Iceland Travel Guide logo Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

Private Reykjavik Walking Tour

2 hoursGroup: Private tour, only your groupEasyMeet on locationAll agesAll year
5.0(1 review)
Street in downtown Reykjavík in winterReykjavík from the tower of HallgrímskirkjaThe glass front of Harpa concert hallChurch in central Reykjavík with summer flowers
Private Reykjavik Walking Tour

A private Reykjavik walking tour just for your group, with a local guide who shows you the old town, the harbour and a few spots most visitors miss. The route and pace are built around you.

Ingólfstorg squareAusturvöllur & AlþingiTjörnin lakeLaugavegurHallgrímskirkja
  • Your own guide, for your group only, not a fixed public tour
  • The old town, the harbour area and Reykjavík's main square in one route
  • Stories about Iceland's Viking settlement and its modern history
  • The pace and stops adjust to what your group wants to see
  • Good option if you have young kids or want to ask questions along the way

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Meet your guide downtownYour guide meets you in central Reykjavík to start the walk.
2Reykjavík from the tower of HallgrímskirkjaIngólfstorg squareThe site linked to Iceland's first Viking settler.
Reykjavík from the tower of Hallgrímskirkja

A central square named after Ingólfur Arnarson, the man credited as Iceland's first permanent settler. Your guide starts the story of Reykjavík here, on flat, level ground, before moving on to the rest of the old town.

Walking · flat, level ground
3The Alþingi parliament building in ReykjavíkAusturvöllur & AlþingiReykjavík's main square and the Icelandic parliament building.
The Alþingi parliament building in ReykjavíkChurch in central Reykjavík with summer flowers

A small park square in front of Alþingi, Iceland's parliament, with the old cathedral alongside it. A good spot for photos and a short look at Icelandic politics past and present.

Time here · a short stop
4Tjörnin lakeTjörnin lakeThe city pond, popular with local birdlife.
Tjörnin lakeTjörnin lakeTjörnin lake

Tjörnin, 'the pond', sits at the heart of Reykjavík, bordered by City Hall, the National Gallery and rows of brightly painted old houses. It is very shallow, about 57 centimetres deep on average, which is part of why it attracts 40 to 50 species of water birds and why it freezes over for skating in a cold snap. It is free to visit and never closes.

Walking · flat path along the water
Read our Tjörnin guide →
5Street in downtown Reykjavík in winterLaugavegurReykjavík's main shopping street.
Street in downtown Reykjavík in winter

Laugavegur is the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavík and one of the oldest in the city. The name means roughly 'the Water Road', after the route people once took carrying laundry out to the hot pools to wash it. Today it is lined with Icelandic wool and design shops, vintage clothing stores, bookshops, cafés, restaurants and bars. It runs a little over 1.6 kilometres, and the shops are mostly west of Hlemmur. The main street for shops, cafes and street art, and a good place to see everyday city life.

Read our Laugavegur guide →
6HallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkjaReykjavík's tallest church, visible from across the city.
HallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja, at 74.5 metres the tallest church in Iceland, stands on Skólavörðuholt hill and dominates the Reykjavík skyline. Architect Guðjón Samúelsson designed the ribbed façade to echo the columnar basalt found around Iceland. Building began in 1945 and finished in 1986. The church is free to enter, and the tower, which has an entry fee, gives the best view over the city.

Facilities · toilets and a gift shop inside
Read our Hallgrímskirkja guide →
7The glass front of Harpa concert hallTour ends downtownThe walk finishes back in the city centre.
The glass front of Harpa concert hall

The walk finishes back in the city centre. Because the tour is private, your guide is happy to point you towards places to eat or sights you want to return to.

About the private Reykjavik walking tour

This is a private walking tour of downtown Reykjavík, so instead of joining a fixed group you get a guide just for your party. That makes it easier with small children, a language you'd rather use, or simply questions you want to stop and ask without holding up a bigger group.

The route covers the compact old town on foot: Ingólfstorg square, Austurvöllur and the Icelandic parliament building, Tjörnin lake, the shopping street Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja church. Your guide mixes local history, from the first Viking settlers to how Reykjavík grew into a capital, with the kind of tips locals actually use, like where to get a decent coffee.

It is all flat, easy walking in the city centre, so it suits any fitness level. Reykjavík weather can turn quickly even on a short walk, so bring a layer even on a sunny-looking morning.

Included

  • Private local guide, for your group only
  • Pick-up from your hotel if it is within easy walking distance of the centre

Not included

  • Food and drinks

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • A rain or wind jacket, even in summer

Good to know

  • Duration is around 2 hours of easy, flat walking
  • Suitable for all ages, and a good option for families with young children
  • Meet outside Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg Square (Ingólfstorg 1), or get picked up at your hotel if it is within easy walking distance
  • Weather in Reykjavík changes quickly, so bring a layer regardless of the forecast
  • Priced per person; children aged 5 and under go free

Questions people ask

Is this a group tour or just for us?

Private. Your guide works with your group only, so the pace and any extra stops are up to you.

Where do we meet the guide?

Outside Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg Square, facing the two tall stone pillars. Hotels within easy walking distance of the centre can get a pick-up.

Is it suitable for kids?

Yes. It is flat, easy walking and the private format makes it easier to manage with children.

How much walking is involved?

About 2 hours at a relaxed pace, all within the compact city centre.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 1 review
5 stars1
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
An Introduction to Reykjavik - perfect on your first day!

The private walking tour around Reykjavik was a perfect way to start my trip. My guide was not only knowledgeable about the city's history and landmarks but also shared insights into everyday life in Reykjavik, which made the tour feel very personal. We visited some iconic sites like Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Harpa Concert Hall, but the guide also showed me hidden gems and recommended places to explore on my own afterward. It felt like having a friend show me around their city, and I left with a better understanding of Reykjavik and Icelandic culture. This tour is a must for anyone who wants a more intimate introduction to the city.

Emily L. · October 2024
From39,490 ISKPer person (children aged 5 and under go free)

Other private tours

Private Reykjavik Walking & Food TourPrivate Reykjavik Walking & Food TourFrom 49,390 ISKPrivate Reykjavik Food TourPrivate Reykjavik Food TourFrom 47,290 ISKPrivate Golf Tour from ReykjavikPrivate Golf Tour from ReykjavikFrom 150,000 ISK
More tours like this:Sightseeing tours in IcelandReykjavík toursPrivate tours in IcelandAll categories →
Our guides to places on this tour:HallgrímskirkjaLaugavegurTjörnin
From39,490 ISK