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Kid friendly itinerary Iceland 2021

We did 2 weeks in Iceland with our family of five. 2 adults (30-somethings) and 3 kids (7, 4, and 6months).

We stayed places where we could cook and could sleep up to 4. I would recommend every one of these places, so I thought I'd share with the good folks here:

Reykjavik Central Apartments:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/is/reykjavik-apartments.html
Eidhus Apartments:
https://www.hotels.com/ho731032544/ei-hus-apartments-eyja-og-miklaholtshreppur-iceland/
Hotel Anna (from RS guidebook):
https://www.hotelanna.is/
Skyrhusid (from RS guidebook):
https://skyrhusid.is/
Sol Apartments:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/is/sol-apartment.html

This is a rough version of our itinerary. Traveling without kids, you could do twice this much easily.

Day 1 we did some napping, our test results came back by noon and we picked up groceries. We were too wiped out to do anything, no sight seeing.

Day 2 we did the RS Reykjavik walk, grabbed some famous hot dogs, did a Puffin watching tour (booked through adventures.com) and went to the Whales of Iceland exhibit (got a discount through the puffin tour we booked) kids enjoyed it all, though they complained a bit about the walking around town, got a bit bored with my reading from the guidebook.

Day 3 Golden Circle: 1st stop Thingvellir (I think we got there by 10:30 or so) followed by Laugarvatn Fontana, where we did the rye bread tasting (my kids liked the tour but not the bread) and swimming in the spa (which they LOVED) we did the 2:30 bread tour, headed to the pool around 3, and we finally left for dinner around 6:30 or 7. We went to Efstidalur II for burgers and ice cream, then finished the day at Geysir and Gulfoss. Made it back to the apartment by 11.

Day 4 Fagradalsfjall volcano hike. We did trail A (which is now closed) so it was super cool and a good hike (a bit hard for kids) but none of my expertise will benefit anyone except this: download the parka.is app and pay to park before you get there. The website frequently doesn't work, no matter what credit card you use, but the app is easy.

Day 5 our rainy laundry/recovery day after a big hike. We did the Perlan museum, adults took turns walking to the flea market during baby's nap, and we went to one of the city pools after dinner.

Day 6 check out, walk to a playground in Reykjavik, drive to Borgarnes and eat lunch at the settlement center restaurant. Drive to accomodations in Snaefellsnes. Visit Raudfeldsgja Gorge and Ystri Tunga beach.

Day 7 Arnarstapi to Hellnar hike (got hot chocolate at fjoruhusid), Gestastofa visitors center, Saxholl crater, Kirkufellsfoss, and a few other assorted stops for photos.

Day 8 check out, get gas, get baked goods as Geirabakari on our way back through Borgarnes, head to the south coast. Hike to Reykjadalur to swim in the river. Absolutely awesome! Though one kid did fall in the river fully clothed at the end 🙄. He wore my coat and gloves and had to ride on dad's shoulders on the hike back. Check into our south coast home.

Day 9 Dyrholaey, Reynisfjara, lunch at Soup Company in Vik. Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui.

Day 10 Westman Islands day trip: RS walking tour, volcano museum, Sealife Trust, and our overlooked favorite: right at the harbor a statue of a fisherman Asi i Bae. He wrote songs (mostly about the sea and such) and the bench next to the statue has a button you can press to play some of his songs. This delights me for some reason.

Day 11 check out Skogafoss and Skogar Museum. Drive up the coast to Katla visitors center and do short geology walk. Drive to Skyrhusid.

Day 12 diamond beach, boat tour of Jokulsarlon, lunch at cafe at Fjallsarlon, quick walk to view glacier. The long drive back to Keflavik.

Day 13 pack up, get our nose swabs (we did the rapid tests), and have our plan to visit reykjanesfolkvangur foiled by road closure. If I'd been smart we'd have just gone to the pool. Instead we visited Kerid crater. Final dinner at Ingolfskalli.

Posted by
2252 posts

I am in awe of this; your planning, your execution of the plans and the ability to make what seems like a busy schedule work so well with small kiddos! It sounds like you had a great time and I know you’ll be surprised at how much your children will remember. Well, probably not the 6 month old!! I fully encourage and applaud traveling with little ones. Congratulations on such a successful trip!! Thank you for including your itinerary and all the details.

Posted by
1601 posts

Thanks for sharing! I am taking my kid to Iceland on Wednesday.....but he is 24 : )

Posted by
2640 posts

I too love that you took the kids! We always took our kids with us when they were very young as well and they both love travel to this day and they are 28 and 30. We are all headed back in August as well!

I took a few notes from your report, so thank you. One thing we already have on our agenda is dinner at Ingolfsskali.

Posted by
464 posts

Thanks for sharing! What a great recap of your family trip to Iceland. As a parent of young kids, I always appreciate reading about other people’s experiences. We had hoped to travel to Europe this summer though I’m not sure if that will happen at this point.

Posted by
3561 posts

Thank you for sharing! I too love that you took your kids! We never traveled as a family when I was young ( my mom said because my brother and I fought too much)! So, I have made a point to travel with my girls.

Posted by
99 posts

Chairman Meow,
Laugarvatn Fontana makes traditional rye bread, baked in the ground by the hot pot so it cooks in the ground.
You can pay to do the tour where they teach you about the bread, dig it up, and serve up as much bread as you can eat.
It was delicious and I highly recommend it ☺