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

Reykjavik has a spooky folklore heartbeat. This walking tour threads elves, trolls, and ghosts into everyday city landmarks, so you see the old center with a new story lens. I especially liked how the guide performance adds character, with some guides using voices or even song to bring the myths to life.

You also get real variety in stops: an ancient graveyard, a church tied to troll talk, and the lake of Tjörnin where monsters show up in the storytelling. My one caution is simple, it is time on your feet and the walking can feel like a lot if you’re picky about pace.

If you want a first-night orientation, I like that this tour moves you through the city’s oldest layers. The order makes sense too, you start near Ingólfstorg, then work outward through cemeteries and key viewpoints, and you finish at Austurvollur Square near the Parliament building. Still, if you’re relying on your sense of direction without a map, the meeting point can be easy to miss, so plan an extra few minutes.

Key reasons this Reykjavik elves, trolls and ghosts walk works

• Oldest graveyard stop rooted in legends tied to Iceland’s early settlement era (around the year 900).
• Story-first city route, mixing folklore with quick local history so you remember what you saw.
• Cemetery theatrics at Hólavallagarður, including the famous ghost the Deacon of Dark River.
• Tjörnin monster stories by the lake, a classic Reykjavik meeting point for myths and daily life.
• Performance-style guides, including guides known for humor, character voices, or song.
• Easy city-center finish, ending at Austurvollur Square, close to where many people continue exploring.

Starting at Ingólfstorg: why 90 minutes feels like the right length

The tour is about 1 hour 30 minutes, give or take, and that timing matters in Reykjavik. You get enough time for a real route through the old core, without turning your evening into a long ordeal. It also helps on weather days, since you are mostly moving through short legs and brief stops rather than spending forever in one place.

You meet at Hlöllabátar in Ingólfstorgi 1 (central Reykjavik). Show up about 5 minutes early, because the group starts promptly and the first minutes set the tone for the whole walk. You’ll end near the start area too, finishing by Austurvöllur Square, in front of the Parliament building.

You should plan for normal city walking. Several people note you do spend time on your feet, so I recommend comfortable shoes even if the forecast looks mild.

The opening myth chat: where the tour sets the rules of the game

Right at the start, you kick off with a meet-and-greet and a quick framing of the theme: Icelandic folklore brought into the real streets. This isn’t a lecture hall tour. It is more like a guided nighttime story session, even when it’s daytime, where you’re encouraged to look at everyday objects and buildings as story triggers.

What I like about this setup is that it lowers the barrier to enjoying the myths. You do not need to believe everything to get something out of it. You just need curiosity and a willingness to hear how Icelanders connected nature, fear, and neighborly rules to places you can actually walk past.

Skúli Magnússon Sheriff and the oldest graves around 900

One of the strongest parts of the route is the visit to the oldest graveyard in Iceland, dating to around the year 900. You’re not just seeing an old cemetery. You’re seeing how Reykjavik’s identity was built, generation by generation, in a harsh place where people watched everything.

Why this stop works on a folklore tour: cemeteries naturally attract stories. In a city this young by European standards, the idea of an operating burial ground that early gives the myths weight. Even if you keep your skepticism switched on, you still get that feeling of time depth when you look at the way the city grew around places of remembrance.

A quick note: some people want more time to look closely at the graves. If you are the type who reads every stone, you might wish the cemetery section ran longer. The tradeoff is that you get multiple major story stops in one compact walk.

Cathedral of Christ the King: where troll talk collides with church walls

The tour then shifts to the Cathedral of Christ the King area, with a folklore angle that ties trolls to the church. This is a smart pivot. You go from death and memory to religion and everyday conflict, which is a classic pattern in myth systems: the sacred often gets used as a boundary against the scary.

In plain terms, this stop gives you a cultural contrast. Icelandic stories about trolls and elves are not only about fantasy creatures. They’re also about community values, what is allowed, what is feared, and what people believed could cross lines.

It’s also one of the stops where the route gives you a little architecture and city texture, not only story beats. If you enjoy seeing how landmarks fit into neighborhood life, you’ll appreciate the shift.

Hólavallagarður cemetery and meeting the Deacon of Dark River

Next you visit Hólavallagarður, the second-oldest cemetery in Reykjavik, famous for Iceland’s most well-known ghost: the Deacon of Dark River. This is the spooky highlight on paper, but the real value is how the tour makes a “ghost story stop” feel grounded in place.

This cemetery works because it is both historical and lived-in as a location. You’re in a real environment, with real atmosphere, and the guide turns that setting into a story stage. It is the kind of moment where the folklore clicks with what you see, instead of feeling tacked on.

If you are traveling with kids or you like playful fright, this is often the stop people remember most. One review mentioned a cat that stayed close during the cemetery segment, and that kind of unexpected companionship can make the whole experience feel even more story-like.

Tjörnin lake: monster stories in the heart of normal Reykjavik

After the cemeteries, the route reaches Tjörnin, the lake in central Reykjavik. Here the myths shift from graves and ghosts to monsters tied to water and local superstition. This is a good choice because you get a contrast: you leave stone memorials and move into an open city space where swans and ducks are part of everyday scenery.

That matters for your enjoyment. Folklore sounds better when you can picture it. Water monsters are easier to buy into when you’re standing by a lake that feels like it could hide something just out of sight.

This stop also helps you recharge. It’s a shorter segment, and you’re out in the open enough to reset your legs.

Reykjavik City Hall and the map of Iceland for troll locations

The tour walks by Reykjavik City Hall, and in some cases you may even visit a large map of Iceland, used to discuss where trolls and other creatures were said to live. This part is clever because it turns folklore geography into something you can visualize.

Instead of hearing names and places as disconnected trivia, you start linking creature myths to real regions. Even if you treat the stories as cultural fiction, the mapping approach makes you feel like you understand Iceland in a new way. It also helps you compare what you’re hearing on the walk to what you’ll later see outside the city.

If you like practical takeaways, this is one of them. You’ll have a mental map of myth geography you can carry into the rest of your trip.

Alþingishúsið guardian spirits to the Austurvollur Square finish

The final stretch heads to Alþingishúsið, where you learn about Icelandic guardian spirits. You end at Austurvollur Square, which is close to the Parliament building, and close to where many people naturally keep exploring.

That ending is convenient. It gives you an easy “where next” option: continue through the central streets while the stories are still fresh, or use the location as a springboard to dinner and evening plans.

Why I like this structure: it closes the loop. You start in the old city core, move through places connected to memory and fear, then finish near the nation’s civic center. The myths land right where the modern country tells its own stories.

Guides: the biggest reason this tour scores high

This tour’s ratings are strong, with an average rating of 4.7 and a recommendation rate of 94%. The common thread in the best experiences is the guide style. Names you may hear include Ester, Bo, Mathias, Steingrímur, Magnus, Stefan, Stefán I., Dúi, and Páll.

What I think you should look for is not a “perfectly accurate” lecture. It is delivery. Multiple guides bring humor, character voices, or even singing to the myths. When a guide uses those techniques well, folklore becomes something you feel, not just something you hear.

Some groups also get extras, like guides taking group photos to send later, or small gifts at the end such as magnets. Those are not guaranteed every time, but they show the focus on making the story experience feel personal.

Price and value: what $55.63 buys in Reykjavik time

At about $55.63 per person for roughly 1.5 hours, the real question is value for your time. Here’s what you’re paying for: a professional guide, live entertainment, and a concentrated route through several key folklore-linked sites in central Reykjavik, including multiple historic locations like the oldest graveyard (around year 900) and Hólavallagarður.

You’re also not stuck with hidden entry fees in the tour structure. The stops listed come with admission free notes for the sites along the route, which helps this feel less like a “pay again at every door” style outing.

Is it worth it if you only care about facts and dates? Probably not. But if you want a fun, story-driven introduction to Reykjavik that also points you toward places to return to later, it’s a fair deal. You get a guided narrative route plus a sense of where the city’s older layers are hiding in plain sight.

Who should book this walking tour, and who should skip it

Book it if:

• You want an easy first introduction to central Reykjavik that goes beyond postcard landmarks.
• You like folklore, ghost stories, or myth characters like elves, trolls, and the Deacon of Dark River.
• You enjoy guides who tell stories with personality, humor, voices, or song.

Consider skipping or choosing a different style if:

• You hate walking or want minimal time on your feet.
• You want long, slow cemetery time for deep reading and lingering.
• You’re looking for only neutral, non-cultural history. This tour explicitly uses myth as the lens.

This is also a good family option if your kids can handle spooky stories for short periods, since children must be accompanied by an adult.

Practical tips so your night goes smoothly

A few small choices will make this tour feel better:

• Wear shoes you trust. You’ll be moving and standing outside.
• Arrive early at Ingólfstorg so you don’t start stressed.
• Dress for Reykjavik weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so layers matter.
• Have your phone ready for a mobile ticket.
• Use public transportation if that’s your style. The route is central and easy to access.

And if you’re the type who loves photos, ask your guide about group photo sharing at the end. Some guides do this, and it’s a nice way to remember the walk.

Should you book this Reykjavik folklore walking tour?

Yes, if you want a story-led introduction to Reykjavik’s older parts and you like elves, trolls, ghosts, and monsters tied to real locations. This tour is strongest when you lean into the guide performance and let the myths color what you see. It’s also a good first booking for many trips because it helps you get your bearings in the city center.

I’d skip it only if you want a slow-paced, detailed cemetery experience or you prefer pure factual history without a myth lens. Otherwise, $55-ish for 90 minutes with guided storytelling, multiple major sites, and live performance is a solid way to spend an evening in Iceland’s capital.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $55.63 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

The meeting point is Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. You should be there about 5 minutes before the start time.

Where does the tour end?

You end at Austurvöllur Square near the Parliament building.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is included in the ticket?

Your ticket includes a professional guide and live entertainment.

What should I know about weather and clothing?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately for the conditions.

Are service animals and children allowed?

Service animals are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What are the cancellation options if plans change?

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