Blog Post

Where Do You Find Elves in Iceland Gardens?

Ruth MacRae • Jan 22, 2020
Most cultures have some form of a mischievous being. Morocco has jinns, Ireland has Leprechauns, Korea has dokkaebis and Iceland has elves or Huldufólk (hidden people). Are there elves in Iceland? In the last study done 54% of Icelanders believe that elves may exist? The numbers may be influenced that if you deny the existence of elves you may bring bad luck upon yourself. However for some, the belief is so strong that they put elf houses (alfhol) in their gardens.

Here are some other fun facts about Iceland’s Elves (Alfar)
  • In Iceland the word alfar appeared about 1000AD in a Viking poem.
  • There is some debate if elves and huldufólk are one in the same or two distinct types of creatures. According to Magnús Skarphéðinsson, the headmaster of the Icelandic Elf School, there is one kind of huldufólk and 13 kinds of elves on the island. He says that the hidden people "are just the same size and look exactly like human beings, the only difference is that they are invisible to most of us. Elves, on the other hand, aren’t entirely human, they’re humanoid, starting at around eight centimetres."
  • Supposedly one of the differences between elves and huldufólk is that huldufólk like to drink coffee but elves don’t.
  • They prefer to remain hidden, only appearing at specific times like New Year’s Eve and Midsummer Night.
  • Elves mainly live in rocks and cliffs but some may inhabit houses as well.
  • Other accounts indicate that elves are just like humans…they farm, raise livestock, fish, pick berries and go to church.
  • They are quite harmless you disturb them or their homes. Then misfortune can befall you. Equipment may breakdown, you may break a leg, animals or people can fall ill and die. The Icelandic Road and Coastal administration has re-routed plans for a road after several accidents occurred due to an elf rock being moved.
  • On Christmas Eve, some families leave food for the elves so they can party.  
  • There are some people who are friends of elves or elf whisperers. They have been in contact with elves since childhood and are the spokesperson for elves and huldufólk. One such person is Ragnhildur Jonsdottir.
  • Hafnarfjördur is famous for having one of Iceland's largest settlements of elves and other beings. According to folklore whole clans of elves live in the rocks that make up part of the town’s centre. There is even a Hidden Worlds tour that visits the elves’ homes.
  • And yes, there really is an Elf School in Reykjavik.

Do you believe in elves? Look for elves in rocks, cliffs and gardens. Find out if you are an elf whisperer on our Iceland Garden Tour.

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