The magical land of Ice and Fire instantly captivated us all. The boys were fascinated by the mythological tales of night trolls and stories of vikings which swirled around us. The forces of nature in Iceland mixed with the history and folklore created the most enchanting experience with endless opportunities for the boys to learn about our planet and the world around them.
We hopped on an EasyJet flight from London Luton very early with our boys (aged 7 and 4) and arrived in Reykjavík just three hours later. Reykjavík Keflavik airport is small and as only took hand luggage we were through very quickly.
On arrival into Reykjavík we headed straight for CampEasy HQ, located just down the road from the airport, to collect our home for the week. Our campervan had two double beds, a small kitchen and a dining table along with warm bedding and a heater. We hired everything we needed for our camper journey through CampEasy including car seats for the boys, towels, gas refills etc.
With countless memorable experiences and magical places, it was difficult to choose our favourites so we left it to the boys to choose their favourite things from our travels in South Iceland.
1. Geothermal Pools
Heated by nature, Iceland’s geothermal pools are the perfect place to relax (even with kids!). The pool we visited was around 38°C so was similar to being in a bath – the boys absolutely loved it and we spent three hours bobbing around, swimming and relaxing.
We chose to visit the Blue Lagoon, although there are lots of alternative geothermal pools considered to be more off the beaten track, this one offered all the amenities we wanted for visiting the boys and it was absolutely worth the price. We had been a little worried about ruining the relaxing ambience but the boys were angels and there was a quiet zone too (which we stayed away from!).
Entry to the Blue Lagoon cost around £55 per adult which included towels, lockers, a drink and face mask. The children were free and given arm bands (mandatory for under 8s as the water visibility is low). Wristbands were provided to tap for any additional drinks which were paid for afterwards so there’s no need to take cards in. Top tip: Arrive early! We booked for 8am and it was so quiet, the tour coaches had started arriving by the time we left at 11am. Another top tip: run conditioner through your hair before going in as the water can really dry it out, especially the kid’s hair.
2. Explore the Ice Caves
A visit to the land of Fire and Ice wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of Icelands iconic Ice Caves. These are dotted around the glaciers and can only be safely visited with an experienced guide. Some caves are only open in winter as they flood in summer, while others are open to visitors year round. We chose to visit the Katla Ice Caves as they were easily accessible and open all year.
We hopped on a huge superjeep with KatlaTrack from Vík. The jeep charged across the rocky terrain, arriving at the entrance to the ice caves twenty minutes later where we suited up with the helmet, head torch and crampons provided. After a short climb, we traversed wooden bridges over the surging streams and followed our guide through the ice caves. Grey streaks in the clear blue ice of the caves shows the history of volcanic eruptions.
The ice caves are ever changing and shifting as the weather and temperature affects them daily. This means that they are different from one day to the next and why it’s so important to visit with an experienced guide or company which regularly checks the caves for safety and repairs bridges and ropes.
Visiting the ice caves with young children was easy and safe to do, we booked to visit the Katla Ice Caves from Vík with KatlaTrack who would take children aged 6+ on a normal tour for around £110 per person. For younger children a private tour can be taken which goes a little slower to ensure safety but is much more expensive (£1200 per group).
3. Icelandic Lava Show, Vik
Possibly the most memorable part of our travels in Iceland was the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík (and also in Reykjavík). This amazing spectacle takes the volcanic sand from a nearby beach which was created by the last Katla volcano eruption. The sand is heated to form back into real lava then poured out for the demonstration… it gets very warm and safety goggles are provided.
The demonstration not only covers the history of volcanic activity in Iceland and the emergency preparedness of Vík residents, but shows the audience how lava flows, how lava tunnels are formed and how different types of volcanic glass and rock are formed. It was absolutely fascinating and the boys got to take home a piece of real ‘dragon glass’ formed during a demonstration a few days before.
4. Perlan Museum, Reykjavik
This state of the art museum in Reykjavík is absolutely brilliant for children to learn more about Iceland… and the world! We would definitely recommend a visit to the Perlan museum at the start of your trip to Iceland with children.
The planetarium Aurora show and volcano show run regularly throughout the day and are included in the entry fee (£72 family ticket), along with the ice cave experience. We loved that the planetarium explored both the mythology and science behind the Aurora, and we thought the man-made 100m ice cave was brilliant… and cold at -15°C! These immersive experiences give a sense of the sight, feel, smell and sound of Iceland in a safe and controlled environment which is perfect for young children to learn and explore.
We found that visiting at the beginning of our trip meant the boys understood the science behind the we would see later on and so were more confident in eg entering an ice cave because they had already been inside the man made one.
Top tips: Don’t miss the rooftop terrace views over Reykjavík! Also, the top floor cafe is absolutely epic but very expensive so we would recommend a packed lunch and perhaps just getting a drink in the cafe!
5. Get back to nature
Waterfalls of South Iceland
Travel along the south coast section of the ring road to encounter the most amazing waterfalls, you can spot them every few minutes!
Huge cliffs mark the point at which the sea used to meet land before the last major Katla eruption extended the south coast by 4km out to sea. Now instead of flowing straight to the sea, rivers plunge hundreds of feet over the cliff to wind through the lowlands to reach the sea.
- Seljalandsfoss is a 60m waterfall visible from the ringroad and a beautiful waterfall to visit. There is a path which takes visitors into the cave behind the waterfall (although this path was closed when we visited!). There’s parking, toilets and small shop here.
- A short walk (around 600m) from Seljalandfoss you will find a narrow cave entrance which holds the elusive Gljufrabui waterfall. Be prepared to get wet if you explore this one!
- Possibly our favourite waterfall was Skogafoss which greeted us with a double rainbow in its spray. It’s possible to walk right up to this one and even climb the steps to view it from above. Also featuring a 60m drop, this thundering waterfall is much wider than Seljalandfoss. There’s a car park, toilets and campsite here.
- We also visited Gulfoss (along the golden circle route) which was much bigger and busier but didn’t feel as magical as these ones.
Reynisfjara black sand beach, Vík
There are black sand beaches all over Iceland but one of the most accessible and beautiful we visited is Reynisfjara beach, not far from Vík along the south coast ring road.
- This is the most dangerous beach in Iceland because of the sneaker waves. If you are careful it can be a great stop for children so keep everyone safe by following these rules if you are visiting: (1) abide by the traffic light warning lights on entry which will tell you if it is safe to enter, (2) do not turn your back to the ocean or get too close to the shoreline (3) watch out for changing weather or tides.
- The Halsanefshellir cave is also found here and the boys loved exploring it. The huge basalt columns are iconic and a great learning opportunity!
- From Reynisfjara beach you can also see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which according to legend are actually night trolls who stayed out too late and were turned to stone when the sun rose. The boys loved all the legend and folklore in Iceland!
- A short drive from Reynisfjara you’ll find the Dyrhólaey Peninsula which boasts a beautiful natural arch and, in summer, lots of puffins!
Fjallsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Glacier walks can be tricky with young children so we chose a slightly easier way to get close to the immense and awe-inspiring Icelandic glaciers. We headed West along the ringroad to Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland.
- Fjallsárlón Boat Tours (£156 total) provided warm waterproof coats, trousers and life jackets to wear before walking us down to the little RIB boat and heading out onto the lagoon. It was a very cold and wet day but such an unforgettable experience! The boys were captivated by the gentle clinking of ice against the boat and the huge icebergs silently floating by.
- The minimum age for children was five but depending on height and how busy the tour is they made some exceptions for our four year old.
- You can also explore the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon by boat which has resident seals to spot too, but we chose the smaller and quieter Fjallsarlon just a few minutes down the road.
Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón
Huge icebergs from the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon are carried along the river and wash up on the nearby black sand beach. The contrast of the huge chunks of ice on the black sand is quite a sight and worth a stop if you are passing by along the ring road. The boys enjoyed looking at the different colours and formations of the ice. Parking is available next to the beach and cafe/ toilets over the road at the lagoon.
Geysers, Geysir
Although we travelled along the golden circle route, the boys didn’t find any of it particularly interesting… apart from the geysers that is! The immense power of the Strokkur geyser erupting every 5-10 minutes was fascinating and their patience in waiting for the next one was impressive.
Geysir has a visitors centre and car park which is a short walk to the bubbling pools of boiling water and geysers. We spent about an hour here.
Eldhraun Mossy Lava Fields
Strange and other worldly, the mossy lava fields look like an alien planet. If you drive along the ring road in south Iceland, you’ll go straight through the Eldhraun lava field and there are plenty of small car parks to pull into. This spectacle was created by the Lali eruption in the 1700s and is the biggest lava flow in the world. It is now covered in moss and protected so be sure not to damage the moss when you visit.
[Bonus] Viking Dinner Experience
As a treat for our last night, we booked into Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant to step back in time and experience a viking feast of traditional Icelandic cuisine from fermented shark to locally sourced fish, and even vegan options. There was also a children’s menu, the boys chose chicken strips and wedges, Viking themed dressing up and colouring which they loved. It was expensive (£200) but we all enjoyed it, and after a week of campervan cooking it was a little treat!
Good to know:
- Bookmark the weather (and Aurora) forecast from vedur.is and check regularly for any earthquake, avalanche, volcano or storms in the area you are travelling to. This site also predicts the intensity of Aurora activity.
- Similarly, bookmark the road.is website for live webcams, road conditions and road closure information.
What to take:
- Baby carrier for younger children if you are planning any hikes or any exploration outside of Reykjavik. Within Reykjavik a stroller would be fine.
- Layers! The temperature and weather can change quickly and dramatically in Iceland are key. Ideally a base layer, wool layer and a waterproof as minimum. Merino wool socks are a great investment for little feet.
- Hiking or snow boots: A sturdy pair of shoes is a must – depending on the time of year and activities you may choose hiking boots or snow boots. We went with snow boots in winter and it was perfect to keep little feet warm and dry.
- Iceland is expensive compared to the UK, and a lot of other countries. Take as much as you can along with you to avoid buying when you’re there.
- If you do forget anything, Reykjavik’s supermarkets will have everything you need. Outside of Reykjavik, options are more limited so best to stock up in the city, or stop by towns such as Vik. If you have chance to visit an Icewear store you can even pick up a nice Icelandic sweater!
Here’s what we spent as a family of four over 6 days / 5 nights in Iceland, trying to keep costs low. We made a few decisions to reduce spend including:
- Only taking hand luggage rather than paying extra for hold luggage
- Hiring a camper rather than hotels and car hire separately
- Self-catering almost all meals
- Only booking tours when it was not possible to do it solo
Total trip cost: £3,325
- Flights (London – Reykjavik rtn) = £420
- Airport Parking: £72
- Camper Hire = £920
- Campsite Stays = £96
- Optional extras (towels, camping tables, roadside assistance cover etc) = £340
- Supermarket Food (6 days) = £138
- Eating out (1 dinner, lots of coffee): £124
- Petrol: £239 (117 L)
- Souvenirs: £65
- Activities (detail below): £911
Activity cost breakdown:
- Perlan Museum (Family Ticket): £72
- Blue Lagoon (2 adults, kids free): £150
- Fjallsarlon Boat (2 adults, 2 kids): £156
- Katla Ice Cave (1 adult, 1 child): £225
- Lava Show (2 adult, 2 kids): £108
- Viking Dinner (4 main, 2 dessert): £200
We found a camper worked out cheaper than booking hotels and car hire separately, and gave us the flexibility to change plans if the weather was bad.
How I Wander 
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