Your Friend in Reykjavik

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🍖 Hangikjöt: An Icelandic Christmas Classic 🥔If you’re in Iceland for Christmas, hangikjöt—smoked lamb or mutton (and oc...
25/12/2024

🍖 Hangikjöt: An Icelandic Christmas Classic 🥔

If you’re in Iceland for Christmas, hangikjöt—smoked lamb or mutton (and occasionally horse meat)—is a dish you’ll likely come across. Served hot or cold, it’s a must-have for many families, especially on Christmas Day.

🍽️ The Traditional Plate: Hangikjöt is typically served with creamy béchamel potatoes, green peas, and laufabrauð, a traditional Icelandic bread that adds a nice crunch to the meal. Simple, hearty, and full of tradition!

🎭 Not Just for Christmas: During the þorrablót festival, hangikjöt gets a twist, often served on flatkaka (Icelandic flatbread).

Whether it’s part of Christmas dinner or a midwinter feast, hangikjöt is a comforting slice of Icelandic tradition. Have you tried it?

📷Kjarnafæði

🎄 December 24: The Main Event in Iceland! 🍖✨Christmas Eve (24th December) is Iceland's most important day of the holiday...
24/12/2024

🎄 December 24: The Main Event in Iceland! 🍖✨

Christmas Eve (24th December) is Iceland's most important day of the holiday season. At exactly 6 PM, the celebrations officially begin! Families gather around the dinner table for the highly anticipated Christmas feast, and the real festive magic starts. 🎁

The star of the Icelandic Christmas dinner is often glazed ham (hamborgarhryggur), with almost half the population sticking to this beloved dish. But traditions vary—ptarmigan, turkey, duck, lamb, or even smoked lamb (hangikjöt) might appear on the menu.

🔪 A Historical Feast: Icelanders have long celebrated Christmas with fresh meat. Back in the day, farmers would slaughter a sheep for the holidays, and those who couldn’t afford it relied on smoked lamb instead. This tradition remains alive, with hangikjöt being a popular dish throughout the season—just not on Christmas Eve itself.

🍊 Mandarin Tradition: Don’t forget the crate of mandarins! Christmas was the only time Icelanders could enjoy fresh fruits, like apples and oranges, for many years. Mandarins are still a staple for December, bringing a sweet, festive touch to Icelandic homes.

✨ As the bells chime at 6 PM tonight, families across Iceland will sit down to their Christmas feasts, exchange gifts, and celebrate this special evening. Gleðileg jól!

📷Gott í matinn https://bit.ly/41GH8wn

Merry Christmas, Joyous Yuletide, and Happy Holidays to all!May your festive season be brightened with new garments, for...
24/12/2024

Merry Christmas, Joyous Yuletide, and Happy Holidays to all!

May your festive season be brightened with new garments, for it’s the time when the legendary Yule Cat prowls. According to Icelandic folklore, this colossal feline roams on Christmas Eve, preying on those who haven’t received new clothes for the holiday.

As night falls on Christmas, the Yule Cat peers into homes, searching for its quarry. But it’s often thwarted by joyful children dressed in their new Christmas attire. Displeased by such festive cheer and fresh garments, the Yule Cat scowls and retreats to the mountains, leaving the townsfolk in peace. Let’s keep the tradition alive and stay in the Yule Cat’s good graces with our holiday finery! 🎄🐈‍⬛✨

Behold the Christmas Cat,
A creature vast and grand.
A mystery in its comings and goings,
Elusive across the land.

With eyes that gleam and glow,
A fiery, fearsome sight.
Few could bear to gaze,
Into its luminous light.

Its whiskers sharp as barbs,
A hunch rose from its back.
And claws on its furry paw,
A fearsome sight to track.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

🎄 Þorláksmessa: Iceland’s Quirky Countdown to Christmas 🎄December 23rd is no ordinary day in Iceland—it’s Þorláksmessa, ...
23/12/2024

🎄 Þorláksmessa: Iceland’s Quirky Countdown to Christmas 🎄

December 23rd is no ordinary day in Iceland—it’s Þorláksmessa, aka St Thorlak’s Day, the final mad dash of Christmas prep and the official start of the holiday vibe. Named after Þorlákur helgi, Iceland’s patron saint (a 12th-century bishop turned saint just five years after his death), the day is steeped in history, traditions, and… let’s just say “aromatic” cuisine.

🛍️ Last-Minute Madness: Icelanders spend the day shopping for last-minute gifts, wrapping presents, and decorating the Christmas tree. Since Christmas kicks off at 6 PM sharp on December 24th, there’s no room for procrastination!

🐟 The Smell of Christmas: Forget cookies; the real smell of Þorláksmessa is fermented skate. Yep, you read that right—fish so “well-aged” it could clear a room. Once a symbol of meagre Lent fasting, it’s now a must-have dish for many Icelanders, often paired with Brennivín or beer to… soften the experience. Not a fan? Salted fish is a tamer option.

Read more about Þorláksmessa on our blog: https://bit.ly/41Ijv6C

Kertasníkir, or Candle-Stealer, is the last Yule Lad to arrive. On Christmas Eve, he lurks in the shadows, following chi...
23/12/2024

Kertasníkir, or Candle-Stealer, is the last Yule Lad to arrive. On Christmas Eve, he lurks in the shadows, following children joyfully wandering through town with candles in hand. But Kertasníkir’s goal isn’t innocent; he steals the candles to devour them, as they’re made of tallow. 🕯️🤤

Candle-Stealer, the final Yule Lad to stray,
Arrives on the cold of Christmas Eve’s day.
Amid the town’s festive, twinkling light,
He hunts for tallow candles at night.

He follows the children, merry and bright,
Carrying candles, a heartwarming sight.
With a sly swipe and a mischievous glance,
He sn**ches their candles when given the chance.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreamsor

Watch out for the Yule Cat! 🐾 This Icelandic Christmas legend says the giant cat hunts down anyone who didn’t get new cl...
22/12/2024

Watch out for the Yule Cat! 🐾 This Icelandic Christmas legend says the giant cat hunts down anyone who didn’t get new clothes for the holidays. 😬

Have you got some new Christmas gear to keep the Yule Cat away? 🎁👗

The twelfth Yule Lad is Ketkrókur, or Meat-Hook. Famous for his craving for meat, he makes his mischievous rounds on the...
22/12/2024

The twelfth Yule Lad is Ketkrókur, or Meat-Hook. Famous for his craving for meat, he makes his mischievous rounds on the eve of St Thorlak's Day. Armed with a hook, he’s ready to pilfer from unsuspecting households. 🍗🍖🥩🪝

On the eve before St Thorlak's Day,
Meat-Hook appears, eager to play.
With his hook, he sneaks in the night,
Hoping for meat, his favourite delight.

He aims for a feast, his hook swings high,
But sometimes his luck falls shy.
When his reach is just too short,
Meat-Hook retreats with nothing to report.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

🌌 It’s the Shortest Day of the Year in Iceland! 🌘Today marks the winter solstice, with just a few hours of daylight in I...
21/12/2024

🌌 It’s the Shortest Day of the Year in Iceland! 🌘

Today marks the winter solstice, with just a few hours of daylight in Iceland. In Reykjavik, the sun rises around 11:22 AM and sets by 3:30 PM—blink, and you might miss it!

But while the days are short, the festive lights, cosy vibes, and winter magic keep us going. From now on, the days will start getting longer, bringing more light back to our lives. ☀️

📷hrobertsson - sunrise on the shortest day of the year.

Introducing Gáttaþefur, or Doorway-Sniffer, the eleventh Yule Lad. His extraordinary nose, a natural marvel, could detec...
21/12/2024

Introducing Gáttaþefur, or Doorway-Sniffer, the eleventh Yule Lad. His extraordinary nose, a natural marvel, could detect the scent of leaf bread from his mountain home, and he was famously immune to colds. 👃🚫🤒

The eleventh, Doorway-Sniffer,
With a nose no cold could wither.
Ridiculous yet keen and vast,
Sniffing out leaf-bread fast.

Across moors to mountain’s crest,
His nose outmatched the best.
Nimble as a graceful dancer,
Following bread’s fragrant answer.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

The Rafal Christmas Bell was a central feature of Reykjavik’s holiday decorations for several decades. Originally instal...
20/12/2024

The Rafal Christmas Bell was a central feature of Reykjavik’s holiday decorations for several decades. Originally installed by the owners of the Rafal electronics store at Vesturgata 2 in 1943, it was the first illuminated outdoor Christmas decoration in the city, bringing festive cheer to Reykjavik’s residents.

For its early years, the bell hung over the historic intersection of Vesturgata, Hafnarstræti, and Aðalstræti, before moving with the store to other locations, such as Grandagarður and Austurstræti. It was displayed almost every year until 1978, when the store closed.

Since 1990, a replica of the original bell has been installed annually at the same intersection, reviving this cherished tradition. Today, there are 15 Christmas bells around Reykjavik, but the bell at this intersection remains the largest and most iconic.

📷Reykjavik City

The tenth was Gluggagægir, or Window-Peeper. His name might raise brows, but his intent was simple: scouting for theft. ...
20/12/2024

The tenth was Gluggagægir, or Window-Peeper. His name might raise brows, but his intent was simple: scouting for theft. No more, no less. 🏠👀

The tenth, called Window-Peeper,
A crafty, watchful man.
He quietly crept to windows,
To spy where treasures ran.

His eyes sought hidden riches,
Or any pleasing sight.
And later, he'd return,
To steal them in the night.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

19/12/2024

🚨 Word of Warning - Chinese Scammers! 🚨

This could happen anywhere, not just in Iceland.

My company, Your Friend in Reykjavik, and several other Icelandic businesses have fallen victim to an elaborate scam involving stolen payment details. Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Fake Discount Pages: Scammers sell fake tour deals through platforms like this one.

2️⃣ Unsuspecting Travelers: Chinese tourists purchase these "deals" in good faith, not realizing the scammers behind the platform use stolen credit card details to book tours and experiences through legitimate businesses like ours.

3️⃣ Fraudulent Bookings: The scammers use the tourists' names but fake contact information when booking with stolen cards.

4️⃣ Chargebacks: After the tour, banks approve chargeback claims due to “stolen card use,” leaving us unable to recover the funds.

💸 The Result: Despite proof that the travelers attended our tours, we’re being robbed in broad daylight. So far, this has cost us around $20,000.

📌 Additional Challenges:

Lack of Police Action: The Icelandic police have been painfully slow in addressing this issue, leaving us and other victims in a frustrating limbo.

Chinese Embassy Silence: Despite reaching out with names and information of travelers involved, the Chinese embassy has not responded to any of our emails.

Uncooperative Travelers: When we’ve approached these travelers for email confirmations or any evidence from the fake third-party website, they refuse to cooperate. They must know these deals are too good to be true but still choose to remain silent.

Payment Gateway Inaction: Our payment processor, Straumur/Rapyd, has been unhelpful throughout this ordeal. They deny any responsibility and refuse to assist with responding to the chargebacks, leaving us to deal with this overwhelming fraud on our own.

To protect ourselves: ✅ We’ve blocked suspicious web traffic. ✅ We now require 3D Secure authentication for all card payments, though this limits bookings from regions like the U.S., where such systems aren’t widely used.

This scam has hit many Icelandic companies hard. If you’re in the travel business, take precautions now.

We’re raising awareness to stop these criminals from targeting others.

If you’ve faced similar issues or have advice, let’s connect and share solutions. Together, we can fight back. 💪

🎄 Christmas is right around the corner, and with less than two weeks left of the year, it’s time to book your spot! Join...
19/12/2024

🎄 Christmas is right around the corner, and with less than two weeks left of the year, it’s time to book your spot! Join Your Friend in Reykjavik for a magical Christmas Walking Tour through the festive streets of Iceland’s capital.

Discover Icelandic Christmas traditions, meet the Christmas Cat, the 13 Santas, and their troll mother Grýla (don’t worry, we keep it fun and family-friendly!). Explore hidden gems, sample delicious holiday treats, and experience the magic of an Icelandic Christmas through the eyes of a local.

Book now and make your holiday season unforgettable! 🎅✨🔗 https://yourfriendinreykjavik.com/tour/reykjavik-christmas-walking-tour/

Say hello to Bjúknakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), the ninth Yule Lad. Famous for his love of sausages, he was swift and sneaky...
19/12/2024

Say hello to Bjúknakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), the ninth Yule Lad. Famous for his love of sausages, he was swift and sneaky. He’d deftly leap into the attic to swipe the sausages left hanging there. 🌭😋

Sausage-Swiper, ninth in line,
Quick and clever by design.
Up to the attic, he’d nimbly leap,
And into the shadows, quietly creep.

Amid kitchen soot and smoky air,
He’d sn**ch his prize without a care.
Feasting on sausages, a savoury delight,
Relishing each bite deep into the night.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

Meet Skyrgámur, or Skyr-Gobbler, the eighth Yule Lad to arrive. Famous for his insatiable appetite, he couldn’t resist I...
18/12/2024

Meet Skyrgámur, or Skyr-Gobbler, the eighth Yule Lad to arrive. Famous for his insatiable appetite, he couldn’t resist Iceland’s delicious dairy treat. 🥣🥣🤤

Skyr-Gobbler, lad number eight,
Ate skyr at an astonishing rate.
He’d smash the tub’s lid with a blow,
And dive into the skyr below.

He devoured each bite with sheer delight,
Mouth agape, an impressive sight.
Stuffed at last, he could eat no more,
Groaning and moaning, in skyr adore.

Artwork by Alex Storer https://www.instagram.com/the_light_dreams

Winter in Iceland isn’t just about snow—the light makes it unforgettable. The world is bathed in soft, dreamy hues with ...
17/12/2024

Winter in Iceland isn’t just about snow—the light makes it unforgettable. The world is bathed in soft, dreamy hues with the sun barely rising and lingering low on the horizon. Every moment feels like a painting, from midday's blue-tinted glow to twilight's golden streaks. 💙✨❄️

Christmas walking tour with 🎄💫🎁 Join us on an unforgettable adventure!
17/12/2024

Christmas walking tour with 🎄💫🎁
Join us on an unforgettable adventure!

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Hlésgata 1
Reykjavík
101

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Your Guides to Reykjavik

We have specially designed our own walking tours based on what’s truly entertaining but still gives you a great insight in Icelandic history, folklore and today’s culture.

We sincerely believe they are some of the best things you can do while visiting Iceland but we have also picked out some other things to do over here