Reykjavik: The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

Reykjavik tastes better when it’s guided. This 2-hour walking tour through downtown sweet shops turns Icelandic treats into an easy introduction to the city and its food culture, run by Your Friend In Reykjavik for small groups. You’ll move at a relaxed pace, with short sightseeing breaks between tastings.

I love the way the stops stack up flavors and stories, from kleina and other seasonal pastries to the reasoning behind Icelandic chocolate profiles. I also love that the tour leans into local favorites like licorice and even ice cream options that may include licorice and possibly skyr.

One consideration: licorice is part of the tour’s identity, so if you dislike it, you may still be offered alternatives, but the flavor theme will likely keep pulling you back to licorice options.

Key reasons this tour is a strong fit

• Small group size (max 12), which makes it easier to ask questions as you walk.
• Seasonal tastings, so what you sample can change based on day, time, and availability.
• Icelandic chocolate focus, with licorice described as sweet and mild, plus bars and combos like Þristur when offered.
• Ice cream stop at Ísbúðin litla Valdís, with flavors that may include licorice and possibly skyr.
• Downtown Reykjavik route, including time around Ingólfstorg and along Laugavegur for quick city context.
• Real guide personalities, with examples from recent bookings like Thor, Anna, Ester E, Gudjon, Matthias, and Oli.

Entering the tour at Hlöllabátar, with Ingólfstorg as your anchor

Most walking tours start fast. This one starts simple: meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza sits to your right, and there are benches and a covered area if the weather is doing its usual Icelandic thing.

From the first minutes, the format feels built for orientation. You’re not just hunting candy, you’re learning how to read Reykjavik’s center: where you are, what to look for, and how the food scene connects to local life.

If you’re arriving on your first day, or you only have a short window before dinner plans, this “start with sweets, then explore” approach can save you time. It also gives you a fun mission while your body is adjusting to the weather and walking pace.

The 2-hour pacing: how they fit multiple sweet stops into one walk

A big question with any food tour is whether it turns into a sugar sprint. This one is structured around a tight but calm sequence of stops, usually finishing around the original meeting point after about 2 hours.

You get a mix of:

• Guided moments (short city context and walking direction)
• Food tasting blocks long enough to actually notice flavors
• A shopping moment where you can pick up gifts or extras for later

That structure matters. With tastings, you want enough time to compare one treat against another, not just grab a bite and move on. The total time also keeps it realistic in Reykjavik, where cold, wind, and rain can make long outdoor blocks feel exhausting.

One more practical point: this is a walking tour, so wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Even when the route is “downtown easy,” Iceland weather can make everything feel longer.

Baka Baka: the pastry stop that teaches you how Iceland bakes

The first major food stop is Baka Baka, where you get about 25 minutes of tasting and explanation. This is where the tour makes Iceland feel specific, not generic.

You’ll likely sample traditional Icelandic pastries such as kleina, a deep-fried pastry often described as a doughnut-like treat. The guide also walks you through how bakers think about these items, not just what they are. You learn the names, the textures, and the cultural reasons those pastries show up again and again.

Sometimes you’ll also hear about other classics in the lineup depending on season and timing, including Snúður, the cinnamon roll. The point is not the single pastry, it’s the pattern: Icelandic sweets often feel built for comfort, with flavors that match the climate and local ingredients.

A small tip for your own enjoyment: go in with an open mind about fried dough and cinnamon-forward comfort sweets. If your sweet tooth leans toward fruit or chocolate, you’ll still get options later, but the pastry stop sets the baseline for what Icelandic bakeries consider “normal good.”

Chocolate and candy stops: why licorice is the star (and not the villain)

After the first pastry hit, the tour moves into specialist territory where chocolate and candy are the main event. One stop on the route is Loo.koo.mas, which includes shopping time as well as tasting. You’ll also visit a famous candy shop area later, where you can try additional Icelandic sweets.

Here’s the deal with licorice in this tour: it’s not presented as a harsh, bitter flavor. Icelandic licorice is described as sweet and mild, and the tour explains why that matters. If your past experience with licorice candy was all sharp edges, Iceland’s version may feel more like a gentle syrup note than a flavor attack.

On the chocolate side, you can expect samples tied to local ingredients such as licorice, birch sugar, and wild berry flavors. You may also see iconic named items mentioned, like:

• Draumur chocolate bar (when available)
• Þristur, a licorice and chocolate combo

If you do not like licorice, the tour still signals there will be other options. That said, the best way to think about it is this: the tour has a licorice thread, so you’re less likely to find a tour that is totally licorice-free. If licorice is a hard no for you, this might be less satisfying.

Ísbúðin litla Valdís: creamiest break in the middle

The ice cream stop is Ísbúðin litla Valdís, with about 20 minutes set aside for tastings. This is a smart mid-tour reset. After pastry and chocolate, ice cream gives you a different texture and a slower, cream-forward flavor moment.

The tour description highlights flavors that can include licorice and possibly skyr, which is the Icelandic dairy product. Even if skyr is not offered on your exact day, the idea is the same: Iceland doesn’t just import sweet flavors, it localizes them.

Ice cream here also serves a practical purpose. When you’re walking in cooler temperatures, a warm-style sweet like cinnamon or fried pastry can feel heavy. A cold creamy taste can make the rest of the tour more enjoyable instead of “more sugar, same mood.”

Taste of Iceland: the candy finale with take-home potential

Near the end, you’ll stop at Taste of Iceland for another 20-minute tasting. This is the finish line where you get one more chance to compare flavors and pick out your favorites for later.

This is also where a lot of the “snackable souvenir” energy shows up. The tour mentions iconic candy items and chocolate pairings like the licorice and chocolate combos, which makes it a good time to think about what you want to bring home.

If you like planning ahead for gifts, use this moment strategically. Try a few things, remember what you liked, then buy extras that match your taste. If you buy early, you can end up carrying items through the rest of the walk.

Laugavegur and downtown sight context: the part that makes it feel like Reykjavik

Food tours can sometimes feel like a series of doorways. This one adds small city context so the route feels tied to the place you’re visiting.

You spend time along Laugavegur, with about 20 minutes for guided sightseeing. You also get a short Ingólfstorg stop right at the beginning, around 10 minutes, as part of the flow.

That matters because Reykjavik has a clear center, and once you know the layout, you’ll enjoy your free time more. You’ll understand why certain streets feel like main drags and why specific squares matter. Even a short orientation helps, especially if this is your first day.

Who the guide makes it worth it: stories, humor, and Q&A time

The tour runs with expert guides from Your Friend In Reykjavik, and the vibe is part of the value. Recent bookings include guides like Thor, Anna, Ester E, Gudjon, Matthias, and Oli, each described as friendly, personable, and able to answer questions.

This is where the tour goes beyond food. Guides share the history and background behind sweets, including how treats are made and why particular ingredients show up. You also hear tidbits of city life, not just food facts, which helps you connect treats to everyday Iceland.

One nice benefit of a small group is that you are more likely to get direct answers. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to ask why something is named a certain way, or what makes Icelandic chocolate taste different, this format can fit your style.

Price and value: is $148 per person worth it?

At $148 per person for a 2-hour small-group tour, you should think of this less like a bargain snack and more like a guided tasting experience with multiple stops.

The value case is built on three things that are explicitly included:

• An expert guide
• Samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream
• A structured route through multiple specialty shops in downtown Reykjavik

If you tried to recreate this yourself, you would spend time figuring out what to buy, where to go, and how to compare options without accidentally missing the best-known Icelandic items. You’d also lose the “what you’re tasting and why it matters” explanation that the guide provides.

Still, it’s not for everyone. If you hate walking in cold weather, or if you only want one type of sweet, this price will feel high. The tour works best if you want variety, you like learning, and you’re okay with licorice being part of the story.

What to wear and what to expect on the walk

This tour is outdoors most of the time, so weather matters. You’re asked to bring weather-appropriate clothing, and that advice is not optional in Reykjavik.

Think layers. Even if the day looks calm at the start, wind can change quickly. The tour is wheelchair accessible, which is a plus if you need step-free options.

Also note that tastings depend on the season, day, and time. That’s normal for a walking food tour, and it means you should treat the tour as a flexible tasting route rather than a fixed menu.

Who should book this sweet tooth tour?

This is a great fit if:

• You want a quick, fun way to understand Icelandic sweets
• You like variety, not just one pastry style
• You enjoy walking downtown and using a guide to cut through decision-making

It may be less satisfying if:

• Licorice is a hard no for you, since the tour theme includes licorice options even if alternatives exist
• You’re only in Reykjavik for a very short time and can’t spare a 2-hour block of walking

If you’re traveling solo or with family, the small group size helps. Solo travelers often like these tours because they get social interaction and local guidance without committing to a full day.

Should you book it?

I’d book this tour if your priority is learning Icelandic flavor culture fast, while getting guided tastings at several respected sweet stops. The combination of pastry, chocolate, candy, and ice cream gives you a well-rounded sampler, and the downtown route adds useful city orientation.

But if you strongly dislike licorice, read the room first. Ask yourself whether mild sweet licorice is something you can tolerate, and if you’d actually enjoy discovering an Icelandic twist on a flavor you already know.

If that sounds like you, this tour is an efficient, enjoyable way to start your Reykjavik trip with a full sugar education.

FAQ

How long is the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

It costs $148 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes an expert guide and samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream.

How many people are in the group?

It is a small group tour with a maximum of 12 people.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What should I wear?

Wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Is there an option if I do not like licorice?

The tour notes that if you do not like licorice, there will be other options for you.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.