Reykjavik has a WWII story you can walk. I like how this tour uses the streets themselves, plus period photos and videos, to show what changed when the British arrived in May 1940. I also love the focus on the social effects, not just the battles, including how the American presence shifted everyday life like food and music.

One thing to keep in mind is the subject matter. It is a history tour, not a sightseeing romp, and it is listed as not suitable for kids under 10. Also, it is an outdoor walk, so you will want rain gear even in summer.

Key things to know before you go

• Old Harbour is the anchor point for the British Invasion landing in May 1940
• Old Town street walking follows the soldiers’ route, so you get a real sense of direction
• Period photographs and videos help you picture the same corners in wartime
• The German Residence adds a second side to the wartime story
• British plus American influence covers how daily culture shifted
• Comfortable shoes matter, because it is a walking route with a small hill

Starting where the tour begins: Austurvollur and Hotel Borg

Most history tours start with a building. This one starts with a square. You meet at Austurvollur (Parliament Sq), outside Hotel Borg. You are not going inside, so plan on arriving a few minutes early and getting your bearings fast in the open air.

What I like about this start is how it frames the day. Austurvollur is central, and the tour quickly moves you from the present-day city scene into a wartime mental map. You can expect your guide to set up the story you will be walking through, including how Reykjavik went from a quieter outpost to a place shaped by outside forces.

If you are the type of traveler who likes practical orientation, this helps. You get the route in your head early, so the walking later feels connected instead of random.

The Old Harbour: the British landing site in May 1940

The big draw is the Old Harbour, described as the exact landing place of the British Invasion in May 1940. This is the moment where the tour stops being abstract. Instead of talking about events from far away, you are standing near the geographic starting point for the whole chain of changes.

Your guide uses period photographs and videos to help you picture what the waterfront area looked like then. That matters, because Reykjavik in the present is not the same place you would see in 1940. Photos and videos are what bridge that gap, turning “theory” into something you can actually visualize.

At this stop, focus on two things. First, look for how the harbour area connects to the city centre. Second, notice how your guide points out where the story leads next. The tour is designed so you do not just see one site, you follow the path from there into town.

Reykjavik Old Town: walking the route the soldiers took

After the harbour, you follow the route into the heart of the city. The tour takes you through Reykjavik Old Town, including the side streets and central lanes that most visitors miss when they are only moving between obvious landmarks.

This is where the walking style really pays off. Instead of getting a list of facts at one location, you get a sequence. As the guide describes how soldiers moved and took over key buildings, you can connect each street to what came next. It is a simple trick, but it makes the story stick.

A practical note: the tour is mostly flat, and there are no stairs. Still, you will go up and back down a small hill during the walk. If you have mobility limits, that hill is the main thing to watch, not stairs.

You will also see why this is called a city-centre tour. You are not trekking across town. You are learning how the centre changed, piece by piece, as control shifted.

How period photos and videos bring wartime street corners to life

One of the most praised parts of this experience is the way the guide makes the subject feel personal and human. In reviews, guides have been described as friendly and funny, and one example includes a guide named Lucky, who blended the information with a light touch and even shared ghost stories along the way.

The real value is not just the personality. The structure matters. You repeatedly get “then vs now” moments using period visuals. Your guide shows photographs and videos so you can mentally overlay wartime Reykjavik onto today’s streets.

That technique helps you in two ways. It keeps the tour from becoming a lecture. And it helps you understand change as a process, not a sudden magic event. Reykjavik did not transform overnight. The tour is basically walking you through the steps.

If you like tours where you leave with new eyes for ordinary streets, this is exactly that.

The German Residence: a different thread in the same city

Another highlight is the German Residence. Even without getting every detail at this stage, you can see why it fits the tour. World War II in Iceland was not only about one group arriving. Reykjavik became a place where multiple wartime forces and influences intersected.

This stop gives you a broader wartime footprint. You can compare the tone of the story your guide tells at the harbour and the Old Town, then see how the German connection adds context. It also helps you avoid a one-sided view where the British invasion is the only storyline.

What to do at this stop is simple: slow down and listen for the contrasts. How does your guide frame the German presence compared to the British and the wider Allied influence? Those contrasts are the point. They show that the city’s WWII story was layered.

British and American presence: why culture changed

The tour does not stop at ships and buildings. It moves into everyday life changes that came with outside military influence.

Your guide discusses not only the British invasion, but also the American presence and how it changed Icelandic society. You will hear examples tied to daily culture, including the food people ate and the music people danced to. It is an unusually practical way to explain history, because you can connect it to something tangible.

This section is especially good if you think you only care about military history. It can flip that assumption. Outside forces did not only affect politics. They affected social habits, tastes, and the soundtrack of everyday life.

And if you are someone who likes travel that connects past to present, this is where you can make quick mental links after the tour. You start noticing cultural influences in places that might otherwise seem purely local.

What the walk feels like, and what to bring

This is a two-hour, history-focused walking tour in central Reykjavik. The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, and there are benches at some stops, but not at all of them. That means you should not count on seating whenever you want it.

You do go up and down a small hill. Most of the route is flat, and there are no stairs, which keeps the experience manageable for many mobility needs.

Here is what you should bring based on the tour guidance:

• Comfortable shoes (this is the big one)
• Camera (the photo and video approach makes it fun to compare)
• Rain gear
• Outdoor clothing

Also, plan for Iceland weather. The tour says you go in almost all weather, and even in summer it is colder than people expect. Dress for cool, wet, and windy conditions, not for a neat sunny day.

If you want the tour to feel easy, arrive dressed so you can stay outside for two hours without getting chilled.

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

It costs $40 per person for about two hours. That price feels fair if you approach it like what it is: guided, story-based orientation in central Reykjavik, with stops tied to specific wartime moments.

You are not just paying for general commentary. You are getting:

• A route that hits the harbour and Old Town core
• Period media (photos and videos) used during the walk
• Context that covers British plus American influence
• Hidden side streets you might not find on your own

Could you read about WWII sites on your phone? Sure. But what you get here is the connection between places, told in the order they matter. That is hard to replicate without someone pointing out what to notice.

I also think the guide quality is part of the value. Reviews highlight a mix of friendliness, humor, and strong passion for the topic. One reviewer even called it a must do in Reykjavik for the price, which fits how tours like this tend to land: short enough to fit a busy day, focused enough to leave you with real clarity.

Who this tour suits best

This tour is a great match if you want history you can feel under your feet.

It is ideal for:

• Travelers who like city walks with a clear route
• People who enjoy stories tied to specific places, not just dates
• Visitors curious about how WWII affected Icelandic culture, including food and music
• Anyone who likes guides who add personality, like the humor and extra storytelling referenced in reviews

It is less ideal if:

• You want only upbeat “look at that building” sightseeing
• You are traveling with kids under 10 (it is not suitable for that age group unless you arrange a private tour with material adjusted)
• You dislike outdoor walking in changeable weather

Should you book this WWII Reykjavik walking tour?

I recommend booking if you want a high-value, two-hour orientation that uses the city centre as a WWII timeline. Start at Old Harbour, walk into Old Town, and come out with a better sense of how outside forces reshaped daily life, not just military maps. If you like guides who are friendly and bring the material to life, this seems like a strong bet, and the reviews back up that feel.

I would skip it only if you are looking for a purely relaxed sightseeing loop, or if the subject matter feels too intense for your group. Otherwise, put on your rain gear, lace up your shoes, and enjoy the fact that Reykjavik’s WWII story is right there in the streets.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet outside Hotel Borg at Austurvollur (Parliament Sq). Please wait outside the hotel, not inside.

How long is the Reykjavik World War II walking tour?

It lasts 2 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How much does it cost?

The price is $40 per person.

What is the tour language?

The tour is English speaking with a live guide.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible. The tour goes up and down a small hill, there are no stairs, and there are benches at several stops, though not at all of them.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and dress for outdoor conditions. Bring rain gear, outdoor clothing for cool weather, and a camera if you want photos.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour says it goes in almost all weather, so you should be prepared for cold and wet conditions even in summer.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 due to the subject matter. For younger kids, the guidance says to arrange a private tour with material adjusted.

Does the price include snacks or drinks?

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

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.