Self Catering Farm Stays: Southern Region (2022)

Solheimar Eco-Village is a special kind of farm stay near Reykjavik, Iceland. It is, as the name suggests, not just a farm but an entire community, with strong ecological principles and an artistic, cultured, atmosphere. In terms of farming they grow organic fruit and vegetables which you can buy in the village shop to cook with or to take home, and they also have the distinction of cultivating Iceland’s only organic forestry plantation. But that is only a small part of the story, they organize a huge range of activities and workshops at the village where you can learn about sustainability and permaculture amongst other things and create everything from ceramics and carpentry pieces to herbal shampoos and candles. Cultural events are organized too, involving music, theater or sports for example. All in all a stay at Solheimar can be a fully immersive, active experience if you so choose, or if not it is also a terrific place to unwind, and to meet some interesting, idealistic, people from around the world in a nice communal atmosphere. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of single and double rooms plus a couple of one double bedroom self catering apartments that than sleep a total of four using the sofa bed in the living room. A self service breakfast is included in all the accommodation options and there are also communal kitchen facilities which you are free to use throughout the day, a well as the sociable shared lounge. There is Wifi all over, and in the gardens you’ll find plenty of outdoor seating, BBQ facilities, and a children’s playground.Around the village there are the organic forest plantations which have many little trails down to the Ölfusá river and all around, and are a pleasure to explore. You’ll also find a host of facilities within the village too that you are welcome to use; a grocery & gift shop and a bakery & café/restaurant, where you can dine or take home some of their own homegrown and home made foods, with vegan and non-vegan options. There is also a sports hall & gym, an outdoor thermal pool, a hot tub, a church, a READ MORE

Farmer’s Guest House has self catering farm cottage accommodation near the towns of Selfoss and Hella and close to Iceland‘s famous Golden Circle tourist route. The setting is deeply peaceful and rural, with some lovely views, the cottages are well equipped, clean and cosy, and the farm owners are friendly and welcoming. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three cosy one double bedroom cottages to rent as well as, for larger groups, a 160 sq meter farmhouse. You’ll find all of them modern, nicely furnished and very well equipped. The farmhouse has 4 bedrooms on the second floor, each with two single beds, a lounge area and a bathroom with shower. The first floor has the main living room, the kitchen and dining room and another bathroom. All in all it can sleep up to ten people with the help of two sofa beds in the downstairs living room. The cute cottages are nicely designed with a double bedroom, lounge area and kitchen. They’re just 40 sq meters but nicely designed and there is also an outside private terrace to enjoy the lovely scenery (there are views of both the Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes, and of Westman Island) and in winter to maybe catch a glimpse of those infamous Northern Lights. The farm is a working sheep and Icelandic horse farm and the friendly owners are always willing to show guests around, and they offer horse riding trips too. The accommodation is self catering and you can stock up on supplies in the little town of Hella, just 9km away, where you’ll find a a couple of grocery shops, restaurants and bars. THE LOCATION: The farm lies just 9 km west of the little town Hella in South-Iceland and 30km east from the regional capital Selfoss. This area is seen as the agricultural heart of Iceland, and is conveniently near the famous Golden Circle Route and the stunning Pingvellir/Thingvellir national park. This is original site of Iceland’s ancient parliament while also being the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. There are hot springs around this area too and dramatic waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss, and Gullfoss, the largest in Europe. The journey READ MORE