Candy culture in Iceland is a whole thing. This 2-hour walking tour in downtown Reykjavik takes you into several beloved sweet stops, guided by Your Friend In Reykjavik, where you’ll taste items like kleina and learn why Icelandic sweets lean into ingredients such as licorice, birch sugar, and wild berries. I like the pace: short walks, quick sips and bites, and plenty of chances to ask questions. I also like that the guide ties the flavors to local life and food traditions, so you’re not just eating, you’re understanding. One possible drawback: if you dislike sweet treats (or especially licorice), you’ll still find options, but your enjoyment may depend on how adventurous you feel.

The route is built for an easy first day in town. You start at Hlöllabátar by Ingólfstorg Square, then move through central streets and specialty shops for tastings and a bit of buying time. You’ll hit several stops in a small group (max 12), so it feels friendly instead of chaotic.

At $148 per person, it’s not the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik—but it does pack in multiple tastings with an expert guide and guided sightseeing in between. If you want a quick hit of Icelandic flavor without spending time figuring out what to try, it can be great value.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Small group (max 12) keeps the tour personal and question-friendly
• Multiple tasting stops across pastries, chocolates, candies, and ice cream
• Licorice is the star ingredient, and guides explain why it tastes sweet and mild in Iceland
• Central Reykjavik route mixes short sightseeing with sugar breaks
• Guide-led recommendations can help you plan what to eat next after the tour ends

Icelandic sweets taste like the country: salty air, cozy carbs, and licorice

If you’ve only tried Icelandic sweets from a package back home, this tour makes the real flavors click. Iceland has a knack for comfort foods that still feel a little different. Fried pastries, cinnamon rolls with a distinct vibe, and chocolate that leans into Icelandic licorice aren’t just gimmicks. They’re part of how people snack and celebrate.

What I like about the tour’s lineup is that it covers the main “sweet categories” you’ll actually run into while traveling: bakery pastries first, then chocolate, then ice cream, then candy. You leave with a clearer sense of what Iceland does well—and what you should hunt for later.

Meeting outside Hlöllabátar by Ingólfstorg Square

The tour meets outside Hlöllabátar, the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right. It’s a comfortable waiting setup with benches, tables, and a covered ceiling, which matters in Reykjavik’s weather.

From there, you get a quick orientation at Ingólfstorg. Expect a short guided moment—just enough to connect the square’s role in the city to what you’ll see walking downtown. It’s not a long history lecture. It’s more like setting the stage, then moving you toward the first shop while you’re still fresh and hungry.

Practical note: since this is a walking tour in the Capital Region, wear weather-appropriate clothing. Icelandic drizzle and wind can turn a “quick walk” into a chilly one.

Baka Baka: the pastry stop where the tour gets serious

One of the first real food moments is at Baka Baka, where you spend about 25 minutes sampling baked goods. This is where you’ll likely start with kleina, a traditional Icelandic pastry described as a deep-fried doughnut-like treat. You’ll also learn how these treats are made and where they fit in Icelandic eating culture.

This stop is important because it sets your “flavor baseline.” After you taste kleina and other pastries that show up in this baking tradition, the later sweets start making more sense—especially the chocolate and cinnamon flavors.

A small consideration: if you arrive already full from breakfast, you might need to pace yourself. The tour is built to include multiple tastings, so taking it slow here helps you enjoy the rest instead of feeling sugar-stunned.

Laugavegur walk: downtown Reykjavik, but guided

Next comes a guided stretch along Laugavegur, one of Reykjavik’s most central shopping streets. You’ll get about 20 minutes of guided sightseeing while you’re moving between stops.

This is a smart section of the tour because it breaks up the food. You’re not trapped in a bakery line for the whole experience. Instead, you see the street atmosphere, get context for the city, and then regroup at the next sweet target.

It’s also one reason the tour works well early in your trip. After this walk, you’ll have a mental map of where things are concentrated, so the rest of your exploring feels simpler.

Loo.koo.mas: a short shopping window with big sweet potential

There’s a shopping stop at Loo.koo.mas (about 15 minutes). This part is for buying, tasting, and picking up gifts—especially if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to bring home something specific rather than a generic souvenir.

This is where you’ll get practical with Icelandic sweet brands and packaging choices. Even if you don’t buy much, the shopping window helps you understand what’s actually on shelves in Reykjavik, including items tied to local flavors like licorice and berry notes.

Tip for getting the most out of this stop: if you plan to buy chocolate or candy, try to keep an eye on your timing. The tour only gives you a small window, and you don’t want to rush while deciding.

Ísbúðin litla Valdís: ice cream that might include licorice or skyr

Then you hit Ísbúðin litla Valdís for about 20 minutes of ice cream tasting. This is the “cool down” stop, and it’s often the one that makes the whole tour feel like a full sweet meal instead of just snack attacks.

Ice cream flavors you might see include licorice and possibly skyr, the Icelandic dairy product. That’s a key detail: Icelandic flavors don’t just show up in candy. They show up in everyday desserts too.

If licorice worries you, don’t panic. The tour is designed with variety in mind, and you’ll have other choices beyond licorice. Still, ice cream is a good place to test whether you actually like the mild, sweet licorice style Iceland is known for.

Taste of Iceland: candy finale with iconic bars and combos

The tour ends with another famous candy shop stop called Taste of Iceland, also around 20 minutes. This is the last chance to try (and potentially buy) Icelandic candies and sweets.

You might sample items such as the iconic Draumur chocolate bar and the licorice-and-chocolate combo called Þristur. The tour also leans into the idea that you can go for the classic pairing—or branch out into other candy options if licorice isn’t your thing.

This finale matters because it ties the whole trip together. After tasting pastries, chocolate, and ice cream, the candy stop turns into a “now I get it” moment. You’re no longer wondering why Iceland does licorice a little differently—you’re tasting it in multiple formats.

Your guide is the secret ingredient: friendliness plus story time

This tour is led by guides from Your Friend In Reykjavik, and the guide quality clearly drives the experience. In the past, you’ll meet guides like Thor, Anna, Ester E, Gudjon, Matthias, and Oli. The consistent theme in their approach: they’re funny, personable, and quick to answer questions.

That matters for value. A sweets tour could just be a list of shops and samples. Here, the guide connects the dots—explaining history behind the treats and talking about how local ingredients show up in the final product. You also get insider recommendations for what to eat or where to go next in Reykjavik, which turns this from a one-off bite into useful trip planning.

And the small group size helps. When there are fewer than 12 people, you can actually talk, not just listen.

Price and pacing: $148 for two hours of guided tasting

At $148 per person for a 2-hour tour, you’re paying for more than sugar. You’re paying for:

• curated stops in central Reykjavik
• an expert English-speaking guide
• included samples across multiple sweet categories

If you tried to do this on your own, you’d spend time hunting down the right shops and guessing what to order. Even if you found a couple of good spots, you’d likely miss the ingredient context—especially the licorice angle and how it ties to local flavors.

Pacing is also part of the value. You get a walk here and there, plus time to taste at each stop. It’s not “one bite, next store, repeat” at full speed. You have moments to slow down, ask questions, and reset.

One more thing: since samples change based on season, day, and time, think of the tour as a flexible tasting menu rather than a fixed checklist. That’s usually a plus, not a downside—especially if you like surprises.

What to expect from the samples (and how to plan your appetite)

The tour includes samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream. Based on what’s described, you can expect the tour to center on Icelandic favorites like kleina, and possibly Snúður (a unique cinnamon roll). Chocolate tastings focus on Icelandic options that may use ingredients such as licorice, birch sugar, and local wild berries. Ice cream can include flavors like licorice and possibly skyr. The candy finale can feature well-known items such as Draumur and Þristur.

Some tours may include additional tasting items beyond the core list, depending on what’s available. In one example, a guide shared tastings that went beyond the usual sweets mix. So keep an open mind and don’t assume the menu will match every detail you’ve seen in another guide’s tour.

How to plan: eat lightly before you go. If you show up starving, you may taste everything, but you might feel overwhelmed. If you show up too full, you might miss what each shop is trying to show you. I’d aim for somewhere in the middle.

Who this tour is best for (and who might skip it)

This is a great match for you if:

• you want a fast, guided way to taste Icelandic sweets without guessing
• you like food tours that mix walking and context
• you’re doing Reykjavik for a day or two and want an easy first activity

It’s also useful if you want to get your bearings fast in the city center. The route hits key streets and squares, so even after the sugar part is done, you’ll know where you are.

You might skip it if:

• you strongly dislike sweet foods
• licorice flavors make you instantly cranky

Even so, the tour notes that there are non-licorice options, so it’s not a mandatory licorice-only situation. The question is whether you want a tour where licorice is one of the main themes.

Should you book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

Yes, if your idea of a good time in Iceland includes pastries, chocolate, and the kind of local ingredients that don’t show up everywhere else. The combination of small group size, multiple tasting stops, and guide-led context makes it feel like a curated food experience rather than random shop-hopping.

I’d especially recommend it as a first-day activity. Start with sweets, learn the flavor logic, then you’ll know what to order later on your own.

If you’re on the fence, think about this: $148 is a chunk, but it buys you guided sampling across several categories in central Reykjavik. For many people, that’s cheaper than paying for a bunch of separate tastings one by one—plus you get the story behind the flavors.

FAQ

How long is the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

How many people are in a group?

It’s a small group tour with a maximum of 12 people.

What languages are the tours offered in?

The tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What sweets will I taste on the tour?

You’ll sample Icelandic pastries, sweets, and ice cream. The exact items can depend on the season, day, and time, but examples include kleina, Icelandic chocolate (with ingredients like licorice), and ice cream flavors that may include licorice or skyr.

What if I do not like licorice?

The tour notes that there are other options if you don’t like licorice.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.