Reykjavik: The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour

If you have a sweet tooth, this tour fits like a glove. Reykjavik’s Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour strings together classic bakeries and candy stops, with a local guide who connects the treats to the city. I love the small group pace, and I like how you get multiple tastings instead of just one quick stop. One thing to consider: it is a walking tour, so you’ll want to dress for cold wind and wet sidewalks.

I also love the range of flavors you can try, including Icelandic licorice (sweet and mild), chocolate, and ice cream. The final stretch at a dedicated candy store is a fun way to leave with favorites for later. If you strongly dislike licorice, you should plan on choosing the other sweets during tastings.

Key Sweet-Tooth Takeaways

• Max 12 people keeps the tour friendly and question-friendly.
• You sample Icelandic pastries, chocolate, candy, and ice cream in one easy downtown loop.
• Your guide shares context on the treats and Reykjavik, not just what you eat.
• Stops are centered on walkable downtown landmarks and main sweet shops.
• Licorice is part of the story, but you’ll have non-licorice options too.
• Expect a good head start for your first day in Reykjavik, especially if you land mid-morning and want to move fast.

A 2-Hour Walking Plan for Reykjavik’s Sweetest Stops

This is a downtown Reykjavik walking tour built for people who want to taste, not just look. In two hours, you’ll bounce between several sweet stores, usually starting with a bakery, then moving through chocolate and candy, with ice cream in the mix.

The format works because it is concentrated. You do not have to hunt down individual shops on your own, compare menus, and guess what is actually local. Instead, you follow a route with timed tastings, so you can sample a lot of Icelandic favorites without spending the whole day off track.

Price and What $148 Buys You (Time, Guide, and Samples)

At $148 per person for a 2-hour tour, you are paying for three things: a guided walk, curated store stops, and included tastings. The value here is not that it is cheap. The value is that you get multiple bites across several specialty places, guided by someone who can point out what makes each treat Icelandic.

If you already love buying snacks while you travel, this tour can feel like a time-saving cheat code. Rather than paying for many items one by one while you figure out what is worth it, your guide helps you focus on the most “Iceland” versions of sweets, including licorice-forward candy and creamy ice cream flavors.

If you are only mildly interested in sweets, the price will feel steeper. This one is best when you genuinely want to graze.

Meeting at Hlöllabátar, Then a Quick Reykjavik Orientation

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right, and there are benches, tables, and a covered area for waiting.

From there, the tour snaps into motion with a short guided sightseeing moment at Ingólfstorg (about 10 minutes). This is not a long history lecture. It is more like a quick “here is where we are” start so the rest of the walk feels logical and easy.

For your planning, that short orientation matters. When you finish the tour, you usually have a better sense of where the main streets are, which makes it simpler to keep exploring on your own afterward.

Baka Baka: Pastry Tasting and the Kleina Starter

Your first real food stop is Baka Baka (around 25 minutes). This is where the tour typically kicks off with Icelandic pastries, and you’ll want to bring an appetite because it is a tasting, not a sit-down meal.

A classic highlight you might try here is kleina, a deep-fried pastry that is often described as doughnut-like. You may also encounter snúður, the cinnamon roll that has its own Icelandic personality. In the bakery portion, your guide shares how the treats are made and some of the story behind them, which helps the flavors make sense rather than feel random.

One practical tip: if it is cold or windy, this is the stop where you often feel the biggest relief. A bakery warm-up plus sweet carbs is a solid reset before the rest of the walk.

Laugavegur Stroll: Where the Guide Connects City Life to Sweets

Next you head along Laugavegur for about 20 minutes of guided sightseeing. Laugavegur is the kind of street where you naturally see why Reykjavik is such a walk-around city, even when the weather is doing its own thing.

This segment is part navigation, part context. Your guide ties what you saw and tasted earlier to everyday food culture in Reykjavik, and they also answer questions as you go. Some guides have a knack for mixing city details with fun facts about sweets, so the walk feels active instead of just “moving between shops.”

If you like tours where you learn while you walk, this middle section is a good pace. If you want constant eating, you might feel it is a little more about the route here, but the next stops bring the sugar back fast.

Loo.koo.mas Shopping Time for Chocolate and Candy Picks

You then get about 15 minutes of shopping at Loo.koo.mas. This is your chance to browse, pick out favorites, and compare textures and flavors in person.

This stop usually aligns with the tour’s chocolate-and-licorice storyline. Icelandic licorice is a big deal here, and it is often sweet and mild, not the harsh, medicinal style people sometimes fear. Your guide can help you choose if licorice is your make-or-break flavor.

Even if licorice is not your thing, this segment still matters. You are learning the Icelandic way sweets are packaged, named, and sold, and you can stock up strategically for later.

Ísbúðin litla Valdís: Ice Cream Tastings With Licorice and More

About 20 minutes are spent at Ísbúðin litla Valdís, where you taste ice cream. This is one of the most fun stops because it breaks up the pastry and chocolate rhythm, and ice cream in Reykjavik can feel extra special because it is often the creamiest you’ll find.

You can usually choose among flavors, and the tour is known for trying Icelandic standouts. Licorice is one of the flavors that comes up a lot, and you might also see skyr mentioned as a possible option, depending on what is available at the time of your tour.

If you are thinking about it practically, ice cream tastings are a smart move because you can sample without committing to a full dessert. It is also an easy way to cool down if you are layering up for cold weather.

Taste of Iceland Finale: Candy Store Stops and Familiar Favorites

The tour ends with another dedicated sweet shop stop at Taste of Iceland (about 20 minutes of food tasting). This is your final grab bag of Icelandic candies and sweets, and it is where the tour’s snack goals really come together.

You might encounter items like the Draumur chocolate bar or the licorice and chocolate combo called Þristur. You may also try other candy-style sweets and chocolates, depending on the day and season, which is part of what keeps this tour feeling fresh each time.

This stop is where I would expect most people to buy a small “just in case I want one later” stash. If you finish the tour hungry for more, you already have a local favorite in mind, and you know the flavor direction you like.

Why the Guide Makes This Tour Worth It

The tastings are the obvious draw. The guide is what makes it stick.

This tour is run by Your Friend In Reykjavik, and the guides are often praised for being friendly, funny, and able to answer real questions about Iceland and Reykjavik. Some examples of guide names you could see are Thor, Anna, Ester E, Gudjon, Oli, and Matthias. You’ll notice a pattern: people talk about feeling included and getting personal conversation, not just a scripted spiel.

Your guide’s role also changes how you eat. Instead of asking yourself later, I wonder what that was, you get quick context while you’re standing right there. You learn what ingredients matter, how Icelandic bakers approach sweets, and why licorice shows up again and again.

Also, the group size cap of 12 is a big deal. It helps the guide keep it moving, but it also leaves room for you to ask questions.

What to Expect Each Day, Since Tasting Menus Can Change

The tour is designed so that exact samples can vary by season, day, and time. That means you should expect “some of Iceland’s beloved sweets,” not one guaranteed list of every single item every day.

What stays consistent is the structure: a bakery tasting first, then specialty sweets like chocolates and licorice, then ice cream, then a candy store finish. Even if the specific pastries or chocolates shift, you will still cover the big Icelandic sweet categories in a tight loop.

So if you have a specific craving, like licorice chocolate, it is smart to go in flexible. You can request guidance from the guide on what you might like, but the menu can change.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Wear weather-appropriate clothing. Reykjavik can turn wet or windy fast, and a two-hour walk means you will feel the weather.

Bring a little extra money only if you want to buy additional sweets beyond the included tastings. The tour includes samples, but shopping time does mean you might find something you want to take home.

Also, pace your expectations. This is not a huge feast. It is multiple tasting portions, so you should eat lightly before and let the tour build to the candy stop at the end.

Who This Sweet Tour Fits Best

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a quick, delicious introduction to Reykjavik’s downtown food scene.
• You like guided walks where the guide explains what you are eating and why it is Icelandic.
• You are okay with licorice being part of the flavor story, even if you might skip it when offered.

It is less ideal if:

• You dislike most sweets and only want one or two small bites.
• You hate walking in cold weather and would rather do a sit-down food experience.

For first-day planning, this is a nice option because it is short, easy to pair with other activities, and it helps you learn where you are in the city.

Should You Book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

If you are choosing between “see shops” and “taste shops,” book the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour. For two hours, you get a guided route, multiple tastings, and a real explanation of Icelandic sweet culture, all wrapped into a small-group downtown walk.

The price makes sense when you think of it as paying for guided selection plus lots of included bites. You are not just buying candy, you are learning how Reykjavik sweets work, from fried pastries like kleina to licorice-friendly chocolate and creamy ice cream.

If you are on the fence because of licorice, don’t panic. The tour is described as having other options if you avoid licorice, and you can build your tasting choices around that.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

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

What does the tour include?

You get an expert guide and samples of pastry, sweets, and ice cream.

Where do we meet?

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

What kinds of sweets will I taste?

You can expect Icelandic sweet favorites such as kleina and snúður, plus Icelandic chocolates, ice cream (with options like licorice and possibly skyr), and Icelandic candy like items such as Draumur and Þristur.

Is the tour suitable for people who do not like licorice?

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

What language is the guide?

The tour is guided in English.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.