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

The best surprise on this Golden Circle day is not a geyser or waterfall. It is stepping into Fridheimar’s tomato greenhouse, then meeting Icelandic horses at the farm. Those country stops give a familiar sightseeing route a more local, hands-on feel.

I love that the tour pairs major sights such as Gullfoss and Thingvellir with the greenhouse visit and horse show. I also like the small-minibus format, with a guide who can fill the drive with Icelandic history, geography and everyday details.

The trade-off is the length: allow about nine hours, with a pickup window that can take up to 30 minutes. Lunch is not included, and food at Fridheimar is an extra cost, so bring money and arrive ready for a full day out.

• Fridheimar adds a farm visit: See Icelandic horses and visit a tomato greenhouse, with a taste of tomatoes included.
• The classic sights are here, too: The route includes Kerid Crater, Gullfoss, Thingvellir and the Strokkur geyser.
• Expect a full-day outing: The tour lasts about nine hours, including travel between stops.
• Your group can have up to 22 people: It is a minibus tour, though group size varies.
• Lunch is on your own: Fridheimar and the Strokkur stop offer places to buy food.
• Pickup is available in central Reykjavik: It covers selected hotels and official bus stops, not every address.

A Golden Circle day with a farm in the middle

The Golden Circle is a popular day trip for good reason. In one loop from Reykjavik, you can see active geothermal features, a major waterfall and the rift valley at Thingvellir National Park. This tour adds Kerid Crater and a stop at Fridheimar, making the day more varied than a route focused only on the three best-known sights.

That range matters. The natural landmarks are impressive, but a long day of hopping out, taking photos and climbing back into a vehicle can start to feel repetitive. The farm visit breaks up the sightseeing with a different kind of stop: a working agricultural setting, an indoor greenhouse and a chance to see Icelandic horses up close.

The tour costs $130 per person. For that price, you get a guide, transport, pickup and drop-off at selected Reykjavik locations, the horse show, a Fridheimar greenhouse visit and a taste of tomatoes. Lunch is not included, and neither are any meals or snacks you choose to buy. I see the price as fair if you value having the route and driving handled for you, especially in winter weather. It is less compelling if you mainly want the lowest-cost way to see the Golden Circle and do not care about the farm.

The minibus holds no more than 22 people. That is smaller than a full-size coach and can make stops feel less anonymous, though the tour is not necessarily a tiny private group. Some groups have been much smaller, but you should plan for the stated maximum.

Kerid’s red rim and milky-blue water

Kerid Crater is a striking first stop, with a depth of about 55 metres. Its water sits inside a steep-sided volcanic bowl, framed by black and red rock. The contrast is what makes the place memorable: the pale blue water against the crater’s warmer tones.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a look and photos, but it is not a long visit, so move at a steady pace and follow the guide’s directions on where to meet again. The admission ticket is included.

If you are comparing tours, Kerid is a useful extra because it is not one of the three core Golden Circle stops. It adds a distinct geological feature early in the day, before the farm and the better-known waterfall, rift and geyser stops.

Fridheimar’s horses and greenhouse tomatoes

Fridheimar is the tour’s signature detour. The farm visit lasts about an hour and a half, combining an Icelandic horse show with a greenhouse visit and a taste of tomatoes. It is a welcome change from viewing nature from marked paths and overlooks.

The horses are a particularly good reason to choose this version of the Golden Circle. The show gives you a closer look at the animals, and the farm staff share information about them. Icelandic horses are part of the country’s agricultural life, so seeing them in a working farm setting offers context that a roadside photo stop cannot.

The greenhouse adds another layer. Tomatoes are grown indoors in Iceland, and the visit gives you a glimpse of how local agriculture works in a country with a cold climate. The included taste is modest, but it is a pleasant introduction. If you want a full meal, Fridheimar has food available to buy. Tomato soup and bread are popular choices, but the meal is at your own expense. Prices have struck some diners as high, so check the menu and decide before ordering.

The generous stop gives you more time than a quick look around. It also leaves room to eat without rushing, which is useful on a day with several more stops ahead. Bring a card or other payment method for food, and do not mistake the included tomato taste for an included lunch.

Gullfoss: two drops into a deep gorge

Gullfoss is the day’s big waterfall stop. The Hvítá River drops in two stages, about 11 metres and 21 metres, before rushing into a deep crevasse. The scale is hard to grasp from a single photo, and the sound and spray make the visit feel properly elemental.

You get about 45 minutes here. That allows time to take in the falls and use the viewing areas, but the ground and conditions can vary with the weather. Dress for wind, rain and cold rather than relying on a clear forecast. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and a warm layer and waterproof outerwear are sensible choices.

The waterfall is a free stop, so there is no separate admission charge. Its power is the main event, but be prepared for wet conditions near the viewing areas. Keep your hands free where you can, and take care on any slippery surfaces.

Thingvellir’s rift and early parliament

Thingvellir National Park brings together geology and Icelandic history. Here, the visible rift marks the meeting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The park is also where Iceland’s first parliament was founded in the late 900s, making it a rare place where the ground itself and the country’s political past share the same stage.

You have about 45 minutes to take in the setting. That is enough to see a section of the park and get a sense of its scale, though a short stop cannot cover every path. Your guide can help connect what you see with the park’s history and geology, which makes the visit more rewarding than treating it as a scenic photo break.

Thingvellir is an included stop. As with the other outdoor sites, expect to walk and stand outside, and be ready for changing weather. If you move more slowly, use your time for the most important viewpoint rather than trying to cover everything.

Strokkur’s regular bursts of hot water

The geothermal area includes Strokkur, the active geyser near the famous but now inactive Geysir. Strokkur erupts about every seven to ten minutes, so you usually do not have to wait long for a show. The anticipation is part of the fun: watch the water swell, then step back as the column shoots upward.

Plan on about 40 minutes at the stop. That gives you a chance to see an eruption, take in the surrounding boiling mud pits and, if timing allows, wait for another burst. Food is available to purchase here as well, which can be handy if you need a snack before the ride back.

Stay on marked paths and keep your eyes on the ground as you walk. The geothermal area is a place to observe from a safe distance, not to test the temperature yourself. Strokkur’s dependable rhythm makes it a strong finish to the outdoor sights, although the exact order of stops may vary.

The guide and the ride between stops

The guide shapes much of the day, because several hours are spent in the vehicle between major sites. The better guides do more than announce the next stop: they add stories, historical context and explanations of Iceland’s land and daily life. Past guides have included Monika, Addi, Sindri, Sigfus, Beggi and Linda, among others, but you cannot choose who leads your departure.

The guiding style can vary. Some guides keep up a steady stream of commentary, while others leave more quiet time to watch the scenery. If you like hearing facts and stories, this format gives you plenty of chances to learn; if you prefer silence, the amount of narration may feel like a lot on some departures.

The minibus has onboard Wi-Fi, which is useful for checking messages or looking up a place you have just seen, though it is not a substitute for watching the scenery. Comfort has also varied by vehicle and passenger. Some departures have been described as comfortable, while one account found the seats small and the bus uncomfortable. In winter, a bus may feel cool even when the outside temperature is far below freezing, so bring an extra layer rather than counting on the cabin being warm.

Pickup begins at 9:00 am. The driver may take up to 30 minutes to collect the group, so wait at the exact hotel or official bus stop named on your ticket from the stated time. Pickup is limited to selected central Reykjavik locations.

Who should book this tour

This is a strong choice if you want to see the main Golden Circle sights without driving, and you like the idea of adding an agricultural stop to a day of natural landmarks. The farm makes the tour especially appealing if you are curious about Icelandic horses or want a memorable lunch setting. It also suits a short Reykjavik stay: the itinerary packs several major sights into one day.

The tour is less suited to anyone who wants a slow, independent visit at each site. Stops have set time limits, and the day is long. If you have motion sickness, bring whatever you normally use to prevent it; one account specifically cautions that the drive can be uncomfortable for people who are prone to it.

Book this tour if the horses and greenhouse matter to you as much as the classic sights. If you would rather spend longer at each natural site, compare it with a tour that has fewer stops. The route gives you a well-rounded first look at this part of Iceland, with Fridheimar providing the detail that makes it feel like more than a checklist.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 am. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so wait at your designated location from the time on your ticket.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at selected hotels and official bus stops in central Reykjavik.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food can be purchased at Fridheimar and at the Strokkur stop.

What is included at Fridheimar?

The tour includes a horse show, a visit to the greenhouse and a taste of tomatoes. Any meal you buy is extra.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 22 people.

Is the tour offered in English, and does the minibus have Wi-Fi?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and the minibus has onboard Wi-Fi.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.