1 Week in Iceland - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Iceland & the Westman Islands

This action-packed road trip itinerary is ideal for active families interested in exploring the Golden Circle and Westman Islands—from lava tubes and glaciers to black-sand beaches and waterfalls—via ATV, snowmobile, boat, and zip line. 

Ease into your adventure with a soak in the Blue Lagoon, where kids can enjoy the waterfall while adults grab a cocktail at the swim-up bar. Hit the highlights of the Golden Circle, including Þingvellir National Park, before taking a snowmobile ride on Langjökull Glacier. On Day 3, little ones will love hearing Viking stories while scouting for orcas around Heimaey Island. Towering rock columns at Reynisfjara Beach provide the backdrop for playing out folklore stories, and an afternoon zip line tour (suited to ages eight and up) will have the whole family squealing as you soar over Grave Canyon and Dog's Waterfall.

On Day 5, even the big kids will feel tiny, surrounded by the glacial landscapes of Skaftafall National Park and the cliffs of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Spend the morning hiking, then board a boat tour at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and make a game of searching for seals and counting icebergs. En route to Reykjavík, tour Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, where you'll learn about volcanoes from the inside out. Save time before departure for one last hurrah: an ATV tour that takes you up Mount Hagafell, where you can wave goodbye to the Blue Lagoon, Mount Fagradalsfjall, and more from the summit. Learn more

Itinerary #2: South Iceland & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

A variety of wildlife encounters—that include whale watching near Ólafsvík, horseback riding in Vík, and spending time with a puffin colony at Ingólfshöfði Cape—will thrill animal lovers and children of all ages on this family-friendly road trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Golden Circle.

Connect the kids to local lore with a visit to several waterfalls on Day 1, including Glanni Waterfall, where it's rumored trolls and elves reside. Stop by Grundarfjörður fishing village and snag a family photo with Mount Kirkjufell, famous for its steeple-shaped peak, before your whale watching tour at Ólafsvík. A Golden Circle road trip will introduce your crew to tectonic plates at the Mid-Atlantic Rift, powerful spray at Strokkur Geyser, and geothermal pools at The Secret Lagoon. Feel the splash of Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, then sample Icelandic pastries in Vík before a horseback ride along a black sand beach.

Experience a winter wonderland at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on Day 5, where little ones will be amazed by the massive, 1,000-year-old icebergs, then (if traveling during the summer) pay a visit to the puffin colony at nearby ​​Ingólfshöfði Cape. Drive along the South Coast on Day 6, stopping for a hike at Þakgil Canyon, or stroll along the Sólheimasandur black sand beach before returning to Reykjavík. Relax in the geothermal pools at the Blue Lagoon on your final day or, if the kids still have the energy to burn, trek the otherworldly lava fields of Reykjanes National Park. Learn more

Itinerary #3: East-to-West Adventure

Families with older children will enjoy this east-to-west adventure that combines a reindeer safari and ATV adventures in the lesser-visited Eastfjords region with some of Iceland's most popular natural wonders, including hot springs, waterfalls, and an ice cave.

Ditch the crowds and head for the pristine Eastfjords region, where you'll start your trip off right with a rejuvenating soak in the mineral-rich thermal waters at Vök infinity pools. Visit quaint and colorful fishing villages on Day 2 before setting out on a guided reindeer safari in Egilsstaðir to learn about Iceland's only herd of wild reindeer in their natural habitat. Take a hike to Hengifoss waterfall on Day 3 and be rewarded with views of the striking basalt columns, then explore the Hallormdsstaður Forest on ATVs in the afternoon—the kids will love bumping along the trails, crossing streams, and splashing through the mud.

Step inside an ice cave at Jökulsárlón, and stand in awe of the blue hues (don't forget to snap a family photo of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!), then explore the best of the South Coast, including a hike to Svartifoss waterfall. Spend Days 5 and 6 traveling the Golden Circle, with stops at the roaring Skógafoss waterfall and Þríhnúkagígur Volcano, where adventurous kids can descend 400 feet (120 m) into a dormant volcano. For your final day, experience city life along Laugavegur Street in Reykjavík, then sit down to share your favorite Iceland memories over a cup of coffee in the old harbor. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Discover West Iceland

With numerous opportunities to spot wildlife, this weeklong route through Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords is best for your budding birders and marine biologists. Stops in quiet fishing villages and lesser-visited sites in the western region make it well-suited to families who prefer to travel off the beaten path. 

If your children dream of visiting outer space, they'll love starting this adventure with the otherworldly landscapes of Búðahraun and dramatic rock formations such as the Gatklettur Sea Arch. On Day 3, you'll venture to the Westfjords for a bird-watching hike where kids can spot puffins and other seabirds, then observe harbor seals at the red sand beach of Rauðasandur. Picnic at the top of Dynjandi Waterfall on Day 4, drive through fishing villages and mountain passes, and visit Vigur Island, where budding bird-watchers can identify arctic terns and more on a guided walk around the sleepy island. 

Break up the drive on Day 5 with a stop at the Arctic Fox Center to observe orphaned foxes on site, then embark on a whale watching tour in Hólmavík to spot humpback whales in the wild. Head back toward Reykjavík on Day 6, and join an excursion to Víðgelmir Lava Cave, where the whole family will marvel at natural ice formations inside the lava tunnels. Wrap up your Iceland adventure with a relaxing dip in the healing waters at Blue Lagoon Spa. Learn more 

Itinerary #5: North and West Iceland

This ambitious itinerary to Iceland's north and west is best suited to high-energy families interested in geothermal activities and the less traveled road. Share unforgettable experiences that include rafting a glacial river, visiting the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and hiking above and below lava formations. 

Stop by Blue Lagoon for a post-flight soak before visiting Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls—both accessible from the road. Spend Day 2 exploring the lava fields, waterfalls, and volcanoes of Snæfellsnes Peninsula; during the summer months, take a guided hike along the Snæfellsjökull Glacier. Head north to Lake Mývatn, stopping to take the kids rafting with a guide on a glacial river in Hafgrímsstaðir en route. Set out on the Diamond Circle route on Day 4, which includes Dettifoss (the most powerful waterfall in Europe), a hike at Ásbyrgi canyon, whale watching in Húsavík, and a natural steam bath at Lake Mývatn. 

Take a walk beneath the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and trek the Leirhnjúkur lava fields on Day 5—the geothermal activity and formations in this region create a mysterious vibe that might give your family the feeling of exploring another world. Before you return to Reykjavík, take a detour to Húsafell and travel to the top of the ice cap at Langjökull glacier. Children will especially enjoy the ice tunnels. For your final day, take a tour around the capital city, or, if your family is up for one more adventure, book an ATV excursion to the summit of Mount Hagafellvisit or take a drive to Reykjanes National Park. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Iceland Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Iceland? Check out these other one-week Iceland itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.