The Best Iceland Farm Stay Holidays

Looking for a real farm stay in Iceland experience? This type of tourism encompasses natural beauty, rural walks and many countryside activities. Let's find out more!

People love to travel to Iceland for its wide-open spaces and myriad opportunities to spend time in nature. Hiking and exploring Iceland’s many natural wonders are high on the agenda.

From volcanoes and geysers to waterfalls and glaciers, Iceland has so much to see. But a great way of getting even closer to the land is to choose an Iceland farm stay.

In today’s modern world, many of us opt to live in cities. But with this lifestyle, we are surrounded day and night by concrete and traffic. Many urban dwellers yearn for a simpler way of life- a chance to feel the elements, see the stars and hear the sounds of nature around them.

If you’re not quite ready for a complete change, a visit is a very good option.

Sure, there are cities and towns in Iceland, but with a tiny population of around 300,000, its urban areas aren’t too frantic. Many people live in rural communities and on small-scale farms.

This means that there is a wide range of farm holidays in Iceland to choose between, from those that grow crops to others that keep livestock.

Here, we dive in to some of the top farm stay options out there, uncovering the best time of year for yours in Iceland. Then, we’ll discuss how to combine your stay with other Iceland holiday elements. Finally, we’ve put together a helpful holiday packing list so you don’t have to.

Our top Iceland farm stays

From the agricultural heart of South Iceland to the wilder corners of the north, Iceland has much to offer. Here come our top six Iceland farm stay recommendations.

South Iceland farm stays

• Ásólfsskáli Farm Cottage

This is a wonderful farm stay to visit if you are driving the Ring Road route south from Reykjavík. The farm is located close to the ferry crossing point for the Westman Islands, so staying here could mean an exploratory boat trip to the islands for a few days.

It is also a working dairy farm where guests are welcome to discover the set up and the surrounding countryside. Horse riding excursions on the characterful Icelandic horse breed can be arranged with a neighboring farm.

• Snorrastaðir Farm Campsite

Snorrastaðir Farm is a great place to stay if you are hiring a car for a road trip. Located north of Reykjavík, it makes for an ideal stop on route to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords or the north.

It is a basic setup but charming, nonetheless. Cars, camper vans and motorhomes can park up next to a small stream with a picturesque backdrop that you’ll be eager to photograph.

There is a shared kitchen and dining area with good facilities as well as bathrooms. Here, guests get to see a real functioning farm in action. There is also a lovely walking trail leading from the farm to the nearby Eldborg crater.

• Farmer’s Guest House

This farm stay is located in the agricultural heart of Iceland in the southern region of Selfoss. Situated close to the Golden Circle route, it’s a great place to stay for a few days of sight-seeing. Visitors can stay in one of three cozy little farm cottages equipped with self-catering kitchens.

Predominately a working sheep farm which also houses horses, it is one of several horse farm stays in Iceland. Guests can book guided horse-riding tours into the surrounding countryside and enjoy the slower pace of life that the setting exudes.

The farm is right on the edge of the Thingvellir National Park, so that makes it great for hiking too. It is also a beautiful dark sky area, perfect for catching the Northern Lights in season.

• Steindórsstadir Guesthouse

Despite being just 100km from the capital city of Reykjavík, Steindórsstadir Guesthouse feels wonderfully remote. It is located north of the capital near the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls which makes it a convenient accommodation option if you are on a road trip towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

It is a bed and breakfast farm stay with a small range of single and double rooms. There is a hearty breakfast served each morning and a friendly, laidback atmosphere. Guests have use of the kitchen as well as a communal lounge and outdoor hot tub.

Steindórsstadir is a small working farm with both sheep and cattle. They also keep Icelandic horses and offer guided horse-riding tours into the countryside nearby.

North Iceland farm stays

• Bólstaðarhlíð Farm Cottage

Located way up in North Iceland, Bólstaðarhlíð Farm Cottage is especially off-the-beaten path. Set amidst mountains, rolling fields and a winding river, it really is an idyllic scene. Even so, it’s very easy to get to as it’s located just a short drive off the Ring Road route.

The farm itself has been in the same family for over 200 years now. They mainly keep sheep, but there are also some horses as well as cats and dogs to make friends with.

The valley is calm and tranquil with many walking routes to explore. It’s a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights in season too.

• Öndólfsstaðir Farm B&B 

This pretty farm is located a mere forty minutes from the northern city of Akureyri, yet it feels wonderfully serene and remote. Its proximity to the Ring Road means that it makes a great base from which to explore nearby attractions. Godafoss waterfall is less than twenty minutes away and Lake Mývatn is just a forty-minute drive.

It is a mixed farm with sheep, cattle and chickens roaming the land. There are Icelandic horses too and guided rides offered in the summer months.

The best time of year for a farm stay in Iceland

In order to see the farms in full swing, it definitely makes sense to visit during the summer months. This is when the weather is more settled, and you’ll see the busy working life of the farm.

The temperatures will be milder too, which means you’ll be able to enjoy activities such as hiking and horse riding.

Spring is all about new life, and on the farm, that is no different. The scene on a farm in springtime is lush and serene, with lambs frolicking in the fields and the vegetation in full growth.

This is when nature is at its most exuberant. After the winter snows melt away, new grass grows vibrantly green and the rivers and waterfalls are in full flow. It is an optimistic time of year and a wonderful one for a farm stay visit.

The autumn months also have their own charm when the wonderful fall colors light up the land. You should still be able to enjoy plenty of hiking and horse riding at this time of year too.

When the winter snows set in, outdoor activity becomes more limited. But this is the season for wrapping up warm and looking out for the Northern Lights!

Your handy farm stays packing list

• Sturdy boots for hiking around the fields and trails
• Comfortable trousers and shoes for horse riding
• A decent waterproof and windproof jacket
• Layers for staying warm and cool as required
• Hats, gloves, scarves and plenty of socks
• A travel towel and bathing suit for enjoying Iceland’s hot springs
• A sun hat and sunscreen (depending on the season)
• A daypack for hiking and excursion days
• Water bottles to refill as you go
• Snacks to keep you going on busy days out
• A torch for finding your way at night (depending on the season)
• A camera and charger for documenting your trip
• A smartphone for apps and maps, if you’re that way inclined

So, there you have it- everything to know about Icelandic farm stay holidays. Now, all that’s left to do is lock in your rental car in Iceland and start planning your next adventure!