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

Icelandic folklore feels most at home among old graves, churchyards, rocks, and dark water. This 90-minute walk takes you through Reykjavík’s oldest quarter while a guide connects ordinary city corners with tales of elves, trolls, ghosts, and guardian spirits. It is part city orientation, part storytelling show.

I like the route’s two strongest features: it visits places you might otherwise pass without a thought, and guides such as Mathias, Bo, Stefán, Ester, and Dúi have brought plenty of humor, songs, character voices, and local tips to the walk. The main drawback is that the quality depends on your guide, and one or two accounts found the storytelling scattered or less focused on elves than expected.

Key points to know before you book

• The oldest graveyard begins the story: You visit a burial ground dating from around the year 900, though the stop is fairly brief.
• The route mixes folklore with city orientation: It links old cemeteries, a Catholic cathedral, Tjörnin pond, City Hall, Parliament, and Austurvöllur Square.
• The Deacon of Dark River is the star ghost: Hólavallagarður Cemetery is the atmospheric heart of the walk.
• Guides make or break the mood: Mathias, Bo, Stefán, Ester, Magnus, Steingrímur, and Dúi have all been praised for humor, singing, or lively storytelling.
• You walk outdoors in Reykjavík weather: Wear warm, waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes.
• The price is fair for a guided city introduction: At $55.63, you are paying for a small cultural performance as much as a basic walking tour.

Why Reykjavík folklore works so well on foot

Icelandic stories are not confined to museums. They are tied to particular rocks, cemeteries, churches, ponds, houses, and stretches of lava. That makes this tour more interesting than a simple list of dates and buildings. You move through the city while the guide explains how elves, trolls, ghosts, and hidden people fit into Icelandic culture.

The stories can be funny, playful, or grim. One useful warning: Icelandic folklore is not always gentle bedtime material. Some tales involve death, fear, or gore, so this may not suit very young children or anyone expecting a purely lighthearted walk.

The route also gives you a quick orientation to central Reykjavík. You begin at Ingólfstorgi, walk through the older part of town, pass several major landmarks, and finish at Austurvöllur Square by the Parliament building. That makes it a sensible first activity if you have just arrived and want to get your bearings fast.

Starting at Ingólfstorgi and the oldest graveyard

Meet five minutes early at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfstorgi. The meeting point is central, but it can be a little hard to spot without a map, so allow extra time rather than cutting it close.

The first substantial stop is connected with Skúli Magnússon Sheriff and the oldest graveyard in Iceland. It dates from around the year 900, giving the walk an immediate link to the country’s early settlement period. You do not simply stroll past an old churchyard. The guide uses the site to set up the connection between burial grounds, memory, and supernatural stories.

The scheduled stop is about 10 minutes. That is enough for an introduction, but not enough for a detailed look at every old grave. If ancient burial places are your main interest, keep your expectations in check. One useful suggestion is to ask your guide about the oldest visible graves during this stop.

Trolls, the cathedral, and the strange power of rocks

The walk continues toward the Cathedral of Christ the King, where the guide explains why Icelandic trolls are said to dislike churches. This is a short stop, but it adds a useful contrast between Christian buildings and older folk beliefs.

The stories are not presented as a formal religious lesson. Instead, the guide uses the cathedral as a setting for tales about the forces that Icelanders once feared, respected, or folded into everyday life. The result is less about proving that elves or trolls exist and more about understanding why these figures have remained part of Icelandic identity.

Rocks also receive surprising attention. Several people have particularly enjoyed the stories about rocks and the idea of putting a rock on it. This may sound like a small joke, but it captures the tour’s tone: the guide treats local folklore with affection and humor rather than with a stiff lecture.

Hólavallagarður Cemetery and the Deacon of Dark River

The longest stop is at Hólavallagarður, Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery. You spend about 15 minutes here, making it the central ghost-story setting of the route.

The cemetery is atmospheric even before the supernatural material begins. The guide introduces the Deacon of Dark River, often described as Iceland’s most famous ghost. This is where the tour’s title makes the most sense. You are not merely hearing a general account of ghosts in Iceland. You are standing in a real cemetery while listening to a story attached to a particular figure and place.

The guide may also point out family connections or nearby graves. One guide has taken a group close to a family crypt, adding a personal touch to the setting. That sort of detail can make the cemetery feel less like a staged attraction and more like a living part of Reykjavík.

Still, the stop is short. If you want a full cemetery tour, this is not it. The focus is storytelling, not genealogy, architecture, or close study of gravestones. Bring a coat with a hood, as the open cemetery can feel cold and exposed, especially in the evening.

Tjörnin pond and the possibility of a water monster

From the cemetery, you walk to Tjörnin, the central Reykjavík pond. This is one of the route’s most appealing changes of mood. After graves and ghosts, the walk reaches open water, birds, and city views.

The guide tells stories about Icelandic monsters, including the possibility of a creature in the pond. You may see swans and ducks here, which gives the stop a lighter side. The contrast works well: a peaceful city pond becomes a place where local imagination can take over.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for the main story and a look around, but not for a long pause by the water. If you want photographs, take them quickly and keep listening. The group will continue on foot.

Reykjavík City Hall and the map of Iceland

The route passes Reykjavík City Hall, where the guide may show you the large map of Iceland and point out places associated with trolls and other creatures. This is one of the more useful stops for understanding that the folklore is not limited to Reykjavík.

You begin to see Iceland as a country filled with stories tied to different regions. The guide can connect the city walk to the wider island, giving you context for legends you may hear later during a Golden Circle trip or a drive along the coast.

The map stop is scheduled for about 10 minutes, though the exact amount of time can vary. It is also a practical landmark for orientation. City Hall is close to Tjörnin and central streets, so you can easily return to this area later on your own.

Parliament, guardian spirits, and Austurvöllur

Near Alþingishúsið, the Icelandic Parliament building, the guide turns to guardian spirits. This final story section brings the route back to Icelandic identity and the idea that places can have protectors, personalities, or unseen inhabitants.

The walk finishes at Austurvöllur Square, directly near Parliament and close to the starting point. That makes the ending convenient. You can continue into central Reykjavík for food, drinks, shopping, or another independent walk without needing transport back to your hotel.

A short walking route like this can be surprisingly useful at the start of a trip. You learn the layout of the center, note places you may want to revisit, and receive a cultural frame for the rest of your time in Iceland.

The guides bring very different strengths

The tour is not a recorded script delivered in the same way every time. Your guide matters.

Mathias has been especially well suited to visitors who like a funny, animated storyteller. He has been praised for mixing folklore with local history, architecture, and humor. Some groups have ended up with a private-feeling experience when only two people booked, allowing more time for questions.

Bo has been described as joyful and well informed, with a talent for making old stories feel lively. Stefán has used different voices for trolls and elves, which can appeal to families and anyone who enjoys a theatrical touch. Ester has combined folklore with practical Reykjavík tips at the end of the walk.

Other guides have added their own flavor. Steingrímur has shared stories through song, while Dúi has used a strong singing voice to make the tales more memorable. Magnus has been praised for his pride in Iceland and its folklore.

That variety is part of the charm, but it also creates the tour’s main weakness. One account found a guide scattered, with too much personal narrative and not enough focused folklore. Another person wanted more material about elves. If you want a tightly scripted academic tour, this may feel loose. If you enjoy personality and storytelling, the same quality can work in your favor.

How much walking and what to wear

The route is not a strenuous hike, but you remain on your feet for much of the 90 minutes. Comfortable shoes matter more than stylish footwear. The walk includes cemeteries, paved city streets, public squares, and the area around Tjörnin.

The experience operates outdoors and may run in poor weather. Practical information says it operates in all weather conditions, while cancellation terms also allow the company to cancel for poor weather and offer another date or a full refund. Plan for wind, rain, and cold even if the forecast looks mild.

Wear layers and bring waterproof outer clothing. A warm hat can be useful, especially during an evening departure. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but anyone who has difficulty standing or walking for 90 minutes should consider that before booking.

The listed maximum of 999 people is unusually high for a walking activity and does not tell you how large your actual departure will be. Group size can vary. In some cases, the walk has felt almost private. In others, you should expect to be part of a regular group.

What the $55.63 price gets you

At $55.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to walk through Reykjavík. You can explore the same central streets without paying anything. The value comes from the guide’s performance, the route’s storytelling, and the way ordinary places gain meaning.

I think the price is reasonable if you enjoy local legends and want more than landmark facts. You receive a professional English-speaking guide and live entertainment, not transport, food, hotel pickup, or entry to a paid attraction. Since the route uses public outdoor spaces, your payment mainly covers the guide’s time and presentation.

The value is strongest when you book near the start of your stay. You get an orientation to the old center, learn which locations interest you, and can return to Tjörnin, City Hall, Parliament, or the cemeteries later.

It is less useful if you have already taken several Reykjavík walking tours and want detailed architecture or a long historical lecture. This experience is built around mood, local belief, and personality.

Who should book this folklore walk

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a relaxed introduction to Reykjavík with a twist. It also suits families with older children who enjoy ghost stories, playful voices, and unusual local customs.

It is a good match for you if:

• You like myths, ghost stories, and cultural traditions.
• You want to see central Reykjavík beyond the standard photo stops.
• You enjoy guides who sing, joke, or perform parts of a story.
• You want a short activity that ends close to restaurants and central attractions.
• You are comfortable walking outdoors in uncertain weather.

I would think twice if you dislike supernatural themes, want a strictly factual history tour, or need frequent opportunities to sit. The folklore can also be darker than the cheerful title suggests.

The tour is offered in English, with mobile tickets and confirmation at booking. You make your own way to Ingólfstorgi, and the walk ends at Austurvöllur. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations later than that are not refunded, and changes inside the 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this walk if you want Reykjavík to feel stranger, older, and more personal than it does on a standard city circuit. The strongest guides turn a cemetery, a pond, a church, and a government building into settings for memorable stories.

I would not book it for formal history or a carefully academic study of Icelandic mythology. The experience can be loose, and the amount of elf material may vary. But at 90 minutes, it is a manageable way to meet Iceland’s invisible inhabitants, learn the city center, and enjoy a guide with room to make the tales his or her own.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavík folklore walking tour begin?

It begins at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, in central Reykjavík. You should arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What places do you visit?

The route includes the oldest graveyard in Iceland, the Cathedral of Christ the King, Hólavallagarður Cemetery, Tjörnin pond, Reykjavík City Hall, Alþingishúsið near Parliament, and Austurvöllur Square.

Will the tour include stories about elves, trolls, and ghosts?

Yes. The walk focuses on Icelandic folklore, including elves, trolls, ghosts, monsters, and guardian spirits.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You make your own way to the central Reykjavík meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The activity information says it operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately. If the company cancels because of poor weather, you can 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 experience are not accepted for a refund.