Overview
The Reykjavík CatWalk is a guided walk around the city centre with cats as the through-line. It takes about two hours and keeps an easy walking pace on city streets. The guide uses cats to tell Icelandic folklore and downtown history, from old legends and the Christmas Cat to the neighbourhood cats that locals know by name.
The walk starts at Ingólfstorg and heads first to Gyllti Kötturinn on Kirkjustræti, where the group looks for Baktus, one of the better-known cats in town. Next comes a downtown bookshop on Austurstræti, where the Christmas Cat turns up in the telling, then a hidden garden for the folklore itself, then Tjörnin, the pond in the middle of the city. From there the route works through the backstreets around Amtmannsstígur, still on the subject of cats through history.
The café stop is Kattakaffihúsið on Bergstaðastræti, where coffee or hot cocoa and an Icelandic pastry tasting are included and the resident cats decide how much attention they are giving out. After that there is a shop selling cat-themed designs, a pass by Hallgrímskirkja, and a finish in the Einar Jónsson sculpture garden, which has cat sculptures of its own and, some days, real cats as well. Part of the proceeds goes to the Cat Protection Society. Cat sightings are not guaranteed, since the cats keep their own schedules.
There is no hotel pick-up. You meet the guide outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars, with CenterHotel Plaza on your right; there are benches, tables and a covered roof if you arrive early. Guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Departures are at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00 or 14:30 depending on the date, and the tour is guided in English. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing for the weather, and bring a camera or phone. The route is wheelchair and stroller accessible and suits all ages. Cancelling more than 24 hours before the start time costs nothing.
