere is described as calm and relaxed, which helps if you’re traveling with kids, or if you simply want a slower, kinder break in the middle of wintery weather.

What makes this stop feel valuable is the pacing. It’s long enough to actually enjoy it—about an hour—so you can order, settle in, and interact with the cats without feeling rushed. That hour also acts like a reset before the last stretch of sights.

A practical tip: bring patience. Cats choose people, not the other way around. If one cat is dozing, hang back and watch how the guide manages the group. You’ll likely still get plenty of contact and time.

Hallgrimskirkja and the Einar Jónsson Museum: city icons, finished with statues

After the café, the walk turns back toward major downtown sights. You’ll pass by Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmarks. Even though it’s a pass-by rather than a full visit, it still gives you that big “we’re in the center” feeling.

Then you head to the Einar Jónsson Museum, specifically the area tied to the statue garden near Hallgrimskirkja. This final storytelling stretch works well because it pairs a change in pace—more sightseeing energy—with the tour’s theme. You’re still in the same guided rhythm, but the setting becomes more scenic and photo-friendly.

In the end, the tour concludes at Freyjugata 29 in Reykjavik (right near the café area). That finish point helps you transition right into browsing shops or finding dinner on your own, without needing extra transportation.

If you’re photo-happy: bring a charged phone or small camera battery. Reykjavik’s winter light can be tricky, and you’ll want the energy for statue-garden shots at the end, not just at the start.

Guides matter: you might meet Barði, Ester, Gudjon, or Einar

This tour lives or dies by the guide, and the experiences here skew strongly positive. People highlight guides like Barði, Ester, Stefan I (also seen as Stephen I), Gudjon, and Einar. What you’ll notice is a pattern: the best guides treat the cats with respect and treat the group with warmth.

A big practical upside is pace flexibility. One person noted that the guide and group were patient with slower movement due to health needs. That tells me this is not a rigid drill. You should still plan to walk for 2 hours, but the tone sounds human, not rushed.

English-language guides are part of the setup, and the tour also offers private or small groups. In practice, small group size shows up in people’s comments, including groups around 4 to 6. Smaller groups help you get answers to questions and make the cat-spotting stops feel less chaotic.

My advice: if you want the most out of the storytelling, ask questions during the lake or café stop. Guides seem happy to trade notes and share more about the cat lore and Reykjavik traditions.

Price and value: what $74 buys you (and where it’s worth it)

The tour costs $74 per person and runs 2 hours. On paper, that sounds like a niche activity. In reality, it covers a lot of the friction that usually makes themed tours expensive: you get a guide, you get multiple downtown stops, and you get your café order included.

Your included items are coffee or hot cocoa plus an Icelandic pastry, which turns the midpoint into a real break instead of a quick stop. You’re also paying for the cat element—the guided route that helps you notice feline “celebrities” around the city and the chance to pet cats at the café.

There’s also the charitable angle: 10% of profits support the Cat Protection Society and its shelter and hotel called Kattholt. If you care about animal welfare, that’s a meaningful plus and gives the tour a purpose beyond entertainment.

Is it worth it if you’re not a die-hard cat person? Maybe not. The value is strongest when the theme genuinely matters to you. If cats are just background interest, you might feel like you’re paying for a short history-and-sights walk with an extended café stop.

Who this cat walk is best for

This is ideal for you if:

• you want a different first look at Reykjavik that still covers key city spots
• you enjoy folklore and myths, not just dates and facts
• you like small-group guidance and don’t mind moving at a relaxed walking pace
• you want a break that includes warm drinks and pastry in a cat-friendly setting

It’s also a smart family-friendly option in the sense that it combines an easy city stroll with a predictable comfort stop. Still, since it runs rain or shine, you’ll want to dress for wet weather and cold air.

Should you book the Reykjavik CatWalk?

Book it if you want Reykjavik to feel playful, local, and story-driven, with a real café payoff at the middle. The biggest reason to choose it is simple: you’re not just learning about cats in Iceland, you’re meeting them—often up close—and you’re doing it while seeing downtown landmarks in a tight 2-hour loop.

Skip it if you dislike cats, hate walking in all weather, or prefer museums and long indoor time blocks. Also, if you’re expecting a fast sprint of sights, this is more about pacing and stories than ticking off every major building.

If you’re a cat lover visiting Reykjavik, this is one of those rare themed tours that feels like it belongs to the city rather than being glued on.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik cat tour meet?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. The waiting area has benches, tables, and a covered ceiling.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a 2-hour walking experience with a guide, plus coffee or hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry at the Reykjavík Cat Coffeehouse.

How long is the tour?

The walking tour lasts 2 hours.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Is the guide English-speaking, and is it a small group?

The guide speaks English. The tour can be private or in small groups.

Can I cancel, and can I pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.