Cat-Themed Walk, Pastry Included

Reykjavik: Feline-Focused City Walking Tour

★ 4.9 128 reviews

2 hours, free cancellation.

from $71 per person

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Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Snack: Snacks included

Overview

This two-hour walk through downtown Reykjavik is built entirely around cats: their place in Icelandic history and folklore since settlement times, plus the real cats who live around the city center today. The guides, who reviewers repeatedly describe as enthusiastic and knowledgeable, mix feline material with general Reykjavik history and folklore. Spotting cats along the route is part of the fun, and reviewers report meeting and petting several, though appearances depend on the cats themselves.

The route runs from Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg through Ingólfstorg square, past Gyllti kötturinn, along Lake Tjörnin, and finishes near Hallgrímskirkja at the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden. The longest single stop is Café Babalú, a cat-friendly café where a coffee or hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry are included in the tour price. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Cat Protection Society, which supports cats in need around Reykjavik.

It suits travellers who like walking tours with a light, story-led angle and who do not mind the possibility of changeable weather, since the tour runs rain or shine. Anyone hoping for a conventional sightseeing circuit should know the history and sights are real but the framing is playful throughout.

What's Included

Included

2-hour walking tour
Guide
Coffee or hot cocoa
Icelandic pastry

Not Included

Tips

Itinerary

Meet at HlöllabátarThe tour starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. There is no pickup; travellers make their own way to the meeting point.
IngólfstorgA guided walk and sightseeing stop at the square for 15 minutes, with the first stories of the tour.
Gyllti kötturinnA 20-minute visit tied to the cat theme.
Lake TjörninGuided sightseeing along the lake for 15 minutes.
Café BabalúA one-hour stop at the cat-friendly café. Coffee or hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry are included in the tour.
HallgrímskirkjaThe walk passes by the church without going inside.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture GardenA 10-minute guided visit to the sculpture garden at the Einar Jónsson Museum, a calm end to the walk.
Finish at Freyjugata 29The tour ends at Freyjugata 29, 101 Reykjavík, near the sculpture garden.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before booking, from the café stop to the weather and how the cat-spotting actually works.

Dress for weather. The listing says the tour runs rain or shine and recommends weather-appropriate clothing. One reviewer mentioned enjoying the tour despite changing weather, so layers and a waterproof layer are sensible.
Cat sightings vary. The listing is upfront that the cats of downtown Reykjavik appear on their own terms. That said, multiple reviewers reported meeting, and in some cases petting, several cats along the way.
Food and drink. The café stop is included, with a coffee or hot cocoa plus an Icelandic pastry. Reviewers called the café lovely and the pastry delicious. Tips for the guide are not included.
History too. Several reviewers said the general Reykjavik history and folklore were a highlight, not just the cats. One reviewer mentioned receiving Icelandic book recommendations, so come with questions.
Guides get praised. Reviewers praise the guides by name for their enthusiasm and knowledge of both cats and city history. Across reviews the consistent theme is that the guide makes the walk, whoever is leading it.
It is a walking tour. The tour lasts two hours and covers central Reykjavik on foot, ending near Hallgrímskirkja rather than back at the start. Comfortable shoes and a plan for getting back from Freyjugata make the finish easier.

Common issues. The main uncertainty travellers raise is clarity on inclusions, specifically whether the café stop is included in the tour price; on this listing the coffee or hot cocoa and pastry are listed as included, Cat sightings cannot be guaranteed, since the cats decide for themselves whether to appear. The tour runs rain or shine, so poor weather means walking through it. No hotel pickup is offered, and tips are not included.

Common Questions

Is The Café Stop And Pastry Included?

Yes. The listing includes a coffee or hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry at Café Babalú as part of the tour. The stop lasts about an hour. Some past travellers were unclear on this, but the inclusions list on the booking page covers the drinks and pastry.

Where Does The Tour Start And Is Pickup Included?

The meeting point is Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. There is no pickup, so travellers make their own way there. The walk ends at Freyjugata 29, near the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden.

How Long Is The Tour?

It runs for two hours. The longest single stop is the hour at Café Babalú, with shorter stops at Ingólfstorg, Gyllti kötturinn, Lake Tjörnin and the sculpture garden.

Will We Definitely See Cats?

The listing makes no promises, since the cats come and go as they please. In practice, many reviewers reported seeing several cats and petting some of them, so the odds are described as good.

What Happens If It Rains Or I Need To Cancel?

The tour takes place rain or shine, so bring weather-appropriate clothing. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund according to the listing.

What Should I Bring?

The listing recommends weather-appropriate clothing and nothing else specifically. Comfortable walking shoes make sense for a two-hour walk through the city center. Tips for the guide are not included in the price.