Free Walking Tours in Reykjavík

Experience all the cultural and historical attractions of distant Iceland during free walking tours in Reykjavík – Iceland’s capital and it means Smoky Bay – the world’s northernmost city. Reykjavík has a colorful history dating back to the time of the Vikings and you can immerse yourself in Iceland’s fascinating culture and traditions.

Bellow is all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best alternatives for sightseeing tours in Reykjavík.

How do free walking tours in Reykjavík work?

Free walking tours work in Reykjavík don't have a fixed price and no payment upfront. After you take part in your tour, each participant decides how much they would like to pay for the experience in the form of a tip.

How much should you tip?

Each participant offers the guide the amount they consider appropriate, depending on their level of satisfaction. Most of the people tip between €10 and €15 per person. The currency used in Iceland is Icelandic krona (ISK).

What are the best free walking tours in Reykjavík?

Overall, a free walking tour of Reykjavík means you're able to access and see a lot more than you can with any other type of tour. All you have to do is turn up, and your local guide takes care of the rest, having efficiently planned the whole route in advance.

Free city walking tour in Reykjavík

Your guide will take you on a memorable tour of Reykjavík, telling you about the history of Iceland and all its historical places and monuments. They will guide you through little-known alleys and present Reykjavík as it is, so you can feel “the soul of the city.”

The tour starts in front of the Hallgrímskirkja Church, from where you will be shown all of the main attractions of Reykjavík. At over 70 meters, it is the tallest building in Iceland and is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols.

Named after the Icelandic poet Hallgrimur Petursson, the church was constructed from 1948 to 1986. In front of the church, you will see a statue of the Norse explorer Leif Ericsson, which was gifted by the United States to Iceland in 1930.

Along the route, you will also visit the National Theatre and the National Library of Iceland. The latter was established in 1994, and its national collection contains almost all written works published in Iceland. At the Reykjavík Maritime Museum, you can explore Iceland’s dramatic relationship with the sea.

Over the centuries, Icelanders’ methods of catching and processing fish have become a science that helped create the modern nation. The Maritime Museum’s exhibitions and artifacts vividly bring Iceland’s ocean history to life.

Downtown, you will explore the city’s Laugavegur commercial neighborhood and admire the Domkirkjan Cathedral at Austurvöllur. Originally constructed in 1787, it was demolished and rebuilt in 1847. The tour finishes at Lake Tjörnin, inhabited by numerous species of waterbirds.

Hidden Gems free walking tour in Reykjavík

This free walking tour covers Reykjavík’s main sights and landmarks, as well as the hidden gems in less crowded streets. The guide will tell you about the Vikings, Iceland’s culinary customs, politics, architecture and much more. Note that this is a small-group walking tour, limited to 10 people.

The tour starts in front of the Parliament Building in Austurvöllur Main Square. It is a classical dolerite building erected 1880-1881 and stands next to Domkirjan Cathedral. The nearby National Theatre of Iceland was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and formally opened on 20 April 1950.

If you love nature, there’s Lake Tjörnin in the center of Reykjavík, a small, prominent lake next to the Reykjavík City Hall and several museums. Locals and visitors are fond of feeding the birds at the lake, hence the moniker "the biggest bread soup in the world."

The lake is inhabited by between 40 and 50 species of waterbirds. During winter, the lake usually freezes periodically and is used for ice skating. Tjörnin featured in scenes in the film ”Gauragangur” (2010) as well as a tragic scene from “Life in a Fishbowl” (2014). The city’s airport lies close to the lake towards the south.

Free walking tour of Reykjavík highlights

You will have a pleasant walk through the city, in a tour full of curiosities and with stops at important points.

Your free walking tour starts at the Harpa Concert Hall, Rekjavík’s premier concert hall and conference center. Opened in 2011, the hall was collaboratively designed by Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, and the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects.

Today, it is a cultural center of Reykjavík and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The hall hosts exhibitions, concerts and festivals, and is the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra.

From here, the walk continues through the city, passing Arnarholl and Austurvóllur Square. The route goes on to Tjornin Lake, which is rich in bird life, then through the government building until Laugavegur, where the city's main shops are located.

Laugavegur is the main commercial route of Reykjavík and one of the oldest shopping streets. It was constructed in 1885 and experienced economic setbacks mostly because shopping malls opened elsewhere. However, it still has the atmosphere of a historical shopping street.

It boasts some more exclusive stores and is also home to a variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. You will then continue through Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja, the last stop. At the end of the full city walk, there is also a tasting of Lysi (fish liver oil), very famous in Iceland.

In which languages it is operated?

Depending on the specific tour, free walking tours of Reykjavík are operated in English and Spanish. One tour only operates in English, another only in Spanish, while a third tour operates in both English and Spanish.

Where does it start?

Free walking tours in Reykjavík have different starting points. The starting points are usually from in front of the Parliament building in Austurvöllur Main Square in Central Reykjavík, or from in front of the Hallgrímskirkja Church.

Another starting point is from Harpa, which is the city’s premier Concert Hall and Conference Centre. All tours, however, do pass by most of the main attractions of Reykjavík.

How long does it last?

Free walking tours in Reykjavík typically last approximately from 2 to 3 hours.

These tours cover not only the main sights and landmarks, but will also unveil the historical gems hidden in less crowded streets. You will therefore find a lot to see along the route, with several stops to take photographs.

When is the best time to join?

The best time to start your free walking tour of Reykjavík is during the summer months when there’s light almost all day. The most popular time for free walking tours of Reykjavík is Saturdays at 3 PM.

Should it be booked online?

For organizational purposes, it is necessary to book free walking tours of Reykjavík. Booking is fast, easy and completely free. Once you’ve booked, you know your place for the tour is reserved and you can optimize your time in Reykjavík.

The tour operators accept large group bookings, though the maximum number of attendees per booking is 12 people.