The Unknown Ahead

Why Travel to Iceland?

Ok, this is a little embarrassing, but I’ve been to Iceland three times. Three. And I would go back again in a heartbeat! It’s truly a place that does not disappoint. If beautiful, rugged landscapes are your thing, then you are in for a real treat. Love waterfalls? You might never leave Iceland! You’d think that seeing multiple waterfalls per day would get a little dull, but instead, they just keep getting more splendid somehow. 

Not only are there ample outdoor activities to keep your family busy, but Iceland is dotted with really cute towns too. The largest, of course, is Reykjavík. After three visits, this town keeps surprising me with more things to do! There are fantastic museums, a great culinary scene, and plenty of unique shops to keep you busy. I would also recommend putting Vík í Mýrdal on your list of places to stop. It’s the perfect place to see the Northern Lights! 

Iceland is a place that changes a lot with the seasons. We’ve been to Iceland in July, November, and March. Although I think this itinerary will work most times of the year, there are a few Icelandic quirks to be aware of when planning your travel. First of all, you should know that the sun either barely makes an entrance or never goes away. When we traveled in November, the sun didn’t rise until nearly 10am! Likewise in July, the sun really never fully set (a sleep mask is your friend!). Depending on the weather and volcanic activity, roads can be closed without notice as well. Don’t let that scare you though! Just know that you’ll have to be a little flexible with your itinerary and have a few back-up ideas just in case. If you need guidance with your packing list, check out this blog post to help you out!

But enough introductions, let’s get you to the main event – the itinerary! I’ve broken up this 7-day trip by day and provided links for various activities, restaurants, and hotels. At the very end, there is also an interactive Google Map outlining all of the stops and hiking locations. For detailed information on activities, packing suggestions, and more photos, search the blog for other relevant posts on Iceland. This trip was a family favorite, so I genuinely hope you enjoy exploring the Land of Fire and Ice!

If you need a spot to stash your luggage while you roam around Reykjavík, check out Radical Storage. They’ll securely watch your bags for only $5 per day while you explore the town. This is a great option if you can’t check into your hotel or rental until later in the day. 

Are you only staying in Reykjavik? I have a run-down of popular spots in Reykjavik for families! Check out this post if you only want Reykjavik recommendations. 

Day 1

• Arrive early to Keflavik Airport and secure a rental car
• Drive South down the coast to Stekkjarkot. These are homes with traditional grass roofs. Just hop out of the car for 15 minutes and roam around. Next, carry on to Brúin Milli Heimsálfa (Bridge Between Continents) where you can run across a bridge to stand in either North America or Europe. This is an awesome example of tectonic plates, and the area grows about 2 cm per year! 
• Head to the Blue Lagoon and have lunch on site at the Lava Restaurant. We ate lunch in our robes and then hopped back in the Lagoon afterward. Be sure to pack something to keep your phone dry so you can take those iconic photos! Enjoy those carbs at lunch…the bread game in Iceland is top tier. Also – the lava salt on the butter? To die for.
• Drive to Reykjavík and check into your hotel. I suggest The Edition (it’s a Marriott) if you have the budget. The cocktails are topnotch. There are also several Fosshotels that are more economical and include breakfast.
• Do some aimless wandering in the city, have some dinner, and head to bed early to ward off jet lag! If you’re in the mood for some upscale fare, we LOVE Grillmarkaðurinn. But if you’re tired and need options for the family, I would suggest Hlemmur Mathöll indoor food market.
• If you’re traveling in the summer, be sure to get a sleep mask. Even with the curtains drawn in our hotel room, it was still a little bright for me.

Day 2

• Enjoy some breakfast at Cafe Loki and take a look at the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church.
• Morning Options: If you loved the Blue Lagoon and want another geothermal pool experience, check out the sleek Sky Lagoon (ages 12+). Another option would be to explore the Perlan Museum for an engaging indoor activity. 
• Head back to Reykjavik, do a little shopping, and visit THE hot dog stand (Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur) for lunch! 
• Afternoon Options: There are FREE family walking tours available in English every day at 1:30pm that last about 2 hours. If you’re feeling frisky the The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn) is an amusing use of an hour. Is that a penis museum? Yes. Trust me. Depending on the time of year and weather, there are also whale watching tours available. 
• If you’re ready to try some authentic Icelandic fare, check out Íslenski Barinn or Messinn. There’s also a really cool grass-roofed restaurant called ROK that’s a little more upscale.
• Depending on the time of year, it’s either still quite bright outside or completely dark. If you’re still in the mood to explore, you can walk through the town to the Harpa Opera House and continue on to check out the Sun Voyager statue along the ocean.

Day 3

• Enjoy breakfast at Café Babalú for some sweet or savory crepes, coffee and hot chocolate.
• Check out Fly Over Iceland for a one-hour Imax movie type of experience before heading out of Reykjavík to see some epic nature.
• Time to hop in the car and drive 45 minutes to Thingvellir National Park. Spend a few hours hiking through Lögberg, explore Öxarárfoss waterfall, and take in the beauty of Iceland!
• Chilly? Time to drive to Laugarvatn Fontana to warm-up in the geothermal pools…or…cool down even more with a refreshing cold plunge into the lake! 
• Learn how Icelanders bake bread by burying it in the boiling sands of the lake. This hour-long tour is not to be missed! Your taste buds will thank you. 
• Settle in for the evening at Galleri Laugarvatn. Maybe some Northern Lights will be in your future…

Day 4

• Lots to see today, so get an early start! There’s also a lot of driving, so I suggest the podcast Myths & Legends to keep everyone entertained in the car. We listened specifically to the Nordic myths while in Iceland and learned a lot about the “real” Odin, Thor, and Loki while being thoroughly entertained. I also have a list of unplugged entertainment ideas for the kids to keep them busy in the car.
• Up first is the Brúará Trail hike. This is our FAVORITE place in all of Iceland. You’ll get to see three waterfalls on the hike and see colors of blue that you’ve never seen before. The hike isn’t very difficult, but I would recommend legit hiking shoes. Bring a picnic lunch and eat next to the river.
• Get back in the car and drive 15 minutes to see the best geyser around – Strokkur. Spend some time wandering around the geysers and boiling mud pits. Strokkur erupts about every 10 minutes, so you’re guaranteed a good show.
• Another 10 minute drive gets you to one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, Gullfoss. You won’t need much time here.
• Another hour and ten minutes gets you to HorseWorld. These horses are really unique to Iceland. Depending on the time of year and your children’s ages, you can ride the horses or just take a tour of the stables. 
• We’re slowly making our way to Hella, Iceland where you’ll stay the night at Hotel Lækur. This is quite remote and probably one of your best chances to see the aurora borealis. The restaurant on site is really good. There’s also a hot tub, sauna, and cold plunge for some family hygge fun.

Day 5

• Twenty minutes from the hotel is the LAVA Centre. It’s a really interactive museum with local geologists on staff. Learn all about Iceland’s many volcanoes! There’s also a great gift shop.
• Tired of waterfalls? No, you’re not! There are three more on the list for today: Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui, and Skógafoss. All three are pretty close together and will take about an hour of driving, so cue up that podcast. Eat lunch on site at Skógafoss Bistro Bar – the lamb burger is pretty epic.
• Have you heard of the basalt columns and black beaches in Iceland? Time to check them out! Another 30 minutes in the car brings you to the Dyrhólaey Arches (and puffins depending on the time of year), Reynisfjara Beach, and the basalt columns. Spend some time wandering here and take tons of photos! There’s also a cute lighthouse.
• You’ll be staying in Vik for the evening. The aptly named Hótel Vík is a great spot for families with two-story lofted rooms and huge windows. Did I mention that there’s a family-friendly microbrew nearby called Smiðjan Brugghús?
• You’ll definitely want to catch The Lava Show while in town. They demonstrate with real liquid, hot magma! Everyone gets some obsidian to take home as a souvenir. 
• If you need to warm-up after being outside all day, check out the local swimming pool (Sundlaugin Vík) for a sauna and hot tub before dinner. There are several dinner spots in town including Suður-Vík and Halldórskaffi. 

Day 6

• You’re in the car quite a bit today, but worth it, I promise! Depending on the time of year and the ages of your kids, you have some options today within a 2.5 hour drive east:
  • Option 1 – Book a tour to see a Crystal Ice Cave – highly recommend!
  • Option 2 – Do a glacier hike (kids have to be a little older)
  • Option 3 – View the Jökulsárlón glacial lake and watch the seals
  • Option 4 – Iceburg boat tour Fjallsárlón to see the glacier
• Definitely check out Diamond Beach! There are chunks of ice that wash ashore and look like diamonds on the black sand.
• On the way back toward Vik, stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. You can choose just to take a look or hike for as long as you like. Also on the way back to Vik is Gígjagjá or “Yoda Cave”. You’ll only need ten minutes here, but it’s a must for any Star Wars fan.
• This was a big day! Grab some dinner and pass out. If you’re feeling lucky though, you can wander to the Vík i Myrdal Church and join the little crowd trying to catch pictures of the Northern Lights.

Day 7

• All good things must come to an end. It’s about 3 hours back to the airport. The Keflavík Airport has really good food and some great shopping options, if you want to get there early. Stock up on Katla Vodka! There’s also a local spirit called Brennivin, it’s not my cup of tea, but my husband enjoys it. 

Find a detailed list of locations and notes HERE