Solheimar Eco-Village Guesthouse

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 library, an art gallery and music and sculpture gardens amongst others. And as mentioned in the intro., there are also lots of interesting ongoing workshops that guests are welcome to sign up to as well.

THE LOCATION:

Less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, and around Iceland’s famous Golden Circle tourist route, Solheimar Eco-Village makes a good base for exploring some of Iceland’s best known natural wonders.

The very historic, and wildly beautiful, Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet and the site of Iceland’s first parliament, is just half an hour away and to the north east you have the stunning Gulfoss waterfall and hot springs, as well as the famously very active Strokkur geyser which sparks into life every ten minutes or so.

Lake Laugarvatn is close by too, another popular venue for hot spring bathing with both tourists and locals alike, and there are many, many more natural attractions to be discovered in this wonderful part of Iceland. The nearest other villages and small towns to Solheimar are Laugarvatin and Skalholt just to the north east, and Selfoss to the south west.,

WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:

“The Solheimar eco village is a destination in addition to their guest house. There is a visitor center with an interesting exhibit on the environment. There is an art store and a coffee shop. There is also excellent hiking right there….”

“It’s a lovely place! I love the idea of the eco-friendly, sustainable village that is helping the whole community.  It’s the only place in Iceland we were offered a breakfast, which was excellent: home-grown vegetables, delicious fresh eggs and home-baked bread with various cheeses, plus tea, coffee, juices, milk and skyr. Location is also good – close to every point of interest in the Golden Circle. Thank you for a fantastic stay :)…”

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