The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour
A guided walk through the pastries, chocolates, ice creams, and candies that define Icelandic confectionery culture
The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour is a two-hour guided walking experience through downtown Reykjavik, designed for anyone curious about the traditional and contemporary sweets that have shaped Iceland's culinary identity. Led by knowledgeable local guides from Your Friend in Reykjavik, this small-group tour visits carefully selected bakeries, specialty shops, and ice cream parlors in the city center. It is one of the most approachable and flavorful ways to connect with everyday Icelandic food culture.
Icelandic confectionery has its own distinct character, drawing on ingredients like licorice, birch sugar, skyr, and local wild berries that rarely appear in sweets from other parts of Europe. The tour introduces these flavors gradually and in context, so guests understand not just what they are eating but where these traditions come from. Guides explain the role each treat has played in Icelandic households and celebrations over generations.
Groups are kept to a maximum of twelve participants, ensuring a relaxed pace and genuine interaction with your guide and fellow travelers. The specific stops may vary slightly depending on the season, day of the week, and time of the tour, but the range of experiences — pastry, chocolate, ice cream, and candy — remains consistent. Every tour concludes with time at a local candy shop, giving guests a chance to pick up favorites to take home.
Tour Highlights
Visit artisan bakeries to taste traditional Icelandic pastries including kleina and snúður, two staples of local baking culture.
Explore specialty chocolate shops and discover how Icelandic chocolatiers use licorice, birch sugar, and wild berries to create distinctive flavors.
Stop at Valdis, a beloved Reykjavik ice cream institution, and sample flavors that reflect the Icelandic dairy tradition including skyr-based options.
Browse and sample at a dedicated Icelandic candy shop, with the chance to taste iconic products like the Draumur bar or the chocolate-licorice combination known as Þristur.
Benefit from insider knowledge shared by expert local guides who provide cultural and historical context throughout the tour.
Walk through the heart of Reykjavik at an easy, comfortable pace, taking in the city center while moving between each tasting stop.
Travel in a small group of no more than twelve people, creating a personal and unhurried experience at every location.
Tour Itinerary
The tour begins outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square and its two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza stands to the right, and the covered area with benches provides a comfortable place to gather. Guides typically wear a light blue jacket bearing the Your Friend in Reykjavik logo.
The first tasting stop is Baka Baka, a local bakery known for its commitment to traditional Icelandic baking methods. Guests sample pastries such as kleina, a deep-fried doughnut-like treat, and snúður, Iceland's distinctive take on the cinnamon roll. The guide provides background on the recipes, the bakers, and the cultural significance of these everyday staples.
At this specialty stop, the focus shifts to Icelandic chocolate and curated local products. Guests are introduced to the flavor profiles that define Icelandic confectionery, including the use of mild sweet licorice, wild berry extracts, and birch sugar. This is also where guests may encounter fermented shark and skyr as part of a broader introduction to Icelandic food culture.
Valdis has been a fixture of Reykjavik's dessert scene for decades, and the tour includes a stop for a scoop of their handcrafted ice cream. Flavors reflect local ingredients, and the guide offers recommendations based on the season and current offerings. As Icelanders will confirm, ice cream is enjoyed year-round regardless of temperature.
The tour concludes at a local candy shop where guests can explore the full range of Icelandic sweets, known locally as nammi. Iconic items such as the Draumur chocolate bar and the Þristur licorice-chocolate combination are among the highlights. The guide helps guests navigate the selection and identify options suited to different taste preferences, including those who are not fans of licorice.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional local guide from Your Friend in Reykjavik
- Tastings at a traditional bakery
- Icelandic chocolate and specialty food samples
- Ice cream tasting at Valdis
- Candy shop visit with samples
- Cultural and historical commentary throughout
- Small group experience with a maximum of 12 participants
Not Included
- Additional purchases beyond included tastings
- Hotel pickup or drop-off
- Gratuities for the guide
- Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot on the Sweet Tooth Tour
Spaces are limited to twelve guests per tour, so early booking is recommended. Join a small group for an unhurried, delicious walk through downtown Reykjavik's best confectionery stops.
Book Now
