Meet the elves, trolls, and ghosts of Reykjavik on our walking folklore tour. Delve straight into Iceland’s mysterious mythology with one of our master storytellers.
Iceland is sometimes called the land of the Sagas. On this folklore-centric Reykjavik day tour, you get the chance to hear many exciting sagas involving the Elves of Iceland (known in Iceland as ‘the hidden people’) and other mysterious creatures.
Some tales will amaze you, and others will chill your soul… This walking tour is a deep cultural dive into our unique country, and it’s great when paired with our Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour.
Along with telling you all about the Elves and Trolls of Iceland, we will share ghost stories, like that of the Deacon of the Dark River, or the tale of the 13 Icelandic Santas and their mother, the child-eating troll called Grýla.
This is a Reykjavik tour that takes you off the beaten path to encounter an array of monsters and magic! For guests with a particular love of history, you may also wish to consider our Walk With a Viking Tour in Reykjavik. Our Expert local guides know how to entertain as well as educate!
During Iceland’s long winter nights, storytelling was traditionally the primary source of entertainment. These tale-spinning traditions may be why Icelanders love books and have the highest literacy rates in the world. And 1 in 10 Icelanders will write a book in their lifetime – telling stories is part of who we are.
J.R.R. Tolkien was heavily influenced by Norse mythology and the Icelandic Sagas when he wrote The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. During this folklore tour, we will explain some of the fun similarities between his magical worlds and our own.
This enchanting Reykjavik tour is perfect for those who want a little adventure in their life. We bring stories to life on our walks, making this an ideal choice for guests of all ages.
Please, though, keep in mind that some of the stories can be a little spooky for very young children, so you may wish to consider our Private Folklore Walking Tour instead. That will allow the tour guide to tailor the experience to your group’s needs and interests, toning down the scary bits for the kids.
Join any of our Reykjavik Walking Tours and you’ll be sure to hear a couple of stories rooted in the local culture. We believe all excellent tours are storytelling in motion. But with this Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour, you’ll get the perfect authentic look into Iceland’s myths and legends.
For even more stories about our traditions and culture, check out the Your Friend in Reykjavik blog.
If you have any questions about this tour, please get in touch.