Christmas in Reykjavik has teeth and stories. I love how this walk turns Icelandic Christmas folklore into something you can spot right in the street—starting with the 13 Santas, their mother, and the ferocious Christmas Cat. You also get a real sense of how Icelanders think about the season, not just what to buy or where to take a photo.

The vibe stays family-friendly, and the guide helps you connect the characters to real downtown spots. One thing to consider: you may spend some time warming up (like hot chocolate), so if you want constant motion every minute, plan for a slightly slower end stretch.

Key Things You’ll Remember

• The 13 Santas and their mother, explained in a way that feels real
• Troll Grýla and the Christmas Cat, plus other Yule characters along the route
• Downtown sights you can’t miss: the ice rink, Christmas market stalls, and a major tree
• A book store stop, because Iceland takes Christmas books seriously
• Discounts at a couple of Christmas shops, stalls, and even restaurants
• A guide you’ll recognize fast, often in a light blue jacket

Entering the Story: Iceland’s Yule Characters on Foot

This tour’s main magic trick is simple. It uses Reykjavik’s Christmas lights and landmarks as the backdrop for Icelandic folklore characters you’ll actually talk about as you walk. Instead of just hearing facts, you’re chasing meaning in the middle of a holiday street scene.

You’ll focus on a set of specific figures that make Iceland’s holiday world feel different. The 13 Santas of Iceland are front and center, along with their mother. Then comes the darker side of the season in the form of Troll Grýla, who eats naughty children, and the ferocious Christmas Cat—all delivered as part of the Christmas tradition, not a random gimmick.

I like that this kind of storytelling gives you something useful for the rest of the trip. When you later see decorations in shops or people talking about the season, the references land faster, and you spend less time guessing what anything means.

Meeting in Reykjavik: Where the Walk Starts at Hlöllabátar

You meet outside Hlöllabátar, a sandwich shop on Austurstræti 1. The instructions are clear: stand facing the square area of Ingólfstorg, lined up with the two tall stone seat-pillars. Those pillars are each over two meters high, and Center Hotel Plaza sits to your right when you’re facing Ingólfstorg.

This matters more than it sounds. Downtown Reykjavik can get crowded and wintry, and a solid meeting point helps you avoid the classic holiday problem—showing up late because you didn’t match the exact landmark.

If you’re trying to spot your guide quickly, look for a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back. That’s the kind of practical detail that saves time when it’s dark and cold and you just want to start.

Ingólfur Square: Ice Rink, Decorations, and Christmas Market Stalls

From the meeting area, you head toward Ingólfur Square, where the holiday setup feels like the season’s living room. You’ll see an ice skating rink, plus holiday decorations and Christmas market stalls.

This part is about atmosphere, but it’s also about context. Seeing the rink and market stalls up close helps you understand what locals mean when they call Christmas festive. The street scene isn’t just pretty; it’s where people gather, shop, and spend time outside even when the weather pushes back.

You may also have the chance to try Christmassy food and drinks as you go. A guide-led tasting is a smart way to handle Iceland’s winter hunger—small stops, guided pacing, and you don’t have to guess what’s worth your money.

Austurvollur: The Oslo Christmas Tree Moment

Next comes Austurvollur, where the tour spotlights the famous Oslo Christmas Tree. It’s one of those landmarks that reads instantly as holiday: big, bright, and built for photos, but also clearly meant to be seen in person.

The value here isn’t the tree itself. It’s the fact that the tour connects it to the broader holiday theme the guide is building. You’re moving through the city’s key “Christmas” zones while learning the character stories that explain why the season looks the way it does.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a good stretch. The mix of a major sight plus character searching keeps their attention, and the cold doesn’t feel like the main event.

Downtown Scavenger Hunt Energy: Yulelads and Hidden Clues

As you walk around central Reykjavik, you’ll be invited to find unique Icelandic Yulelads (Santa-like characters) hiding around the city center. This turns the city into a game board, with the Christmas decorations acting like hints.

I like scavenger-style sightseeing because it changes your pace. Instead of “walk, look, move on,” you slow down, check storefronts and street details, and you end up seeing the stuff you’d otherwise miss.

You’ll also tie the guessing game to the tour’s folklore theme. The stories about characters like Troll Grýla and the Christmas Cat give the search a “why.” You’re not just hunting for figurines; you’re connecting them to the holiday worldview the guide is describing.

The Book Store Stop: Iceland’s Christmas Reading Habit

Then there’s the part I genuinely enjoy: a short visit to a book store where you can see unique Icelandic Christmas books. This is one of the most “Iceland” moments on the whole walk, because it’s not centered on ornaments or tourist souvenirs. It’s about the love Icelanders have for books—especially around Christmas time.

Even if you don’t read Icelandic, you’ll feel the intention. The display tells you the holiday includes stories you read, not only stories you hear. For me, that’s a stronger cultural signal than most festive markets.

If you like thoughtful gifts, this is also where you can make a clean decision. A book is easy to pack, easy to understand, and it’s a souvenir that doesn’t look like every other winter trinket.

Laugavegur and the Christmas Shops: Where Discounts Actually Matter

After the book store stop, you head to Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. Along the way, you’ll check out a little Christmas store and peek at other select Christmas-related shops.

Here’s the practical advantage: your tour includes discounts at a couple of Christmas stores, market stalls, and even restaurants. That can turn the $66 price into something closer to a value deal, especially if you plan to buy at least one small item or warm up with a snack/drink in town.

One caution: discounts help, but shopping decisions still have to be yours. If you’re not in buying mode, focus on the character stories and the city walk. This tour’s core strength is folklore and atmosphere, not hard selling.

Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja: The Walk’s Scenic Finish

The final stretch takes you up Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja. This isn’t a long trek, but the uphill walk in winter reminds you the city is real and weather matters. Dress warm and keep your shoes comfortable; you’ll enjoy it more when you’re not fighting the cold.

As you go, you’ll take peek tours at select stores along the way. The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja, a fitting close for a Christmas walk because it gives you a landmark moment to orient yourself after the character hunt and market stops.

If you want a photo, bring your patience. Winter light disappears fast, and you’ll likely be deciding between “one more look” and “let’s get moving” depending on your energy.

Price and Value: Why $66 Can Make Sense in December

At $66 per person for a 2-hour guided walk, this isn’t an impulse bargain. But it can be good value depending on how you travel and what you want out of Reykjavik in December.

You’re paying for more than footsteps. The included pieces are:

• a guided walking tour
• stories and folklore about Icelandic Christmas traditions
• a visit to a Christmas market and a book store
• discounts at select Christmas stores, stalls, and restaurants

If you’d otherwise wander without a guide, you might miss the connections between the characters and what you’re seeing. That’s the biggest “value” argument here: you’re buying context. Plus, the discounts can quietly offset part of the price if you shop or eat during the walk.

For food lovers, it’s also worth knowing the tour may include chances to try Christmassy drinks and food. One review mentioned time spent getting hot chocolate near the end, which can be nice if you want warm-up time. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates losing momentum, just be aware the final part can slow down.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This works well if you:

• want a family-friendly introduction to Icelandic Christmas folklore
• enjoy walking tours but also like guided storytelling with a clear payoff
• want a mix of Christmas lights, markets, and a real cultural stop (that book store)

It’s also a smart first-day activity in Reykjavik. After two hours, you’re oriented, you know the main Christmas zones, and you can recognize the characters and references later in shops and streets.

If you prefer strictly adult nightlife energy, this won’t be your thing. This is more about holiday traditions and downtown charm than late-night scenes.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour?

If you’re traveling in December and you want a warm, guided way to understand Icelandic Christmas traditions in the middle of Reykjavik’s festive streets, I think it’s a strong pick. The combination of folklore (13 Santas, Grýla, Christmas Cat) plus real downtown stops like the ice rink, Christmas market stalls, the Oslo Christmas Tree, and the book store makes it more than a photo walk.

Book it if you’ll use the discounts and you enjoy learning while you wander. Consider another option if you hate any slower, warming-drink segment and want a nonstop pace from start to finish.

FAQ

When is this Reykjavik Christmas tour available?

This tour is only available in December.

How long is the walking tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $66 per person.

What language is the guide?

The tour is guided in English.

Where do we meet?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop at Austurstræti 1 in Reykjavík, facing Ingólfstorg and the two tall stone seat-pillars.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included in the tour?

You get a guided walking tour, stories and folklore, visits to a Christmas market and a book store, plus discounts at select Christmas stores, stalls, and restaurants.

Are any items or behaviors not allowed?

Smoking is not allowed.

Is there an option for a private tour?

Yes. The tour is available as a private tour in any language.