Iceland Family Vacation Table of Contents
- What I Wish I Knew Before the Trip
- Iceland Vacation Rental We Loved
- Iceland Family Activities
- Blue Lagoon (our family's review of Sky Lagoon)
- Horseback Riding in the Lava Fields
- Waterfalls
- Reykjavik
- Viking World
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What I Wish I Knew Before Our Iceland Family Vacation
When we planned our Iceland trip with three generations, I felt confident that I had thought of everything. My kids were excited, my in laws were meeting us from New York, and I had Google Maps of saved posts and packing lists. Once we were actually there, I realized that a few things would have made our days smoother and our expectations much clearer. If you are planning a similar trip with kids and grandparents, here is what I wish I had known.
The weather changes constantly
I knew Iceland weather could swing from sun to rain to wind in a single hour, but living it is something else! Layers are your best friend as well as waterproof pants for the waterfalls. No poncho or umbrella will save you!
Driving takes longer than you expect
Even short distances took more time because we kept stopping for scenery, sheep on the road, or sudden fog. I wish I had built in more buffer time between stops. And gas station hot dogs are delicious!
Book timed attractions early
Places like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or popular glacier tours book up early. We went to the Blue Lagoon (see below) and LOVED it! And my in-laws went to Sky Lagoon and loved it as well. I think Blue is better for kids based on their info.
The wind is something no one warns you about
I wish I had warned my in laws more about the wind at the waterfalls and viewpoints. It can be intense, even for adults. My kids loved it of course, but I was on high alert keeping everyone’s hats from flying away.
You really need waterproof everything
Water resistant is not the same. I wish I had invested in better gloves for my kids and a true waterproof jacket for myself. It made the biggest difference at waterfalls and on rainy days.
The geothermal pools are pure magic
I wish I had known how much my kids would love the geothermal pools. We ended up going more often than planned and it became everyone’s favorite part. If you are traveling with grandparents, these pools are perfect because they are warm, relaxing, and easy on joints.
Food is expensive but lots of different grocery stores
Prices feel high, but still cheaper than eating out!
- Bonus and Krónan are the most affordable options
- Netto has a bigger selection and more ready to eat meals
- Hagkaup is the most upscale with longer hours
Plan fewer things
This is my biggest lesson. Iceland rewards slow travel. The waterfalls, horses, steam rising from the earth, black sand beaches, sunrise on the mountains. I wish I had planned one less stop each day and given everyone more time to just enjoy the views.
Bring sunglasses for everyone
Even when it is cold, the sun reflects off waterfalls and snow. We used our sunglasses every single day.
Family Vacation Rental in Iceland - Mosfellsbær
We loved our vacation rental in Mosfellsbær, Iceland! It was a great neighborhood just 20 minutes from Reykjavik and on the way to the Golden Triangle! I would highly recommend this neighborhood. We had a hot tub, view of the mountains and fjyods and they say it's a great place to see the Northern Lights (we were outside the season.)
I also loved that you are in a neighborhood with a Bonus grocery store, KFC and Pharmacy down the street!
Here is our Vacation Rental on Airbnb as well as others in the same neighborhood on Booking.com.
- House with a great view. Family-friendly - Airbnb
- Charming Private Home with Hot Tub and Esja Mountain View - 4 bedrooms Booking.com
- Amazing Villa With Hot Tub Near Reykjavík - 4 bedroom - Booking.com
Iceland Family Activities
With three generations on our trip, we found so many activities that everyone loved! My mother in law even went on a horse for the first time in her life!
Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
Visiting the Blue Lagoon was one of those moments that truly felt like Iceland. I went with my kids and my in laws, and even with a group spanning multiple generations, it felt surprisingly relaxing and doable. The milky blue water was warm even though the air was cold, and my kids could not stop talking about how magical it felt to soak in a hot pool surrounded by black lava rock. I loved how organized everything was, from the lockers to the showers, which made it much less intimidating with kids and older family members.
While we went to the Blue Lagoon together, my in-laws also visited the Sky Lagoon on their own and could not stop comparing the two. They loved Sky Lagoon for its ocean views and quieter atmosphere, but they agreed that the Blue Lagoon felt more iconic and more family friendly overall. For our group, especially with kids in tow, the Blue Lagoon was the right choice and ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
Tip: Definitely bring a waterproof pouch case for your phone! They sell them there but much better price on Amazon!
Horseback Riding in the Lava Fields with Íshestar near Reykjavik
Horseback riding with Íshestar was one of the most memorable experiences we had in Iceland! My daughter and mother-in-law, sister-in-law and myself rode Icelandic horses through lava fields with a wonderful guide. The horses were calm and sturdy, which put me at ease right away, especially knowing my kids and my in laws were riding too. The guides were fantastic at explaining what to expect and helping everyone feel confident, even for one of us who had never ridden before.
What stood out most to me was how peaceful it felt once we got moving. The landscape stretched out in every direction with moss covered lava, mountains in the distance, and total quiet except for the sound of the horses. It was an experience that felt adventurous but still very accessible for a multi generational group, and it gave us a completely different way to experience Iceland’s natural beauty! I highly recommend checking out their website for all the different types of rides you can go on from very beginner to advanced multi-day trips!
Waterfalls & Glaciers
Seeing Iceland’s waterfalls in person was one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip, especially experiencing them with my kids and my in laws. One of our favorites was Seljalandsfoss, where those who want to can actually walk behind the waterfall, which felt like pure magic but warning, we all got soaked! Parking was 900 kr per vehicle, and it was very family friendly with free toilets, a small gift shop, and a food truck on site. From the parking lot, you can do the easy 11 minute walk to Gljúfrabúi Waterfall, tucked inside a cave.
Another must see stop for us was Skógafoss, which was dramatic and powerful and easy to enjoy from multiple viewpoints. You can admire it from the viewing platform or walk closer and feel the mist, which my kids loved.
Other stops nearby:
- Rutshellir Caves
- Hepsa, a wool dyeing studio. The artist shows how she uses Icelandic plants to dye sheep wool, and you can purchase the wool directly from her.
- Bonus Grocery store that is on top of 2 tectonic plates! (Europe and North America)
For families who prefer not to drive, this entire area can also be visited on a GetYourGuide tour, which is a great option for seeing multiple highlights in one day.
- Reykjavik: Glacier Hike, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach - 11 hours 4.9 rating with 11,000+ reviews
- Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater - 7 - 8 hours, 4.7 with 23k ratings.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik felt like the perfect introduction to Icelandic culture. Walking around the city with my kids and in laws, I loved how colorful and compact it was. We explored on foot, popping into small shops, grabbing pastries, and stopping at playgrounds along the way. The city felt very family friendly, with plenty of open spaces and a relaxed pace that made sightseeing easy.
What surprised me most was how much colorful personality Reykjavik has. From the street art to the cozy cafes, it never felt boring or overly touristy. It was a great balance of culture, food, and downtime, and it gave us a chance to slow down after days of driving and sightseeing around the country.
Viking World near the Airport on our Iceland Family Vacation
Viking World was an unexpected hit with the boys of the group! While myself and my mom and sister in law and daughter went horseback riding, the boys went to Viking World. The museum does a great job of explaining Viking history in a way that is easy to understand, and my kids loved seeing the exhibits up close, especially anything involving ships and armor.
The highlight for us was the full size Viking ship, which made everything we had been learning feel real. My in laws appreciated the historical depth, while my son enjoyed being able to walk around and imagine what life was like for Vikings. It was a great indoor stop that balanced out all of our outdoor adventures and added meaningful context to Iceland’s history.
