Why You Should Take an Iceland Family Vacation + Advice

I am obsessed with Iceland. And I think this obsession is justified. It has mountains, glaciers, hot springs, beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and MORE. It’s this little country of awesome things, and everyone should visit if given the opportunity. I have visited as a young, solo traveler, and I have also visited with my husband and toddler. Both were amazing. And this post is to convince you that an Iceland Family Vacation is a great idea.

We’ll start with 10 reasons why you should take an Iceland Family Vacation. And then I’ll share some tips for planning your trip.

Why You Should Take an Iceland Family Vacation – 10 Reasons:

#1. There are SO many family-friendly things to do.

Iceland is incredibly family-friendly. So much of it is outdoor activities, and kids are always welcome in nature. There are also tons of playgrounds, cool bounce pads, family-friendly museums, and more.

Here are some Iceland Family Vacation activity ideas:

  • The Golden Circle – one of Iceland’s main attractions, can be easily done with kids.
  • Visit any of Iceland’s beaches – I especially recommend Vik’s black sand beach.
  • Farm activities! – You can go horseback riding, stay at Airbnbs that are on farms, or just visit different farms and view their animals.
  • Bounce pads – these are free and found all over Iceland.
  • Swim in a geothermal pool – Iceland is known for their pools, and some are SO kid-friendly.
  • Go hiking – bring a carrier if you have a little one who won’t last long.
  • Visit Iceland’s fabulous waterfalls – toddlers will love the rocks and water, older kids will marvel at the beauty of the waterfalls or can hike around.
  • Check out family-friendly museums in Reykjavik
  • Go whale watching – there are tours all over the coast of Iceland.
  • Visit The Blue Lagoon – you can visit the resort and swim, which can be expensive. Or you can walk around outside it for free 24 hours per day – also a great option if you have little one’s under 2 who aren’t allowed to swim.
  • Glacier Hikes – this would be an older kiddo activity.
Turquoise water cloud reflections at The Blue Lagoon Iceland with a toddler

The Blue Lagoon during the Midnight Sun with our toddler

#2. It is possible to find cheap flights to Iceland.

An Iceland family vacation can cost a lot less to fly to than other international destinations.

If you’re flying from the USA, there are many cities that fly nonstop to Iceland, and you can catch flight deals on these. It’s also an easy destination from European cities.

I recommend using Google Flights and setting up notifications to let you know of cheaper flight deals.

#3. You can use Iceland as a layover destination.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you can use Iceland as a layover destination and just spend a few nights there before continuing on with your travels. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is a destination in itself, so you could spend a few nights there as a family and have a wonderful time.

Icelandair often has deals to use Iceland as a layover vacation. (Also, Icelandair is just a lovely airline.)

Read Next: THE Amazing Toddler Travel Essentials You Need or Visit Grand Haven, Michigan with a Toddler

#4. You can spend so much time outside.

So much!

I already listed some of the family-friendly things to do, but this is an outdoor travel blog. Of course I have to mention – again – how many spectacular nature attractions there are.

As a family, you can spend almost all of your time outside, marveling at nature’s beauty.

  • Waterfalls
  • Geysers
  • Mountains
  • Glaciers
  • Natural Pools
  • Beaches
  • Lakes
  • Volcanoes

A lot of these are easily accessible too! If you have littles who can’t or won’t hike far, that’s ok. Most of these can be accessed by short walks from your car.

I have a post with the best outdoor activities for toddlers, but these can be done with older kiddos as well!

#5. Iceland can be an affordable destination.

Iceland has a bad rap for being expensive. And it is in some ways. I’m honest here on this blog.

Food is extremely expensive because it’s an island with a less than ideal climate for growing its own food.

Accommodations can also be expensive because there are so few options.

But! there are ways to avoid high costs on these: Rent local airbnbs (there are cheaper ones available!) and cook when you can. Restaurants are pretty expensive, so try to buy groceries and cook for your family most of the time.

So yes, those things are more expensive.

But if you can find inexpensive flights to get there and you spend most of your time outdoors (which is usually free!), your Iceland Family Vacation does not have to cost an astronomical amount. If your daily activities are free, you’re going to spend less than you would on other family vacations.

#6. All seasons have their perks.

I think summer in Iceland is the BEST time to visit, especially with kids. I’ve visited Iceland in both winter and summer, and summer gets my vote always.

Any season in this country, though, can be great.

If you visit in the off-seasons, Spring and Fall, you’ll have fewer crowds and cheaper accommodations.

Summer gives you The Midnight Sun, pleasant weather, and more daylight for outdoor activities.

Winter can be magical. The Northern Lights, a cozy feel, and pretty snow.

I go in-depth on when to visit Iceland in a different post. If you’re on the fence on when to go, I highly recommend reading it.

#7. It’s easy to drive around.

Iceland is really not that big. You could plan a week-long (or longer!) Iceland family vacation and drive the perimeter of the country. You could also make Reykjavik your home base and get to a ton of attractions within a couple hours of driving. Or you could hop around and spend a couple nights in different small towns.

Here are some road trip ideas from an Icelandic local.

#8. Almost everyone speaks English.

Traveling as a family can feel overwhelming, and it’s helpful if you can talk to people who speak your own language. English is taught in school in Iceland, so almost everyone can speak it.

#9. Iceland is extremely safe.

Iceland is one of the safest countries on the planet, and it’s nice to travel as a family to somewhere where crime is almost nonexistent. Whether you’re in the countryside or the city, Iceland is safe.

#10. The geothermal pools and hot springs are amazing.

Iceland has pools and hot springs galore. They have pools, similar to what you’d think of at a YMCA or public pool in other places, but SO MUCH BETTER. The water isn’t full of chemicals, they’re SO NICE, and admittance is usually inexpensive.

They also have outdoor, more nature-y hot springs.

Any of these are awesome family-friendly activities. You can spend a whole afternoon at one. And each pool or hot spring is different, so you can visit different ones while you’re there.

Our favorite family one that we visited was in Selfoss.

Just google “pool” in whatever town you’re in, and I’m sure you’ll find one nearby.

*Because their pools are natural, you must fully shower – naked – before going in their water. Just embrace the nakedness :)*

family in Iceland

Seriously, Iceland is the best place for a family vacation.

Tips for an Incredible Iceland Family Vacation

  • Rent a car to have the flexibility and time to explore as you wish.
  • Visit in the summer if you have little kids. You’ll have better weather and more daylight.
  • Rent a wifi device ahead of time. We used Trawire. It was only $10 per day and super convenient.
  • Try not to overfill your itinerary. Leave time to enjoy the country and each other. Don’t rush from place to place.
  • Book accommodations well in advance! They can fill up because there are not a lot of options.
    • Book places with kitchenettes so you can cook your own meals.
  • Try not to plan to buy things – like diapers, warm clothes, etc. – in Iceland. Things can be expensive.
  • Pack lots of layers for everyone! The weather can change by the hour.
  • If you’re traveling with a toddler, check out my resource for tons of great advice.
  • Visit The Blue Lagoon for free if you don’t want to spend the money on swimming/visiting the resort.
  • Bring reusable water bottles. Iceland has some of the best water in the world!
  • Keep your kids safe at the outdoor areas – there can be big drops by waterfalls, super hot water by geysers, etc.

Have an Incredible Iceland Family Vacation.

I hope you have the best time on your Iceland Family Vacation. It’s such a unique, lovely place. I could visit every year and not tire of it.

If you have any questions, comment below! Please share this post with a friend who needs to plan a family trip 🙂

And don’t forget to Be Kind to Iceland while you’re there.

More on Iceland:

Iceland Family Vacation Pin

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