Sample Iceland Itineraries With Kids

After we booked our 10-night trip to Iceland with kids, we were not exactly sure how to divide our time.  I read one guide-book we consulted suggested not to travel the Ring Road with kids because of boredom and carsickness.  Our kids are not prone to either (and certainly loved our Ring Road trip), but I wish we were able to locate suggested Iceland itineraries for families with kids before booking hotels.  Luckily, our guestimated pace worked out great.  My key advice to anyone planning a trip to Iceland for at least three nights is to try to fit in a trip to Jökulsárlón Lake.  I’ve never met an Iceland traveler who wasn’t wowed by this amazing glacial lake.

Our family spent 10 nights in Iceland and traveled the Ring Road and then ended our trip with 4 nights in Reykjavik that allowed us to take several day trips.  Our itinerary was an extended version of the 9 day trip.  For families planning a trip to Iceland with kids, here are some suggested itineraries to consider:

Iceland Itinerary 3 Days

Day 1 – Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik

• Pre-book at Blue Lagoon in morning to coordinate with your arrival
• Hallgrímskirkja
• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Harpa
• Baejarins Beztu Pylsur – hot dog stand

Day 2 – Golden Circle Day (via rental car or pre-booked day tour)

• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir and Strokkur
• Gullfoss
• Kerid Crater

Day 3 – Reykjavik to Airport

• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Visit Harbor Area
• Return to Keflavik Airport

Iceland Itinerary 4 Days

Day 1 – Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik

• Pre-book at Blue Lagoon to coordinate with your arrival
• Hallgrímskirkja
• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Harpa
• Baejarins Beztu Pylsur – hot dog stand

Day 3 – Golden Circle Tour (via rental car or pre-booked day tour) Stay in Vik

• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir and Strokkur
• Gullfoss
• Kerid Crater
• Seljalandfoss Waterfall

Day 3 – Vik to Reykjavik

• Reynisfjara Beach
• Dyrhólaey
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Skogafoss Waterfall
• Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Day 4 – Reykjavik to Airport

• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Visit Harbor Area
• Return to Keflavik Airport

Iceland Itinerary 5 Days

Day 1 – Travel from Keflavik Airport to Vík, stay in Vík

• Seljalandfoss Waterfall
• Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
• Skogafoss Waterfall
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Dyrhólaey

Day 2 – Travel to Jökulsárlón Lake and back to Vík (many tourists do not travel East of Vík, but you will really be missing out if you do not see Vatnajökull Glacier and Jökulsárlón Lake, which were absolute highlights of our trip).

• Reynisfjara Beach
• Vík
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
• Vatnajökull Glacier
• Jökulsárlón Lake
• Return to Vík

Day 3 – Travel from Vík to Golden Circle to Reykjavik

• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir and Strokkur
• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Kerið Crater

Day 4 – Reykjavik

• Hallgrímskirkja
• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Sun Voyager sculpture
• Harpa
• Baejarins Beztu Pylsur – hot dog stand

Day 5

• Pre-book at Blue Lagoon in morning to coordinate with your departure
• Return to Keflavik Airport

Iceland Itinerary 7 Days

Expand on the 5 Day Trip by extending stays in Reykjavik and Vík adding on whale watching, lava tunnel tour, a day-trip to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, visit to Reykjanes Peninsula and Bridge Between Two Continents in Reykjanes, Laki crater or a show at Harpa. 

Iceland Itinerary 9 Days 

Day 1 – Travel from Keflavik Airport to Vík, stay in Vík

• Seljalandfoss Waterfall
• Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
• Skogafoss Waterfall
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Dyrhólaey

Day 2 – Travel from Vík to Höfn

• Reynisfjara Beach
• Vík
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
• Vatnajökull Glacier
• Jökulsárlón Lake
• Höfn

Day 3 – Travel to Egilsstadir or Eskifjörður

• Picnic lunch along ocean
• Spar Crystal Mine (Eskifjörður)

Day 3 – Travel to Husavík

• Eskifjörður pool
• Dettifoss Waterfall

Day 4 – Husavík Whale Watching and Myvatn

• Whale watching tour
• Myvatn Lake area
• Stay in Myvatn (if you can find accommodation) or in Akureyri (stopping at Godafoss en route)
• Goðafoss Waterfall

Day 5 – Akureyri

• Goðafoss Waterfall
• Explore Akureyri – shops and Akureyrarkirkja
• Akureyri Thermal Pool
• Back up day for whale watching in Dalvík or Husavík in case of inclement weather on Day 4 or Myvatn Lake area if you did not have sufficient time on Day 4

Day 6 – Travel to Reykjavik

• Travel to Reykjavik
• Laudardalslaug Thermal Pool

Day 7 – Golden Circle

• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir and Strokkur
• Gullfoss
• Kerið

Day 8 – Reykjavik

• Hallgrímskirkja
• Shopping in Reykjavik
• Harpa
• Baejarins Beztu Pylsur
• Sun Voyager sculpture

Day 9 – Airport

• Blue Lagoon (pre-booking required)
• Bridge Between Two Continents – Reykjanes

Iceland Itinerary for a Longer Trip 

Expand on the 9 Day Trip by extending stays in Reykjavik and Vík adding on whale watching, lava tunnel tour, a day-trip to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, etc. 

Find Out More about Visiting Iceland With Kids

Continue to Iceland Part X – What I Wish I Knew or check out our listing of all Iceland with kids posts.