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

Reykjavík’s folklore tour turns an ordinary city walk into a hunt for the stories hiding in graveyards, rocks and the water by Tjörnin. You’ll hear about elves, trolls, ghosts and guardian spirits while seeing parts of the old center that are easy to pass without noticing.

I like two things in particular: the lively storytelling, which can include songs, character voices and humor, and the way the route gives you a useful first look at central Reykjavík. One consideration: this is a walking tour with several cemetery stops, and the guide’s style and balance of folklore and history can vary.

What makes this walk worth your time

• Start at an old graveyard: The first cemetery stop is said to date to around the year 900.
• Meet Reykjavík’s best-known ghost: Hólavallagarður is the setting for the tale of the Deacon of Dark River.
• Folklore comes with city sights: The route also passes Christ the King Cathedral, Tjörnin, City Hall and Alþingishúsið.
• Guides make the difference: Mathias, Bo, Stefán and other guides are praised for humor, energetic storytelling and local insight.
• A useful first-day walk: The central route helps you get your bearings while introducing Icelandic tales and city history.
• Plan for time on your feet: The tour lasts about 90 minutes, runs in all weather and ends near its starting point.

Old graves and stories set the scene

The walk begins at Ingólfur Square, at the meeting point listed as Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1. Arrive five minutes early and look for the guide before the group sets off. You make your own way there, and hotel pickup is not included.

The first stop is the graveyard associated with Skúli Magnússon, described as Iceland’s oldest and dating to around 900. The group spends about ten minutes here. It’s an unusual opening for a city walk: the setting gives the guide a natural way to introduce Iceland’s relationship with death, memory and the supernatural.

You may wish you had more time to look closely at old graves. The stop is brief, and the tour’s purpose is storytelling rather than a detailed cemetery visit. Think of it as an introduction to the mood and themes of the walk, not a long history lesson about individual graves.

At Christ the King Cathedral, the subject shifts to trolls and their dislike of churches. The contrast between a landmark built for worship and older folk beliefs gives the guide room to explain how these stories sit alongside Iceland’s religious life. The stop is short, around five minutes, so expect a quick story rather than a tour inside the church.

Some of the tales touch on the tension between folklore and Christianity. If that subject matters to you, keep in mind that one person found the tour’s treatment of Christian faith uncomfortable. The available information does not indicate that this is a regular feature, but guides bring their own humor and approach to the material.

Hólavallagarður and the Deacon of Dark River

The most atmospheric stop is Hólavallagarður, Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery. The group spends about 15 minutes here hearing about the Deacon of Dark River, described as Iceland’s most famous ghost. Cemetery paths and old graves make a fitting setting for a story that might feel less vivid in a café or a bright city square.

The guide’s delivery matters here. Several guides are praised for expressive storytelling, comic timing and even singing. Mathias is singled out for humor, while Stefán and Dúi are also remembered for lively tales and musical touches. Some guides use voices to bring trolls and elves to life, so expect performance as well as information.

There are limits to the format. Fifteen minutes is enough to hear the main ghost story, but not to explore the cemetery in depth. If you enjoy old burial grounds and want time to study the graves, consider returning on your own later. The tour gives you the story and setting, then moves on.

Tjörnin’s monsters and the map at City Hall

At Tjörnin, Reykjavík’s central pond, the guide turns to Icelandic monsters and creatures said to inhabit the water. The stop lasts around ten minutes. Ducks and swans may be part of the view, but the focus is on folklore, not wildlife watching.

The location makes the stories easier to picture. You’re standing by water in the center of the city, listening to tales that place the uncanny close to everyday life. That mix is the tour’s main pleasure: the familiar streets acquire a second layer, even if you don’t take the legends literally.

The route then passes Reykjavík City Hall. Depending on the walk, you may stop to look at the large map of Iceland and hear about places associated with trolls and other creatures. This is one of the more useful links between Reykjavík and the rest of the country. The stories aren’t confined to the capital; the map helps connect local tales to the wider geography.

The City Hall stop is listed at about ten minutes, though the map visit is not guaranteed. Treat it as a possible extra rather than a fixed feature. The city walk itself continues regardless.

Guardian spirits and a finish by Parliament

At Alþingishúsið, Iceland’s Parliament building, the guide introduces the country’s guardian spirits. The stop is brief, about five minutes, but it brings the supernatural stories into the civic heart of Reykjavík. The route ends at Austurvöllur Square, just in front of Parliament and close to where you started.

This convenient finish makes the walk easy to fit into a day in the center. You won’t need to arrange transport back across town, and you can continue exploring nearby on your own. The tour does not include hotel transfers.

The listed stop times add up to less than the tour’s approximate 90-minute duration. That leaves room for walking between sites and for the guide to tell stories along the way. In practice, allow about an hour and a half, and keep your schedule flexible if you have a firm commitment immediately afterward. One person found the walk ran longer than expected.

What the guide brings to the walk

This is a storytelling tour, so the guide has a strong effect on the experience. Names that come up include Mathias, Bo, Stefán, Steingrímur, Dúi, Ester and Magnus. They are praised for humor, warmth, singing, lively voices and the ability to mix folklore with local history. Mathias, in particular, is often described as funny and engaging.

The format can feel personal if the group is small. One couple happened to be the only two people booked and got a private walk with time to ask questions. That is a possibility, not something to count on. The stated maximum group size is 999, which is a high ceiling rather than a useful prediction of the actual group.

There is some variation in what you hear. One person felt the guide wandered off topic and spent too much time on personal stories, while another hoped for more about elves. If your main goal is a focused account of elf legends, this tour may not deliver the same depth every time. Its broader mix includes ghosts, trolls, monsters, guardian spirits, city history and humor.

Price, pace and practical details

At $55.63 per person, this is not a bargain-basement walk, but the price includes a professional guide and live entertainment. There are no admission charges at the listed stops, and the value comes from having a local storyteller connect several central sites in one short outing. People who want an introduction to Reykjavík and its folklore may find that worthwhile. If you prefer a quiet, self-guided walk or a detailed history lecture, the price may feel harder to justify.

The route takes place on foot. One person cautioned that it could be too much walking for some, so consider your comfort with standing and walking for around 90 minutes. No distance or step-free route details are provided.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions, but poor weather can lead to cancellation and an offer of another date or a refund. Children must be accompanied by an adult, service animals are allowed, and the walk is near public transportation.

The meeting point can be tricky to spot if you rely on the address alone. Set your map to Ingólfur Square and arrive five minutes early. The tour ends in front of Parliament at Austurvöllur Square.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavík folklore walk?

I’d choose this tour if you enjoy tales with a spooky edge, want a gentle introduction to central Reykjavík, or like learning local customs through stories rather than a list of dates. It can work especially well at the start of a trip, when the walk helps you get oriented and gives you ideas for places to revisit.

Families may enjoy the mix of ghosts, elves and trolls, though the stories can be gory or unsettling. Children need to be with an adult. If you’re bringing young children, consider whether cemetery settings and ghost stories will suit them.

This is less suitable if you need a very slow pace, want extended time at historic sites, or expect a tightly structured folklore lecture. The walk’s appeal depends on a guide who can balance jokes, history and legend. The overall rating is 4.7 out of 5, and 94 percent of travelers recommend it, but those numbers cannot guarantee that every guide’s style will suit you.

Should you book it?

Book the walk if you want a fun, compact introduction to Icelandic folklore and don’t mind spending most of 90 minutes on your feet. The cemetery stories, Tjörnin monsters and guide-led performances give familiar central Reykjavík spots an unexpected angle.

Skip it if you’re looking for a deep study of one subject, a leisurely cemetery visit or a fully predictable pace. For most curious first-time visitors, the mix of city orientation and storytelling makes this a worthwhile way to spend part of a day.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík folklore walking tour?

It lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route includes several walking sections between stops.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, at Ingólfur Square. It ends at Austurvöllur Square in front of Parliament, close to the starting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What should I wear?

The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for the conditions. Poor weather may lead to cancellation.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is included in the price?

A professional guide and live entertainment are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.