Tour operator
Elding Whale Watching
Family-run whale-watching company sailing from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, also offering puffin trips, northern lights cruises, sea angling and the ferry to Viðey island.
CityWalk Reykjavik
Reykjavik walking tour company whose pay-what-you-want city walk starts at Austurvöllur square, with small-group, private and street food walks also available.
At a glance
- Type
- Free walking tours and food walks
- Area
- Austurvöllur / Miðborg, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Official site
- citywalk.is
Good to know
- Pay-what-you-want tours
- Small group tours
- Private tours
- Street food walk
Why we recommend it
CityWalk Reykjavik runs walking tours of the Icelandic capital, and its best-known product is the free walking tour, which follows the pay-what-you-want model: there is no fixed price, and participants decide what to pay at the end. The tour starts at Austurvöllur, the square in front of the Parliament building in the heart of the old town, and lasts about two hours. The company is the official partner of SANDEMANs Tours in Reykjavik.
A walking tour on your first day is one of the best introductions to the city. Reykjavik's centre is small, but the stories behind it are not obvious from the street: the role of the Althing, Iceland's ancient parliament, the history of the city's growth from a few farms to a capital, life in the long winters, and the modern politics, banking crisis and culture of a nation of under 400,000 people. A local guide brings these together while showing you the main squares, churches and streets.
Besides the free tour, CityWalk offers a VIP small group walking tour of about two and a half hours, private walking tours for families and groups, and a Street Food Walk of about three hours that starts at the harbour and ends at Hallgrímskirkja, tasting local food along the way. It also runs a walk led in Icelandic and sells partner tours such as northern lights bus trips, whale watching and tickets for Perlan, Sky Lagoon and the Volcano Express.
The tours suit solo travellers, couples, families and budget travellers, and they are a good way to meet other visitors. The walks go ahead in most weather, so dress for rain and wind, wear comfortable shoes and bring gloves and a hat outside summer. Booking a place online in advance is sensible, especially in summer. If you enjoy the free tour, pay what you think it was worth; guides depend on these payments.
Austurvöllur is a few minutes from Lækjartorg, the main bus stops on Lækjargata and most central hotels. After the tour you are well placed for lunch in the old town, a visit to the Settlement Exhibition on Aðalstræti or a walk to Harpa and the harbour.
CityWalk Reykjavik FAQs
Is the CityWalk free walking tour really free?
The tour has no fixed price. Participants decide what to pay at the end, following the pay-what-you-want model.
Where does the free walking tour start?
It starts at Austurvöllur square in front of the Parliament building in central Reykjavik.
How long is the free walking tour?
It lasts about two hours.
Does CityWalk run a food tour?
Yes. The Street Food Walk lasts about three hours, starting at the harbour and ending at Hallgrímskirkja.
Are private tours available?
Yes. CityWalk offers private walking tours as well as a VIP small group tour of about two and a half hours.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes and clothes for rain and wind, plus a hat and gloves outside summer.
Is CityWalk linked to SANDEMANs?
Yes. CityWalk is the official partner of SANDEMANs Tours in Reykjavik.
How do I contact CityWalk?
Call +354 787 7779 or email [email protected].