Visiting Icelandic farms is one of the most authentic ways to experience the country: fresh air, real local culture, and landscapes that look like they were painted. Whether you’re meeting curious Icelandic horses, tasting still-warm farm products, or learning how people live with the elements, farm visits add a special layer to any West Iceland itinerary.
Staying with Ourhotels.is makes it easy to combine comfortable accommodation with day trips to nearby farms, hot springs, and coastal villages. With inns in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, and Ísafjörður, you can explore three very different regions while enjoying the same friendly, familiar base each night.
Icelandic farms are usually small, family-run places where generations have lived on the same land. Many welcome visitors for short tours, tastings, or even hands-on experiences. You might help feed lambs in spring, learn about sustainable sheep farming, or discover how traditional dairy products like skyr are made. In West Iceland, farms are often surrounded by lava fields, rivers, and mountains, so every visit comes with a view.
Borgarfjörður is one of the best areas to start your farm experience. Staying at Hvítá Inn, just inland from Borgarnes, puts you in the heart of a fertile valley known for its agriculture and history. From here, you can visit local farms that offer horse riding, meet Icelandic sheepdogs, or sample homemade cheeses and jams. The Hvítá river winds through the landscape, and many farms sit along its banks, making for scenic drives between stops. After a day out, you can return to Hvítá Inn for a warm meal and a quiet evening overlooking the countryside.
Further north, the Stykkishólmur Inn is a perfect base for exploring farms on and around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This charming harbor town is known for its colorful houses and island views, but just a short drive away you’ll find working farms with horses, sheep, and sometimes even small-scale vegetable production in greenhouses. Here, farm visits can easily be combined with coastal walks, black-sand beaches, and the dramatic Snæfellsjökull glacier. Staying at Stykkishólmur Inn lets you enjoy both the maritime atmosphere of the town and the rural calm of the surrounding countryside.
If you continue into the Westfjords, Ísafjörður Inn opens up a different side of Icelandic farm life. The terrain here is steeper and more remote, and farms are often tucked into narrow valleys or perched along fjords. Many focus on sheep and small-scale production, and some offer local specialties like cured lamb or homemade baked goods. From Ísafjörður Inn, you can take day trips to visit these farms, then return to town for restaurants, museums, and evening walks along the harbor. The contrast between rugged mountains, quiet farms, and the lively little town makes this region especially memorable.
When planning farm visits in Iceland, it’s important to book ahead and respect that these are working homes, not theme parks. Many farms have set visiting hours or require reservations, especially in summer. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared for wind, rain, or sudden sunshine—sometimes all in one day. If you’re traveling with children, farm visits are a great way to keep them engaged and active, and many farmers are happy to explain their work to curious visitors.
By choosing Ourhotels.is properties like Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, you can create a route through West Iceland that connects some of the country’s most beautiful farm regions. Each inn offers comfortable rooms, local knowledge, and easy access to nearby attractions, so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.
For travelers who want more than just sightseeing, visiting Icelandic farms adds real stories and faces to the landscape. Combine these experiences with stays at Ourhotels.is, and you’ll leave West Iceland with a deeper understanding of how people live, work, and thrive in this remarkable part of the world.
