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Located on the Golden Circle, Fridheimar is Iceland’s most unique tomato farm, offering lunch right in the greenhouse. Sit down to a feast of tomato soup served with freshly baked bread and cucumber salsa. Guests can buy delicious food souvenirs like Tomato Jam, the Cucumber Salsa, and Tomato Drinks. Stop by Friðheimar on your next visit to the Land of Fire and Ice!
Located about 30 minutes from the famous Gullfoss Waterfall, a family-run tomato greenhouse thrives. While the weather outside may be bitter cold, wet or windy, inside Friðheimar tomatoes grow all year round, under artificial lights replicating Mediterranean conditions. The farm has abundant supplies of geothermal water, which provides heat to the greenhouses. The borehole is 200 m from the greenhouses, and the water flows into them at about 95°C /203°F.
The greenhouse makes use of modern technology and green energy. Each greenhouse is equipped with a climate-control computer system for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and lighting. The horticultural facilities total about 5,000 m² under glass, of which about 4,200 m² are used for cultivation.
Visits to the greenhouses are available all year round for pre-booked groups.
With an annual harvest of 370 tons and a daily crop yield of over a ton, Friðheimar defies the odds of the Icelandic winters. The farm invites customers in for a hearty bowl of tomato soup, tomato beer or if you’re feeling it, tomato ice cream!
The ambience of the restaurant offers a unique experience to eat amongst the plants within the greenhouse. Tomatoes are the key ingredient in every dish and the backbone to the attraction.
Friðheimar has about 10,000 plants in its greenhouses, needing trimming and picking weekly. Tomato plants are pollinated by the famous Friðheimar bumblebees that live and work within the greenhouse.
Friðheimar isn’t just famous for growing tomatoes. Horse shows and horse breeding are other key ventures for the farm. The aim is to breed willing, good-looking horses with good neck, shoulders, and a good disposition. Seven horses have been shown at breeding evaluations, and three received first prize.
During the summer months, Friðheimar holds its own horse show "A Meeting with the Icelandic Horse." The show provides an insight into the history of the horse breed, brought to Iceland by the first Scandinavian settlers from around 900 AD.
Horticulture, using natural hot water, had commenced at Friðheimar in 1946. And, in 1995, Knútur and Helena bought Friðheimar, with the aim of combining their horse and horticulture knowledge.
From 1995-2001 they successfully built a 1,174 m² greenhouse while also continuing to run the farm as before. From 2002-2006 they started growing tomatoes all year round, installed lighting, and built a new 1,000 m² greenhouse.
From 2007-2013 they built up the equestrian center and tourist services. A stable for 20 horses was built as well as an outdoor arena with a stand for 120 spectators. A horse show for tourists was launched, and shortly after greenhouse visits began.
Since 2011, a focus has been on increasing tourism, expanding the crop growing space (by 60%) and developing a range of food products and souvenirs for visitors to purchase and take home.
GPS: 64°10’42.0″N 20°26’50.0″W
Address: Friðheimar, Reykholti, Bláskógabyggð, 801 Selfoss.
Friðheimar is easy to find, as it is right off the highway on the Golden Circle tour route, but look out for the sign. It can be easy to miss!
Friðheimar is found within a small village of Reykholt in the southern region of Iceland in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð. With a population of around 100, it's by no means the smallest of Icelandic settlements. Reykholt has a collection of hot springs and greenhouses, not far from Skálholt, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
Fridheimar is on the Golden Circle route, 50 minutes away from Thingvellir National Park, half an hour from Gullfoss and 20 minutes from Geysir.
From Geysir, take Route 35 via Biskupstungnabraut. To get to Fridheimar from Gullfoss, it is the same.
From Thingvellir Park, take Gjabakkavegur/ Gjábakkavegur from Route 365.
From Reykjavik, Friðheimar is an hour and a half away (96.5 km) via Þjóðvegur 1 and Biskupstungnabraut.
The following hotels are located within a 20-mile radius of the farm:
Skjól is a campsite located less than 25 km away.
Efra-Sel Hostel is a budget-friendly hostel, less than 30 km from the farm.
Fridheimar greenhouse including the restaurant is open during the winter and the hot food is a welcome relief. The only days Fridheimar is closed are 24th, 25th, and 31st December and 1st January.
The horse show “A Meeting with the Icelandic Horse” is only available from 1 May to 30 September and must be booked in advance.
Fridheimar benefits from being on the Golden Circle route. Places of interest include:
