Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland

Reykjavík’s folklore is at its best beside an old graveyard, a dark stretch of water, or a rock that may be more than a rock. This 90-minute walk takes you through the city’s oldest quarter while your guide brings out tales of elves, trolls, ghosts, monsters, and guardian spirits.

I like the route’s mix of old cemeteries and everyday city sights, and I like that the guides turn the walk into live entertainment rather than a dry history lesson. Mathias, Bo, Ester, Stefán, Magnus, Dúi, and others have earned praise for humor, singing, dramatic voices, and local tips.

The main drawback is that the quality depends on your guide’s storytelling style. One guide may stay tightly focused on folklore, while another may wander into personal stories or general history. You also spend the full tour on your feet, and the meeting point at Ingólfur Square can take a little hunting if you arrive without a map.

Key points to know before you book

• Old Reykjavík setting: Walk through the oldest part of the city, with stops at cemeteries, churches, Parliament Square, and Tjörnin lake.
• Folklore with personality: Expect stories of Huldufólk, trolls, ghosts, monsters, and rocks linked to Icelandic beliefs.
• A strong first-day activity: The route helps you get your bearings while showing you corners you might otherwise pass without stopping.
• Guide-led entertainment: Guides may use humor, songs, character voices, photos, and small surprises to keep the walk lively.
• Simple logistics: Meet at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfstorgi five minutes before departure and finish near Parliament at Austurvöllur.
• Good value for a short city tour: At $55.63 per person, the price is reasonable if you want local stories and orientation, but less so if you expect a formal history lecture.

Why Icelandic folklore works so well on a Reykjavík walk

This is not a standard parade of landmark facts. The city provides the backdrop, but the stories are the main event.

Icelandic folklore gives ordinary places an extra layer. A rock beside a road may be linked to elves. A cemetery becomes the setting for a famous ghost. A lake known for ducks and swans also carries stories of creatures beneath the water. You do not need to believe every tale to enjoy the way these stories shape Icelandic culture.

The walk also gives you a useful introduction to Reykjavík. You pass civic buildings, churches, old homes, public squares, and green spaces. If this is your first activity in town, it can help you get your bearings before tackling busier day trips outside the capital.

The strongest guides make the stories easy to picture. Mathias has been praised for quick humor and animated storytelling. Bo is known for a cheerful style, while Stefán has impressed people with lively troll and elf voices. Dúi has used song to add color to the tales. Your guide is not guaranteed, so expect the tone to vary from one departure to another.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

You meet at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, in central Reykjavík. Arrive at least five minutes early. The square is central, but one person found the meeting point difficult to locate without Google Maps, so do not leave this part until the last minute.

The opening is brief. Your guide introduces the theme of Iceland’s mythical creatures, then gathers the group for the first walk. The meeting area is close to the tour’s ending point, but you do not simply retrace your steps.

The experience is offered in English and includes a professional guide and live entertainment. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way into central Reykjavík. The route is near public transportation, which makes it easy to pair with a day of sightseeing.

The first graveyard and Reykjavík’s early story

The first major stop is connected with Skúli Magnússon, the sheriff often linked with Reykjavík’s early development. Here you visit what is described as Iceland’s oldest graveyard, dating from around the year 900.

That date gives the stop real weight. It is not just a spooky backdrop. You are standing in a place tied to the earliest settlement period, then hearing how old burial grounds fit into Icelandic stories and beliefs.

The stop lasts about ten minutes. That is enough for an introduction, but not enough for a detailed look at individual graves. If you want to study old headstones or cemetery design, you may wish for more time. This is a storytelling stop first, not a specialist cemetery tour.

Still, it is an effective beginning. The ground beneath you is genuinely old, and the setting makes the shift from recorded history to folklore feel natural.

Elves, trolls, and the Cathedral of Christ the King

The tour then moves toward the Cathedral of Christ the King, where the guide discusses Icelandic trolls and their uneasy relationship with the church. The stop is short, about five minutes, so expect a pointed tale rather than a long architectural visit.

This is one of the tour’s useful habits: it takes familiar buildings and gives you a different reason to pause. You are not simply told when a church was built or who designed it. Instead, you hear how supernatural beings fit into the stories people tell about Iceland.

Some guides also talk about rocks and hidden elf places along the way. That matters because Icelandic elf lore is not limited to fantasy creatures in a storybook. It is tied to places, stones, weather, and the country’s dramatic natural setting.

The material can sometimes be dark. Icelandic tales may include death, fear, punishment, and gore. If you want only gentle fairy stories, this walk may be more unsettling than expected. Families can enjoy it, but children should be comfortable with spooky material, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Hólavallagarður and the Deacon of Dark River

The longest stop is at Hólavallagarður, Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery. You spend about fifteen minutes here, hearing about the Deacon of Dark River, described as Iceland’s most famous ghost.

This is the tour’s strongest setting. Cemeteries naturally slow the pace, and the old graves give the ghost story a physical place. The guide may also point out older graves and connect the site with local people and family stories.

You should not expect a full cemetery walk. The tour keeps moving, and the purpose is to bring the ghost tale to life rather than catalog every historic burial. One guide may even point out a family crypt, depending on the route and the person leading your group.

The atmosphere changes with the weather and time of day. Rain, low light, or wind can make this stop especially moody, but those conditions also make the walk less comfortable. The provider says the tour operates in all weather, while the cancellation terms also allow a change of date or full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. Bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes suited to wet pavement.

A memorable family account included a friendly cat that followed the group through the cemetery. That is not a scheduled part of the experience, of course, but it captures the odd, slightly theatrical mood of this stop.

Tjörnin lake and the city’s monsters

From the cemetery, you walk to Tjörnin, Reykjavík’s central lake. Here the subject shifts from ghosts to Icelandic monsters and creatures connected with the water.

This is a welcome change of pace. The lake is an everyday public place, often associated with birds and a calm city view. Folklore gives it a more mysterious edge without turning the stop into a haunted-house performance.

You spend about ten minutes here. The guide may point out the water and surrounding buildings while explaining local monster stories. This is also one of the more scenic parts of the route, so have your camera ready, especially if the lake is still and the light is good.

The walk does not promise that you will spot a real water monster. The fun comes from hearing why such creatures belong in Icelandic storytelling and seeing how easily an ordinary body of water can become part of a legend.

City Hall and the map of Iceland

The route continues past Reykjavík City Hall. The stop lasts around ten minutes, and sometimes the guide visits the large map of Iceland inside or near the building, discussing where trolls and other creatures are said to be found.

This is one of the most useful stops for understanding the country beyond Reykjavík. You hear stories tied to different parts of Iceland, not just the streets under your feet. If you have already planned a Golden Circle trip or a longer journey around the island, these tales may give familiar place names a new flavor.

The map also helps ground the stories. Instead of treating folklore as a loose collection of spooky anecdotes, the guide connects it with real locations. You begin to see how Icelanders attach stories to cliffs, rocks, valleys, and stretches of coast.

Do not expect a long official tour of City Hall. The building is a reference point and storytelling aid, not the main attraction.

Alþingishúsið and Icelandic guardian spirits

Near Alþingishúsið, the Icelandic Parliament building, the guide turns to guardian spirits. This stop takes about five minutes and brings the folklore back into the heart of civic Reykjavík.

The contrast is appealing. Parliament represents modern government and public life, while guardian spirits belong to older beliefs about protection, place, and identity. The tour repeatedly creates these small collisions between the ordinary and the mythical.

The nearby Parliament setting also helps you understand the route geographically. You are no longer wandering without a sense of direction. The city’s political center is close, and the final stop is only a short walk away.

Finishing at Austurvöllur Square

The walk ends at Austurvöllur, the public square in front of Parliament. This is close to where you began, making it easy to continue with dinner, a drink, or more sightseeing in central Reykjavík.

The finish is practical. You do not end on the edge of town or need a taxi back to your hotel. The tour also leaves you near other central sights and restaurants, though no food or drinks are included.

Some guides take photographs during the walk and later send them by text message. This can be a nice extra, especially if you are traveling with family or as a couple, but the photos may carry large company logos. A small magnet or another modest souvenir may also be offered, depending on the guide.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide matters more here than on a basic point-to-point walking tour. You are paying for the delivery of the stories, not just access to the streets.

The strongest guide styles include:

• Animated storytelling: Mathias has been praised for humor, warmth, and a fast-moving presentation.
• Character voices: Stefán’s troll and elf voices add a playful edge.
• Music: Dúi and Steingrímur have used singing to make the folklore more memorable.
• Local tips: Ester has been praised for offering useful Reykjavík suggestions at the end.
• Personal connection: Some guides bring in family history, local knowledge, or a favorite crypt and make the city feel personal.

The tradeoff is consistency. One guide may tell a polished sequence of legends, while another may drift into personal narrative or unrelated history. One person found the tour too scattered and longer than expected, while another wanted more direct discussion of elves. If you want a tightly scripted lecture, this may frustrate you.

The walk can also take longer than the advertised hour and a half. That may be welcome if the guide is engaging, but it can matter if you have a dinner reservation or another timed activity afterward.

Price, pace, and practical value

At $55.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to walk around Reykjavík. You are not paying for museum admission, transport, or refreshments. All stops are public places, and the main service is the guide’s storytelling.

I think the price makes sense if you want three things at once: a short city orientation, access to local folklore, and an entertaining guide. The route covers several parts of old Reykjavík, and the stories give you a reason to notice places you might otherwise pass.

The value is weaker if you mainly want facts, architecture, or a long look at historic graves. It is also less appealing if you dislike group walking tours or do not enjoy supernatural tales.

The route lasts about 90 minutes and requires good mobility for regular walking and standing. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The group size can be very large, with a listed maximum of 999 people, although the actual feel of a departure can vary. A small group may allow more questions and personal attention. A large group may make it harder to hear or stay close to the guide.

Because the walk runs outdoors in all kinds of Icelandic weather, dress in layers and bring rain protection. Comfortable shoes matter more than stylish ones.

Who should book the Reykjavík folklore walk

I would choose this tour for a first day in Reykjavík, especially if you want a gentle introduction before heading into the countryside. It is also a good fit for families with older children who enjoy ghosts, monsters, and stories with a slightly dark edge.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like local traditions, unusual history, and guides who perform a little. The experience is less about proving that elves exist and more about understanding why these tales remain part of Icelandic culture.

I would skip it if you want a quiet architectural walk, a serious academic treatment of folklore, or a route with no spooky material. I would also leave plenty of room in your schedule in case the storytelling runs past 90 minutes.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want to see Reykjavík through folklore rather than through a checklist of landmarks. The old cemetery, Hólavallagarður, Tjörnin lake, City Hall, and Parliament Square create a varied route, while the best guides add humor, song, voices, and local color.

Just keep your expectations in the right place. This is a lively storytelling walk, not a formal history seminar. The guide you receive will shape the experience, and the weather may be wet, cold, or windy. For $55.63, it is a fair choice for a memorable introduction to Reykjavík’s invisible residents and old tales.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour begin?

The tour begins at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in central Reykjavík.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk ends at Austurvöllur public square, in front of the Parliament building. The ending point is close to the starting area.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The actual finish may vary depending on the guide and the pace of the group.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What does the price include?

The price includes a professional guide and live entertainment. It does not include hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, food, or drinks.

What stories are included?

The tour covers Icelandic elves, trolls, ghosts, monsters, rocks connected with folklore, and Icelandic guardian spirits.

Does the tour visit a cemetery?

Yes. The route visits an old graveyard dating from around the year 900 and Hólavallagarður, described as Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour information says it operates in all weather, so you should dress appropriately. The cancellation terms also state that if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.