GoIceTravel
BílaleigaBóka ferðirBúa til ferðMy IcelandCartRauntíma Norðurljósaspá

Language

Haunted Reykjavík at night

Reykjavík · Folklore & Supernatural

Haunted Houses & Ghost Stories in Reykjavík

Discover Reykjavík's most mysterious buildings, haunted locations, Icelandic ghost legends, hidden folklore and supernatural history.

Skoða kort Draugaganga Nákvæmar aðdráttarstaðir

A City Built on Ghost Stories

Reykjavík may be one of the safest capitals on earth, but beneath its colourful roofs runs a deep current of folklore. For centuries Icelanders lived through long, dark winters in isolated farms and a small, close-knit town — and out of that darkness grew some of Europe's most persistent ghost traditions.

Icelandic folklore is unusually specific. Rather than vague hauntings, its stories are tied to exact houses, graves and stretches of shoreline. The restless dead here are draugar — physical revenants from Old Norse belief, not gentle spirits. Alongside them live the Huldufólk, the hidden people or elves said to dwell in rocks and lava, plus trolls turned to stone at sunrise.

Why did these beliefs endure? Long dark winters, geographic isolation and a powerful medieval storytelling tradition kept them alive as living folklore rather than distant myth.

The stories below are Icelandic folklore and reported experiences, not documented historical fact. Where a building's real history is known, it is described separately from its legend.

Explore

Haunted Reykjavík Map

25 haunted locations mapped — filter by type and tap a pin for the story.

The Legends

Featured Haunted Places

Reykjavík's most storied buildings and locations — with their history and the folklore they inspired, kept clearly apart.

Höfði House – Reykjavík's Haunted Mansion
Haunted House

Höfði House – Reykjavík's Haunted Mansion

Höfði House: Reykjavík's historic mansion with a chilling paranormal past.

Höfði House, a distinguished building in Reykjavík, is renowned not only for its historical significance as the site of the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit but also for its eerie reputation as one of the city's most haunted locations.

Numerous tales circulate about spectral apparitions, unexplained noises, and a pervasive sense of unease within its walls. Visitors and staff have reported chilling encounters with unseen presences, contributing to its legend as a place where the past refuses to stay buried.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, Höfði House stands as a testament to both Iceland's modern history and its enduring fascination with the supernatural.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#ghost#reykjavik#mansion#historic#white-lady
National Theatre of Iceland
Haunted House

National Theatre of Iceland

Staff and performers have reported unexplained sounds, flickering lights and ghostly presences in the backstage areas and upper floors of this early 20th century building.

Staff and performers have reported unexplained sounds, flickering lights and ghostly presences in the backstage areas and upper floors of this early 20th century building. The haunting is said to concentrate in the older dressing rooms and the fly tower above the stage.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#ghost#reykjavík#theatre#haunted
Bessastaðir Presidential Estate
Haunted House

Bessastaðir Presidential Estate

One of Iceland's oldest building complexes, continuously occupied since the Viking Age. Seven centuries of history have left their mark — staff describe persistent unexplained activity in the older wings.

One of Iceland's oldest building complexes, continuously occupied since the Viking Age. Seven centuries of history have left their mark — staff describe persistent unexplained activity in the older wings. The estate has been the official residence of Iceland's president since 1944.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#historic#ghost#reykjanes#president#viking age
Hólavallagarður Cemetery
Cemetery

Hólavallagarður Cemetery

Iceland's oldest cemetery (established 1838), where spirits are said to walk between mossy headstones at night. Many of Iceland's most prominent historical figures are buried here.

Iceland's oldest cemetery (established 1838), where spirits are said to walk between mossy headstones at night. Many of Iceland's most prominent historical figures are buried here.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#cemetery#reykjavík#ghost#historic
Elves and the Hidden People (Huldufólk)
Folklore

Elves and the Hidden People (Huldufólk)

Reykjavík's hidden folk: Elves are said to reside in and around the capital.

Even in the heart of Reykjavík, the whispers of the Huldufólk persist. While many associate them with remote lava fields and rocky outcrops, stories abound of elves and hidden people living unseen amongst us, even within the bustling city. Some believe that certain areas, particularly older, less developed parts of the city, are still considered sacred ground by these beings.

There are tales of construction projects being halted or rerouted due to the presence of hidden folk dwellings. While often dismissed as superstition, these stories highlight a deep-seated respect for nature and the unknown that is woven into the fabric of Icelandic culture. Keep an open mind, and you might just feel the presence of the unseen in the capital.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#elves#hidden people#huldufólk#folklore#iceland#mythology
Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor
Ghost Story

Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor

Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor: Phantom vessels sail the capital's waters.

Reykjavík's harbor, a bustling hub of modern life, is also said to be haunted by spectral ships from bygone eras.

Sailors and those who live by the sea have reported seeing phantom vessels, often shrouded in mist, gliding silently through the waters. These ghost ships are believed to be the echoes of vessels lost to the harsh Atlantic or perhaps carrying the souls of those who perished at sea.

Their appearances are often fleeting, leaving behind only a chilling sense of mystery and a reminder of the deep, often tragic, connection between Iceland and the unforgiving ocean.

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
#haunted#ghost ship#reykjavík#harbor#maritime#folklore
Arnarnes
Historic Building

Arnarnes

Arnarnes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Reykdæla saga og Víga-Skútu", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

Arnarnes is a location that appears in **Reykdæla saga og Víga-Skútu**, one of the Íslendingasögur — the Sagas of Icelanders. These remarkable medieval texts were written in Iceland during the 13th and 14th centuries, preserving oral histories and stories from the Viking Age settlement of Iceland (9th–11th centuries).

The sagas describe real people, places, and events, making locations like Arnarnes living connections to Iceland's deep past. Many of these saga sites can still be visited today, standing as silent witnesses to the dramatic events recorded in the ancient texts.

From the saga:

"Vémundur ríður nú og þræll hans út á Galmaströnd í Arnarnes og spurði að þeim Steini og Helga mágum Steingríms. (13) Og nú er svo að segja að Þorvaldur son Galta úr Arnarnesi féll í naustdyrunum fyrir Steini."

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar
Drangahraun
Historic Building

Drangahraun

Drangahraun is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

Drangahraun is a location that appears in **Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss**, one of the Íslendingasögur — the Sagas of Icelanders. These remarkable medieval texts were written in Iceland during the 13th and 14th centuries, preserving oral histories and stories from the Viking Age settlement of Iceland (9th–11th centuries).

The sagas describe real people, places, and events, making locations like Drangahraun living connections to Iceland's deep past. Many of these saga sites can still be visited today, standing as silent witnesses to the dramatic events recorded in the ancient texts.

From the saga:

"Við hana er kenndur Helguhellir í Drangahrauni og miklu víðara eru örnefni við hana kennd um Ísland. (10) Þé er hann var tólf vetra gerði hann ferð sína út á Snjófellsnes til skreiðarkaupa og er hann fór heim reið hann um Drangahraun."

Opna í Google MapsÖll saga & upplýsingar

Know the Lore

Icelandic Folklore Explained

The supernatural beings behind Reykjavík's ghost stories, drawn from Old Norse tradition and Icelandic folk legend. These are cultural beliefs and stories, not documented history.

💀

Draugar (Undead)

In Old Norse tradition the draugur is not a gentle ghost but a physical revenant — the restless dead who rise from the grave with their bodies intact. Icelandic sagas describe them as dangerous, requiring ritual or force to lay to rest.

🧝

Huldufólk (Hidden People)

Elves who live inside rocks and lava, parallel to human Iceland. Surveys have long suggested many Icelanders will not rule out their existence, and roadworks have occasionally been rerouted around 'elf rocks'.

⛪

Ghost Priests

Folklore tells of clergymen with the power to bind and banish the restless dead. Many Icelandic haunting tales end with a priest 'walking down' a ghost — a ritual said to force a spirit back into its grave.

⛵

Sea Ghosts

Drowned sailors were believed to return with the tides. Harbour towns kept stories of phantom crews and ghost ships — an echo of a nation whose history is bound to a dangerous North Atlantic.

🛡️

Guardian Spirits (Landvættir)

Protective land-wights believed to watch over Iceland itself. Four of them — the dragon, eagle, bull and giant — still appear on the Icelandic coat of arms.

🧌

Trolls

Giant mountain beings who turn to stone in daylight. Icelandic rock formations are traditionally explained as trolls caught by the sunrise.

📜

Curses & Magic

Medieval Iceland preserved a tradition of galdur (magic) and rúnir (runes). Staves and spells feature heavily in folklore, and the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery keeps this history alive today.

🌑

Old Icelandic Beliefs

Isolation, near-total winter darkness and a small, storytelling society kept these beliefs alive far longer than in most of Europe — as living folklore rather than distant myth.

Tales of the City

Reykjavík Ghost Stories

Legends tied to the capital's streets, harbour and hidden corners.

Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor

Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor

Reykjavík

Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor: Phantom vessels sail the capital's waters.

Self-Guided

The Reykjavík Ghost Walk

A self-guided evening route linking the old town's most haunted spots. Best walked at dusk; eerier still on a dark winter night.

~3.5 km
Vegalengd
60–90 min
Göngutími
25
Stoppistöðvar
Dusk / night
Bestur tími
  1. 1

    National Theatre of Iceland

    Staff and performers have reported unexplained sounds, flickering lights and ghostly presences in the backstage areas and upper floors of this early 20th century building.

    Leiðbeiningar
  2. 2

    Bessastaðir Presidential Estate

    One of Iceland's oldest building complexes, continuously occupied since the Viking Age. Seven centuries of history have left their mark — staff describe persistent unexplained activity in the older wings.

    Leiðbeiningar
  3. 3

    Höfði House – Reykjavík's Haunted Mansion

    Höfði House: Reykjavík's historic mansion with a chilling paranormal past.

    Leiðbeiningar
  4. 4

    Hólavallagarður Cemetery

    Iceland's oldest cemetery (established 1838), where spirits are said to walk between mossy headstones at night. Many of Iceland's most prominent historical figures are buried here.

    Leiðbeiningar
  5. 5

    Elves and the Hidden People (Huldufólk)

    Reykjavík's hidden folk: Elves are said to reside in and around the capital.

    Leiðbeiningar
  6. 6

    Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor

    Ghost Ships of Reykjavík Harbor: Phantom vessels sail the capital's waters.

    Leiðbeiningar
  7. 7

    Arnarnes

    Arnarnes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Reykdæla saga og Víga-Skútu", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  8. 8

    Drangahraun

    Drangahraun is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  9. 9

    Einarsnes

    Einarsnes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Egils saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  10. 10

    Elliðavatn

    Elliðavatn is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Kjalnesinga saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  11. 11

    Eyri

    Eyri is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Gísla saga Súrssonar", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  12. 12

    Fornhagi

    Fornhagi is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Víga-Glúms saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  13. 13

    Gotalækur (síðar Sveinsstaðir) [ágiskun]

    Gotalækur (síðar Sveinsstaðir) [ágiskun] is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Víglundar saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  14. 14

    Gufunes

    Gufunes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Egils saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  15. 15

    Hagi

    Hagi is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Njáls saga, Króka-Refs saga, Laxdæla saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  16. 16

    Hjarðarhagi

    Hjarðarhagi is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Droplaugarsona saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  17. 17

    Hlíðarendi

    Hlíðarendi: A legendary farm, home to the valiant Gunnar Hámundarson.

    Leiðbeiningar
  18. 18

    Kollafjörður

    Kollafjörður is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Laxdæla saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  19. 19

    Korpúlfsstaðir

    Korpúlfsstaðir is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Kjalnesinga saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  20. 20

    Reykjavík

    Reykjavík is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Harðar saga og Hólmverja", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  21. 21

    Skeljabrekka

    Skeljabrekka is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Fóstbræðra saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  22. 22

    Þingnes

    Þingnes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Grettis saga, Hænsna-Þóris saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  23. 23

    Tjaldanes

    Tjaldanes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Egils saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  24. 24

    Víðivellir fremri (áður syðri)

    Víðivellir fremri (áður syðri) is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Droplaugarsona saga, Fljótsdæla saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

    Leiðbeiningar
  25. 25

    Víðivellir ytri (áður nyrðri)

    Víðivellir ytri: A place of historical significance in saga narratives.

    Leiðbeiningar

Nætruútgáfa: In winter, Reykjavík is dark by mid-afternoon. Stick to lit streets, bring warm layers and non-slip shoes, and treat Hólavallagarður Cemetery with respect — it is a resting place, not an attraction.

Gallery

Images of Haunted Reykjavík

History

How the Folklore Evolved

From Viking settlement to modern ghost walks — the long life of Icelandic ghost stories.

  1. Settlement Era (9th–10th c.)

    Norse settlers bring belief in draugar, land-wights and fate. The first ghost and revenant stories enter the oral tradition that will later fill the sagas.

  2. Medieval Iceland (11th–14th c.)

    The Sagas of Icelanders are written down, preserving haunting tales as part of documented family history — grounding ghosts in real places and named people.

  3. 18th Century

    Reykjavík grows from farmland into a town. Hólavallagarður would soon replace the old churchyards; folklore collectors begin recording Iceland's ghost stories.

  4. 19th Century

    Jón Árnason publishes his great collection of Icelandic folk legends (1862–64). Hólavallagarður Cemetery is consecrated in 1838, quickly gathering its own legends.

  5. 20th Century

    Höfði House and the National Theatre are built and gather modern hauntings. Ghost stories move from turf farms into the city's stone and timber buildings.

  6. Modern Reykjavík

    Ghost walks, museums and open-air heritage sites keep the folklore alive for new generations and visitors — retold, but rarely forgotten.

Know Before You Go

Travel Tips

Best time to visit

Autumn and winter suit the mood best — long darkness and empty streets. Summer's midnight sun makes for a very different, brighter walk.

Winter evenings

Reykjavík is dark by mid-afternoon in December–January. Perfect atmosphere, but dress warmly and expect ice underfoot.

Weather & safety

Icelandic weather turns fast. Waterproofs, warm layers and non-slip shoes make a night walk far more pleasant.

Photography

Höfði House at dusk and Hólavallagarður's mossy headstones are the standout shots. Use a tripod for low light and keep flash off in the cemetery.

Respect cemeteries

Hólavallagarður is an active heritage cemetery. Keep to the paths, keep voices low, and never move or touch graves.

Guided ghost tours

For the stories told properly, join a local ghost walk. Evening departures run year-round from the old town.

Plan Your Visit

Ghost Tours, Hotels & Nearby

Leiðsögðar upplifanir

Ferðir og dagferðir á Íslandi

Gullni hringurinn, norðurljósaferðir, hvalaskoðun, jöklagöngur, hraunhellirferðir og fleira. Skoðaðu Ísland á þinn hátt.

Skoða ferðir →

Gistimöguleikar

Hotels in central Reykjavík

Stay steps from the old town and the ghost-walk route. Free cancellation on most stays via Hotels.com.

Finna hótel

Go Deeper

Related Guides

Reykjavík Travel Guide

The complete guide to Iceland's capital.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Haunted Places in Iceland

Ghost stories and folklore across the whole country.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Icelandic Ghost Stories

Draugar, revenants and the restless dead.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Legends & Folklore

Elves, trolls and hidden people.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Iceland Museums

History, art and heritage collections.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Reykjanes Peninsula

Home of Gunnuhver, Iceland's most famous ghost.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Northern Lights Guide

Chase the aurora on a dark winter night.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Capital Region

Everything to see and do around Reykjavík.

Lesa leiðbeiningar

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reykjavík really haunted?+

Reykjavík has a rich tradition of ghost stories tied to specific buildings — Höfði House, the National Theatre and Hólavallagarður Cemetery among them. These are folklore and reported experiences rather than documented fact, but they are a genuine and well-loved part of the city's cultural heritage.

Can you visit Höfði House?+

Höfði House is a historic city-owned building used for official receptions, so the interior is not generally open to the public. You can freely walk around the exterior and its seafront setting, which is where most of the folklore is set.

Where are the most haunted places in Reykjavík?+

The most storied locations are Höfði House, Hólavallagarður Cemetery (Iceland's oldest, from 1838), the National Theatre of Iceland, and the old harbour with its ghost-ship legends. All are walkable within central Reykjavík.

What are Draugar?+

Draugar (singular draugur) are the physical undead of Old Norse and Icelandic folklore — revenants who rise from the grave with their bodies, unlike the transparent ghosts of other traditions. In the sagas they are dangerous and must be subdued by ritual or force.

Do Icelanders believe in ghosts and elves?+

Belief varies, but Iceland is famous for taking its folklore seriously. Surveys have repeatedly found that many Icelanders are unwilling to firmly deny the existence of Huldufólk (hidden people), and the stories remain a living part of the culture.

Can children visit these haunted places?+

Yes — the sites are ordinary public buildings, streets and a cemetery, all safe to visit by day. Use the same respect you would in any cemetery or historic site. The stories are folklore, not horror.

Is there a ghost walking tour in Reykjavík?+

Yes, several operators run evening ghost and folklore walks through the old town. You can also follow the self-guided ghost walk in this guide, which links the main haunted locations on foot.

What is Iceland's most famous ghost?+

Nationally, the ghost of Gunna from the Reykjanes peninsula is among the most famous. Within Reykjavík itself, the legends of Höfði House — including the 'White Lady' said to have influenced a British ambassador to leave — are the best known.