We were not expecting much from a free walking tour of Reykjavik, but read the other tripadvisor reviews and decided to go. It was one of the best tours we've ever done. Comparable to the fabled Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Jonas Freydal Thorsteinsson led the tour and was just fantastic. As the other reviewers have noted, he gives you an insider's view of the city that traditional tours do not.

He also readily admitted that the economic reason he gave the "free" tours was it encouraged people to sign up for his paying tours. We signed up for the White Night Hiking Tour - see http://www.goecco.com/Index/goecco/WhiteNightHiking/ for details. It was AMAZING. We hiked through the "fairytale landscapes and dramatic waterfalls" they promised. And we soaked in natural hot springs that make the Blue Lagoon look like the tacky tourist trap it is. To add to the charm of the tour, the "snacks" consisted of gourmet soup and sandwiches (made by another guide and his wife). This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip (and we were only stopping in Iceland for a couple days on the way to Europe). The Golden Circle tour (with another company) was really not as interesting or memorable. The only caveat is that the hike lasted many hours and may not be appropriate for people hoping for a short easy walk. By showcasing Iceland's natural wonders, Jonas may single-handedly be saving Iceland from encroaching aluminum manufacturing plants and other environmental threats.

When I first visited Iceland in 2009 I wasn't really expecting much from the free city tour but as soon as Jonas Freydal Thorsteinsson started talking I knew it was going to be a good one. His tour is very educational and amusing giving you historical information from the time the vikings first settled in Reykjavik to the present day.

Jonas makes a point of letting you know that because this tour is free and not sponsored by the government or city that he can tell you the real truth about some of the history instead of the sugar coated ones you may find in some books. Jonas also talks about the present economic situation in Iceland and how it was predictable due to the shady, careless dealings of some bankers. Jonas paints a great picture of how the religion of Iceland most likely converted to Christianity from its Pagan origins and not the way that most people believe.

He also gives you advice as to where to buy certain Icelandic items like the famous wool sweaters, the 66 Degrees North clothing line, alcohol, groceries and music cds. He recommends local restaurants to eat at and bookstores to visit. His tour is very comical which I found extremely enjoyable and refreshing. We took his advice to visit the local swimming pool which is a staple of every Icelandic citizen and understandably so...I'm sure it is one of the factors that gives Iceland the highest life expectancy in the world.

Jonas answered any questions you would have about the city or country happily offering you advice that goes above and beyond a typical tour. He told us about a documentary, Dreamland, that was playing at the theatre which is located at the University, a walking distance from the city centre.

I liked the tour so much that when I went back to Iceland in May 2010 I took his tour again. This time his tour starts outside the new My Reykjavik travel centre and not from the Info Centre as it used to. Ýmir from My Reykjavik is very friendly and helpful and can help you with any of your travelling needs or bookings. I would also recommend that people check out the Jonas and the Whale photos and story inside My Reykjavik. Jonas is a big advocate of stopping the Icelandic Whale hunt and his photos give you a close up view of one.

If you are going to Reykjavik, start of your trip with this free tour that starts at 1pm every day outside of My Reykjavik...you won't be disappointed!!!

Iceland has a special place in our hearts. My husband proposed to me on a mountaintop near Snæfellsjökull, we returned to Iceland for our honeymoon , and have returned another five times. But it wasn't until our last trip where we learned the most about this wonderful island and the city of Reykjavik. In the past, we wandered around Laugavegur meandering and enjoying the sites. We took part in a walking tour of the city. While we had a decent understanding about the city, it wasn't until our meeting with tour guide, Jónas Þorsteinsson, did we truly learn everything about this city. It has been one of the most memorable experiences of Iceland that we have had. Jónas provided knowledgable information that you can not find in guide books. Around every corner, down a hidden alley, there was a story. During this two hour walk, Jónas pointed out the historic significance of an area while bookending the conversation on why it is still relevant today. Not only was he a wealth of information, he would engage the audience in asking questions and providing insightful conversation. We did not want this tour to end, the time went by so quickly. We would highly recommend Jónas and the walking tour of Reykjavik to anyone, we know we will see him again when we return this October.

We went on a couple of the excursions offered by Goecco when we were in Iceland in September 2009. The free walk is a MUST DO to start off your stay in Reykjavik! The team at Goecco are not your traditional tour guides (there are enough of those) and will take you to places you would never would discovered on your own to give you an authentic Icelandic experience and give great recommendations for what to do, where to eat and other areas to explore! The Geocco team is very friendly, down to earth and extremely knowledgeable and can take you on city and countryside adventures throughout Iceland. We had such a great time and can't wait to go again! See you next time!