Legends & Folklore

In Icelandic folklore the hidden people, known as Huldufólk, are mystical beings believed to live inside rocks, cliffs and lava fields across the country. Many Icelanders treat these places with respect and avoid disturbing them. Some roads have even been rerouted to protect rocks believed to be elf homes.

These stories are deeply rooted in Icelandic culture and date back centuries. The hidden people are said to live in a world parallel to humans, appearing only on rare occasions such as New Year's Eve or midsummer night.

Today, surveys suggest that a significant number of Icelanders either believe in elves or are unwilling to rule out their existence. This belief is so embedded in the culture that construction projects sometimes consult with "elf experts" before proceeding.

Trolls are among the most famous creatures in Icelandic folklore. According to legend, trolls lived in caves and mountains and only came out at night. If the sun rose while they were outside, they would instantly turn to stone.

Many strange rock formations around Iceland are said to be trolls that were caught by the sunrise. The famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks near the black sand beach of Reynisfjara are believed to be trolls that turned to stone while dragging a ship toward land.

Icelandic trolls are not the gentle giants of modern fairy tales — they are dangerous, often malevolent creatures. Many legends describe them as threats to travelers, livestock, and isolated farms. Their petrification at sunrise serves as both explanation and warning: the landscape itself is a graveyard of frozen monsters.

Ghost stories are a major part of Icelandic folklore. Many old farms, churches and remote valleys are said to be haunted by spirits from the past. These stories were often told during the long winter nights when families gathered around the fire.

One of the most famous ghost stories tells of a spirit named Gunna, who was said to haunt the countryside after her death. According to legend a priest with magical abilities eventually trapped the ghost and ended the haunting.

Icelandic ghosts — known as draugar — are not the transparent, ethereal spirits of European tradition. They are physical, violent, and nearly unstoppable. Many legends describe the draugar as stronger in death than they were in life, capable of crushing bones and tearing apart anyone who disturbs their rest.

The Icelandic Highlands are one of the most mysterious parts of the country. For centuries travelers crossing the interior faced dangerous weather, volcanic eruptions and endless lava deserts.

Stories tell of travelers disappearing in storms, strange lights in the sky and encounters with mysterious creatures. Even today the Highlands feel wild, empty and almost otherworldly.

The Highlands were home to outlaws — men and women banished from society who lived in caves and survived by raiding farms. Their stories blurred the line between history and myth, with some outlaws gaining near-supernatural reputations for endurance and cunning.