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Mini-Zoo & Open farm

24 niðurstöður

Icelandic Horse Farm Lýtingsstaðir

Lýtingsstaðir, 561 Varmahlíð

Horseback riding
Our peaceful farm Lýtingsstaðir is situated in the North of Iceland in Skagafjörður, only 20 km away from road#1.
We offer horseback riding tours (beginner and experienced level) on beautiful trails, in small groups, and away from traffic.
Personal service, experienced guides, excellent riding horses, and maintained equipment ensure a high-quality experience. Available from April-October.

Accommodation
We offer accommodation in three wooden cottages for self-catering.
Enjoy midsummer nights out on the deck or let dancing Northern Lights take your breath away. Take a ride or a walk, watch horses and sheep, explore the surroundings, and enjoy the many activities Skagafjörður has to
offer. Available all year round.

Lýtingsstaðir is a fully licensed riding holiday company, operating since the year 2000, welcoming you with warm hospitality and a personal atmosphere.

The Old Stable
Inspired by the long history of the farm, a horse stable, and a storage room were built in 2015. The two gabled houses combine turf, stones, and wood, and they are masterpieces of traditional, even if nowadays very rare, Icelandic craftsmanship. We want to tell visitors how horses were kept on farms in the old days, and we have a display featuring old tools, tack, and other items connected with horses and farming. Audioguide is available in different languages.
Open daily from May to September, other times of year on request. Entrance fee with audio guide included.

Hestaleigan Stóra Ásgeirsá

Stóra Ásgeirsá, 531 Hvammstangi

On the farm Stóra-Ásgeirsá in Húnaþing vestra (4 km from road no.1) you can visit the animals, pet them and spend time with them. You can go horseback riding in the beautiful nature around Stóra-Ásgeirsá and have a nice time in the countryside of Iceland.
Stóra-Ásgerisá offers cosy accommodation up to eleven people in 4 made-up bedrooms, breakfast and free wifi.
Regional attractions: Hvítserkur, Kolugljúfur og Borgarvirki.

Please contact us for more information and bookings.

SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary

Ægisgata 2, 900 Vestmannaeyjar

Visit the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary and learn more about its first residents; Little White and Little Grey.

Explore the Visitor Centre, home to Iceland’s only puffin rescue centre and local species aquarium. In summer months, book a guided boat trip to the sea sanctuary in nearby Klettsvik Bay.

Slakki Mini Zoo

Laugarás, 801 Selfoss

A lovely and friendly petting zoo with cute animals to pet, puppies, kittens, rabbits, pigs, ducks, parrots, artic foxes and much more.

Vakinn

Friðheimar

Reykholt, Bláskógabyggð, 806 Selfoss

Food Experience

In Friðheimar we create a pleasant Food Experience for our guests where lunch is enjoyed among the tomato plants, as the restaurant is located inside the greenhouse. Enjoy the special experience of entering a greenhouse with its fragrant tomato plants – and then sitting down to a feast of the famous and delicious Friðheimar‘s tomato-based cuisine – with tomato plants all around. Some would also like to raise a glass of tomato schnapps! 

Visitors can also buy delicious food souvenirs such as tomato jam, cucumber salsa, and tomato drink. Everything homemade. We recommend booking a table in advance through www.dineout.is/fridheimar  

Greenhouse visit and a Horse show or Visit to the stable
We also offer a Greenhouse Visit where guests are informed how Icelanders are able to grow vegetables the whole year round with help from nature! 

A Horse show or Visit to the stable is available where the history and gates of the Icelandic horse are introduced in light and professional way in a nice environment. After the show, our guests are welcome to the stable where they can meet the horses, take pictures and talk to the riders. 

Friðheimar is a farm operated by an Icelandic family who is breeding Icelandic horses and growing vegetables all year round with help from nature. A visit to Friðheimar is in perfect harmony with the Golden Circle route and is great entertainment for all age groups and especially people that are curious about family farm life in Iceland. 

Please notice that the Greenhouse visit and Horse show/Visit to the stable need to be booked in advance via email (fridheimar@fridheimar.is

Vogafjos Farm Resort

Vogum , 660 Mývatn

Welcome to Vogafjós Farm Resort

The resort is located on the east coast of lake Mývatn. It consists of a cosy family-owned guesthouse, a restaurant next to a cowshed and a small boutique with unique local products.

The guesthouse is located in a beautiful area, surrounded by lava rocks and birch trees. It is the perfect location for northern lights scouting. In good conditions the lights can be seen easily from outside the rooms. All our rooms have a private bathroom and a wireless internet connection. The reception is located on the other side of the road, inside Vogafjós Restaurant.

 

Restaurant

Vogafjós Restaurant is located beside our cowshed. We offer homemade local food such as smoked trout, lamb shanks, beef burgers, mozzarella and salad cheese made from our own milk and our homemade Geysir rye bread which is baked in our underground bakery. The restaurant is fully licensed and specializes in high quality and healthy products. While enjoying your meal you can experience the great view of lake Mývatn or watch through a glass window when the cows are milked, at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm. Guests are also allowed to go inside the cowshed to pet the calves and even try the fresh milk. 

 

Vogafjós Farm Resort is open all year round.

 

Vogafjós Resort

Tel: (00354) 464 3800

vogafjos@vogafjos.is

www.vogafjos.is

facebook.com/vogafjosfarmresort

www.instagram.com/vogafjosmyvatn

Sveitagarðurinn - petting zoo and activity park

Stóri-Háls, 801 Selfoss

Sveitagarðurinn is a petting zoo and activity park which opens Saturday 2.June 2018 at our farm Stóri-Háls. We are located 15 km from Selfoss town and 7 km from the Golden circle. The park will be open every during summer from 12:00 – 18:00. 

In sveitagarðinum are horses, calves, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, and kittens.

You can pet the horses and try sitting on one, holding the rabbits and kittens, say hello to the other animals and get to know them.

Daladýrð

Brúnagerði, 601 Akureyri

Gjóska is an Icelandic design company run by the teacher and textile designer Birna Kristín Friðriksdóttir and her husband the farmer Guðbergur Egill Eyjólfsson. They live on the Farm Brúnagerði in North Iceland, where Gjóska‘s workshop is located but they also run a shop on Skólavörðustígur 20, downtown Reykjavík.

On the farm they run a petting zoo where guests can enjoy Icelandic farm animals like horses, sheeps, puppies, kittens, goats, geese, ducks, and chickens and more.

Also small cafe with emphasis on products from the farm.

Dalur-hestamiðstöð ehf.

Dalland, 271 Mosfellsbær

Dalland horse breeding farm and its horsecenter Dalur is located in Mosfellsbær in a green peaceful lowland surrounded by trees, vegetation, ponds and lakes. No other horse breeding farm is closer to the capital of Iceland. It only takes 15 minutes to drive from the center of Reykjavík to Dalland / Dalur. Already in 1978 horsebreeding and training began in Dalland / Dalur and many of the best and most successful trainers in Iceland have worked at the Horse Center of Dalur. Horses from the Dalland breeding and other horses which have been bought to the farm have been successful in competitions and breedingshows through the years both in Iceland and abroad. Today (2013) Halldór Guðjónsson is the manager and head trainer in Dalur.

Please contact for further information.

Snow Dogs

Vallholt, 650 Laugar

Snow Dogs offers dog sledding tours, cart rides and Kennel visit at our Kennel Vallholt between Lake Mývatn and Akureyri, North Iceland.

Visit the pack at our kennel and get to know how joyful, intelligent and gentle they are. Get to know their love to pull and work and of course to cuddle and play.

We have created a unique sled dog environment where we emphasize respect for the dogs and focus on their well being.

We keep them unchained so they can socialize in fences at our kennel. In our kennel are about 25-30 dogs so we can give each dog a lot of attention.

Snow Dogs welcomes families with children all ages. And people with special challenges.

Usually we start our dog tours from our farm Vallholt. Sometimes when conditions are difficult we move the tours to other locations near by. 

Bjarteyjarsandur Farm

Bjarteyjarsandur, 301 Akranes

The Bjarteyjarsandur farm is owned and operated by three different families, all specializing in their different fields; i.e. farming, tourism, education, food processing, and machine work. The farm is situated in a beautiful by the fjord with a lovely seashore. The same family has lived in Bjarteyjarsandur since 1887.

The Bjarteyjarsandur Family Farm welcomes guests all year round for seasonal farm visits and activities, local food, and guided tours. There is accommodation available for all guests on our friendly campsite, in our mountain cottages, and in the old farmhouse.  We welcome you to visit a working sheep farm, where you can experience real Icelandic sheep farming. A great way to dive into Icelandic culture and experience the crisp fresh air of rural Iceland. Activities such as sheep shearing, wild mussel picking, and more, vary from season to season, however tours run year-round. Bjarteyjarsandur Farm emphasises high quality products, produced in an environmentally sustainable way. We produce free-range lamb, pigs, and chicken, organic vegetables, wild berries, and a variety of produce from our protected seashore. 

Only open for groups upon request.

Rúnalist Stórhól - Art craft and animals

Stórhóll, 560 Varmahlíð

Local hand craft for sale.  Natural Icelandic materials from Skagafjörður, leather, fish leather, hides and wool.

Brunastadir

Brúnastaðir, Fljót, 570 Fljót

Please contact for prices and booking information.

Visti us on Facebook here.

Vorsabær 2

Vorsabær 2, Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppi, 804 Selfoss

Holiday house
Cosy holiday house in the country side where up to 7 people can sleep. Vorsabær 2 is situated only 80 kilometers from Reykjavík. In the house there are 2 bedrooms, one of which has a double bed and the other a bunk bed. Besides there is a 18 m2 sleeping loft with 3 beds. We also provide a crib on request, free for children up to 2 years old. There is floor heating in the house and the kitchen is equipped with all necessary tableware and is included in a spacious living room with a TV. Outside the living room is a patio with garden furniture and a gas barbecue. The view from the house is breathtaking, looking east you can see the volcano Hekla and in winter there is a good chance to witness amazing northern lights!

Horse back riding with personal service
It is ideal for families and small groups of friends. Everyone can take part and the guides can lead the youngest childrens by the rein during the trip. We always start inside the riding arena where we will teach you all the basics and then we go outside and ride with you. There are good horses for both unexperienced riders and as well for experienced riders. You can choose between 1, 2 or 3 hours trips and even a day-trip for experienced riders which are 5 hours.

We also provide children tours where we lead their horses by the rein inside the riding arena for about 10 minutes.

We accommodate guests to visit our farm animals and see a real icelandic farm! We guide you on the farm for about 1 hour and you get the opportunity to spend some time with our animals to get to know them and pet them.

Skálatjörn guesthouse

Skálatjörn, 803 Selfoss

Welcome to Skalatjörn Guesthouse

Experience the real Icelandic countryside with Skálatjörn, a little family hotel located on a serene and quiet goat farm in

Skálatjörn, Iceland. This farm stay offers comfortable accommodations complete with free Wi-Fi, views of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla, and close to attractions. Skálatjörn is perfect for travelers who love nature, animals, and the calming countryside. Your lovely and welcoming hosts, Helena and Stefan, will make you feel at home and will tend to your needs to make your stay the best possible. Meet their friendly goats and furry friends that live on the farm, it is truly a great place to stay for your Icelandic vacation. 

Helena and Stefan have amazing hospitality and uniqueness. Staying on this farm you will have the pleasure of meeting their friendly goats, dogs, and cats. Nature lovers will love this accommodation as the surroundings are picturesque and full of serene ambiance. You will feel a bit isolated but still close enough to attractions, activities, and grocery stores. Helena and Stefan´s excellent online reviews with nothing less than 5 stars show how happy past guests have been with their stay. The guest´s rating on booking.com is 9.4. 

Accommodation
Helena and Stefan’s comfortable house was built in 2006 and is fully modern. They enjoy having people at their own house and offer two bedrooms equipped with two single beds and free Wi-Fi is also available. If you want to stay in a

cozy apartment they also offer one apartment above the stable with stunning views of Hekla volcano and Eyjafjallajökull volcano, equipped with 2 double beds, 1 sofa bed. This apartment is good for a small family with kids. They also have six studio apartments equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette with microwave, stovetop, and beautiful views of the mountains. 

Your hosts, Helena and Stefan, are proud goats farmers that moved from Reykjavik city in 2014 after living there for the past 30 years before deciding to move to the countryside. Helena worked as a teacher and hairdresser with her own salon. Stefán worked as a carpenter and bricklayer. They look forward to welcoming their guests and give them a touch of what it is like to live in the countryside. Your hosts will make you feel at home, comfortable, and safe. We’d love to have you visit us.

Skalatjorn works towards protecting the population of goats in Iceland and has the ambition to maintain the goat as a farm animal in Iceland 

Helena likes to receive guests. We will go into the area of goats inside if there is a bad weather and I’ll tell you about the history of Icelandic goats how they were transported to Iceland and how they were used. Also, I will allow you to touch them give them food, and help with the work. If people also want to take selfies with the baby goats if the goat is ready. Goat inspection can take from 30 min to 60 min.

Come and visit the goat
The Icelandic goat is an endangered species and Helena and Stefan are one of the farmers working towards protecting and maintaining the goat stock in Iceland. 

The Icelandic goat, also known as the ‘settlement goat’, is an ancient breed of domestic goat believed to be of Norwegian origin and dating back to the settlement of Iceland over 1100 years ago. This breed of goat was on the verge of extinction during the late 19th century, but recovered prior to World War II, only to precipitously decline again. As of 2003, there were 348 goats in 48 flocks distributed throughout most parts of Iceland At the end of 2012, the herd had increased to 849. Since this breed has been isolated for centuries, the Icelandic populations are highly inbred. The Icelandic goat is very rare outside its native land. Under its coarse, long guard hair, the Icelandic goat has a coat of high-quality cashmere fiber. Icelandic goats are kept mainly as pets and their economic potential for meat, milk, cashmere, and skin production remains to be explored. The Icelandic goat is currently of little economic value.

The Icelandic goat is the only farm animal sponsored by the Icelandic government for the purpose of ensuring its survival.

Finnsstaðir

Finnsstaðir 1, 701 Egilsstaðir

Finnsstaðir is a family-run business located about four minutes away from the town Egilsstaðir. 

Finnsstaðir offers a few things, open all year round. Guesthouse to rent, horse rental, and the horse stable is always open between 10:00 – 17:00 for a short guided tour through the stable to see the horses, take pictures and meet the locals, but we recommend booking the tour with a bit of notice. From 15. may until 15. September, the petting zoo is open. 

Finnsstaðir horse rental offers horses with great temperament and clean beated tölt. The tölt is a natural, fluid gait of the Icelandic horse. Its extraordinarily smooth four-beat gait, which allows the rider an almost bounce-free ride. In Finnsstaðir, you ride out in a small private group with a local guide. Most of the riding tours are about one hour, and the owner‘s goal is to keep everyone safe, give all the guests a good experience and memories to keep as long as you live. Longer trips with experienced riders could be available, but just contact Finnsstaðir and ask for availability.

On the farm is a big house to rent with three bedrooms and beds for six people. There are two bathrooms and a hot tub on the platform with a great view. The house is spacious and equipped with all standard modern comfort. Washing machine and dryer, the wifi in the house is very strong, and there is a kitchen to cook in.

Finnsstaðir petting zoo is open from 10:00-17:00 every day from 15. may until 15.September. All year round, there are chickens and ducks on the farm and, of course, horses, but during the summertime, it is possible to visit and get to know lambs, calves, pigs, ducklings, rabbits, and guinea pigs. 

The animals at Finnsstaðir love people, especially children from all parts of the world.

Sölvanes

Skagafjörður, 560 Varmahlíð

We offer cosy accommodation at a fair price on a traditional sheep farm.  The accommodation is available in a renovated older guest house.

Fully made-up beds or sleeping bag accommodation. Shared cooking facilities and two bathrooms.

  • Free WiFi 
  • Charging station for electric cars

Breakfast as well as dinner with the family featuring local produce can be booked in advance. Farm animals and stable visits - sheep, horses, a cat, dog, rabbit, hens and ducks.

Walking tracks and beauty spots in the farmland, along the river Svartá or to the hills above the farm. For a real hike try the summit of Maelifell, Hamraheidi, Molduxi, Tindastoll or travel a bit further to the rural and peaceful valley Austurdalur.

Emphasis on a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere. Close to a horse rental/Old Stable , white water rafting, hand craft sale and a nature bath.

Please contact us for more information and bookings.

Gufuá

Gufuá, 311 Borgarnes

We offer two types of outdoor experiences, where you get to know different aspects of our beautiful farm.  The ever-popular GOATWALK with the  Hobbit-goats Gandalf, Frodo, Sam and friends. The Goatwalk is a one hour-long easy walk along a riverbank in the company of friendly tamed goats. It is suitable for individuals or  groups who like animals and outdoor activities and want to experience something completely different. The second one is the experience: ALONG THE CAIRN PATH. It is in the spirit of Meet the locals  – with the farmer as a storyteller on the settlement farm Gufuá. A 2 hours walk at a comfortable walking speed, designed for groups. Extremely fun and informative entertainment where the farmer opens the door to his farm and looks at the past, the present and the future.

Háafell - Goatfarm

Háafell, 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði

The Icelandic Goat Centre at Háafell is working towards protecting and maintaining the goat stock in Iceland. Visitors receive a warm welcome from the goats, which are very people-friendly. You'll get to learn about the Icelandic goat breed and story of the farm. 

Toilet facilities available. Local Food store. Goat products, bath products, creams, soaps, leather and handcrafts.

Open June 1st - August 31st from 11:00 to 18:00 and upon request.

For groups contact geitur@geitur.is 

Erpsstaðir Travel service

Erpsstaðir, Miðdölum, 371 Búðardalur

Erpsstadir is a dairy farm in Northwest Iceland, run by farmer Thorgrimur Einar Gudbjartsson and his family. Erpsstaðir are best known for their ice cream but they also produce the Icelandic Skyr, caraway cheese, white and wet cheese and various other dairy products which the "Cream Shop" at Erpsstaðir processes. All the milk for the production is from the dairy cows on the farm. For other ingredient we strives to use local, seasonal flavors whenever possible, such as rhubarb, dandelion honey, and blueberries from the Westfjords. The farmers at Erpsstaðir are pleased to offer visitors the chance to take a closer look at the world of milk production by seeing and learning of different shape the milk can take. Here you can experience a real Icelandic farm and buy homemade artisan dairy products firsthand. We are not distributing the products widely so far the best bet is to access the products directly from the farm.

Open daily May 15th - June 14th from 13:00 to 17:00, 15th June - 14th August from 11:00 to 18:00, 15th August - 15th September from 13:00 to 17:00 and September 16th - May  14th open upon request.

At other times call 868 0357 to arrange a visit.

Vakinn

Hey Iceland

Síðumúli 2, 108 Reykjavík

Hey Iceland is an award-winning, leading expert in travel in the Icelandic countryside with over 30 years of experience.

We offer a wide range of self-drive packages, guided tours and day tours all year round in addition to a vast network of comfortable accommodation in scenic locations - over 170 carefully selected bed and breakfasts, country hotels, self-catering cottages, apartments, and traditional farm stays all around Iceland.

The Hey Iceland Association was founded by farmers in 1980 and the travel agency by the same name is still majority-owned by the farmers themselves, meaning that profits stay local.

Hey Iceland is committed to sustainable tourism.

Browse our selection of self-drive and guided tours, day tours and accommodation and book online today or contact us for an authentic and memorable holiday filled with traditional Icelandic hospitality!

Reykjavík Park and Zoo

Múlavegur 2, 104 Reykjavík

The Family Park and Zoo in Laugardalur is open all year. The Zoo includes most Icelandic animals, both wild and domesticated, from foxes, reindeer and seals to cattle, horses and sheep. 19 animal species counting about 150 individuals live in the Zoo. We emphasize on showing as much variety in colours and variations as well as both genders and its young ones. The Zoo serves as a rehabilitation centre for wild animals in need before they are set free again.

The Family Park section has small family rides as well as other activities and facilities for a great day out for the whole family.  In summer the Family Park offers many rides and play equipment for children of all ages. Outside the summer season the Family Park remains open as a play area.

Opening hours Summer (June 1 - August 20): every day 10:00-18:00, exept wednesdays to 20:00 Other seasons (August 21-May 31): every day 10:00-17:00

Hólar Petting Farm

Hólar, 371 Búðardalur

At our lovely little farm Hólar you can expect to find a variety of animals, including horses, dogs, cat, rabbits, ducks, sheep, chickens, turkeys, goats, a pig and even a talking raven, who is world famous for being in the Netflix serie "KATLA"! 

We would love to welcome you and show you around our farm, introducing you to Icelandic style farming. Feel free to pet the animals.

We look forward to see you. 

Open 16th June - 9th August from 11:00 to 16:00. Closed on Tuesdays. 

Geislar Gautavík - Open farm

Gautavík, 766 Djúpivogur

The farm Geislar Gautavík has a variety of activities. 

Geislar Gautavík - Open farm is a 20-25 minutes drive from Djúpivogur to the north

Open every day 11-16. Groups can come outside of that time if agreed in advance.

Entrance fee (does not apply to the store)

Included: Approx. an hour-long guided tour of the breeding grounds, the breeding center and the animals. After that, people are free to enjoy everything else on offer.

Adults: ISK 1,500

Children 6-17 years: 750 ISK.

• Shop with your own handicrafts and a selection of snacks, e.g. from small scale food producers 

• Industrial hemp and aquaponics: Indoor and outdoor cultivation and training centers. Guidance.

• Zoo: Horses (not for riding), piglets, sheep and lambs, laying hens, ducks, trout and dogs. Guidance.

• Golf: Homemade 7 hole, par 3, golf course.

• Outdoor toys.

• Homemade indoor sports area in the barn for children.

• Ancient trading post: A walk to the antiquities.

• River, beach and cove to enjoy and play in.