A picturesque waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks, with a mountainous backdrop under a partly cloudy sky.

Iceland Family Travel Guide

Illustrated itinerary map of Iceland with hand drawn illustrations

Iceland with Kids

Looking for a European family travel destination that has it all? I’m talking active volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers, and 1000s of waterfalls. Iceland has it all and more.

On this page you’ll find all the info you need to plan your ultimate Iceland family road trip.

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Fun Facts About Iceland

More than 60% of the population live in capital city Reykjavik
Some Icelanders believe that elves and trolls exist
Iceland lies on the Eurasian & North American tectonic plate
Reykjavik translates into ‘smoky bay’
±10% of the country is covered by glaciers
It has more than 20 active volcanoes.

A family posing in front of the powerful Godafoss waterfall with mist rising from the water.

Download my FREE printable Iceland bucket list

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3 week Iceland Family Travel Itinerary Golden Circle with Kids Diamond Circle with Kids

Litlanesfoss waterfall plunging down a cliff with basalt columns, surrounded by rugged terrain.

Things to Know About Iceland

Capital:	Reykjavik
Official language:	Icelandic
Currency:	Icelandic króna
Visa requirements:	People living in Schengen countries do not need a visa. They can enter with an ID or passport. Citizens from most North and South American countries can enter without a visa on arrival as well. The same goes for most countries in Oceania. Most citizens from Asian and African countries need a visa to enter Iceland. Check iVisa or the official website of the Icelandic Government to find out if you need a visa to enter. Apply for a tourist visa online, for instance through iVisa
Timezone:	GMT
Power Plug Type:	Type C and F
Voltage:	230V supply voltage and 50Hz
Measurement system:	Metric (Celsius / kilometer / kilogram / liter)
CDC and WHO recommended travel vaccines:	Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies. Always call your doctor for pre-travel advice when it comes to vaccinations and medication.
Safety ranking:	Ranked 1 on the Global Peace Index

Why Traveling through Iceland with Kids Is a Must

Iceland is one of the most photogenic countries in the world. It’s also consistently ranked number 1 on the Global Peace Index. But the best of all is all that Iceland has to offer for families traveling with kids. Waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers and hot springs can be found all over the country. Cities like Akureyri and Reykjavik great for a family trip.

Iceland is very easy to navigate through because of the Ring Road that covers the entire country in a loop and along the entire coastline. Driving the Route 1 (as the Ring Route is formally known) will get you to so many highlights that it’s hard not to stop every five minutes. The great infrastructure and the size of the country makes it very easy to road trip through Iceland with kids.

Popular travel destination

Iceland is a very popular European family travel destination. If you ask travelers about Iceland, they’ve either been there or it’s high on their bucket list. And that’s not a wonder. The landscapes are gorgeous and treats you to many natural phenomena that will blow your minds. Where else in the world can you find glaciers, active volcanos, geysers, waterfalls and northern lights in a country of this size?

Add the many sagas you can tell your kids and they’ll be on the lookout for trolls and elves everywhere you go. Because there’s something you should know about Icelanders, lots of them believe in elves and hidden people.

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Get Iceland visa

Best Age to Visit Iceland

Iceland is a great destination for families. The best age to visit depends on your child’s interests and ability to enjoy outdoor adventures. Especially the Golden Circle and Diamond Circle are great with kids. Babies and toddlers can absolutely experience Iceland, especially with its family-friendly geothermal pools and easy-to-reach natural wonders. However, the unpredictable weather and long drives between attractions might be challenging for younger children.

School-age kids (5–12 years old) are often the perfect age for an Icelandic adventure—they’ll love the erupting geysers, towering waterfalls, and black sand beaches.

Many of Iceland’s top sights, such as Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss, have safe viewing areas, and shorter hikes like those in Þingvellir National Park make exploring nature accessible for younger children.

For families with teenagers, Iceland is a destination packed with adventure. Older kids and teens will love glacier hiking, snowmobiling, or spotting puffins and whales along the dramatic coastline. The opportunity to soak in hot springs, explore lava caves, or chase the northern lights adds an element of excitement that keeps teens engaged.

No matter your child’s age, Iceland is a fantastic place — just be sure to plan your itinerary with your child’s stamina and interests in mind, balancing adventure with plenty of rest stops to take in the breathtaking scenery.

A large model of a whale's head, with a young child in a stroller positioned near the whale's open mouth to show the difference in size.

Iceland with a Baby or Toddler

Iceland is a surprisingly baby and toddler-friendly destination. Babies and toddlers will love the warm geothermal pools and the local swimming pools offering special family-friendly areas.

Reykjavik is particularly easy to navigate with a stroller, and you can find lots of great things to do in Reykjavik for toddlers.

Iceland has great healthcare facilities, with high-quality hospitals and clinics in Reykjavik and smaller medical centers spread throughout the country.

Pharmacies are well-stocked with common medications, and finding baby essentials like diapers, formula, and baby food is easy in supermarkets such as Bónus, Krónan, and Hagkaup. Some specialized brands might not be available, but there are plenty alternatives.

High chairs and baby-changing facilities are common in cafes and restaurants, and many accommodations provide cribs upon request.

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Kid Friendly Icelandic Dishes

Iceland offers lots of kid-friendly dishes. For little ones, try simple options like plokkfiskur (mashed fish with potatoes) or kjötsúpa (lamb and vegetable soup). Toddlers will also love Icelandic dairy products like skyr, a thick, protein-rich yogurt that’s naturally mild and often comes in fruity flavors. Our toddler ate his weight in sky every morning. It was definitely his favorite Icelandic food! If your child enjoys trying new foods, they might also like flatkökur, soft Icelandic flatbreads often served with butter or mild cheese.

For kids aged 5 and over, Iceland offers plenty of exciting dishes. Pylsur, Iceland’s famous lamb hot dog, is a huge hit with children of all ages. Served in a soft bun and topped with mild mustard, crispy onions, or ketchup, it’s both delicious and budget-friendly. Teens might enjoy grilled Arctic char, a mild fish similar to salmon.

Pizza, burgers, and fries are widely available across Iceland, ensuring that even picky eaters have tasty options. And for a sweet treat, don’t miss kanilsnúðar (Icelandic cinnamon buns).

Top Tours in Iceland with Kids

Best Time to Travel

This is actually up to what you’re looking for. When you’re traveling with kids you’re probably traveling during the summer months. July and August are ideal if you want to access more remote areas with a 4WD car or campervan. It will still be windy.

Because of Iceland’s fickle climate it’s not uncommon that you’ll experience all four seasons in a single day multiple times during your trip. Oh, and let’s not forget the many hours of daylight. During high season Iceland sees about 20 hours of daylight. They don’t call Iceland the land of the midnight sun for nothing! Bring something you can cover windows with. Caravans, campers, hotels or AirBnB’s do have blinds, but more often than not you’re still left with light in your room or camper.

Iceland in the Winter Months

You’ll get the chance to see the country’s stunning landscapes in a magical light. And take part in winter activities like ice caving and snowmobiling. Partly or completely frozen waterfalls and more impressive glacier lagoons are also must-sees in winter. Oh, and of course, a better chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis I already mentioned before. Our family once visited Iceland in October and we were lucky enough to spot them.

a graphic of the weather in Iceland per month with degrees C and F

Family Safety in Iceland

Must have Iceland emergency numbers for traveling families

For urgent police, fire and ambulance emergency assistance in Iceland call +354 112. You can also download the 112 Iceland app. In the app you can send your GPS location to the authorities in case of an emergency and you can also use it during hikes. Use the check-in function and the app will ask you regularly to check in as safe. This might sound a bit excessive, but the weather in Iceland is notorious for it unpredictability.

Some other helpful phone numbers:

Search and Rescue: +354 570 5900
Police: +354 444 1000
Medical assistance: +354 1770
Dental emergency: +354 575 0505

Travel First Aid Kit

Having the best first aid kit for travel abroad offers you peace of mind! A good travel first aid kit contains items equipped to deal with cuts, bruises, sprains and breaks. And should also be filled with over the counter medicine for insect bites, fever, pain and nausea.

There are plenty of first aid travel bags on the market that are pre-made. But these won’t contain over the counter medicines so add these items to the kit yourself:

paracetamol for kids and adults
nausea and vomiting medicine
ORS for kids and adults
coughs and colds medicine
allergies tablets (anti-histamine for bites, stings, hay fever and sudden allergic reactions)

Traveling with prescribed medication

When traveling with prescribed medication you should:

Bring your medication passport
Take your pills and medical equipment with you in their original and correctly labelled packages
Carry your medicine in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription
If you or any of your family members take medication that falls under the Opium Law (aka Opium Act), you should take appropriate action well before embarking on your trip.

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Vaccinations

Travelers to Iceland are advised to get vaccinated for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rabies. This is in addition to the childhood vaccinations that are part of your countries vaccination program.

Always call your doctor as soon as you know where you’re traveling to, because some vaccines need to be repeated once or even twice before your departure. You should only take pre-travel advice about vaccinations from your doctor.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget a travel insurance for your trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. All Sas Crossing Countries readers, get 5% off Heymondo travel insurance! Other travel insurance companies worth checking out are World Nomads, and Safety Wing.

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Iceland Posts on the Blog

Background Info About Iceland

Iceland is an island in Northern Europe located in the Atlantic Ocean. Very near to the Arctic Circle. It originated from a series of volcanic eruptions about 20 million years ago.

The country was founded by Vikings from Norway, Denmark and Sweden in the 870s. Out of the 317.000 people that live in Iceland at the moment, about 200.000 live in and directly around Reykjavik.

Iceland is extremely diverse with everything from volcanoes to geysers, glaciers to natural hot springs. Black sand beaches, lava fields that make you feel like a Martian and a chance to spot the Aurora Borealis, aka Northern Lights, make it an irresistible family travel destination.