Region
South Iceland
80 km from Reykjavik
Solheimar: An Eco-Village Founded in 1930
A sustainability community in the Icelandic countryside, built around organic farming, craft workshops, and social inclusion.
Population
~100
South Iceland • Eco-village
Solheimar is an eco-village in South Iceland, founded in 1930 by the educator Sesselja Sigmundsdottir as a home for children with special needs. Over the decades it has grown into an internationally recognised model of sustainable living and social inclusion. Today, about 100 residents live and work together, running organic greenhouses heated by geothermal energy, craft workshops, and a tree nursery. The community produces candles, ceramics, woven goods, and organic food, much of it sold to visitors in the village shop and cafe. Sólheimar offers a community-focused stop near the Golden Circle.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Population and community data based on Solheimar official information and regional statistics.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~100
Inclusive eco-community
Known for
Sustainability
Organic farming and craft workshops
Top Attractions near Solheimar
Solheimar Greenhouses & Organic Gardens
Organic horticulture is part of the community’s work; ask about visitor access before arriving.
Craft Workshops
Community crafts include candles, ceramics, weaving and woodwork; Vala shop is a starting point for seeing finished goods.
Solheimar Shop & Cafe
Browse locally made crafts, organic produce, and gifts. The cafe serves meals prepared with ingredients from the community's own gardens.
Thingvellir National Park
30 km north, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the rift valley between tectonic plates and the historic site of Iceland's first parliament.
Geysir Geothermal Area
About 45 km east. Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes in the steaming geothermal field around the original Great Geysir.
Skalholt Cathedral
A historic church site about 15 km away that served as one of Iceland's two episcopal sees for over 700 years, with a small museum and concert series.
How to Get to Solheimar
From Reykjavik: Drive east on Route 1, then turn onto Route 35 toward Laugarvatn. Solheimar is signposted off Route 35. The 80 km journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on paved roads.
Golden Circle Addition: Solheimar sits between Thingvellir and Geysir, so it is easy to add to a Golden Circle itinerary. No regular public transport serves the village, so a rental car is recommended.
Best Time to Visit Solheimar
Summer (Jun–Aug): Check the café, shop and event program for your date. Arrange access to working studios or greenhouses directly rather than treating every workplace as a visitor attraction.
Winter (Nov–Mar): The greenhouses continue producing year-round, and workshops remain active. Visitor hours may be reduced, so check ahead.
Start with the café and Vala shop
Sólheimar is a place where people live and work. The community’s own visitor information identifies Græna Kannan café and Vala shop, alongside concerts, church activities and education at Sesseljuhús. That gives a first-time visitor a clearer starting point than arriving expecting unrestricted workshop tours.
The homepage lists the café and shop daily from 11:00–16:00, and the canteen on weekdays from 11:30–13:00. These are different services with different hours. The page also retains an older Easter notice, so confirm the current notice for a holiday visit. If you want a guided introduction or access to a particular studio, arrange it directly with the community.
Planning help
Solheimar FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Solheimar?
Solheimar has approximately 100 residents living in this intentional eco-community in South Iceland.
What is Solheimar?
Solheimar is an eco-village and sustainability community founded in 1930, one of the world's first of its kind, focused on inclusive living and environmental stewardship.
How far is Solheimar from Reykjavik?
Solheimar is about 80 km from Reykjavik, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
What can visitors do at Solheimar?
The visitor-facing stops include Græna Kannan café, Vala shop and cultural activities. The community also has greenhouses and craft studios, but their existence does not establish drop-in tours or access to every workspace.
Who founded Solheimar?
Sesselja Sigmundsdottir founded Solheimar in 1930 as a home for orphaned children with developmental needs. She pioneered organic farming and inclusive community living there.
Is Solheimar near the Golden Circle?
Yes, Solheimar is near the Golden Circle route and is easy to add to a Golden Circle day trip.
Can you buy crafts at Solheimar?
Yes, Solheimar has a shop selling handmade candles, ceramics, woven textiles, and other crafts produced by community members.
Does Solheimar offer tours?
Ask Sólheimar about guided visits for your date and group. Its current homepage welcomes visitors and lists public activities, but does not establish a regular drop-in greenhouse or workshop tour schedule.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.