Our 2 Week Road-trip around Iceland Full Itinerary
Day 1 Activity : Gullfoss Waterfall (The Golden Falls) was the first stop on our itinerary. A 2 hour drive from the airport in our rental cars Iceland. Perfect for Mila to have a nap on-route and tick off one of the most well-known waterfalls straight away.
Stay: The 5 Million Star Buubble Hotel. We booked a night sleeping in a clear bubble tent. One night is definitely enough when you have children as the amenities are sparse but for the children’s reaction and the sheer fun factor it is most definitely a stay to try. Waking up to the sun rising, birds chirping and surrounded by nature is truly something special.
Day 2 Activity : Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Gljufrabui Waterfall only 5 minute walking distance apart. Great waterfalls to explore with kids as you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss and feel the spray. Similarly with Gljufrabui you can walk through the split rock at the base of the waterfall if you don’t mind getting wet. Waterproof clothing is highly recommended for both waterfalls for maximum interaction and fun!
Stay : Seljalandsfoss Horizons. Located a 20 minute walk (5 minute drive) from Seljalandsfoss Waterfall itself. These amazing lodges are duplex and cater to 4 people (children or adults) They currently don’t provide cots but besides that have a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms and lounge with windows framing the magnificent views that wrap around these cabins. We stayed for 2 nights and wished we had longer - truly beautiful, functional, comfy and idyllic. Ticked all the boxes.
Day 3 Activity : Today was our longest drive day. We wanted to visit the unmissable Diamond beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier which from our accommodation was a 3.15 hr drive away meaning a round trip of 6 1/2 hours. We would totally recommend visiting here. The floating icebergs are otherworldly and the iconic diamond beach is unlike any other. Black sand scattered with gigantic glistening pieces of ice make for an unforgettable adventure and one that is incredibly interactive and multi-sensory for children. We would however have booked a nights accommodation closer to the beach in hind sight having said that, the drive to and from the Diamond beach from Seljalandsfoss is the most scenic drive we have ever driven and you can’t help but regularly stop the car just to take in the landscape which meant our trip took longer but Mila got to stretch her legs and we managed to keep her happy for the whole journey.
Day 4 Activity : After a long car day the day before we decided to stay local and minimise the amount of time in the car for Mila and ourselves. Another of Iceland’s most well-known waterfalls, Skógafoss is situated less that 25 minutes away from Seljalandsfoss Horizon lodges. It is a must. Our favourite waterfall of the trip and great to explore for a good few hours. You can get up close, skim stones and run along the pebbled ground to the base of the falls, feeling the spray and if you’re lucky witness a very vivid rainbow. Before climbing the purpose-built staircase to the top and further up to the source if you wish. The climb to the top takes roughly 15 minutes depending on fitness, we carried Mila up in a carrier which is doable - just focus on the fact that the way down will be a lot easier than the climb up!
Day 5 Activity : We decided to see a nearby lesser known but equally as beautiful waterfall, Gluggafoss. Only a short 20 minute drive away it was perfect to visit in the morning before moving to our next stay. More of a challenging climb to get to the top of this one although there is a path to follow. However by following the river up from the car park you pass a quaint wooden bridge, before reaching the lowers falls where you can stand behind and feel the spray. Follow the steps up you reach the base of the main waterfall. We were the only ones here proving its not as popular as the others but if you fancy a tougher hike, want to get up close to the water or have a picnic next to a waterfall this one is not one too miss.
Stay : Hotel Rangá. We moved to a hotel for the next 3 nights. Hotel Rangá has been welcoming guests for over 20 years, with a focus on Icelandic hospitality. Found in remote a picturesque location and fun-filled facilities including hot tubs and a stargazing observatory it was a stay we were really looking forward to. The hotel also offers 7 luxurious suites known as ‘around the world in 7 suites’ as they are based on the 7 different continents.
Day 6 Activity : After 5 non-stop days we took a break and enjoyed a day at the hotel, taking advantage of the stunning location and facilities they offer. After a lazy morning playing with Mila we headed for breakfast being sure to sample the waffles and maple syrup, an Icelandic (and Mila) favourite! We spent the afternoon walking along the river that runs through the grounds of the hotel and relaxing in one of 3 hot tubs that overlook it. The hotel offers an early dinner option starting at 6.30pm which is perfect for us with Mila they also have Hotel Rangá specific colouring and activity books for children to keep them entertained, a huge bonus! A day to unwind was just what we needed.
Day 7 Activity : Around 45 minutes from Hotel Rangá lies Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater filled by beautiful electric blue water. It takes roughly 20 minutes to complete the walk around. Definitely worth a visit and a quick hike in fresh air. After which we headed to Urridafoss waterfall, another much lesser explored falls but one that totally blew us away. The sheer force is deafening, it actually has the highest average water flow of any waterfall in Iceland, and the second highest in Europe. Another quick pit stop to break up the journey to our next accommodation.
Stay : Afternoon Cottages. These simple yet perfectly equipped lodges are positioned in prime viewing of Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanos. The surroundings are stunning and it is one of the best places to witness the Northern Lights during the winter months. We wanted to stay here for the scenery and close proximity to Landmannalaugar however they aren’t the most convenient it you have children as they aren’t super spacious and don’t have travel cots available. None the less if you don’t mind bunking up with your little one for a couple of nights these lodges will more than make up for it with beauty and tranquility.
Day 8 Activity : With so much on the doorstep of Afternoon Cottages we were spoilt for choice with places to explore. Although originally we had planned to visit the Landmannalaugar in Fjallabak Nature Reserve it is restricted during the winter months to super jeeps and Icelandic tours due to the extreme conditions and unpredictable roads up to the area. So as a change of plan we opted to visit two scenic spots within 10 minutes of each other and two places Mila would enjoy playing at. First up The Commonwealth Farm, A re-built re-enactment of how a viking farm would have looked before in the exact same spot that was destroyed by a volcano in 1100. Next up, Hjalparfoss or ‘twin falls’ a small but mighty waterfall. A perfect spot for lunch as the pathways are dotted with picnic tables and where we chose to have lunch and play.
Day 9 Activity : Iceland is largely recognised for its hot springs, we went in search of one that wasn’t as well known. Our search took us to Hrunalaug. Around 1 hour from Afternoon Cottages. A perfect distance for Mila to have a nap on route. The entry is 1000 ISK (£6) posted through an honesty box which goes directly to the farmer whose land the hot spring is on and who maintain the upkeep. From the parking it is a short 5 minute walk to the hot springs. We were dubious when we arrived to 3 pools and a grass covered hut in the middle of a field as to how hot they were. We needn’t have worried as the water was piping hot! Each pool and the river running from is heated. We spent around 40 minutes in the pools and stayed warm the entire time. A great find and recommendation to pass on.
Day 10 Activity : Today we headed to the main city, Reykjavik. On the way we stopped at a busy town called Hveragerdi which is known for its activities including a zip wire and adventure hike to multiple natural hot springs. Grabbing a coffee and heading for a walk we enjoyed our last little wander through nature before hitting the city.
Stay : Exeter Hotel A relatively new and uber modern hotel with bustling bakery underneath. We arrived to spend 3 nights in this boutique hotel perfectly pitched to walk around the city. It also provides cots for children.
Day 11 Activity : Visiting Iceland with children under 12 does mean that they unfortunately aren’t allowed at The Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. They are however allowed from any age at Laugarvatn Fontana. An incredible region in Iceland only and hour away from Reykjavik. You can partake in a masterclass learning all about how to bake bread in a geothermal bakery. You will them get to taste the baked bread before dipping your toes in 40+ natural mineral baths.
Day 12 Activity : For one of our last days we wanted to drive up the west coast to see Snæfellness Peninsula, around a 2 1/2 - 3 hours drive depending where you plan to visit. The peninsula itself takes around 3 hours to go around however we wanted to visit the area well known for seal spotting and to visit an iconic little black church. After a rainy start to the day the sun came out as did extremely blustery winds so we didn’t stay too long. The drive was as we’d come to expect during our time on the island, incredibly scenic and Mila thankfully is at an age where she will happily sleep in the car or gaze out the window and spot the birdies as we drive for a good length of time before watching a film on her iPad. Essential for longer drives.
Stay : We headed slightly further into the city centre tasty our last 2 nights at Konsulat Curio Collective Hilton Hotel. An exquisite hotel with breathtaking suites and vistas overlooking the main road into town.
Day 13 Activity: For our last day in Iceland we spent time getting to know and see Reykjavik. Perhaps the most famous and definitely the largest church in Iceland is the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral in the centre of Reykjavik. We spent the day with no agenda, wandering the streets, stopping for ice-cream and coffee here and there. It was the perfect way to round off our trip to Iceland.
Day 14 Dropped off our car rental at Keflavik airport and headed home.