Golden Circle, Fridheimar Farm & Horses Small Group Tour from Reykjavik

Iceland’s famous Golden Circle is only part of this day out. The Fridheimar greenhouse and horse show add something more personal than the usual circuit of waterfalls and geysers: you see how tomatoes grow in Iceland and meet the small, sturdy horses that are part of the country’s identity. Guides such as Addi, Monica, Sindri, and Bryndis have been praised for mixing history, geology, jokes, and useful photo advice.

I especially like the small minibus format and the way the route includes Kerid crater before the major sights. I also like the generous stop at Fridheimar, where you can eat tomato soup, visit the greenhouse, and watch the horses. The tradeoff is a long nine-hour day, and pickup can take up to 30 minutes before the tour really gets moving. A few departures have also had cramped seats or a chilly bus in winter.

Key points to know before booking

• Fridheimar is the special ingredient: Visit the tomato greenhouse, taste the produce, and watch an Icelandic horse show.
• Six major stops fill the day: Kerid, Fridheimar, Gullfoss, Thingvellir, Strokkur, and the wider Golden Circle route.
• Small-group transport keeps things manageable: The minibus holds up to 22 people, although some departures have had only nine.
• Lunch is not included: You can buy food at Fridheimar or at the Strokkur stop, with tomato soup a popular choice.
• Winter weather matters: The tour runs in all weather, so bring warm, waterproof clothing and consider motion-sickness medicine.
• Pickup is convenient but not instant: Collection from selected hotels and official central Reykjavik bus stops can take up to half an hour.

Why the farm stop changes the Golden Circle

Most Golden Circle outings focus on three headline sights: Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir. This tour adds Kerid crater and Fridheimar, giving the day a better mix of geology, farming, animals, and Icelandic culture.

Fridheimar is the main reason I would compare this tour with a standard Golden Circle bus trip. The greenhouse visit shows how tomatoes are grown in Iceland despite the cold climate. You can taste the tomatoes and buy lunch, with tomato soup and fresh bread available at the farm. One departure even had gluten-free bread, though you should not assume every dietary option will be available.

The horse show gives the stop a second focus. You see Icelandic horses up close and learn about them from the farm staff. The horses are smaller than many visitors expect, and the visit feels more connected to daily Icelandic life than another roadside viewpoint.

The farm stop lasts about 90 minutes, which is long enough for the greenhouse, horse presentation, and a meal at your own expense. Some groups have had reserved tables, making lunch less rushed. The downside is cost. Food at Fridheimar is not included, and the meal can feel expensive by ordinary cafe standards. You are paying for the setting and the unusual stop, not just a quick bowl of soup.

From Reykjavik to Kerid crater

Pickup begins at 9 a.m. from selected Reykjavik hotels and official bus stops in the city center. The minibus has onboard Wi-Fi, and the maximum group size is 22. In practice, the group can be much smaller, with one departure carrying only nine people.

The pickup window can stretch for 30 minutes. Wait at your stated location from the time printed on your ticket, and do not wander off for coffee. Once everyone is aboard, the guide usually gives a running introduction to Icelandic geography, farming, history, and the route ahead.

Kerid is a volcanic crater about 55 meters deep, with a lake at the bottom. The water has a pale blue color, set against dark and reddish volcanic rock. You get around 20 minutes here, so this is a photo stop rather than a long walk around the crater.

That short visit works well for people who want to see the feature without a strenuous hike. If you like taking several angles or walking the full rim, you may find the time tight. The crater admission is included, so there is no extra fee at this stop.

Fridheimar’s tomatoes and Icelandic horses

Fridheimar is the most distinctive part of the itinerary. The greenhouse visit explains the farm’s tomato production and lets you taste the crop. The warm growing environment makes a sharp contrast with the cold conditions outside, especially on a winter day.

The horse show is included as well. You can watch the horses perform and learn about their care from staff who clearly work closely with the animals. The visit is not just a quick chance to take a picture. It gives you time to see the horses, hear about the farm, and sit down for food.

Lunch is optional and not part of the $130 tour price. Tomato soup is the obvious choice, and it has been singled out as a highlight by several people who chose to eat there. Fresh bread is also available, including gluten-free bread on at least one departure.

I would budget for lunch rather than treat it as an unexpected extra. If you are trying to keep the day cheap, you can purchase food elsewhere at the Strokkur stop, but skipping the farm meal means losing part of the appeal of the visit. A private or reserved seating area has been available for some groups, which makes the long farm stop feel more relaxed.

Gullfoss, the waterfall with real force

Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s great showstoppers. The Hvita River drops in two stages, about 11 and 21 meters, before rushing into a deep gorge. More than 100 cubic meters of water can pass through each second, giving the waterfall a scale that photographs do not quite capture.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to walk to the main viewing areas, take photographs, and watch the water from more than one angle. The minibus format can help because the vehicle parks close to the access points, reducing unnecessary walking.

Wear shoes with a good grip and bring waterproof layers. Spray, rain, wind, and winter ice can all make the paths uncomfortable. The tour operates in all weather, so a gray day does not automatically cancel the outing. It can, however, reduce visibility and make the stop feel colder than expected.

Gullfoss is free to enter, but the conditions can still affect the experience. On a sunny day, the water and surrounding rock are dramatic. On a stormy day, you may spend more time taking quick photographs than lingering at the edge.

Strokkur and the geothermal area

The geothermal stop centers on Strokkur, the active geyser near the less-active Geysir. Strokkur erupts every seven to 10 minutes, so you usually have several chances to see the water shoot into the air during a 40-minute visit.

Between eruptions, watch the surface carefully. Boiling pools, steaming ground, and bubbling mud give the area a restless feel even when the geyser is quiet. Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. The ground is hot and unstable in places.

There is time to buy food here, making it a useful stop if you skipped lunch at Fridheimar or want a snack later in the day. The stop also provides a restroom and refreshment break, which matters on a nine-hour outing.

Strokkur is one of the easiest stops for photos because the eruption is frequent. Your guide may suggest where to stand and how to frame it. Past guides have included Sigfus, Siegie, Joseph, and Linda, with different styles ranging from talkative and funny to quieter and more reserved. The quality of the commentary can vary by departure, but the main sights remain the same.

Thingvellir and Iceland’s two big stories

Thingvellir National Park brings together Icelandic history and geology. The first Icelandic parliament was founded here in the late 900s, making the area important to the country’s political story. It is also associated with the visible divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

You get about 45 minutes in the park. That is enough to walk among the rock formations and take in the broad views, though it is not enough for an extended hike through every section. The guide adds context about the land and the early parliament, which makes the stop more meaningful than a quick photograph at a sign.

I like the balance here. Gullfoss and Strokkur are immediate visual attractions, while Thingvellir asks you to pay attention to time, geology, and settlement. The walking is generally manageable, but the exact conditions can change with rain, wind, snow, or ice.

Thingvellir is often the final major stop before returning to Reykjavik, though the exact order can vary with road conditions. A detour may add countryside views without removing a scheduled sight. One guide handled a delay by taking the group to the next stop before returning for late passengers, protecting the day’s schedule for everyone else.

What the minibus experience is really like

A small vehicle makes this tour feel less like a mass excursion. You get quicker loading, easier conversation with the guide, and less time waiting for a large coach to fill. The vehicle has Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking maps, sending a few photographs, or passing time on longer road sections.

Do not assume every minibus will feel spacious. One departure had very comfortable seats, while another was described as cramped with small seats. Winter clothing adds to the problem, and a bus can feel cold when the outside temperature falls to minus 12 degrees Celsius.

The group limit is 22, but the actual number may be lower. A group of nine gives you a very different feel from a full vehicle. If a small group matters greatly to you, check the expected group size when booking if that information is available.

The guide is central to the experience. Strong guides have included Addi, Monica, Sindri, Sigfus, Bryndis, Beggi, Andy, and Soggy, each praised for some mix of humor, stories, history, geography, or practical help. A few departures have had too much talking, while others became quieter as the day progressed. One guide was described as opinionated and unsettling behind the wheel, an exception worth keeping in mind when you judge the tour as a whole.

Motion sickness is another practical concern. Iceland’s roads can be winding, and one passenger specifically advised taking preventive medicine. Sit near the front if you can, keep water handy, and look outside rather than reading during the drive.

Is $130 a fair price?

At $130 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Golden Circle. The price includes hotel or central bus-stop pickup and drop-off, the guide, transport, the Kerid admission, the Fridheimar greenhouse visit, and the horse show. It does not include lunch.

The value improves if you want the farm visit. A standard Golden Circle outing may cover the famous natural sights, but this tour adds a full hour and a half at Fridheimar, including the horses and greenhouse. You also avoid the stress of winter driving, an important point when snow or poor road conditions are possible.

For a first Iceland visit, I think the price is reasonable if you want one full day that covers several major sights. You receive transportation, interpretation, and a planned route rather than having to navigate between distant stops. The value is weaker if your only goal is the basic Golden Circle or if you prefer to set your own pace.

The day lasts about nine hours, and the schedule is full. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time at any one location. Slow walkers, serious photographers, and anyone who prefers long quiet pauses may find the stop lengths restrictive.

Who should book this day out?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Reykjavik, do not want to drive in Iceland, and want more than the standard three Golden Circle sights. It works particularly well for a first visit because the guide supplies context while you watch the countryside pass by.

It also suits you if tomatoes, farming, and Icelandic horses sound as appealing as waterfalls and geysers. Families and mixed-age groups can benefit from the variety, since the day is not built around one long hike. Most people can participate, but you should still expect outdoor walking and changing weather.

I would hesitate if you dislike long bus days, need a roomy seat, or want a quiet schedule with no commercial farm stop. Bring warm waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, and money for lunch. Pickup can take time, and the tour runs in poor weather unless conditions force a cancellation.

The cancellation terms are fairly flexible: cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. A weather or minimum-participation cancellation offers a different date or a full refund. Cruise ship passengers need to provide ship and docking details at booking.

Should you book the Fridheimar Golden Circle tour?

Book it if you want a well-filled introduction to Iceland with a farm visit that gives the familiar Golden Circle route a local touch. The best parts are the tomato greenhouse, horse show, Gullfoss, Strokkur, and the chance to learn from a guide while someone else handles the roads.

Skip it if you want a cheap, flexible sightseeing day or dislike nine hours in a minibus. For most people staying in Reykjavik, especially in winter, the combination of included transport, varied stops, and Fridheimar makes the $130 fare a sensible choice. Just budget for lunch and dress for weather that may change before the next geyser erupts.

FAQ

How long is the Golden Circle, Fridheimar, and horse tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including travel between Reykjavik and the various stops.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off from selected Reykjavik hotels and official central bus stops, a professional guide, minibus transportation with Wi-Fi, the Fridheimar greenhouse visit, tomato tasting, the horse show, and stated admission fees.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at Fridheimar. Food is also available at the Strokkur stop.

How large is the tour group?

The minibus can carry a maximum of 22 people. Some departures may be smaller, with one departure having nine people.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.