Iceland vacation with children

Tips, itinerary & highlights

Our vacation to Iceland was absolutely one of the most fantastic experiences we’ve had with our children. There’s so much to discover in a relatively small area, and some things you can hardly see anywhere else. Neither we nor the children were bored for a moment. We saw whales and puffins, just to name a few. Are you planning a trip to Iceland with children soon? In this blog, I’ll share my tips, our itinerary, and the highlights of our trip to Iceland with kids!

This blog is written by Angelique.

Want to read more about traveling with kids to Scandinavia? Be sure to check out our blogs about Norway, Sweden, Finland & Denmark.

Iceland vacation with kids - tips, itinerary & highlights

♥ Is a vacation to Iceland with children recommended?
♥ Tips for a vacation to Iceland with children
♥ Our itinerary during our vacation
♥ Our highlights during our vacation

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Is a vacation to Iceland with children recommended?

Iceland is very accessible. There is good healthcare, quality accommodation, and the roads are well maintained. Moreover, most natural attractions are located close to the road. Although we enjoy long walks with our children, that’s not always practical. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk far to enjoy the beautiful nature.

In addition, after a short walk, you can enjoy a natural hot spring in almost every village. This is truly an experience you shouldn’t miss and is just as unique as the natural cenotes in Mexico.

Tips for a vacation to Iceland with children

Clothing in layers

The climate in Iceland can be very changeable, even within a single day. Therefore, it’s wise to bring clothing in layers. This allows you to adjust your outfit to changing weather conditions. Think of waterproof and breathable clothing, as rain can appear at any moment.

Blackout curtains for the windows

If you travel to Iceland in the summer, you should be aware of the almost constant light conditions. Some accommodations may not have curtains, which can make it difficult for children to sleep. Therefore, consider bringing something to darken the windows, such as a sleep mask or blackout curtains.

Tip: Here you will find a simple overview of how many hours of daylight Iceland has per month.

Our itinerary during our vacation to Iceland with children

Iceland, the land of epic landscapes, geothermal wonders, and unique adventures, had long been on our bucket list. Over the course of 2 weeks, we took our kids on an unforgettable road trip along Iceland’s famous Ring Road. Here is our route that we traveled during our vacation to Iceland with children:

Reykjavik

Our Icelandic adventure began in the vibrant capital, Reykjavik. We spent the first few days exploring this colorful city, with highlights such as the Hallgrímskirkja church and the National Museum.

Golden Circle

We continued our journey to the famous Golden Circle route, where we discovered some of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. We witnessed the powerful eruptions of the Geysir, felt the mist from the Gullfoss waterfall, and explored the historic Thingvellir National Park, where the continental plates drift apart.

If your children are a bit older and can enjoy hiking, then it’s fun to hike in the Golden Circle.

Husavik

We headed north to Iceland, to the charming Husavik, where an unforgettable whale-watching adventure awaited us. Seeing these majestic sea creatures in their natural habitat was an absolute highlight.

Seydisfjordur

After a scenic drive along the coast of Iceland, we reached Seydisfjordur, a picturesque harbor town surrounded by majestic fjords. Here, we found tranquility in the surrounding nature, hiked through breathtaking landscapes, and enjoyed the peace.

Jokulsarlon

Of course, we visited the breathtaking Diamond Beach and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where we admired the icebergs in all their glory.

Seljalandsfoss and Kerid

Our journey took us to the south of Iceland, where we visited the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can even walk behind it. Nearby, we discovered the volcanic crater Kerid, with its striking blue lake.

Favorite accommodations

We personally enjoyed our stay at Hafaldan HI Hostel in Seydisfjordur and Lambhus Glacier View Cabins the most. These places offered great experiences and comfortable accommodations.

The highlights of our vacation to Iceland with children

During our vacation to Iceland with children, there were several absolute highlights that we recommend. The first is whale watching in Husavik. This is a great opportunity to see majestic whales in their natural environment.

Another must-do experience is a visit to Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. These locations offer breathtaking views of floating icebergs and crystal-clear glacial water. And with a bit of luck, you might spot some seals here! What a fantastic experience during our vacation in Iceland with children.

Are you convinced that Iceland should be your next destination? Then be sure to read the blog from wonenwerkenleven.nl: Keep this in mind when visiting Iceland.

More Scandinavia

Copenhagen is a fantastic city to visit with children. It’s just an hour’s flight from Amsterdam, it is calm and compact, and there are many great restaurants and beautiful shops. An ideal city for a city trip with kids!

Read the blog here

About Angelique

I am Angelique, 37 years old, and I am a proud mother of two sons, Gaston (6 years) and Leon (3 years). Together with my wonderful husband Thierry, we try to make the most out of life. We are not very materialistic, but we enjoy quality time together, as well as with our friends and family.

In our free time, we often go away for weekends or on vacation. I work as a flight attendant, which gives me the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my children. When I have time off and my husband does not, I sometimes dare to travel alone with the kids. Recently, for example, I went on a weekend trip alone with my oldest son while my husband took our youngest out. The quality time I had with each of them was truly amazing.

Our trips before the children

For the children, we also took a 3-month world trip, visiting countries like New Zealand, Tibet, and Bali. And thanks to my job, I have been able to see many beautiful places around the world, especially in Africa, including Kenya, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

Our trips with children

When our oldest was still small, we traveled to Montenegro and South Africa. We were really impressed by Montenegro. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic hit, and we were stuck during the years when our oldest had to go to school. Now, we are bound by school holidays.

I would love to explore almost all the destinations I have visited with the children again. I want them to experience the diversity of the world, and I am interested in other cultures and traditions. At the same time, I am now a bit more concerned and will be less likely to travel to countries with high crime rates or serious health risks. After all, I am a caring mother!

Follow Angelique on Instagram @de.vliegende.mama