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

Elves, trolls, and ghosts walk right beside you. This 90-minute Reykjavik folklore walking tour threads myth into the city’s oldest corners, with stops at graveyards dating back around 900, the Tjörnin pond, and story-filled landmarks that end near Austurvöllur Square.

I love two things most. First, the route makes the setting feel real, especially the cemetery stops tied to early settlement Reykjavik. Second, the guides bring the legends to life with character voices and humor, and you can even catch singing or extra flair from guides like Ester, Bo, Dúi, or Mathias.

The main drawback is simple: you are on your feet the whole time, and the walk can feel like a lot if you want long pauses or slower pacing, plus the cemetery segment can feel brief if you want to read more stones.

Key things to know before you go

• A tight 90-minute loop through central Reykjavik, ending near where you started
• Oldest graveyard in Iceland stop, dating to about the year 900
• Hólavallagarður + the Deacon of Dark River ghost story at the second-oldest cemetery
• Tjörnin pond monster tales, with a chance to spot swans and ducks along the way
• Storytelling with performance touches, including voices and sometimes song
• Plan for wind and rain, since the tour runs in all weather and you need to dress for it

Old Reykjavik on foot, from Ingólfstorg to Austurvöllur

This is the kind of walk that helps you get your bearings fast. You start in the center at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, and the tour finishes at Austurvollur Square by Austurvöllur public square, close to the Parliament building. That “loop” matters. You are not hauling yourself across town, and you can fit it into nearly any itinerary.

Timing is about 1 hour 30 minutes. That is short enough that you do not feel like you are giving up your whole evening, but long enough that you will really hear the myths connect to place, not just to abstract stories.

One practical thing: the meeting point is central, but some people find it hard to spot without checking maps first. I would use Google Maps and arrive a few minutes early. The tour asks you to be at Ingólfstorgi 5 minutes before start time, which is a good buffer in Reykjavik when weather changes quickly.

Stop 1: Your Friend In Reykjavík and the mythical warm-up

You begin with a meet-and-greet at Your Friend In Reykjavík. It sets the tone right away: playful, story-forward, and designed to get you listening instead of just looking at buildings.

This is also where your guide frames how they tell Icelandic folklore. You will hear legends about the hidden inhabitants of Iceland, and you will learn the difference between a simple ghost story and the Icelandic habit of mixing the everyday with the unseen. In many cases, guides step into roles. People describe troll and elf voices, and one guide even had a strong singing element (Dúi is mentioned with his singing voice).

Expect a friendly start, not a formal lecture. If you want a tour that feels like an evening story session while you walk, this first stop delivers.

Stop 2: The oldest graveyard in Iceland, dating to around 900

The tour heads to the oldest graveyard in Iceland, associated with dates around the year 900. This is where the folklore walk earns its credibility. Cemeteries are not just spooky props, they are part of how Icelanders mark time.

You also stop briefly at a location tied to Skúli Magnússon Sheriff, which helps anchor the walk in Icelandic personalities and local history. You do not need a background in Icelandic sagas to enjoy it. You just need to be willing to look at old stone and let stories explain why this place matters.

A small caution: if you want to spend extra time reading headstones, the stop is short. Some people wished for more time here since the cemetery’s age is the point. If you are the type who likes to linger, I would plan a follow-up stroll on your own afterward.

Stop 3: Cathedral of Christ the King, where trolls and churches clash

Next comes the Cathedral of Christ the King, and yes, the tour leans into the classic idea that trolls do not like the church. That might sound like a cartoon, but it is actually a window into Iceland’s folklore pattern: even major buildings and institutions get wrapped into myth.

This stop is short, so it works best as a “story bridge” rather than a full stop. You will likely hear about elves and trolls in the context of Icelandic beliefs and how those beliefs show up in daily life, even when modern Iceland is clearly modern.

If you are traveling with kids, this is often a good mid-walk moment. It is spooky without being long-winded, and it resets your attention before the cemetery highlight.

Stop 4: Hólavallagarður cemetery and the Deacon of Dark River ghost

The biggest headline stop is Hólavallagarður, the second-oldest cemetery in Reykjavik. This is where the Deacon of Dark River enters the story.

This is not just “a ghost exists.” The way the tour frames it matters. Cemeteries are already heavy places. Adding a named, local ghost gives you something specific to hold onto while you look at the surroundings. The result is that you feel the myth instead of just hearing it.

The scheduled time at this cemetery stop is about 15 minutes. That is usually enough for the guide’s story arc, but it may not satisfy if you love cemetery details and want to read deeper into older stones. One thing I like about this tour is that it gives you a strong hit of atmosphere quickly, then moves you on before you start to freeze in the wind (and Reykjavik wind is real).

If you want to go further than the walk, this is the stop that motivates a follow-up. You can return later on your own with more time and take it slow.

Stop 5-6: Tjörnin pond monsters and City Hall’s map of Iceland

After the cemetery, you reach Tjörnin, the pond/lake area in central Reykjavik. This is a nice pace change. You swap stone and stories for water and city sounds.

Here the tour focuses on monsters. A water monster is part of the mythology you might hear, and you might also spot swans and ducks around the pond. That wildlife detail is small, but it helps. Your brain relaxes for a minute, and then the story lands again because you are not locked into a single mood.

Next is a walk by Reykjavik City Hall. Sometimes the guide discusses the “great map of Iceland,” including where trolls and other creatures are said to be. Even if you have seen maps of Iceland before, this one turns geography into story logic. It is less about accuracy and more about how folklore helps people interpret place.

If you like playful learning, this pairing of pond legends and a city landmark map is a smart move. It prevents the tour from becoming one-note spooky.

Stop 7: Alþingishúsið guardian spirits, ending at Austurvollur Square

You finish with a stop around Alþingishúsið, where you hear about Icelandic guardian spirits. This is a good final chapter because it shifts away from named ghosts and back into the broader Icelandic idea of invisible presences around daily life.

From there, you end at Austurvollur Square, close to the Parliament side of Austurvöllur public square. The ending location is convenient. You can head straight to dinner, a coffee stop, or just wander the downtown streets again without needing a bus.

In practice, guides often close with practical local tips. People mention guides sharing local recommendations, and at least some guides add small extras like gifts or souvenirs at the end. One person even described getting group photos sent by text after the tour. These touches are not guaranteed, but they fit the overall vibe: playful folklore, plus helpful Reykjavik guidance.

Price and value for $55.63, including live entertainment

At $55.63 per person for about 90 minutes, this is mid-range pricing for Reykjavik. The reason it can feel like good value is what is included.

You get a professional guide and live entertainment. In a folklore tour, that is the core product. You are paying for an experienced storyteller who can make a short walk feel like a complete experience, with performance elements like voices, humor, and sometimes song.

Another value signal is that the stops are not built around paid museum tickets during the walk. Each listed stop is marked as free admission for the activity. That matters because you avoid the “pay twice” trap that can happen on some city tours where every stop turns into a separate entry fee.

The only “cost” you should plan for is your time and energy. If you are okay walking, you will get your money’s worth because the itinerary is compact and ends near the start.

Also, the tour has a strong track record in the numbers: a 4.7 overall rating with 702 ratings, and 94% recommended. Booking timing is another clue. The tour is often booked about 43 days in advance, so if you have firm plans, I would lock it in earlier rather than later.

Who should take this elves-trolls-ghosts walk?

This tour fits best if you like folklore, storytelling, and city walking that teaches through context. It is especially good as a first Reykjavik activity. You learn the “myth map” of the center, and suddenly other buildings and streets make more sense later in your trip.

I also think it works well for:

• People who enjoy humor and character voices (guides like Ester, Bo, Stefan, Magnus, and Mathias are mentioned for their storytelling style)
• Families who want spooky but not traumatizing (kids must be with an adult)
• Travelers who want a quick, atmospheric cultural experience without hours in museums
• Anyone who loves when history and myth intersect in the real places you can walk to

Skip or reconsider if:

• You dislike walking for a full 90 minutes in cool, windy weather
• You want purely factual history with no gore or spooky elements. Some story versions can be more intense, and the tone is folklore first
• You need long cemetery time to read every stone. The cemetery stops are guided and time-limited

Should you book this Reykjavik folklore walking tour?

Yes, I would book it if you want a Reykjavik introduction that is playful, atmospheric, and easy to fit into your schedule. The route is central, the storytelling is clearly the main event, and the mix of old graveyards, Tjörnin monster tales, and named myths like the Deacon of Dark River gives you more than just generic spooky vibes.

I would hold off if your priority is slow sightseeing, or if you are not comfortable with a nonstop walking format. Also, if you are sensitive about how religion is discussed through folklore, you might want to set expectations with your guide beforehand. The tour touches church-related folklore ideas, and a small number of comments in the available feedback point to discomfort for some people.

If you book, do yourself a favor: wear warm layers, bring waterproof shoes, and be ready to use your imagination. This tour is at its best when you listen like you are in the audience, not like you are taking notes.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $55.63 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. You are asked to arrive about 5 minutes early.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Austurvöllur public square near the Parliament building.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is included in the tour price?

A professional guide is included, and live entertainment is included as well.

What should I wear?

The tour runs in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for Iceland weather.

Are children allowed?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What if the tour gets canceled due to weather?

If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.