About Tour
Pack your day pack, lace up your walking shoes, zip up your jackets, and join us on this tour of the capital city of Reykjavik to see some of the must-visit man-made wonders of Iceland. From churches, concert halls, harbors, sculptures, and gardens, this particular tour will take you to the top attractions of Reykjavik city and will bring you face to face with many different colors from Icelandic culture, traditions, and style. So, come aboard and set out on an incredible journey to the capital of the land of ice and fire.
Getting to Know the Destinations
- Hallgrímskirkja Church: Minimalistic and beautiful, Hallgrímskirkja is one of the most important landmarks and buildings in the capital city. The concreate outer look of the church is an absolute beauty to lay eyes upon while the interiors house a grand organ laid in a laidback setting. Hallgrímskirkja Church was named after a clergyman from the 17th century, Hallgrímur Pétursson, who also authored a series of Hymns of Passion.
- Þingholt: This is a small neighborhood in the center of the capital city which is said to be one of the most iconic and the oldest in the area. Þingholt is named after the street Þingholtsstræti. There used to be a townhouse in this city which stood until 1771. Now, the neighborhood is famous for its colorful iron houses and serenity.
- The Old Harbor: Designed between 1913-1917, the old harbor is a pretty popular place for hanging out in the capital. There are several small restaurants and cafes in the arena which are frequented by a lot of people. The harbor also has a backdrop view of the Harpa Concert Hall and Mount Esja across the water which makes it a great place to spend some tranquil time.
- Harpa Concert Hall: A concert and conference hall in the heart of Reykjavík, Harpa Concert hall is the venue for numerous concerts, events, and festivals which are held throughout the year – be it summer races, music concerts, or communal Christmas dinner. Harpa Concert Hall was designed by a Danish architectural firm – Henning Larsen Architects along with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.
- Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden: This used to be the home and work center for one of the famous Icelandic sculptors – Einar Jónsson. He spent almost 20 years abroad and came back to his home country in 1909. It was then that he convinced the parliament to provide him with a home and a workspace in the capital city which is now a museum for his pieces.
- Sun Voyager Sculpture: The Sun Voyager is a sculpture made by the Icelandic sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason and was designed as an ode to the sun. Some people also believe that the Sun Voyager is a representation of the first Viking ship that arrived on the island of Iceland but facts deem this notion to be false. As per the artist, the Sun Voyager is a representation of “the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress, and freedom.”
The Tour Proceedings
The first stop on this tour will be Laugavegur 5 where the tourist center is located. You will get the required information for the tour from over there and get a tour guide for the trip. The first destination on your tour will be the Sun Voyager of the capital city which overlooks the city and contains the North-Atlantic Ocean and Mount Esja in the background. After spending enough time for fact feeding and pictures, your entourage will move on to the next location – the Hallgrímskirkja Church. You will first go up to the top of the bell tower which presents an amazing view of the town upfront. You can also see the Faxaflói bay and the mountains that surround the place from atop the bell tower.
After that comes the turn to stop by at the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum or the home to one of the most famous sculptors of Iceland. Your guide will tell you all about the Norse mythology which is deep-rooted in the hearts of Icelanders as you stroll down to the museum and head to the central town of Þingholt. There you will visit the city pond and feed some ducks, swans, and geese which generally can be spotted swimming in the pond.
The next stop is City Hall where you will finally see the super huge topographical map of Iceland. Your guide will explain a few things about the geology of Iceland at this point which is every bit fascinating as the Norse myths. As you head to the Old Harbor, your next official stop, you will come across the parliament, the beautiful cathedral of the city, and home of the very first Vikings. The last stop after getting through the busy Old Harbor of the city will be Harpa Concert Hall.
Additional Information
- The tour will last for about 3 hours and the distance will be covered on foot. The total distance to be covered on the tour is about 3-5 kilometers.
- There is no minimum age requirement to join the tour – all adults and children are welcome to tag along on this family tour.
- It is advised to carry a stroller if you plan to travel with very young children since they may find the walk a bit exhausting.
- Dress according to the weather following a proper layering system. Waterproof jackets, hats, gloves, and outdoor shoes are recommended.
Included
Reykjavík walking tour with an expert guide.
Local lunch, choice of lamb soup, fisherman’s favourite, shellfish soup or vegetarian option
Local english speaking guide
Small group experience
What to bring
Dress according to weather
Warm clothes
Waterproof clothes
Gloves & Headwear
Good Shoes
Camera (optional)
Good to know
- We recommend that you dress according to the weather of the day. In Iceland it is always wise to dress in warm, waterproof clothes. Weather changes can be sudden so expect the unexpected.
- Meeting point for the tour is at the statue of Leifur Eiríksson in front of Hallgrímkirkja Church. Please be there no later then 10 minutes before your departure time.
- This tour is free for children 15 years and younger.
- This tour is perfect for single travelers, groups and families.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
The meeting point for the tour is at the statue of Leifur Eiríksson in front of Hallgrímkirkja Church. Please be there no later then 10 minutes before your departure time.
Please show up 10 minutes before your departure time.
There is no age limit but children under 6 years old might find this tour a little long to walk so make arrangements (stroller etc), or be prepared to carry them for part of the way.
You will be walking around 3 – 5 kilometers on the tour.
Dress according to weather. In Iceland it is always wise to dress in warm, waterproof clothes. Weather changes can be sudden so expect the unexpected. Bring a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good outdoor shoes are recommended.
Yes, a local lunch is included in the tour.
You can choose between a lamb soup, fisherman’s favourite, shellfish soup or vegetarian option.
We will stop at these locations on the tour:
– Hallgrímskirkja Church
– Þingholt
– City Hall and the Pond
– The Old Harbor
– Harpa Concert Hall
– Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden
– Sun Voyager Sculpture
Yes, and you definitely should! The setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.
Do you have a question?
We would love to hear from you
Interesting locations in the area
Restaurants & hotels
- Fosshotel
- Grand Hotel
- Fjallkonan
- Sushi Social
- Saeta Svínið
