When you travel, you’re afforded a valuable opportunity to learn more about the local culture and way of life. This might be achieved by tapping into an area’s economic and social heritage, tasting its signature food dishes or delving into its history.

Sometimes, as with unusual tourist attractions like Friðheimar tomato farm and greenhouse in Iceland , it’s possible to combine all of the above in a single visit. Let’s take a look at this unique experience and find out what to expect with our handy guide to Friðheimar.

What is Friðheimar and what does it have to offer visitors?

Friðheimar is perhaps Iceland’s most famous farm, growing an unusual crop – tomatoes – thanks to its state of the art greenhouses and of course the possibility of harnessing the country’s abundant geothermal energy. This cheap, constant source of renewable power takes care of heating and lighting the greenhouses – something that wouldn’t be economically viable elsewhere with a similar climate.

But Friðheimar’s popularity lies far beyond agriculture and this has a number of attractions aimed at tourists. Its on-site restaurant is a big draw: there, visitors can savour fresh tomato-based dishes in a cozy greenhouse setting. There’s something extra special in dining after a tour of the premises having just learnt about the processes that have taken place before the tomatoes reach your plate.

The growth of a successful business

Friðheimar started out as a family business in 1995, when owners Knútur and Helena saw an opportunity to breathe new life into a moribund farm. They made the decision to start growing tomatoes in 2002 and work commenced to build and kit out a greenhouse that would be up to the task. Today’s bumper crop is testament to their skill and determination.

The farm’s tourism potential didn’t go unnoticed – they were located within Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route after all. A few years into their tomato venture Friðheimar built a stable that could house twenty horses and soon after launched a horse show. It seemed like an obvious next step to offer tours of the greenhouse too.

Since then, Friðheimar has continued to expand and now employs more than sixty people year-round. The greenhouses have been revamped with more efficient lighting and other facilities have been added with visitors in mind, such as the recent refurbishment of one of the old greenhouses to transform it into a wine bar and studio.

Geothermal Tours in Iceland

Iceland is a paradise for enthusiasts of geothermal waters, boasting some of the world's most stunning thermal retreats. We offer an extensive selection of tours to help you explore these natural wonders up close.

Explore our Geothermal Tours here

Sustainability is at the heart of Friðheimar’s business

Geothermal energy is at the heart of production at Friðheimar. There’s a borehole just a couple of hundred metres from the greenhouses. From this natural source, hot water at a typical temperature of 95°C, flows along pipes which run through the greenhouses to ensure that the temperature remains consistent year-round.

A lot of water is needed, as some of this heat is lost through the panes of glass – but these are necessarily thin to maximise the amount of sunlight getting through. In addition cold water is needed for irrigation (tomatoes are largely water). Iceland’s pure natural water is ideal for this purpose.

Together with hydro-electricity, geothermal power is also a major contributor to Iceland’s electricity supply. That means it is thanks to green energy that Friðheimar is able to maintain the optimum conditions required for the tomato plants to thrive and bear fruit. Friðheimar’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there, however. Organic pest control is used too.

Minimising waste is another issue when it comes to sustainability. Tomatoes that aren’t perfect enough to be sold as they are can be used in cooking the restaurant’s tomato-based dishes. About 5% of the crop ends up like this because of slight imperfections such as splits, scratches or unusual shapes. Others are used to create the salsas, jams and pastes which are sold in Friðheimar’s Little Tomato Shop. Even green tomatoes which haven’t ripened can be used in this way, so there’s minimal waste.

Tips for planning your trip to Iceland

lanning, you can prepare for anything an adventure in Iceland might throw at you. We’ve rounded up loads of tips for a planning trip to Iceland, from what to pack and how long to stay to airport transfers and how to get around the island. We’re with you every step of the way.

Read our blog post about planning tips for your Icelandic holiday

How to incorporate a visit to Friðheimar into a broader Iceland travel itinerary

It’s not hard to see why the Golden Circle in Iceland holds such an appeal to international visitors. Headlined by three very different but remarkable landmarks, this is Iceland in a Nutshell, offering the chance to see some of the country’s incredible landscapes but in an area small enough that they can be packaged up into one extraordinary day trip if that’s all you can spare. Adding in Friðheimar on a Reykjavik Excursions tour is the icing on the cake.

Tours of the Golden Circle from Reykjavik call in at Thingvellir National Park, where you can stroll through the Almannagjá Gorge just as early law makers would have done centuries ago. The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet here too; this is a place where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible on land.

A short drive from Thingvellir National Park is the Geysir geothermal area. Tour buses disgorge their passengers so that they can witness one of nature’s most jaw-dropping sights. As Strokkur sends a superheated jet of water high into the air at regular intervals, you’ll almost forget the presence of fumaroles and mud pots all around you.

Completing the must-see trio on the Golden Circle in Iceland is Gullfoss waterfall, found on the Hvitá River. Here, more than 100 cubic metres of water tumbles over a double step to plunge into the canyon below. Spray rises from the river channel as the water smashes onto the rocks below, making this one of Iceland’s most mesmerising waterfalls.

Fortuitously, these three places are located within easy reach of each other, so even within a single day you’ll have time to incorporate another stop into your itinerary. One popular option, of course, is Friðheimar. With a focus on the activities of people and an insight into how Icelanders overcome the challenges posed by their environment, it’s a welcome contrast and one that visitors of any age will find interesting.

Practical information about visiting Friðheimar

Is it best to visit on a tour or independently?

The easiest way to visit Friðheimar is as part of an organised tour . Reykjavik Excursions runs this trip year-round, offering commentary in multiple languages including English and German. The eight-hour tour departs Reykjavik at 9am and costs just 11599 ISK per person. Tours are exceptionally convenient and leaving the arrangements to the experts makes everything easy.

However, you can also call in if you are travelling independently. Greenhouse visits take place from 9am to 5pm though note that these need to be pre-booked. You’ll learn about the horticultural technology that enables Friðheimar’s growers to recreate Mediterranean conditions even in the depths of a dark Icelandic winter.

When’s the best time of year to visit Friðheimar?

You can visit Friðheimar at any time of year, either on a tour or on your own, but the adaptation to the harsh Icelandic climate is perhaps most evident in winter. It’s also a great indoor attraction if inclement weather conditions put paid to your outdoor plans – there’s nothing as fabulous as a warm, cosy greenhouse or wine bar on a cold and blustery day.

Dine in at one of Iceland’s most unusual restaurants

Friðheimar’s restaurant is also open daily, from 11.30am to 4pm. It serves a wide range of dishes on its menu, many of them utilising the fresh, juicy tomatoes grown right here on the farm. Tucking into a bowl of Friðheimar’s tasty tomato soup, served with fresh bread, sour cream and cucumber salsa, is a must for foodies.

But the use of tomatoes on the menu is also highly inventive. They pop up not only where you’d expect them as a star ingredient in pasta and seafood dishes, but also to make ice cream, as a cheesecake topping and even sharing the limelight with apples as a pie filling. Adults can also try tomato beer and tomato schnapps.

If you’ve been inspired to recreate some of Friðheimar’s dishes at home, you’ll definitely want to call in at their Little Tomato Shop. Selling a wide range of products, including tomato paste and tomato jam, it’s a great place to pick up a souvenir of your visit and use it as an ingredient in your own kitchen.

Friðheimar is a fabulously family-friendly destination if you’re travelling with the kids in tow

Visitors may also be interested in meeting Friðheimar’s equine residents. Stable tours can be arranged all year round. Sign up (advance reservations are essential) and you’ll enjoy a fascinating lesson in what makes these horses so special, focusing on colour, strength, endurance and temperament as you watch one horse demonstrating the five unique gaits. Horse shows are also staged during the summer months.

Friðheimar prides itself on being a family-friendly attraction. Children will be enthralled by the work that goes into producing the tomatoes in the greenhouse and will love to learn more about the beautiful Icelandic horses. Activities are free for those under six and half price for kids between the ages of 6 and 13.

If you’re in the early stages of planning your holiday to Iceland, a visit to a tomato farm might not have been something that’s crossed your radar. But adding a tour of Friðheimar onto your Golden Circle excursion is highly recommended if you’re keen to uncover another aspect of the country’s unique culture.

Visit Fridheimar as part of a Carbon-Neutral Golden Circle tour

Visiting Friðheimar as part of a Golden Circle tour offers a unique and enriching experience, seamlessly blending nature, innovation, and culinary delight.

Our tours are carbon neutral, ensuring that your visit leaves a minimal environmental footprint. Including Friðheimar in your Golden Circle itinerary provides a refreshing and delicious interlude amidst the breathtaking natural wonders of geysers, waterfalls, and volcanic craters.

Your Ultimate Guide to the Golden Circle in Iceland

The Golden Circle is perhaps the most unforgettable travel route in Iceland. From boisterous geysers and gaping tectonic trenches to one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, Golden Circle tours in Iceland will bring you up close to the volcanic island’s most iconic sights.

So, what do you need to know about this most popular of Iceland tours? Read our article on Golden Circle tours in Iceland.

Frequently Asked Question about Fridheimar Tomato Farm

What is Friðheimar and what does it have to offer visitors? Friðheimar is perhaps Iceland’s most famous farm, growing an unusual crop – tomatoes – thanks to its state-of-the-art greenhouses and the country's abundant geothermal energy. This renewable power source takes care of heating and lighting the greenhouses. Beyond agriculture, Friðheimar attracts tourists with its on-site restaurant serving fresh tomato-based dishes in a cozy greenhouse setting, tours of the premises, and horse shows.

Can you go to Friðheimar without a reservation? While you can visit Friðheimar independently, greenhouse visits must be pre-booked. Organized tours offer a convenient and informative way to visit.

Where are tomatoes grown in Iceland? Tomatoes in Iceland are grown at Friðheimar, utilizing geothermal energy to maintain optimal growing conditions within greenhouses, despite the challenging Icelandic climate.

Who owns Friðheimar? Friðheimar was started as a family business by Knútur and Helena in 1995. They began growing tomatoes in 2002 and have since expanded the farm into a popular tourist attraction.

What is there to do near Friðheimar? Friðheimar is located within Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route, making it a perfect addition to a tour that includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

What is on the Golden Circle in Iceland? The Golden Circle in Iceland includes Thingvellir National Park, where you can stroll through the Almannagjá Gorge, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. These landmarks showcase Iceland's incredible landscapes and geological features.

Why do they use greenhouses in Iceland? Greenhouses in Iceland, like those at Friðheimar, are used to grow crops such as tomatoes by harnessing geothermal energy. This energy source provides the necessary heat and light to maintain a consistent growing environment year-round.

Is it best to visit on a tour or independently? The easiest way to visit Friðheimar is as part of an organized tour. These tours provide commentary in multiple languages and make the arrangements hassle-free. However, independent visits are also possible with pre-booked greenhouse tours.

When’s the best time of year to visit Friðheimar? Friðheimar can be visited year-round. Winter visits highlight the adaptation to Iceland’s harsh climate, and the greenhouses offer a warm, cozy retreat on cold days.