Countryside Iceland
Farming valleys, rural villages, and remote landscapes
You're on a farm in Skagafjörður. Sheep dot the valley. Icelandic horses graze. 360,000 people in Iceland total—most in Reykjavik. Rural Iceland means solitude, slow pace, moss-covered lava fields.
Activities: farm visits, horseback riding, sheep-watching, rural hot springs, photography. Self-drive is essential—no public transport reaches remote areas. Fill your tank whenever you see a gas station.
Best season: June-August for warmth and accessibility. September for autumn colors and sheep roundups.
Rural regions and villages
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is "Iceland in miniature"—diverse landscapes, small fishing villages, glacier. Less touristy, authentic rural life. Stykkishólmur is the charming gateway town.
The East Fjords see steep mountains meet the ocean. Tiny villages—Seyðisfjörður is colorful, artistic. Slow pace, scenic drives, few tourists. Most remote feel in Iceland.
The Westfjords are the most isolated region. Ísafjörður is the largest town (2,600 people). Dramatic fjords, bird cliffs, empty roads. True wilderness.
North Iceland valleys around Skagafjörður are horse country. Green valleys, farms, turf houses. Less dramatic than the south but peaceful, agricultural.
Farm experiences
Farm stays put you in guesthouses on working farms. ISK 12,000-20,000. Meet sheep, taste homemade food, experience rural life. Book through Iceland Farm Holidays.
Icelandic horses are a unique breed—small, friendly. Horseback tours available nationwide. ISK 8,000-15,000 for 1-2 hours. No experience needed. Calm horses.
Sheep roundups (réttir) in September are when farmers gather free-roaming sheep. Some farms allow visitors to join. Community festivals afterward. Authentic cultural experience.
Dairy farms sometimes offer visits and skyr-making demonstrations. Icelandic dairy culture is strong. Small-scale operations, family-run.
🌟 Top Countryside Experiences
⛰️ Snæfellsnes Peninsula
"Iceland in miniature"—glacier, lava fields, fishing villages, basalt cliffs. Stykkishólmur charming town. Less touristy than South Coast. Full day from Reykjavik. Self-drive or tour. Plan 6–8 hours. More info →
🌈 Seyðisfjörður
Colorful East Fjords village. Norwegian wooden houses, Rainbow Street, Blue Church. Artistic community, slow pace. Route 93 from Egilsstaðir. Plan 1–2 days. Summer best—winter passes can close. More info →
🏔️ Westfjords—Ísafjörður
Most isolated region. Ísafjörður largest town (2,600). Dramatic fjords, bird cliffs, empty roads. True wilderness. 5–7 day road trip. Fill tank often—services sparse. More info →
🏠 Farm stays
Guesthouses on working farms ISK 12,000–20,000. Meet sheep, taste homemade food, experience rural life. Book through Iceland Farm Holidays. Summer best. Plan 1–2 nights. More info →
🐴 Icelandic horse tours
Unique breed, small, friendly. Horseback tours nationwide ISK 8,000–15,000 for 1–2 hours. No experience needed. Tölt gait unique to Iceland. Skagafjörður is horse country. More info →
🏘️ Stykkishólmur
Charming Snæfellsnes town. Harbor, Norwegian houses, church on hill. Gateway to peninsula. Good base for 1–2 nights. Restaurants, shops, ferry to Flatey island. Plan half-day minimum. More info →
💡 Insider Tips
- 🐑 Sheep roam freely May-September—drive carefully, especially fjords/highlands. They stand on roads, sudden movements. Hitting sheep expensive (ISK 100,000+).
- 🏠 Services sparse—gas stations 50-100km apart in rural areas. Fill tank whenever possible. Small shops close early. Plan ahead.
- 📶 Cell signal spotty—download offline maps. East Fjords, Westfjords have long stretches with no service. Tell someone your route.
- 🌾 Respect private land—farms are homes. Don't enter fields, disturb animals, open gates. Icelandic "every man's rights" limited compared to Nordic neighbors.