What you'll do
A trip to Iceland isn’t usually the first to come to mind for families but Iceland is a wonderful country that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This itinerary is for self-driving families wanting to see the top sights that are easily accessible from Reykjavik.
You’ll explore the city, eat delicious food, swim in geothermal waters, see gorgeous natural sights, and have unforgettable experiences with your family!
This itinerary is flexible in that you may switch around days because they all start and end in Reykjavik. If you’re arriving in Iceland on Day 1 of the itinerary, head straight to Reykjavik and do what you can. Or, give yourself an extra day and begin the itinerary the morning after your arrival.
Keep in mind that jet lag tends to affect older kids and adults on the 2nd day of travel. Traveling with few commitments & reservations will make it easier to rest when you need and not miss out on too much.
Two of the most difficult things about traveling in Iceland are the weather and daylight hours. Always check the weather, safety alerts, and road conditions before heading out for adventure and throughout the day - conditions can change quickly, even in the summer! If you’re traveling in winter when daylight hours are minimal (only 4 hours in mid-December!) you may need to alter and skip things in this itinerary, especially on days 3 & 4. Add Civil Twilight hours to your usable exploring time and be cautious of staying out too late. Driving in the dark on icy roads while it’s snowing is not easy and should be avoided.
Overall, this 4-day itinerary is sure to create memories and give you a good taste of Iceland’s magnificent culture and beauty.
Day 1
VELKOMIN TIL ÍSLANDS! Today is all about adjusting to the time change and remaining flexible so that the kids have enough time to rest but also an opportunity to expend some energy! Start the day with a swim at one of the local pools - Laugardalslaug is great for the kids with it’s waterslides and other play structures and all pools have hot tubs for the adults.
Afterwards, walk around the city, visit the highlights, do some shopping, refresh at the hotel and enjoy a lovely meal out. Grillmarkaðurinn has a number of small dishes and side items that are good for kids and picky eaters.
Alternate Recommendations:
Depending on the time of your arrival in Iceland, you may want to visit Blue Lagoon before coming into the city and instead of Laugardalslaug. Blue Lagoon is close to the international airport and is an iconic Iceland destination. However, they do not allow children under 2 years old and pre-booking is essential.
Laugardalslaug
Gorące źródło
Main swimming pool
The main swimming pool in Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja
kultura
Famous church
Hallgrimskirkja is perhaps the most famous building in all of Iceland. It's an iconic symbol of Reyjavík and an awesome place to visit. The church is equally beautiful inside and outside. I recommend going up to the viewtower for some great 360° view of Reykjavík
Sun Voyager
Zwiedzanie
Big attraction
Sun voyager is one of the main attractions along the shore walk.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
kultura
Conference hall
Harpa is a concert hall and conference centre in Reykjavík, Iceland. The opening concert was held on May 4, 2011. The building features a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland
Tjörnin
Zwiedzanie
Lake walk in Reykjavik
Tjörnin means "the pond" and is a little lake/pond inside the city centre. It's next to the city hall. I totally recommend grabbing a cup of coffee at O'Le or some other nearby coffeehouse and walk around the lake.
Grillmarkaðurinn
restauracja
Best steak house
Grillmarkaðurinn never fails to deliver an awesome experience. This place is perfect for all kinds of groups sizes, ranging form couples to large corporate groups. Definetely a classic!