A WWII walk in Reykjavik feels like time travel. You’re not stuck in a museum room. Instead, you follow the same city-center path the British invasion took, with period photos and videos that make May 1940 feel close.

I especially loved seeing the Old Harbour identified as the exact landing place, then tying that point on a map to what people in the city would have experienced. I also liked how the tour doesn’t stop at military details; it connects the British and American presence to changes in daily life, from food to music and dancing.

One thing to plan for: you’ll be out walking in almost all weather, so pack for cold wind and possible rain even in summer. If you hate being outdoors, you may find the conditions a bit wearing.

Key things to know before you go

• Meeting at Hotel Borg, right at Austurvollur: easy to find and central for the start of your walk
• The Old Harbour as the exact May 1940 landing spot: the tour pins history to a real place
• Period photos and videos along the route: you’ll see what the city looked like then
• Route through Old Town and key buildings: you get the invasion story as a moving map
• The German Residence stop: useful context on how different forces overlapped in Iceland
• A friendly, funny guide with side storytelling: including ghost-story vibes if you’re into that

Why this WWII walking tour feels different in Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s city center can look tidy and modern today, but the streets still hold clear echoes of wartime change. This tour turns that idea into a walk you can follow step by step, with history tied to specific corners instead of general descriptions.

What makes it work is the mix. You get the military storyline, yes, but you also get the social ripple effects. The big takeaway for me is that wartime wasn’t only about boats and buildings; it changed how people ate, listened, and lived.

If you like history that has consequences in everyday life, this tour fits your style. You’ll leave with a better mental map of Reykjavik, and you’ll notice things you might otherwise walk past without thinking.

Starting at Austurvollur and getting your bearings fast

The tour starts outside Hotel Borg (not inside), at Austurvollur—Parliament Square. That matters because it puts you in the exact kind of central location that makes the rest of the walk feel smooth rather than like a long taxi-between-stops day.

From that start point, you head toward the Old Harbour, and the guide uses the walking route to build a timeline. That helps you keep track of what happened first, what followed, and why the city’s layout mattered to the people moving through it.

Practical tip: wear shoes you can trust on wet pavement. Reykjavik sidewalks are manageable, but you’ll still want grip and comfort for a steady two-hour walk.

Old Harbour: where the British landed in May 1940

This is the anchor stop. The tour takes you to the Old Harbour as the exact landing place of the British invasion in May 1940. Standing there with the guide’s explanations makes it feel less like a headline and more like a real arrival.

To make that moment concrete, the guide uses period photographs and videos. That’s a big value add, because you’re not just hearing about the past—you’re comparing then-and-now while you stand on the same shoreline area.

What to focus on during this part: how quickly a landing site becomes part of a city story. Even if you don’t know Icelandic WWII details yet, you’ll understand the logic of movement: where ships arrive, how people funnel inward, and what happens next.

One drawback for some people: if you’re expecting a dramatic reenactment, this is still a walking tour. The impact comes from context and placement, not spectacle. If that’s your preference, you’ll probably love it.

Old Town as a military route through real streets

After the harbour, the walk continues into Reykjavik’s Old Town area, following the path soldiers took as they moved into the heart of the city. The guide connects street direction to actions—who took over what kind of key buildings, and how control on the ground shifted through the day-to-day occupation.

The best part here is the way the tour blends map thinking with city wandering. You’re essentially learning Reykjavik like a chessboard, except you’re also getting a human explanation for each move. That makes the city feel less like scenery and more like a system under pressure.

As you go, you’ll also hear how both the British presence and the later American presence shaped society. The point isn’t to throw dates at you. It’s to show you how outside forces can rewrite normal routines—everything from food habits to music choices.

The German Residence stop and what it changes in the story

The route includes a stop at the German Residence. Even if your brain starts out with the word invasion and expects a simple sequence, this stop adds the messy overlap that real wartime brings.

In practice, this means the guide can talk about multiple roles and viewpoints connected to Iceland during WWII. It helps you understand that Iceland wasn’t a single-note backdrop. It was a place where different powers mattered, sometimes at the same time.

If you like history with nuance, this stop earns its place. It prevents the tour from feeling like a one-sided script and gives you a fuller sense of how control, influence, and presence worked on the ground.

British and American influence: the cultural changes you’ll remember

A big reason I like this tour is that it refuses to treat WWII as a closed chapter. Instead, it explains how the British and American presence led to cultural and social changes in Reykjavik.

You’ll hear examples tied to everyday life—things people did for fun, what they ate, and what kind of music drew attention. That’s the part that tends to stick after the tour, because it’s easier to connect the past to what you might still see in culture today.

One extra touch from reviews that makes the experience more personal: the guide, including one named Lucky, is known for being friendly and funny, and even worked in ghost-story-style side tales when people asked about that kind of spooky content. If you enjoy a little storytelling on top of the facts, ask the guide what else they can share while you’re walking.

What to expect on the ground: weather, benches, and a small hill

This is a walking tour, and you will be outdoors most of the time. The good news is that it’s a two-hour loop around the city centre, and most of it is flat.

Still, plan for real Iceland conditions. Bring rain gear and outdoor clothing, even if the forecast looks mild. The tour goes in almost all weather, so dressing smart keeps the experience comfortable rather than stressful.

Seating is limited. There are benches at several stops, but not at all of them. The route includes going up and back down a small hill, but there are no stairs. That makes the walk workable for wheelchair users, and it also helps families with strollers—though the tour isn’t suitable for kids under 10 because of the subject matter.

Who this Reykjavik WWII walk suits best

This tour is a strong match for people who want history that connects to place. If you enjoy walking through a city with a storyline in your head, you’ll get a lot from this.

It’s also a good fit if you care about social change, not just battles. The emphasis on how wartime presence shaped food, music, and dancing makes it feel more relevant than a strict military report.

I’d skip it if you want short explanations and lots of free time to browse on your own. The tour is history-focused and guide-led, so it rewards attention during the walk rather than wandering between stops.

It’s also not the best choice for children under 10 due to the topics covered. If you need something more family-friendly, the provider indicates you can arrange a private tour through The War Tour that adjusts the material.

Price and value: is $40 for two hours worth it?

At $40 per person for about two hours, the value comes from two things: guided storytelling with period media and a route that targets specific, meaningful locations.

You’re paying for more than a stroll. The guide meets you at Hotel Borg, then uses the walk itself to show you the British landing site in the Old Harbour and connect the dots into Old Town and the German Residence. The period photos/videos are also a direct value add, because they help you visualize the city during WWII while you stand in the same area now.

There aren’t included snacks or drinks, so plan on buying your own if you need a break after the tour. But if you want a compact, city-center experience that gives you context fast, $40 doesn’t feel inflated for what you get.

A few practical tips so the tour goes smoothly

A couple small choices make your experience better:

• Pack comfortable shoes and rain gear. You’ll enjoy it more if you’re not fighting cold or wet socks.
• Bring a camera. The “then-and-now” feeling at the harbour is the kind of thing you’ll want to capture.
• Expect walking outdoors with only occasional seating. If you need frequent rests, plan accordingly.

For timing, it runs for about two hours, and starting times vary. Check availability so you land on the slot that matches your day and energy level.

Should you book the Reykjavik WWII Walking Tour?

Yes, if you want WWII history that you can actually picture on a map, and if you care about how the war changed Reykjavik’s social life. The Old Harbour landing-location focus, the Old Town route tied to how soldiers moved, and the German Residence stop make the story feel grounded.

Book it especially if you enjoy guides who mix facts with humor and story moments—Lucky is a real example from past tours, and people seem to like her style.

I’d think twice if you’re mainly looking for indoor museums, or if you strongly dislike any outdoor walking in changeable weather. This one is weather-ready by design, so dress like you mean it.

If that sounds like you, this is a smart use of a couple hours in Reykjavik—short enough to fit any itinerary, but detailed enough to change how you see the city.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik WWII walking tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start?

Meet outside Hotel Borg. The meeting point is on the street, not inside the hotel.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point near Hotel Borg.

What is the price per person?

The price is $40 per person.

What do I need to bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, rain gear, and outdoor clothing.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The route is suitable for wheelchair users. There are no stairs, though there is a small hill and benches are not available at every stop.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 due to the subject matter. For younger kids, the provider suggests arranging a private tour with The War Tour so they can adjust the material.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Any drinks or snacks you want to buy along the way are not included.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is in English.

Is it offered in most weather conditions?

Yes. The tour goes in almost all weather, so you should dress accordingly.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Is pay later available?

Yes, you can reserve now and pay later.

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