Viking Story Night: Njáls Saga and Food at Mr Iceland Farm

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Viking Story Night: Njáls Saga and Food at Mr Iceland Farm

Name: Viking Story Night at Mr Iceland Farm | South Iceland
Brand: Experiences
SKU: IS-MRI-VSN
Price: 18500 ISK

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Start in the Stable, Then Hear Folklore at a Shared Table

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About Tour

An evening at Mr Iceland Farm, a working horse farm in South Iceland, in the district where Njáls saga takes place. Up to 15 guests, small plates of traditional food passed by hand, and a local storyteller who covers the saga and the beliefs that grew up alongside it. No costumes, no stage, no performance.

Nothing here is locked away in a museum. The stories are told at the table, over the food, in a room where everyone can hear each other. It's all in English, and no background is assumed, so you can arrive knowing nothing about Icelandic history and still follow every turn.

Highlights

Meet the Icelandic horses, no riding involved
Try hákarl (fermented shark), smoked lamb, and Brennivín
Listen to Njáls saga in the district where it's set
Borrow a traditional wool cape for the evening
Join a group of no more than 15 guests
Follow along in English, no background needed

Included

Traditional Icelandic food and drink tastings
Storytelling session in English
Traditional Icelandic wool cape to wear (optional)
Stable visit to meet the Icelandic horses (no riding)

What to bring

Warm outdoor clothing for the stable and yard
Sturdy shoes for gravel underfoot
Camera

Tour Snapshot

Availability All year

Duration 1.5 hours

Departs From Mr Iceland Farm

Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Minimum age No min age

Ratio 1:15 Guide to client ratio

Meet on Location Yes

Pickup No

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

From

152

Per

Adult

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

From

152

Per Adult

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Itinerary

The farm is in the countryside outside Hvolsvöllur, the area that forms the main setting of Njáls saga. This saga is named for Njáll Þorgeirsson, a chieftain from Bergþórshvoll in the Landeyjar district, and also known as the Story of Burnt Njáll. The events span 950 to 1020, though the text wasn't written until approximately 1280, some 260 years later.

Your evening starts at 8:00 PM in the stable at Mr Iceland Farm. The calm Icelandic horses here are working animals rather than an attraction, and the few moments spent with them set the tone for what follows. There's no riding, just time with them before the evening moves indoors. A traditional wool cape is offered if you want one, and these were practical garments long before they became symbols.

From the stable, you'll move into the old barn hall: gravel floor, concrete walls, candles down a long wooden table where everyone sits together. Small plates go from guest to guest rather than in courses. You'll try hákarl, or fermented shark, along with dried fish and smoked lamb, plus a local spirit called Brennivín. Water and Malt, a non-alcoholic Icelandic malt drink, are there too. These are tastings rather than dinner, so eat before you drive out.

A local storyteller opens with Njáls saga and widens into old ways of working the land and the folklore that still shapes how people treat certain places nearby. Elves and trolls feature. Nothing is hurried, and there's room to listen rather than keep up.

Expect to finish around 9:30 PM. In winter, that means driving back in full dark, so check weather and road conditions before you set out. In late June and July, it will still be daylight when you leave, which changes how the barn feels but not its substance.

Please Note

Book at least two hours before the start time. Same-day booking works within that limit.
Seating is limited to 15 guests, so popular dates fill early.
The evening includes time in the stable with the horses, but there's no horseback riding.
The barn has a gravel floor, and part of the evening is spent outdoors at the stable, so dress in warm outdoor clothing. Wool capes are on hand if you want an extra layer.
This is 90 minutes of seated listening, not a staged show.

Important Information

Location: Efri-Úlfsstaðir farm in South Iceland, about 15 minutes from Hvolsvöllur and 1.5 hours from Reykjavík. Coordinates: 63.6406° N, 20.2957° W.
Starts every night at 8:00 PM and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
All storytelling is in English. No prior knowledge of Icelandic history, sagas, or folklore is needed.
Food tastings include Brennivín, a caraway-flavored Icelandic spirit. Guests who prefer not to drink alcohol can skip this part.

FAQS

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How long is the drive from Reykjavík to Mr Iceland Farm?

The drive from Reykjavík to Mr Iceland Farm takes around 1.5 hours. The farm is in South Iceland, about 15 minutes by car from Hvolsvöllur town. If you are traveling in winter, allow some extra time for the journey, especially when driving after dark.

Is Viking Story Night suitable for children?

There is no minimum age. The experience lasts around 90 minutes and centers on storytelling rather than a staged performance, so it is best suited to children who are comfortable sitting and following a story. Part of the evening takes place by the stable, and the barn has a gravel floor, so warm clothing and sturdy shoes are useful. The Brennivín tasting can simply be skipped.

Can you ride the horses on Viking Story Night?

Mr Iceland Farm offers horseback riding experiences, but riding is not included in Viking Story Night. During the evening experience, guests meet the Icelandic horses in the stable before moving into the barn for food tastings and storytelling. Travelers who specifically want to ride need to book a separate experience.

How do I get to Mr Iceland Farm?

Viking Story Night is a meet-on-location experience, so transportation and hotel pickup are not included. The meeting point is Efri-Úlfsstaðir farm in South Iceland, around 15 minutes by car from Hvolsvöllur and approximately 1.5 hours from Reykjavík. The evening starts at 8:00 PM, so make sure to allow enough time for the drive, particularly during the darker winter months.

Is dinner included, or should I eat beforehand?

Dinner is not included, so it is best to eat before arriving. During the evening, tastings of traditional Icelandic foods are passed around the shared table, including hákarl (fermented shark), dried fish, and smoked lamb. The portions are part of the cultural experience rather than a full meal.

Do I have to drink Brennivín?

No. Brennivín, a traditional Icelandic spirit flavored with caraway, is offered as part of the tasting, but guests who prefer not to drink alcohol can skip it. Water and Malt, a non-alcoholic Icelandic malt drink, are also served. The food tastings include hákarl, dried fish, and smoked lamb.

Is this a costumed Viking show?

No. Viking Story Night is a storytelling gathering, not a theatrical Viking performance. Guests sit together around a long wooden table in the old barn while a local storyteller shares stories from Njáls saga, Icelandic folklore, and life in the area. There is no stage or cast in Viking costumes, although a traditional Icelandic wool cape is available to wear if you would like an extra layer.

Do I need to know anything about Icelandic history first?

No previous knowledge is needed. The storytelling is in English and introduces the people, events, and background as the evening progresses, so you can follow along even if you have never read an Icelandic saga. The evening begins with Njáls saga and also explores local folklore, including stories about elves and trolls.

How far in advance should I book?

Bookings must be made at least two hours before the 8:00 PM start time, so same-day reservations are possible when spaces remain. The group is limited to 15 guests, keeping the evening small and personal. If you have a specific date in mind, booking earlier is a good idea because of the relatively small group sizes.