Food plus history, with minimal fuss. This 3 hour Reykjavik walk-and-taste tour pairs small-group attention with all tastings included, so you can eat your way through Icelandic culture fast. One thing to plan around: citywide events can affect timing, and on at least one busy day the flea market highlight did not happen as expected.

I like that it starts in the center of town at Ingolfur Square, then keeps you moving between real places. You’ll get Icelandic seafood at the old harbor, a stop at Kolaportið flea market on weekend hours, and the famous lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. If you are traveling first thing or getting hit with jet lag, it is a smart way to get your bearings and fill a lot of the day with one booking.

You will also want to come hungry. Tastings are filling enough for many people, and one simple tip shows up in the feedback: don’t eat lunch first.

Key Things To Love On This Reykjavik Food Tour

• A tight 12-person maximum keeps questions easy and makes the guide time feel personal
• Kolaportið flea market timing matters since it is open only Sat and Sun, 11 am to 5 pm
• The original 1937 hot dog stop at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the classic Reykjavik food moment
• All tastings and beverages are included, which helps you travel light
• A meat soup finale at Icelandic Street Food finishes strong and warm
• Guides named in feedback like Óli, Ester E., Stephan, and Robyn tend to blend food with Icelandic history and culture

Why This Reykjavik Food Tour Works Great On Day One

If you have only a little time in Reykjavik, this tour does the job. You get downtown orientation while you eat, so you are not spending the first hours guessing where everything is. And because the stops are clustered, you can often keep exploring after you finish, without taking a bus across the city.

The format is also built for travelers who do not want to make ten separate decisions. You show up, follow the group, and get a sequence of tastes that map to the city itself, from the old harbor to the street-food crowd at the end.

Most tours talk about food. This one links food to place and story, so dishes feel less like random bites and more like part of Iceland’s everyday life.

Price And What You Actually Get For $151.38

At $151.38 per person for about 3 hours, the value comes from what is included, not from the walking. You are not just paying for a guide. You get food tastings, beverages, and even alcoholic beverages at the finish.

That matters in Iceland, where even basic meals can add up. Here, you are effectively paying for a pre-selected meal plan, with multiple stops and multiple flavors built in. You also get a professional guide, plus taxes, fees, and handling charges included.

Also note: the tour is popular enough that it is often booked around 55 days in advance. If you are traveling over a weekend, it is smart to secure a spot earlier rather than later.

Getting There: Ingolfur Square Start And A Downtown Finish

The tour begins at Ingolfur Square, with the meeting point listed at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1. You are asked to arrive about 5 minutes early, which helps keep the group together and prevents the first stop from slipping.

It ends at Icelandic Street Food at Lækjargata 8 in downtown Reykjavik. That is a practical landing point, because after the final soup you are still in the center, close to where most people want to roam next.

One small detail that affects the experience: the flea market portion only works on days it is open. If you book for a weekday, you will not get Kolaportið the way this itinerary is built around it.

Stop 1 at Ingolfur Square: Your Friend In Reykjavik Sets The Tone

Your first moment is short, but it matters. You meet the guide at Ingolfur Square and get oriented before you start walking toward the harbor area. It is also where the group energy kicks in, especially since this tour caps at 12 people.

From the feedback, guides tend to make it easy to ask questions and get context. Names that come up repeatedly include Óli and Ester E., both of whom are praised for connecting what you eat to Icelandic culture and history.

Stop 2 Down By The Old Harbor: Icelandic Shellfish Soup

The tour’s first real food hit is an Icelandic shellfish soup served as you move toward the old Reykjavik harbor. This stop runs about 25 minutes, enough time to try the dish without feeling rushed.

Why this works: Icelandic seafood is part of why Reykjavik tastes the way it does. Shellfish soup is also a good entry point because it is hearty and warming, which helps if you are dealing with Reykjavik weather that can change fast.

Practical tip: if you have a fish or seafood allergy, this is where you should speak up early. The tour has accommodated allergies in feedback, including substitutions when someone could not eat fish.

Stop 3 At Kolaportið Flea Market: Traditional Bites In A Real Local Market

This is the star stop for people who want the Reykjavik Flea Market experience. You walk through Kolaportið Market, a compact, authentic food market where you can spot traditional Icelandic foods.

Timing is key here. Kolaportið is only open Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. If your tour falls on a weekend day that still leaves enough time for the market stop, you are set up for the full experience.

In the feedback, people mention seeing items like dried cod and even frozen sheep head. That tells you the market is not just a snack stand, it is a look into how Icelandic food traditions show up in everyday form.

Potential drawback to keep in mind: on one busy day tied to city events, the schedule got pushed and the flea market did not happen. If this stop is your top reason for booking, choose a less crowded day when you can, and keep expectations flexible.

Stop 4: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur Lamb Hot Dog From 1937

No Reykjavik food tour feels complete without the lamb hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. This stop is about 15 minutes, and it is the original stand from 1937, which gives it that classic Reykjavik status.

This is also where queues can change the experience. In one review, the line was too long and the group did not get the hot dog described in the tour. The guide mentioned a voucher plan, but it did not end up happening.

My advice: treat this stop as a priority, not a guarantee. If you see a long wait building, ask the guide what the plan is early. Also, do not schedule anything tight right after your tour ends. Give yourself buffer time.

And if you like to try local classics, this is the moment. One person even described it as worth doing the tour again just for that hot dog.

Stop 5: A Quick Local Supermarket Stop For Icelandic Snacks And Candy

Between the signature hot dog and the final soup, you get a brief walk-through at a local supermarket. This part is about 10 minutes and focuses on unique Icelandic foods, snacks, and candy.

This stop is underrated. It helps you understand what people actually buy for a quick bite, not just what sits on restaurant menus. If you want souvenirs you can eat later, supermarket finds are often the easiest way to bring Iceland flavor home.

You can also learn what flavors show up most, which helps if you plan to shop for food later in the trip.

Stop 6: Icelandic Street Food Meat Soup Finale, Iceland In A Bowl

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food with a big bowl of meat soup. This stop runs about 45 minutes, which is the longest stretch of the tour and a sign the finish is meant to satisfy.

People describe it as the traditional dish they call Iceland in a bowl. It is a warm send-off after hours of tasting, and it gives you a chance to slow down at the end.

Also, the tour includes beverages at the finish, and alcohol is included as part of the experience. That final drink can be a nice bookend if you want to toast your first Reykjavik night.

Food Range: Seafood, Lamb, And Even Whales And Shark

Even though the itinerary names several dishes, the bigger picture is variety. The tour includes seafood early with shellfish soup, then goes into classics like lamb hot dogs, and adds a broad mix through market and snack stops.

Some feedback adds detail you might not expect. One person remembers trying shark, and another mentions whale meat tasting like steak to them. One person did not care for shark, which is a reminder to keep an open mind, but also to know you might not like every traditional option.

If you do have dietary restrictions, the good news from feedback is that the tour can accommodate allergies and handled fish allergy substitutions in at least one case. Still, you should communicate needs clearly at the start so swaps happen early, not at the last minute.

Weather, Walking Pace, And Why You Should Dress Like It Might Rain

This tour runs in all weather conditions, so you should dress for the reality of Reykjavik. Even if the day starts calm, a jacket and water-resistant shoes are a safer choice than fashion sneakers.

The walking is not described as strenuous overall, but several reviews mention a hike uphill at times and stairs inside restaurants. One person also flagged stairs as a potential issue for mobility. If you have limited mobility, plan for steps and consider choosing a slower day to book when you feel most able.

Good to know: you get enough time at each stop that you are not just rushing between bites. The pace feels social, with time to ask questions and taste what is in front of you.

Small Group Size: Why It Changes The Quality Of The Tour

A max of 12 people is a big deal for this type of experience. It keeps the guide from feeling like a traffic controller, and it makes conversation possible instead of only hearing facts in the distance.

Feedback repeatedly praises guides for being friendly and engaging. Names mentioned include Óli, Ester E., Stephan, Robyn, Paul, and Bo, with many people highlighting humor and lots of Iceland context.

That likely means you get more than a food checklist. You get explanations for why Icelandic foods are what they are, including how volcanic land and weather shape what is available. That kind of context makes even familiar ingredients feel new.

Pro Tips That Make This Tour Feel Easier

One tip shows up in the feedback in a very practical way: do not eat lunch first. If you already had a full meal, the tastings may feel like more than you need, and you will miss the warm, filling finish.

Another tip: keep your day flexible. Citywide events can make navigating tougher, and one review described a situation where meeting base camp location changed and timing shifted so the flea market was missed. You cannot control that, but you can control how many firm plans you schedule around the tour.

Finally, bring your appetite and a curious mindset. This is Icelandic food, not a best-of list designed for only one taste. If you approach it like a cultural sampling, it becomes more fun fast.

Is This Tour Worth Booking? My Decision Guide

You should book this tour if you want three things in one go: a guided intro to Reykjavik, real Icelandic food tastings across multiple stops, and a weekend chance to visit Kolaportið Flea Market. It is especially appealing as a first day activity, since it helps you learn the city while you eat and drink.

You might skip or reconsider if either of these matters most to you: you are booking on a non-weekend day and Kolaportið is your key goal, or you have very strict expectations about getting every named item. The lamb hot dog stop has a known risk of long lines, and timing issues can happen during busy city days.

Overall, the strongest reason to book is the mix of food and culture with small group size and included tastings. If you like walking around downtown and trying Icelandic specialties without planning every meal, this is a solid bet.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $151.38 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What time does the tour run, and where does it meet?

You meet at Ingolfur Square at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, and you should arrive about 5 minutes early. The tour starts at the listed start time, and the meeting point is central.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Icelandic Street Food, Lækjargata 8, in downtown Reykjavik.

What are the main food stops on the tour?

Key stops include shellfish soup near the old harbor, Kolaportið Market (flea market food browsing), Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for the lamb hot dog, a local supermarket, and a meat soup at Icelandic Street Food.

When is the Reykjavik Flea Market stop available?

Kolaportið Market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beverages are included, and alcoholic beverages are included as part of the tour finish.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes. There is a maximum of 12 travelers per booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.