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

Icelandic folklore is not tucked away in a museum here. It turns up in old cemeteries, odd-shaped rocks, churches, ponds, and the stories people still tell about the hidden people. This 90-minute walk gives Reykjavík a wonderfully strange second layer, from the Deacon of Dark River to a possible water monster in Tjörnin pond.

I like two things right away: the route introduces you to the oldest part of Reykjavík, and the guides use humor, voices, songs, and local tales instead of reciting a list of dates. It is also a smart first-day activity because you get your bearings while seeing places you might otherwise walk past.

The main drawback is simple: you are outside and on your feet for the whole tour. The storytelling quality can also vary by guide, and one account described a less focused experience with more personal stories than folklore. Come for atmosphere and entertainment, not a formal academic lecture.

Key points to know before booking

• A 90-minute walk through old Reykjavík: The route begins near Ingólfur Square and ends at Austurvöllur, close to the start.
• Cemeteries are central to the story: You visit an ancient graveyard dating from around the year 900 and Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery.
• Expect elves, trolls, ghosts, and monsters: The tales include the Huldufólk, the Deacon of Dark River, Icelandic guardian spirits, and creatures linked with Tjörnin.
• Guides bring different personalities: Mathias is praised for comic timing, Bo for warmth, Stefán for troll and elf voices, and Dúi for storytelling and singing.
• The tour costs $55.63 per person: That is fair if you value a guide-led introduction to Reykjavík, but less attractive if you want a conventional sightseeing tour.
• Weather matters: You must dress for Reykjavík conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why folklore makes a good Reykjavík introduction

A standard city walk usually points out the main buildings and explains who built them. This one asks a different question: what did people believe lived here, watched over the town, or caused trouble after dark?

That change in viewpoint is the tour’s real appeal. You still see architecture, public squares, churches, and the pond, but the guide connects them to stories about invisible people and supernatural creatures. I like this approach because it gives you useful cultural context without turning the walk into a heavy history lesson.

The tone is playful, though some tales are grim. Icelandic folklore can include violence, death, fear, and odd punishments. If you prefer gentle fairy tales, the darker material may catch you off guard. If you enjoy ghost stories with a strong local flavor, the rough edges are part of the fun.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Names that appear in the tour’s feedback include Mathias, Bo, Stefán, Steingrímur, Magnus, Dúi, and Ester. Some are praised for humor, some for singing, and some for character voices that bring trolls and elves to life. You do not choose the guide from the information provided, so expect the same route with a personal style that may differ from one departure to another.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

You meet at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfstorg, usually called Ingólfur Square, in central Reykjavík. Arrive at least five minutes early. The meeting point can be harder to spot than you might expect, so use a map rather than wandering around the square looking for a large tour sign.

The opening meet-and-greet takes about five minutes. The guide introduces the theme, then sets off with the group toward the first old burial site. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way into central Reykjavík.

This central start is helpful if you are staying near the downtown area or already planning to visit the main sights. Public transportation is nearby, but the tour itself is a walking activity rather than a hop-on, hop-off excursion.

The old graveyard and Skúli Magnússon

The first substantial stop is linked with Skúli Magnússon, an important figure in Reykjavík’s early story. The graveyard here dates from around the year 900, making it one of the most striking parts of the route for anyone interested in Iceland’s beginnings.

You spend about ten minutes at this stop. That is enough for a story and some context, but not enough for a careful study of every grave. If you are hoping to inspect old headstones in detail, you may wish the stop were longer.

Still, the location gives the folklore a proper setting. Old burial grounds naturally suit tales of spirits, death, and things that do not quite leave. The guide uses the place as more than a photo stop, connecting the site to Iceland’s older beliefs and the way stories helped explain a difficult environment.

Trolls, churches, and the Cathedral of Christ the King

The walk then reaches the Cathedral of Christ the King, also known as Landakotskirkja. The stop is short, about five minutes, and focuses on the idea that Icelandic trolls do not care for churches.

This is a quick look rather than an interior tour. You are mainly listening to the folklore connection and taking in the building from the outside. The church adds a useful contrast to the earlier cemetery stop: Christian buildings and older supernatural beliefs share the same city streets.

The subject can be handled with a light touch, but religious topics are not entirely neutral. One account described feeling uncomfortable with remarks about Christian faith. That does not define every guide or departure, but it is worth knowing if you want a strictly respectful and carefully balanced treatment of religion.

Hólavallagarður and the Deacon of Dark River

The second cemetery is Hólavallagarður, Reykjavík’s second-oldest cemetery. You spend about 15 minutes here, making it one of the longer stops on the route.

The central character is the Deacon of Dark River, often described as Iceland’s most famous ghost. This is where the walk leans most clearly into ghost-tour territory. Expect atmosphere, storytelling, and a memorable local legend rather than a chain of documented paranormal claims.

The cemetery itself is valuable even apart from the ghost story. It offers older graves, quiet paths, and a glimpse of a side of Reykjavík that many short city visits miss. If you enjoy historic burial grounds, you may wish the guide allowed more time for the older graves. The scheduled stop is long enough to hear the main tale, but not to explore every corner.

Families can enjoy this section, though parents should know the folklore may include death and frightening details. The tour’s overall style is often funny, but Icelandic stories can turn dark without much warning.

Tjörnin pond and Icelandic monsters

From Hólavallagarður, the route continues toward Tjörnin, Reykjavík’s central pond. You spend around ten minutes here hearing about Icelandic monsters and creatures connected with the water.

This is a welcome change of setting. After the enclosed, shadowy feeling of a cemetery, the pond opens up the walk and gives you views of birds, public buildings, and the city around the water. The story about a possible water monster adds a playful edge to an otherwise familiar Reykjavík sight.

You should not book this tour expecting to see a monster. The attraction is the tale and the way it changes your view of the pond. You might also see swans and ducks, and the waterfront gives children a more relaxed part of the route after the cemetery stories.

City Hall and the map of Iceland

The next section passes Reykjavík City Hall and takes about ten minutes. Depending on the guide and circumstances, the group may see the large map of Iceland inside or near City Hall and use it to discuss the locations of trolls and other creatures.

This is one of the most useful stops for putting the stories in a national setting. The folklore is not limited to Reykjavík. The map helps show how tales of strange beings connect to mountains, lava fields, remote farms, and other parts of Iceland.

The City Hall stop also gives you a break from simply walking and listening. The exact presentation may depend on access and the guide, so do not treat entry as guaranteed. The core experience remains the guide’s explanation, not a formal City Hall visit.

Alþingishúsið and Icelandic guardian spirits

The final story stop is Alþingishúsið, the Parliament building. Here, the guide discusses Icelandic guardian spirits, another important idea in the country’s folklore.

The location gives the walk a fitting ending. You have moved from a burial site dating to around the year 900 through churches, cemeteries, water stories, and the national map, then finish near the center of Icelandic public life. The guide uses the Parliament area to connect old beliefs with the country as a whole.

This stop lasts only about five minutes, so expect a final tale rather than a detailed political or architectural explanation. If you want an in-depth account of Iceland’s government, this is not the right tour. If you want to finish with a story about protective spirits, it works well.

Ending at Austurvöllur Square

The walk ends at Austurvöllur, directly in front of the Parliament building. You finish close to where you began, which makes the tour easy to fit into a day of downtown sightseeing.

This is a practical endpoint. You can continue toward Reykjavík’s cafés, restaurants, shops, or other central sights without arranging a ride. Some guides also offer local suggestions at the end, and one guide was specifically praised for sharing useful tips.

The route is compact enough to fit before dinner or between other plans. The posted duration is about one hour and 30 minutes, though one account described a tour that ran longer than expected. Leave a little breathing room if you have a reservation immediately afterward.

How much walking and what to wear

You spend the full tour on foot. The distance is not presented as a strenuous hike, but the repeated feedback about being on your feet matters if you have mobility concerns or simply want a low-effort sightseeing experience.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring waterproof layers. The tour is offered in all weather conditions, but the cancellation terms also allow the operator to cancel for poor weather, with a different date or full refund offered. Reykjavík weather can change quickly, so a warm layer and rain protection are sensible even on a clear morning.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

The stated maximum group size is 999 people, an unusually high published limit. That does not mean every departure will have anything close to that number, and some departures may be very small. One couple described having what was effectively a private walk because only two people had booked. Still, you should not assume a private experience in advance.

Is $55.63 a fair price?

At $55.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to walk around Reykjavík. You can explore the same public streets and squares for free, and many of the buildings are easy to see without a guide.

The price makes more sense if you want the stories delivered in person. You are paying for a professional guide, live entertainment, a planned route, and local context that is difficult to recreate from a map. A strong storyteller can turn an ordinary pond or cemetery into part of a memorable evening.

Value depends on what you want from a city tour. If you prefer architecture, dates, and major landmarks, a traditional Reykjavík walking tour may suit you better. If you want humor, folklore, ghost stories, and unusual details, the cost is reasonable for a 90-minute introduction.

The route also helps you decide what to do next. You get a quick look at the old center, Tjörnin, City Hall, Parliament Square, and two cemeteries. That makes it useful near the beginning of a trip, when you are still learning how central Reykjavík fits together.

The guides make or break the experience

The strongest reactions center on the guides’ ability to tell a story. Mathias is repeatedly described as funny and charismatic. Bo is praised for warmth and an easy manner. Stefán is known for enthusiastic delivery and troll and elf voices, while Dúi is noted for singing and colorful tales.

Steingrímur has also been praised for telling stories through song, and Ester for combining useful local advice with an engaging presentation. These details tell you what to look for: the walk works best when the guide performs the folklore rather than simply explaining it.

The quality may not be perfectly consistent. One account described a scattered presentation with personal narrative and random history, while another hoped for more direct discussion of elves. That is a fair warning. The subject is flexible, and a guide’s own personality can shape the balance between folklore, history, comedy, and personal stories.

Who should book this walk?

I would choose this tour if you enjoy unusual city walks, ghost stories, local legends, or folklore with a comic edge. It is especially useful as a first activity in Reykjavík because the route helps you get your bearings while showing you parts of the old center you might not stop to inspect.

Families can enjoy it if children are comfortable with spooky stories. The cemetery cat described by one family was an amusing bit of luck, not a planned part of the tour, so do not count on meeting an animal. The reliable attractions are the stories, the old streets, and the settings.

Couples and solo visitors who like atmospheric evening walks should also consider it. It can be especially appealing in poor weather, when a lively guide and a good story give the city more character. Just dress properly and keep your expectations focused on entertainment.

I would skip it if you dislike supernatural themes, want a detailed architectural tour, or cannot comfortably walk for 90 minutes. I would also avoid booking it directly before an important reservation, since the finish time can run beyond the estimate.

Should you book the Reykjavík folklore walk?

Book it if you want to see Reykjavík through elves, trolls, ghosts, monsters, and guardian spirits rather than through standard sightseeing facts. The cemetery stops, Tjörnin stories, and lively guide styles give the tour a clear personality, and the central route makes it easy to fit into a city break.

Think twice if you want a tightly scripted academic tour or a guaranteed focus on elves. The guides vary, some stories are grisly, and one departure may feel more personal or scattered than another.

For most visitors who enjoy folklore and can handle the weather, I consider this a good first-day choice. It is best understood as a funny, spooky introduction to Reykjavík, not a complete history tour.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavík Folklore Walking Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. One account noted that a departure ran longer than expected, so allow extra time afterward.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, also known as Ingólfur Square. You should arrive five minutes before the start time.

Where does the tour end?

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

What places are visited during the walk?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The stories include ghosts, monsters, trolls, and some darker or frightening folklore.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different 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 time are not accepted for a refund.