Epic 3-Week Iceland Family Road Trip Itinerary (+ Shorter Routes If You’re Short On Time)

Iceland packs an entire country’s worth of scenery into one manageable loop. Glacier lagoons, black sand beaches, waterfalls you can walk behind, all connected by a single road that circles the coastline.

There’s so much to do that building an itinerary for your Iceland family road trip can take up hours.

Researching which stops are worth a detour, which ones are skippable with kids, and how to string it all together into days that actually work. 

We visited Iceland in winter and summer. The second time we drove the entire Ring Road and took some detours, with a toddler and a teenager.

Seals at Ytri Tunga, puffins at Lóndrangar, whales off the coast, and cute fishing villages on the east coast: we saw it all and know that this 21-day itinerary works for families with kids of all ages.

And if you don’t have that many days, 2 weeks, 1 week or even 5 days. You can see quite a bit of Iceland if you are short on time.

How Many Weeks Do You Need for This Iceland Itinerary?

Time wise following this guide means that if you like slow travel this self-drive will take 4 weeks of your time, but you can also cover it in 3 weeks.

We did the latter, but in hindsight 4 weeks would’ve been the better option. And because 4 weeks vacation is a luxury that many of us don’t have, this itinerary follows our lead. 

When you travel with teens, 3 weeks is great. But with toddlers that take naps you might not be able to see and do it all in the span of 3 weeks.

We did, because we had a back carrier and a campervan, which meant we made sure our toddler could nap in the campervan in between stops or in the back carrier while we hiked. But not all tods like to sleep in a back carrier and you might not travel by campervan. 

So with babies and toddlers it depends on how you travel and the sleeping preferences of your little ones. 4 weeks might be the more logical choice.

This all applies if you travel around Iceland by car or camper. Public transportation won’t get you to all the spots in this guide. And if you join a multiday tour you simply follow the schedule. 

Only got 1 or 2 weeks? Skip ahead to the shorter routes further down. Same trip, just trimmed to fit the highlights and the time you have.

Some days might seem jam-packed and impossible. It’s good to know that some of the highlights are located right on the Ring Road, Golden Circle or Diamond Circle and some don’t require any hiking at all. 

We did this exact itinerary and I can assure you it’s possible with kids, without fatigue.

First Decision: Driving North or South From Reykjavik?

Our family chose to drive north after leaving Reykjavik. But it doesn’t matter which way you start. It’s up to you to follow our lead and go clockwise or go counter clockwise.

If it’s the latter scroll all the way down after reading about the geysers and work your way up the post.

When deciding you also have to factor in the things you want to see and do.

If you’re visiting during a month where you have to be in eastern Iceland to make sure you still have a chance to see orcas or you want to see puffins in southern Iceland before they migrate elsewhere, that will likely influence your decision in regard to your starting point.

But that’s not going to bring you the adventures you and your family are looking for, right? Take it slow and admire all that Iceland has to offer.

Iceland Family Road Trip Itinerary

Here is the 3-week itinerary for an Iceland road trip with kids.

Day 1-2: Keflavik – Reykjavik

After you’ve arrived at Keflavik airport you could start your road trip immediately. But I highly advise you to start your family trip by visiting Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Take a shuttle bus to Reykjavik and stay there for 2 days, before you pick up your rental and start your road trip. You don’t need a car in Reykjavik and it will save you a few days of rental costs if you sightsee without a car.

The other reason is, that it will give you and your kids time to figuratively and literally acclimatize while in the comforts of a city and in a hotel or AirBnB.

A day in Iceland can feel like going through spring, summer, fall and winter all within a few hours time. Which means you might need to buy some extra warm clothing or warmer camping gear.

If that’s the case and you’re already on the road, it will be difficult to find clothing and/or camping stores. You’re more than likely forced to drive back to Reykjavik.

And starting in Reykjavik also means that you’ll quickly learn more about the Icelandic culture, food and its people!

The city centre is relatively small. Everything is at a walking distance and some of the things you and your kids have to see and do in Reykjavik are:

• a visit to Hallgrimskirkja
• check out architectural gem, Harpa
• eat an Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur 
• visit Whales of Iceland
• go on a whale watching or puffin tour
• get lost in the city and check out all the cute colored houses

Top tours in Reykjavik with kids

Day 3: Reykjavik – Graenavatn – Kerid Crater

Say goodbye to Reykjavik, because today it’s time to start your road trip.

Pick up your rental car or campervan and stock up on groceries and the last supplies and leave around noon, because you have 2 stops today before you stop for the night.

It’s time to drive towards the center of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Get your rental car here

Graenavatn

In the Reykjanes Peninsula make a quick stop at Graenavatn. A small lake with an appropriate name. Graenavatn translates to Green Lake.

The lake is seafoam green due to the amount of sulphur in it. It’s about 45 meters deep in the centre and that’s the reason why the color is greener in the centre of the lake.

You can see this lake from the road and there’s room to park your vehicle right next to it.

You’ll probably be in and out of your car in 10 minutes, not just because of the smell of rotten eggs, but because you can see it all in one glance.

Day 4: Gullfoss – Geysir & Strokkur – Thingvellir National Park

Today you’ll spend enjoying the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most famous day trip loop route.

Waterfalls, geysers and a national park, it’s all on the agenda today.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The first waterfall of many is one of the most iconic: Gullfoss. If you’ve been researching for your family trip to Iceland you most definitely have seen multiple pictures of this impressive waterfall.

There are 2 cascades that make up Gullfoss. The first drop is about 11 meters and the second is longer, about 21 meters.

Gullfoss means Golden Falls, which is where the Golden Circle got its name from. You can’t skip this waterfall when exploring the Golden Circle with children.

Geysir & Strokkur

The next Golden Circle site is one of the most famous in the world. Even as a young child I had heard about Geysir. And it’s a site that doesn’t disappoint.

Geysir doesn’t spout anymore, but its sibling Strokkur does. Every few minutes it spouts water about 30 meters into the air. An awesome site to see and hear!

After checking out Strokkur, explore the rest of this hot spring area with boiling mud pits and a few smaller geysirs. You can also walk up to a great viewing point.

Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir NP (the Icelandic spelling) is part of the Golden Circle and one of the 3 national parks of Iceland.

Most people pick one thing to see in this park, as part of their Golden Circle tour. But it deserves a longer visit.

This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a wealth of things to see and do.

Iceland’s largest natural lake can be found here, you can take a dive in the Silfra fissure, spot waterfall Öxarárfoss and walk one of the many hiking trails.

But the coolest thing is that visiting this park gives you the chance to stand on two continents at the same time.

Can you imagine standing with one foot in Europe and the other in North America? Two tectonic plates, one being the North American plate and the other the Eurasian plate, collide in this park.

If you have the time I highly recommend adding Thingvellir NP to your family road trip through Iceland.

Stay near Borgarnes tonight. It puts you close to tomorrow’s first stop, the Gerduberg Cliff, without adding extra driving time in the morning.

Day 5: Gerduberg Cliff – Ytri Tunga – Búða – Lóndrangar Beach – Saxhóll Crater – Ólafsvik

6 stops today, but don’t let that scare you. Most of them are quick stops, so you will be arriving in Ólafsvik before dinner if you start driving around 9 am or 10 am.

Gerduberg Cliff

Worthy of a short visit is the Gerduberg Cliff. The Gerduberg basalt columns that reside on the cliff are perfectly symmetrical and it’s almost as if they were cut by hand.

You can view them from below and walk up to them and take in a fantastic view all around you. Can you spot my eldest and my man on the top, they look like ants 😉.

The cliff is over 1 kilometer long and will surely impress you.

Ytri Tunga

Our toddler wasn’t as impressed with the Gerduberg cliff. But we told him that if he would give us 30 minutes there without throwing a fit, we would show him something very special.

A 30 minute drive from the cliff you’ll find a private beach called Ytri Tunga. The owner permits everyone to enter his land to check out the amazing wildlife there: seals.

You can find them chilling on the rocks next to the water and they’re unimpressed by humans.

Some people came way too close, so please keep a decent distance from these wild animals and don’t disturb them.

Our toddler loved them! And so did we, because it doesn’t get much cuter than a bunch of chubby seals.

Búða

As we are making our way up to the Westfjords we still have some sights to see in the gorgeous Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Next in this itinerary is Búða where you’ll find Búðakirkja, aka Budir Black Church. One of 3 black churches in Iceland.

It’s not just the picture perfect black church, but the surroundings of it that makes this site a must-see.

Lóndrangar Beach

Lóndrangar is a collection of basalt volcanic dykes sticking out from the ocean. They are the remainders of a crater, which the sea eroded into its current form. Many refer to Lóndrangar as a castle built on a cliff reaching out at sea.

Walk up to a viewpoint for amazing views all around, lots of seagulls resting on the edges of the cliffs and if you’re lucky a few puffins.

And I stand corrected, it does get cuter than a bunch of chubby seals, puffins are the cutest animals on the planet. Bold statement, I know, but I stand by it.

You can get a little closer to Lóndrangar. Just follow the trail on the right side of the parking lot and this hiking trail will lead you almost onto the beach.

They seem to open and close the beach every now and then. When you visit this beach be sure to check if it’s open or not.

Fun fact about Iceland: lots of people believe in elves. By the way, as the saga goes, this land belongs to elves. They like it quiet, so make sure you don’t disturb them while you’re here.

This story will probably be a hit with the kids. They’ll look for them in every nook and cranny.

Saxhóll Crater

A 15 minute drive from Lóndrangar you’ll find Saxhóll Crater. Unlike Kerid, no azure blue water fills this crater, but it’s still cool to stand on top of it, thinking about the fact that it once shot boiling hot magma from the earth, sculpting the landscape around it.

And that landscape is the second reason you should keep an hour free in your road trip planner to visit the crater.

From the top you get great views over the Atlantic Ocean and the dried lava fields of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Ólafsvik

Check into your hotel or campsite in the cute fishing town of Ólafsvik.

Day 6: Ólafsvik

Ólafsvik only has 1,000 inhabitants. It is a great village to stay in if you want to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Enjoy your time birdwatching, hiking and exploring the beaches.

Ólafsvik is also a great town to book a whale watching tour. And from February to early July you can even spot orcas while out at sea. This is the best area in Iceland for an encounter with killer whales.

Please choose operators that keep appropriate distances from wildlife and follow Icelandic conservation guidelines. 

Use the rest of the day to slow down. Walk the harbor, watch the boats come in, let the kids ask a 100 questions about fishing you can’t answer.

Snæfellsjökull National Park is right on your doorstep here, glacier included. Skip the crowds at the bigger parks and take a short hike or check out one of the lava caves instead. 

And if the weather turns and your whale watching tour gets cancelled, today’s the day to absorb that hit. You can always try again in Hólmavik. 

Day 7: Ólafsvik – Kirkjufell – Hólmavik

Time to leave Ólafsvik behind and head toward two of the peninsula’s biggest draws: a mountain most of you will probably recognize, and another chill fishing town.

Ólafsvik

Pack up and hit the road early. Kirkjufell is next, and it’s worth getting there before the tour buses do.

Kirkjufell

If you or your teens are fans of Game Of Thrones then Kirkjufell Mountain is probably on your bucket list.

This mountain is the backdrop to the scenes where characters like Jon Snow, The Hound and Jorah Mormont hope to catch an undead wight. And it is also the place where the Night King was born.

You can find Kirkjufell on the north shore of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður.

If you’re in Snæfellsnes Peninsula from mid-August to late April you might be in luck and spot Northern lights here.

With its pointy peak this impressive mountain comes into sight a few minutes before you park your car in the small parking lot right next to route 54.

You can hike around it and climb it in 1.5 hours, but it is quite a steep climb. Right below you’ll find a pretty lake that ends in the sea.

Across the road from Church Mountain (meaning of the word Kirkjufell) you’ll find a small yet gorgeous waterfall, named Kirkjufellsfoss.

Don’t just check out the waterfall, but walk around it and right there you can shoot the perfect picture of Kirkjufell Mountain with Kirkjufellsfoss right in front of it.

Kirkjufell is one of the highlights of this Iceland itinerary. You should definitely see it!

Hólmavik

Like Ólafsvik, Hólmavik is a cute little fishing town.

You’ll probably arrive here just after lunch. So if you don’t need a rest there are some options.

If your kids are into anything spooky, the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft is worth a visit.

It covers Iceland’s witch trial history and folklore, including old Viking traditions, runic designs and superstitions. Older kids and teens especially tend to get a kick out of it.

If everyone just needs to unwind after a day of driving, Hólmavik also has a public swimming pool with hot pots. An easy way to end the day, Icelandic style.

Day 8: Hólmavik

Hólmavik is one of the quieter places in Iceland to start a whale watching tour from, nowhere near as busy as Reykjavik, Akureyri or even Ólafsvik. Not more than one boat left the harbor on the day we set out to sea. 

On the day we went out, only one other boat left the harbor. Which feels more authentic and definitely better for the animals, because they won’t be surrounded by fishing boats.

Whale season in Hólmavik runs from May through September, with humpbacks as the main event, especially as summer turns to autumn.

You’ll likely also spot minke whales and white-beaked dolphins, and if you’re really lucky, an orca or two. If you time it right, you might catch some of the last puffins of the season as well.

We did the tour in July and spotted multiple humpbacks as well as minke whales.

Day 9: Hólmavik – Hvítserkur – Akureyri

Time to leave the Westfjords behind and cross over into North Iceland, with a strange rock formation and a proper city waiting at the end of the drive.

Hólmavik

Pack up and get back on the road. It’s a longer driving day today, so the earlier you leave, the more daylight you’ll have left once you reach Akureyri.

Hvítserkur

In Húnaflói Bay a 15 meter tall basalt rock stack protrudes from the water. A wondrous thing.

Icelandic people call it the troll of Northwest Iceland, but my family and I believe it looks more like a dragon drinking from the water. Others believe it looks like an elephant or a rhino.

Why don’t you and your family check it out and tell me what creature you see in Hvítserkur?

Don’t just pass right by it on the beach, but make sure to walk the 400 meter viewpoint trail and you get to see it like in our pic below.

Akureyri

Time for another (short) city trip. If you’ve followed this family road trip itinerary of Iceland, this is the first city you see after Reykjavik. 

The capital of the north: Akureyri, only 100 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, is an important fishing centre and port and has lots to offer to tourists.

Don’t be surprised to find cruise ships in its harbor. Akureyri is definitely worth visiting, and more and more people are aware of that.

Stroll the harbor, then wander into the city center. Plenty of small shops and cafes to poke into, and it’s a good way to stretch everyone’s legs after a long day behind the wheel.

And after that stroll it’s time for some ice cream. Get it from Brynjuís, known in Iceland as the place that sells the best soft serve ice cream in the country.

Top Tours in Akureyri

Day 10: Akureyri

Make sure to visit Akureyri’s Botanical Garden, for a nice stroll with the kids. You will spot lots of arctic plants here, because of its near vicinity to the Arctic Circle. 

Haven’t managed to spot a whale yet, or simply can’t get enough? Akureyri gives you a 3rd shot, with tours leaving right from the harbor.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, Forest Lagoon is a geothermal pool just outside town, surrounded by trees with views over the fjord. A quieter alternative to the crowds at Blue Lagoon.

Akureyri also has its own heated town pool with hot tubs and waterslides, an easy win if the kids need to burn off some energy. It’s toddler friendly as well!

Day 11: Akureyri – Mývatn

The last stop before you settle into the Diamond Circle for a few days is Mývatn.

Akureyri

Mývatn is only 1.5 hours away, so today’s morning is up to you. Squeeze in one last lazy morning in Akureyri, or hit the road early and give yourself a longer afternoon at the lake.

If your family actually likes hiking, leave Akureyri early. There’s a lot of ground to cover around Mývatn and you’ll want the extra hours.

Mývatn

Lake Mývatn and its surroundings is an area so beautiful that you can easily stay here for a few days. 

Base yourself in Reykjahlíð where you’ll find campsites, hotels, restaurants, a supermarket and gas station.

Day 12-13: Mývatn

2 full days to enjoy more of Reykjahlíð an Mývatn.

The geothermal activity underneath Mývatn is what makes this whole area tick. On the lake you’ll spot multiple tiny islands that people call pseudocraters, though they’re actually basalt columns.

The absolute top thing to do in Mývatn is a visit to its nature baths. Forget about the extremely busy Blue Lagoon. Here you’ll find true serenity and relaxation as a family. Enjoy a drink in the water and the beautiful surroundings.

We stayed here for a few hours and it was so relaxing. The water is really warm, so the toddler was a bit weirded out at first, but loved it after a few awkward minutes.

Last but not least, an honorable mention of Grjótagjá cave. It’s a small lava cave near Dimmuborgir, with glowing blue geothermal water inside. Too hot to swim in, but worth the quick stop.

And Game of Thrones fans will love it as this is where Jon Snow and Ygritte’s hot love scene was shot.

Day 14: Mývatn – Dettifoss & Selfoss – Raufarhöfn

Time to leave the lake behind. 3 more stops today, and one of them is Europe’s most powerful waterfall.

Mývatn

Pack up and get moving. It’s a longer driving day, so plan for stops along the way rather than rushing straight through.

Dettifoss & Selfoss

More beautiful waterfalls in Iceland? Absolutely!

Dettifoss is known as one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. A true highlight of the Diamond Circle route when traveling with kids. A must-see on a family road trip to Iceland!

When you get close enough you will feel the ground shaking under your feet. And it is loud! Impressive on all accounts.

Upriver you’ll find smaller, but wider and almost as impressive, Selfoss.

To get to both viewpoints takes a little hike, but a beautiful one.

Raufarhöfn

In Raufarhöfn you’ll find the Arctic Henge, sitting on the Melrakkaslétta Peninsula, the northernmost village on the Icelandic mainland. Only the island of Grímsey lies further north.

Like Stonehenge, the Arctic Henge is like a huge sundial. Builders arranged the stone arches on site to capture the light of the Midnight Sun as it moves across the sky in summer.

To name an example, on June 21st it aligns perfectly with the south arch.

It is still a work in progress, but nobody seems to know when they’re resuming work on the Arctic Henge. For a few years now, there hasn’t been any progress.

And to be completely honest. We had fun because we can say we visited the northernmost village in Iceland and that we were only 3 km away from the Arctic Circle.

But if you drive all the way up there just for the Arctic Henge, you might be disappointed. 

If there’s one destination that can easily be skipped on this itinerary, then we’d say it’s Raufarhöfn (sorry people of Raufarhöfn!).

But if you do enjoy being close to the arctic and seeing the sundial, come here and spend the night here as well, because the next destination is a 2 hour drive away.

Day 15: Raufarhöfn – Studlagil Canyon – Egilsstadir

Leave the edge of the Arctic behind and drive south into East Iceland.

Raufarhöfn

Pack up and hit the road for a 2 hour drive to Stuðlagil Canyon.

Studlagil Canyon

Stuðlagil Canyon formed when the river Jökla forced its way through the highlands to the north of the island. You can find it in Eastern Iceland in a glacier valley called Jökuldalur.

Standing in and around the valley you can spot high and very impressive basalt columns. You can take multiple hikes around the canyon and through it.

Our teen said that walking through it made him half expect to see magical creatures like dragons or unicorns. We agreed, it’s kind of otherworldly and certainly a magical place that takes your breath away!

Before we made the trip out here, we saw beautiful pictures of a green river flowing through the canyon. This color can be seen from May to July. 

We were there in July and the water was brown. We entered via the west side. 

If you use the east side, which is a tricky 2.5 hour hike and the reason we opted out with kids, then you can get in the canyon and have a better chance of seeing the green water.

But if you look at our picture, you probably share our opinion that this brown water won’t turn into a perfect fluorescent green just a few 100 meters away.

So if you see the Instagram pictures, note that the reality can be very different. It doesn’t take away anything from the beauty of the canyon, but it’s good to know that seeing green water flowing through the canyon isn’t guaranteed from May to July.

Egilsstadir

Egilsstaðir is a great place to stay to discover the area around this village. There’s not much to do in the town itself, besides shopping, having a meal at one of the restaurants and going to the visitors centre.

It’s more of a base to see things in the area. With one exception…

Right on the edge of the town lies Lagarfljót, a glacial lake so deep in places that no one has ever fully explored its bottom. The water runs a milky grey from all the glacial runoff.

Lagarfljót Wyrm supposedly lives in those depths. As the story goes, a girl once kept a tiny worm on top of a gold ring, hoping it would make the gold grow.

Instead the worm just kept growing, until she panicked and threw the whole thing, ring, chest and worm, straight into the lake. It never came back out. 

The first sighting was recorded in 1345, making this one of the oldest lake monster legends in the world, centuries older than Loch Ness’s Nessie. Kids will love to look for it for a bit.

Other than that it’s the town in Eastern Iceland that can serve as a base to visit the Vök Natural Baths, hiking in Hallormsstaðaskógur, and a waterfall that you’ll visit tomorrow on your way to the next destination.

Day 16: Egilsstadir – Hengifoss – Seydisfjördur

Today brings that special waterfall we promised, and a very picturesque village on the east coast.

Hengifoss

Your first stop is only a very short drive.

Near Lagarfljót you will find a very special waterfall that deserves a separate spot in this road trip guide of Iceland. And that’s Hengifoss.

Park the car and hike your way up to Hengifoss in about an hour. It’s a beautiful scenic hike up and you shouldn’t forget to look back behind you, because walking up means you get a great view of your surroundings, for instance of Lagarfljót lake.

On your way up you’ll first see a mini version of Hengifoss, fittingly named Litlanesfoss.

Hengifoss is surrounded by layers of basaltic strata with thin layers of red clay in between. It looks like a chocolate cake filled with jelly and it’s a beautiful sight.

We walked around and sat down for a bit. Surrounded by sheep easily navigating their way through rocks and pebbles and unphased by our presence.

The water coming down from both Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss ends up in Lake Lagarfljót.

Seydisfjördur

Seyðisfjörður is your last stop in East Iceland and is a small and cute village.

It’s known for its rainbow road leading up to a church. A lot of the 700 residents of this town and most of the local businesses pitched in to color the bricks and show their support to the LGBTQ community.

On both sides of this street you’ll find local shops and restaurants. Very photogenic and cute!

There are nice lodging options here and a big campsite as well.

Day 17: Seydisfjördur – Diamond Beach – Jökulsárlón – Skaftafell

2 of Iceland’s most photographed spots come back to back today, and then it’s on to the last big stretch of the trip.

Seydisfjördur

Pack up and leave the rainbow street behind. It’s a longer drive today, but Diamond Beach makes it worth the early start.

Diamond Beach

The next 2 places on this itinerary are right next to each other. First is Diamond Beach, a strip of volcanic black sand filled with large chunks of ice from the icebergs. A magical thing to see for the whole family.

I recommend visiting Diamond Beach early in the morning. If you want to take pictures without large crowds of people taking selfies with it and you want your kids to have room to play around a bit, you have to be there around 8.00am or 9.00am.

We got up just before 6.00am to see this phenomenon and I can tell you that it was worth it!

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

On the other side of the bridge you’ll find Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Both Jökulsárlón and Diamond beach are part of the Breiðamerkursandur glacial plain.

Where else in Europe do you get the chance to hang out at and on a glacier lake filled with different sizes of icebergs? The world is such a wonderful place.

Oh, and I just mentioned hanging out on the lake. You can book a trip on an amphibian boat tour and explore the lagoon.

There’s no age limit, so you can also bring your baby or toddler along, they have life vests on offer in all sizes.

There’s no age limit, so you can also bring your baby or toddler along, they have life vests on offer in all sizes.

Don’t forget to search for seals. You’ll see them chilling on the ice and hunting for fish in the water.

Skaftafell

Settle in for the next stretch and drive the last 45 minutes of the day to Skaftafell.

Check in, get your bearings, and save the hikes for tomorrow when you’ve got a full day for them.

Day 18: Skaftafell

Skaftafell is the place to be for hikers. Short and easy trails lead you to sites like waterfall Svartifoss or Skaftafellsjökull. There’s also a large campsite here where I advise you to stay (pre-booking advised during the high season).

They offer all the amenities you need, there’s a restaurant on site and there’s also a visitor centre where you can find hiking maps, buy souvenirs or book a tour to go on a glacier hike.

The hike to Svartifoss is 1.5 kilometers one way from the visitor centre, uphill but easy enough that kids handle it fine. Give it about 45 minutes.

The waterfall itself is framed by black basalt columns, the same ones that inspired the design of Hallgrímskirkja back in Reykjavik, so if the kids visited the church on Day 1, this is a fun full-circle moment to point out.

While I went on this hike with our toddler, dad and our teen went on a glacier walk and had the best time.

Guided glacier hikes on Skaftafellsjökull can be booked right from the visitor centre, crampons and all, and they’re suitable for most ages and fitness levels.

If you’ve got time left, drive 40 km east and visit the gorgeous Múlagljúfur Canyon. You can hike here in relative peace, because most people skip it. And that goes for us as well. We didn’t have time during our last 2 trips. It’s high on our bucket list for the next trip. 

Day 19: Skaftafell – Reynisfjara – Sólheimasandur

Skaftafell

Pack up and get back on the road. Reynisfjara is next, black sand and basalt giants waiting right on the coast.

Reynisfjara

The basalt rock columns that you can see at Reynisfjara beach are the same type as at Stuðlagil Canyon.

But in a much different setting. Located at a beach with beautiful black sand, you’ll find these basalt columns perched against the rock wall. But that’s not all.

When you look out at sea, you’ll see basalt pillars in different shapes and sizes coming out the water looking like a bunch of impressive giants.

I’m probably boring you with this next line at this point. But I will say it anyway: this truly is another must-see that you have to add to your Iceland road trip itinerary.

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

In the beginning of the 1970s an American plane crashed at a black beach in Sólheimasandur. They never removed it and what’s left of the plane became a real tourist attraction.

It takes 2 hours to hike up there, so that might be a challenge for smaller children. But it’s an easy hike and a beautiful scenic one, or take the shuttle bus from the parking lot if you’d rather skip the walk.

There’s no sign to show you the way. Just search for Sólheimasandur parking lot in Google Maps, park your car there and start your hike, or catch the shuttle.

A hike up to the plane wreck in Sólheimasandur is not possible during winter time. You won’t be able to drive up to the parking lot. Which is your starting point of the hike.

You’re actually allowed to go inside the plane, but climbing on top of it is no longer permitted.

Let’s make sure that others get to enjoy the plane in its present form. Breaking parts of it might make the site unsafe and lead to the decision of removing it altogether. And that would be a pity for fellow travelers who want to visit the plane wreck.

The landowner added a second, more intact DC-3 to the site in 2025, engines and cockpit still in place.

We haven’t seen it ourselves yet, so we can’t tell you if it adds to the experience or just adds to the crowd. 

Find lodging or a campsite near Skogafoss, because that will be the first stop tomorrow.

Day 20: Skogafoss – Seljalandsfoss – Hvolsvöllur – Reykjavik

Your last full day on the road, three more stops before you’re back where it all started.

Skogafoss

As soon as you park the car, you get a first glimpse of Skogafoss. A small strip of black sand beach leads up to this high waterfall. Truly impressive.

On the right of the waterfall there’s a steep wooden staircase that gives you the opportunity to walk all the way up to the top of the waterfall. Offering great views of course!

We loved it, but couldn’t have done it if our toddler wasn’t in the back carrier. It would’ve been too steep and we would’ve held up the people behind us.

It’s not easy to pass each other, because people are also coming back down at the same time.

Seljalandsfoss

Last waterfall, but certainly not the least is Seljalandsfoss, one of the most famous waterfalls.

And not without reason. You can walk behind it! A cavern behind it gives you the chance to walk around the entire waterfall.

Top tip: go early in the morning, otherwise you’ll be walking there with hundreds of other tourists who are taking day tours from Reykjavik. Or those who are extending the Golden Circle tour by adding a few extra waterfalls on their day trip.

The trail behind the fall is muddy and the rocks slippery. We carried our toddler in our back carrier.

I wouldn’t advise letting a toddler walk by itself. At the end you have to climb over slippery rocks. Which brings me to my second tip: wear a raincoat or a poncho, you’ll get soaking wet!

Reykjavik

From Hvolsvöllur it’s about a 1.5 hour drive back to Reykjavik. Tomorrow’s your last day, so settle in for one final night in the capital.

And get ready to say goodbye to the land of ice and fire…

Day 21: Reykjavik

Today you fly home. Depending on your flight time, you might have a few hours to spare or none at all, so plan accordingly.

If you’ve got time, use it on whatever you missed the first time around, a last coffee somewhere good, one more walk through the colorful streets, or a final souvenir run.

Otherwise, clean and drop off your rental in Keflavik and head straight to the airport.

2-Week Ring Road Itinerary (and more…)

Only got 14 days? Here’s how to trim the full itinerary to a 14 day Iceland itinerary:

Day 1-2: plane Keflavik – Reykjavik
Day 3: Reykjavik – Graenavatn – Kerid Crater
Day 4: Gullfoss – Geysir & Strokkur – Thingvellir National Park
Day 5: Gerduberg Cliff – Ytri Tunga – Búða – Lóndrangar Beach – Saxhóll Crater – Ólafsvik
Day 6: Ólafsvik – Kirkjufell – Akureyri
Day 7: Akureyri
Day 8: Akureyri – Mývatn
Day 9: Mývatn
Day 10: Mývatn – Dettifoss & Selfoss – Egilsstadir
Day 11: Egilsstadir – Hengifoss – Seydisfjördur
Day 12: Seydisfjördur – Diamond Beach – Jökulsárlón – Skaftafell
Day 13: Skaftafell – Reynisfjara
Day 14: Skogafoss – Seljalandsfoss – Keflavik plane

This family friendly itinerary sticks mostly to the Ring Road, the Golden Circle, the Diamond Circle, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

You’ll be skipping the Westfjords and the detours to Raufarhöfn and Stuðlagil Canyon to make the days work.

2 things to plan around: Day 6 is a big one, about 4.5 hours in the car as you leave Snæfellsnes for Akureyri, so start early.

On day 14 the drive without stops from Skogafoss to Keflavik airport is about 2.5 hours.

It takes about 5 minutes from the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss parking lot to the waterfalls. And then it’s up to you how long you’ll roam around.

Take that into account so you can make sure you’ll make it to the rental company and airport in time.

1-Week Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

Only got a week? I’m afraid you should skip the Ring Road idea and save it for another trip.

I see many 1-week Iceland ring road trip itinerary examples on the internet. But having experience with driving the Ring Road in summer and late fall, I can’t recommend this. Especially not to families.

It’s impossible to circle Iceland in 7 days without racing past half the highlights, and you’ll probably tire the kids and get FOMO yourselves.

Instead focus on the south and southwest instead. You’ll still get Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and the best of the south coast, without the rushing.

Day 1: Keflavik – Seljalandsfoss – Skogafoss
Day 2: Diamond Beach – Jökulsárlón
Day 3: Skaftafell
Day 4: Skaftafell – Graenavatn – Kerid Crater
Day 5: Gullfoss – Geysir & Strokkur – Thingvellir National Park
Day 6: Reykjavik
Day 7: Reykjavik – Keflavik

5 Days Iceland Itinerary

With another 2 days less it’s best to skip Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.

They sit far enough down the south coast that fitting them into 5 days means sacrificing more than 3 other sights. 

This 5 days route sticks closer to Reykjavik, so you get the Golden Circle and a sliver of the south coast.

Day 1: Keflavik – Seljalandsfoss – Skogafoss
Day 2: Graenavatn – Kerid Crater
Day 3: Gullfoss – Geysir & Strokkur – Thingvellir National Park
Day 4: Thingvellir National Park – Reykjavik
Day 5: Reykjavik – Keflavik

Road Tripping Through Iceland With Young Children

The question I get asked most often when it comes to Iceland is: is road tripping through Iceland suitable for toddlers?

With toddlers I wouldn’t road trip in a campervan or caravan outside of July or August.

This time of year you’ll still have to hire warm bedding or sleeping bags and bring tights, warm clothes and thick coats to keep everyone warm and comfy.

Our youngest was 1.5 years old when we did this road trip in July and August and he loved it. We bundled him up and he was good to go.

Other months of the year it just simply gets too cold to keep the youngest warm enough when camping.

So if you want to travel to Iceland with family in October, like we did when he was a few years older, or even in winter, stay at hotels.

If you’re hiking with kids in a back carrier, make sure it has a rain cover you can attach to it. It will keep the wind out and it keeps them dry.

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. Icelandic people are more reserved and quiet, but they are very warm towards kids. My toddler got many winks and smiles while we were there.

Best Time to Visit Iceland

Iceland doesn’t really have a bad time to visit, it has different versions of itself depending on when you go. Here’s what each season offers.

Spring (April to May) is when Iceland wakes up. Daytime temperatures sit around 0-10°C (32-50°F), still cool enough for a proper coat, but daylight stretches from 12 hours in April to nearly 20 by the end of May.

Puffins start returning to the cliffs in late April, and whale watching season kicks off around the same time, humpbacks and minke whales included.

Crowds and prices are both noticeably lower than summer, though the Highlands and most F-roads stay closed until the season properly turns.

Summer (June to August) is the peak season, and for good reason. Daytime temperatures sit around 10-15°C (50-59°F), nights barely drop below that, and with close to 21 hours of daylight, you’ll hardly notice when one day ends and the next begins.

This is also your best shot at humpback whales up north and puffins on the cliffs.

Roads, including F-roads, are at their most reliable now too, which matters when you’re covering this much ground with kids in the car.

Because this is peak season the prices are higher and you have to prebook accommodation and tours well in advance.

We didn’t prebook campsites and never had any trouble, but if you want to be on the safe side, prebook those as well.

This Iceland with kids itinerary is best in this season, because some F-roads are closed in winter and sometimes even from late fall and early spring.

Fall (September to October) is the quiet turn. September still holds onto some warmth, 5-11°C (41-52°F) during the day, but by October that drops closer to 5°C (41°F) and the wind picks up hard, this is one of the windiest stretches of the year.

Northern Lights season starts here, and you’ll still catch the last of the puffins and whales before they clear out for winter.

Crowds thin out fast, and prices drop with them, making this one of the better windows if you want the scenery without the summer traffic.

We were in Iceland in October and stayed in hotels, because it’s way too cold to camp and lots of campsites are closed during winter anyway.

Winter (November to March) is an entirely different trip. Daytime temperatures hover between -5 and 4°C (28-39°F), but nights drop further still, and the wind is where it really gets you.

Iceland averages winds of around 19 km/h (12 mph) year-round, and winter is when it hits hardest, especially along the south coast and in the Westfjords.

Add in only 4 to 8 hours of daylight, and you’ll understand why we don’t recommend camping outside of summer with kids. Book a hotel instead.

What winter does give you: Northern Lights season, and your best chance at spotting orcas around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Whatever season you land in, pack for 4 kinds of weather in a single day. Icelanders joke about it. They’re not joking.

How to Get To Iceland

Flights

Most international flights land at Keflavik International Airport in Keflavik, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik.

Icelandair runs the biggest network here, but plenty of other airlines fly in from Europe and North America too, so shop around before you book.

Akureyri also has its own airport, mostly serving domestic routes, but a handful of seasonal international connections run directly in during summer and winter. Like from Austria, England and the Netherlands.

If you’re not picking up your rental car or campervan in Keflavik you can take the shuttle bus that runs between Keflavik and Reykjavik. 

Easy enough to hop on with kids and luggage, and just as easy to catch again when you fly home.

When pre-booking the bus transfer you have the option to select a car seat in the right size. And we really loved that. They had the seat waiting for us when we walked up to our bus. Easy peasy.

We booked our bus transfer via Gray Line (Airport Direct). They were punctual and brought the right size of car seat. Other reliable companies are Flybus and Airport Direct.

Ferries

Prefer to bring your own car? The Norröna ferry sails from Hirtshals in Denmark, with a stop in the Faroe Islands, and lands in Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland.

It’s the only option if you want to skip flying altogether, but it’s also a multi-day crossing, so it’s more of an adventure in itself than a quick way to get here. Worth considering if you’re already road tripping through Europe and don’t want to leave the car behind.

How to Get Around

Iceland connects well by air and by car, and self-driving is by far the most common way to see it.

Whether you rent a car, a campervan, or join a tour instead depends on how much ground you want to cover and how hands-on you want the trip to be.

Renting a Car in Iceland

If you’re sticking to the Ring Road and paved roads, a 2WD is enough. It’s cheaper, easier to handle, and you won’t need it for anything Route 1 throws at you.

Get your rental car here

Renting a Campervan in Iceland

A campervan gets you the flexibility of a car with your accommodation built in, no small thing when you’re traveling with kids and don’t want to be racing the clock to reach a hotel every night.

Booking a 4×4 Campervan

Before you rent a car or a camper, you have to decide if a 2WD is enough for your self-drive tour, or if you need to rent a 4WD.

If you only want to cover everything along Route 1 (the Ring Road), you do not need to hire a 4WD.

Our Tip: Motorhome Iceland

We chose to rent our campervan through Motorhome Iceland. Great customer service via email and they took enough time to explain everything we needed to know about the van at pick-up.

They also offer pick-up and drop-off from Keflavik Airport to their office (24/7 service). The reviews they get are great, the Icelandic Tourist board recognizes them, and that’s why we chose them.

We don’t have a partnership with this company, we just really loved their campervan and their service.

Joining a Multi-Day Tour

Not everyone wants to drive, and that’s fine too. Multi-day tours cover different areas in Iceland like the Golden Circle and the Diamond Circle, so you can see the highlights without touching a steering wheel.

If you’d rather keep full flexibility but still skip the driving, hiring a private driver to take you around the island is also an option.

Whichever route you choose, check 2 things before booking: whether children are allowed on the tour, and what the age limit is. 

Not every operator welcomes babies and toddlers.

Top Multi-Day Tours in Iceland

Iceland Road Trip Essentials

💵 Currency: Iceland uses the Icelandic króna (kr). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even at tiny gas stations and food trucks, so you barely need cash. 

💸 Budget: The only negative thing I can say about Iceland is that it’s very expensive. Petrol, groceries, and eating out are more expensive in Nordic countries than in other parts of Europe. So keep that in mind when you’re saving up for this Iceland family road trip.

🛒 Groceries: Shop at bigger supermarket chains, like Bónus or Krónan. Normally I’d advise shopping locally to support smaller entrepreneurs, but that will likely leave you broke by the end of your trip. These supermarkets show up in larger cities, like Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir. So stock up there, before moving on to smaller towns.

📱 eSIM and VPN: Skip the physical SIM card hunt and get an eSIM before you land, it’s the easiest way to stay connected on the road, especially for checking maps and weather in areas with spotty signal. Saily and Airalo eSIMs are our faves.

🛡️ Travel Insurance: Buying travel insurance is highly recommended. Iceland’s terrain and weather can turn a minor mishap into an expensive one fast, and proper coverage means you’re not paying out of pocket for a hospital visit or a cancelled tour.

🛟 Safety: Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, but nature is a force to be reckoned with. Respect closed trails, keep a real distance from cliffs and waves, and always check road and weather conditions before setting out.

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