Wake Up Reykjavik - a local travel company built around one simple idea: helping travelers fall in love with Iceland the way we have.

 We do that through carefully chosen tours, local insight, and personal service that helps our guests get more out of every part of their trip.


 has been at the heart of what we do, helping thousands of travelers discover Reykjavik through authentic food, local stories, and hidden gems. If you want to connect with fun locals, get a real taste of Icelandic culture, and make the most of your trip, you’re in the right place.

Hi, I’m Egill, one of the locals behind Wake Up Reykjavik.

Back in 2014, my best friend and I started noticing something that didn’t sit right with us. More and more travelers were visiting Reykjavik, but many were missing the version of the city we knew and loved. They were eating at tourist-trap restaurants, arriving too early to the bars we worked at, and overlooking the cosy local spots that make our little capital so special ...

We kept thinking: they can’t go home after this and say they truly fell in love with Reykjavik.

If only they could see the city the way we did, visit the best local hangouts, try the truly authentic dishes, and experience the real charm of Reykjavik.

What if we could help travelers experience Reykjavik like a local?

Our goal became simple: to show travelers how awesome our hometown really is.

And just like that, Wake Up Reykjavik was born.

From the Perfect Night to the Perfect Day

In the beginning, our focus was not food. It was nightlife.

I was working as a cocktail bartender in one of Reykjavik’s busiest clubs, and every evening I saw travelers make the same mistake: finding the right places, but at the wrong time, or ending up in the tourist bars across the street.

So we created The Perfect Night in Reykjavik, later known as the Reykjavik Bar Crawl.

Our mission was simple: if someone only had one night out in Reykjavik, we wanted it to be perfect.

Those early nights were pure fun. We met amazing people from all over the world, made new friends every weekend, and loved hearing travelers say their night out with us was the highlight of their trip.

Then came a nudge from someone who knows me best: 

She is a passionate foodie and probably the best chef I know. After trying food tours abroad, she said, “You two should do a food tour in Reykjavik. You’d be great at it, and it’s the best way to experience a new city.”

At first, we laughed it off. But eventually, we realized she was right.

We had both worked in kitchens, loved Icelandic food, and were passionate about showing travelers the best of Reykjavik. So we started planning what a food tour here could look like, carefully choosing the must-try dishes, the right restaurants, the most scenic route, and the little details that would make it fun and unforgettable.

We wanted it to feel like the best day ever in Reykjavik, the kind of day we would create for our own family visiting from abroad.

Two lovely girls from Canada joined us. The tour lasted nearly six hours (we were a little ambitious on that first one), but it was an incredible day. Afterwards, we sat by the ocean with a local beer and talked about how to make the next tour even better.

From that day on, the Reykjavik Food Walk became our life’s mission.

To create unforgettable memories in Reykjavik, help travelers experience the city like true locals, make new friends, and fall in love with Icelandic cuisine.

How a Local Idea Became a Worldwide Favourite

For the first few years, we guided every single tour ourselves because we genuinely did not think anyone else could do it quite like we did.

A few years in, local chefs, bartenders, and friends started joining the team, and 

that is when Wake Up Reykjavik really came alive

. What began as a tiny operation grew into a family of 20 to 30 local legends: students, actors, chefs, entrepreneurs, and even a national bodybuilding champion.

Each guide brings their own humour, stories, and love for Reykjavik, and that has always been a huge part of the magic.

we became the #1-rated tour in Iceland on TripAdvisor

, and soon after, TripAdvisor began featuring us in its annual list of the Top 20 Experiences in the World. Then, in 2020, we were 

named the #1 Food Experience in the World

That was surreal, and it only gave us more motivation to keep improving and never forget why we started.

Today, not much has changed in spirit. We are still here in Reykjavik, doing what we love: helping guests from all over the world experience our city like locals. 

We host Food Walks nearly every day of the year

, and we are still just as excited for each one as we were for that very first tour.

We never imagined it would grow into something this special, or that people would travel across the world just to join our little food tour in Iceland.

2014 - Wake Up Reykjavik founded by two local friends. The Reykjavik Bar Crawl is born

2018 - Featured in major international media

Want to Experience Reykjavik Like a Local?

Meet up with one of our local legends and let us guide you through the beautiful streets of Reykjavik, taste authentic Icelandic dishes, and visit our favourite restaurants in town.

Let’s have a perfect day in Reykjavik together.

📍 Klapparstígur 25, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

Wake Up Reykjavik

WHAT IS

WAKE UP REYKJAVIK?

only this March 1st 🍻 Almost Sold Out! 🔥

REYKJAVIK FOOD TOUR

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Your Reykjavik Travel Guide

Welcome to our curated guide to Reykjavik and Iceland.

We created this page to help you plan a better trip, with our most helpful local guides, handpicked recommendations, and favorite tours all in one place. Think of it as your shortcut to the best of Reykjavik, plus the key things to know before exploring the rest of Iceland.

If you want practical advice, trusted local tips, and a smarter way to plan your trip, you’re in the right place.

Discover the best things to do in Reykjavik and Iceland. From the world-famous Reykjavik Food Walk to local tips, restaurants, and hidden gems - your complete Iceland guide starts here.

The Wake Up Reykjavik Travel Guide page features our most helpful local guides, handpicked recommendations, and favorite tours all in one place. Think of it as your shortcut to the best of Reykjavik, plus the key things to know before exploring the rest of Iceland.

Reykjavik Travel Guide 

Guðný here from Wake Up Reykjavik. I made this Reykjavik Travel Guide to help make your visit to Iceland absolutely unforgettable. Check it out and I hope it helps. See you soon 🥳

Your Reykjavik Travel Guide

Food & Drink

Tours & Itineraries

Seasonal Guides

Local Tips

Highlights from our Youtube Channel

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