Iceland Family Travel

When taking your kids on an exciting Icelandic adventure, planning ahead is key. Below, you'll find tips for creating a trip that's fun for the whole family, including must-do activities in each region and the country's top highlights. Depending on how much time you have, explore our suggestions for family-friendly itineraries across Iceland, such as this 6-day road trip along the South Coast or this 14-day journey from Western Iceland to the Arctic North.

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Planning your family trip to Iceland

Take a hike in Þingvellir National Park with the kids in tow

1 Week in Iceland - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

One week in Iceland is enough time for a family-friendly, adventure-filled road trip that includes popular highlights and natural wonders along the South Coast and Golden Circle. Families with older children can incorporate ATV and snowmobile tours. Those with budding birders and biologists should consider itineraries that include Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Eastfjords, or the Westfjords for a chance to encounter wildlife such as puffins, seals, and whales.

Siblings look out over Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon

10 Days in Iceland - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Iceland, you can explore the highlights as a family on an exciting voyage around the famous Golden Circle route or stick to one area, such as Snæfellsnes and Patreksfjörður in the wild west. Venture east to west, covering Egilsstaðir, Höfn, and Vík, and squeeze in a trip to the Westman Islands to get off the beaten track. The south is ideal for wildlife-loving families, where you can see puffins and whales from Reykjavík and the geothermal pools of the Secret Lagoon and Blue Lagoon.

Father and son hopping on rocks and enjoying Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland

2 Weeks in Iceland - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With two weeks in Iceland, you can make a complete loop around the country on a wintry adventure perfect for older children or stick to a northwest road trip to unplug and recharge while hiking, horseback riding, and soaking in geothermal pools. First-time travelers to Iceland can opt for a scenic tour of Snæfellsnes, Golden Circle, and the Westman Islands, while those ready to get well off the beaten path should opt for a trip to the Westfjords.

Whale watching is available all year round in Iceland

Top 12 Family Activities in Iceland

Iceland is a magical place for children - from horseback riding to volcanoes to whale watching, the options for families are endless. Family travel is easy and safe in Iceland where tour companies welcome children and hotels are family friendly. We've compiled a list of our top year-round activities for families with kids aged 5-16.

Admire Icelandic nature with the whole family

Best Family Activities in Iceland: North, South, East, and West

With a variety of fun and unique outdoor and indoor activities, your kids will love Iceland just as much as you will. Where else can kids take a dip in a natural hot spring, explore a Viking village, and go ice-skating on the same day?

Traveler Interview: Multigenerational Trip to Iceland

With grandparents and a six-year-old in tow, kimkim traveler Lesley Santiago needed to plan a trip that was fun, educational, and great for all ages. Iceland proved to be the perfect place, with plenty of family-friendly wintertime activities to choose from. From the Blue Lagoon to snowmobiling on a glacier, Lesley gives us the highlights and some tips for planning a multigenerational vacation.

Traveler Interview: Northern Lights Family Adventure in Iceland

Keith Fentress and his family were on a mission to see the Northern Lights, and enlisted kimkim to plan their winter trip to Iceland. They were lucky enough to catch the auroras on their week-long adventure, and had lots of wintry fun along the way. From lava caves to glacier snowmobiling and a memorable surprise on their last day, Keith shares more about their experience.

Iceland family-friendly itineraries

Iceland South Coast Family Road Trip - 6 Days

Drive Iceland's south coast for a memorable family adventure in just under a week. After getting to know Reykjavik, you'll check off blockbuster natural sites in the Golden Circle like Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Finish the self-guided tour with two nights among glaciers and black sand beaches in Vik and the Skaftafell area.

Skogafoss Waterfall, frozen in the winter

Iceland Family-Friendly Winter Road Trip - 7 Days

This self-drive tour takes you along Iceland's south and west coasts for those in search of unique family adventure. After a day exploring the capital city, Reykjavik, you'll head west to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in miniature" with a bit of everything (and a fraction of the crowds). You'll then continue to the more popular Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall), and finish with two nights along the south coast discovering glaciers and black sand beaches.

Escape the crowds and explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Western Iceland Family Road Trip - 6 Days

This self-drive itinerary includes a mix of off-the-beaten-path gems and Icelandic highlights for the ultimate family adventure. Grab your rental car and head west for hiking, lava fields, and small fishing towns along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Then, check out a number of blockbuster sights in the Golden Circle before one last night on the town in Reykjavik.

Active Iceland Ring Road Adventure for Families - 10 Days

Perfect for families with energetic older kids, this exhilarating 10-day road trip takes in the best of the country's natural wonders as you tour Iceland's famous Ring Road. Discover the beauty of the Golden Circle before hiking the black-sand beaches and waterfalls of the South Coast. Explore the wild Eastfjords and raft glacial whitewater in the north as you adventure among volcanoes, canyons, glaciers, and lava caves to create family memories that will last a lifetime.

Family fun in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

South Iceland & Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Family-Friendly Road Trip - 7 Days

Venture off the beaten track with this seven-day family road trip that takes you through Iceland's beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula, across the iconic geysers of the Golden Circle, and to the breathtaking waterfalls of the South Coast. Discover orcas as you ride the ocean waves on a whale watching tour, and ride horses along the glittering black sands of Vík before getting up close and personal with the colorful puffins at Ingólfshöfði Cape.

A family hike through the Iceland landscape

Highlights of Iceland & the Westman Islands: Family-Friendly Road Trip - 7 Days

Perfect for active families, this seven-day road trip combines the best child-friendly excursions with Iceland's stunning highlights. Discover lava tunnels, lunar landscapes, and thundering waterfalls as you drive the country's Golden Circle. Set sail to the volcanic island of Heimaey and explore the icebergs, glaciers, and glittering black sands of the South Coast. A day in Reykjavík concludes this family adventure.

Have fun with the kids riding Icelandic horses

Iceland's Wild West & Arctic North Family Road Trip - 14 Days

Switch off your devices and reconnect with your family on this captivating two-week Icelandic road trip. Touch down in Reykjavík, where you'll explore 8,000-year-old glittering lava tunnels before heading west to immerse yourselves in nature, waterfalls, and the untouched Westfjords. Along the way, hike icy glaciers, ride Icelandic horses across stunning vistas, and enjoy quality time with the kids as you venture across vast fjords, red-sand beaches, and peninsulas rich in Norse mythology.

South Iceland Family Road Trip: Snaefellsnes, Golden Circle & Westman Islands - 10 Days

Combine adventure, wildlife excursions, and the best of Iceland's magical beauty on this 10-day family road trip. Travel through volcanic fields in Borgarfjörður, steeped in Old Norse mythology, and uncover the treasures of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Enjoy much-needed family time as you explore the waterfalls, secret lagoons, and geysers of Iceland's iconic Golden Circle at your own pace. A relaxed tour of the volcanic Heimaey Island and the glacial gems of the South Coast complete your family adventure.

Take the little ones to Iceland for fun family adventure

Discover Iceland's Wild West: Family Road Trip - 14 Days

Discover the remote beauty of Iceland's wilder western side with this two-week family road trip. Spend quality time exploring Reykjavík's city sights before journeying west across the captivating Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the untouched Westfjords. Explore vast red-sand beaches, venture inside glaciers, and experience thundering waterfalls as you and the kids reconnect with nature and hang out with giant orcas, playful seas, and enchanting Arctic foxes.

Discover West Iceland: Family-Friendly Road Trip - 7 Days

Packed full of family-friendly wildlife excursions and exhilarating drives through Iceland's rugged Westfjords region, this seven-day itinerary takes you past waterfalls, mountains, fjords, and red-sand beaches to wind up in the contemporary environs of Reykjavík. Along the way, discover tiny fishing villages untouched by time, remote islands full of seabirds, and the breathtaking landscape of Iceland's lesser-traveled western side.

South Iceland Family Road Trip: Snaefellsnes, Golden Circle & Westman Islands - 14 Days

Experience the best of Iceland on this 14-day family road trip that combines thrilling icy excursions and memorable encounters with whales and puffins. Uncover the treasures of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula before spending quality family time together as you explore the waterfalls, secret lagoons, and geysers of Iceland's Golden Circle at your own pace. Spend a relaxed couple of days on volcanic Heimaey Island before an exhilarating simulated flight ride in Reykjavík completes your adventure.

North & West Iceland Family Adventure - 7 Days

Discover Iceland's wilder side with this whirlwind, seven-day road trip that takes you through the highlights of the country's north and west. Ideal for active families with older kids, experience thundering waterfalls, glacier volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, and ice caves as you journey from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the shores of Lake Mývatn. With exhilarating excursions aplenty, create treasured memories and enjoy quality family time while uncovering the land of ice and fire.

East to West Iceland Family Adventure -7 Days

Perfect for families with older children in search of adventure and a digital switch-off, this seven-day road trip combines breathtaking excursions and a tour of Iceland's remote Eastfjords region. Discover wild reindeer, wintry glaciers, narrow fjords, towering basalt cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls as you venture from east to west. Along the way, you'll ride Icelandic horses, step inside a volcano, and relax in a geothermal infinity pool, ending your holiday restored, relaxed, and refreshed.

Best of Iceland's Wild West & Arctic North: Family Friendly Road Trip - 10 Days

Leave your cares behind you on this rejuvenating 10-day Icelandic family adventure that kicks off in the iconic Blue Lagoon Spa and ends with a journey into the icy heart of the Langjökull glacier. Along the way, discover Norse mythology, waterfalls, and lava caves among the wild beauty of Borgarfjörður and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Go horseback riding, whale watching, and puffin spotting along the northern coast, then head for the myriad charms of Reykjavík via the geothermal wonders of Lake Mývatn.

Relaxed West Iceland Family Self-Drive - 10 Days

Experience West Iceland's wild beauty with this 10-day road trip, perfect for families who want to see the country's natural wonders at a more leisurely pace. Journey across the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and encounter tiny fishing villages, black sandy beaches, and epic mountains before finishing in the remote and untouched Westfjords. Savor moments with whales, seals, puffins, and Arctic foxes.

Wintry Iceland Family Adventure - 14 Days

If you're looking for a thrilling winter trip to Iceland that traverses all the highlights via the famous Ring Road, look no further. Experience glittering snowy landscapes and the bucket-list sight of the magical northern lights with this 14-day, excursion-packed itinerary. Perfect for families with adventurous older kids, you'll dogsled your way across snowy vistas, climb ice walls, hang out with a herd of wild reindeer, and relax in the therapeutic geothermal waters of Mývatn.

Iceland Family Adventure: East to West Highlights & Westman Islands - 10 Days

This relaxed, 10-day road trip is perfect for outdoor-loving families wanting to explore Iceland's stunning natural highlights with a sprinkling of adventure. Recharge at the geothermal Vök Baths in the untouched and remote Eastfjords before journeying west via the South Coast, Westman Islands, and stunning Golden Circle. You'll wind up whale watching in Reykjavík but not before you've hung out with native reindeer, whizzed along a glacier on a snowmobile, and ventured inside a magical ice cave.

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