Top Family Activities in Iceland for Your Next Family Vacation

Have you always wanted to take your family on vacation to a destination that isn’t on many people’s bucket list? Well, if you are searching for a once in a lifetime adventure, Iceland is the country that has it all. Bustling cities, cultural events, gorgeous countryside, and a couple unique foods you may or may not be interested in trying. As a travel advisor, I can plan your family vacation in Iceland. During the planning process, I will make sure I include some of the top family activities, so your entire family enjoys every minute of your time away from home.

Top Family Activities in Iceland for Your Next Family Vacation

 

Go On a Whale Watching Tour

Northern Iceland is the best place to do a whale watching tour with your family. These magnificent creatures will leap out of the water right near the boat. Other times, the whales will simply swim towards the boat before slapping the water with their tales. You never know how many whales you will see during this family activity in Iceland, but it will definitely be more than one.

Oh, and if the whales don’t interest your family, you can always choose to take a tour to see the puffins instead. Those little black and white birds are adorable. Just make sure the kids don’t try to smuggle one home.

Ride Icelandic Horses

Icelandic horses are everywhere in this country, so don’t be surprised if you see them while hiking and driving around out in the country. These horses have short legs and shaggy fur. If you want the chance to see these animals closer, or spend time with them, you may want to consider going for a horseback ride. Ingólfsfjall Mountain and the River Gljúfulá are two of the best places for family activities in Iceland.

Soak in the Warm Water of the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s geo-thermal spa. The water is normally around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, even on the coldest days. As your kids enjoy the water, you can venture over to the spa for a relaxing treatment.

Hike to a Waterfall

There are plenty of waterfalls in Iceland, so you might as well hike to at least one of them during your family vacation. A few of the most popular waterfalls are right off the road. While you can add those to your list, you may prefer to do a couple that are more off the beaten path. I recommend these waterfalls when you are on vacation in Iceland:

• Glymur – the tallest waterfall in Iceland
• Skaftafell
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Hafragilsfoss
• Skogafoss – one of 27 waterfalls located on Waterfall Way

Take a Glacier Hike

Hiking to waterfalls is something your family can do almost anywhere in the world. But there are not too many places to do a glacier hike as a family. So, if you want to do a unique family activity while on vacation in Iceland, a glacier hike should be at the top of your list. The Sólheimajökull Glacier is a popular option. This glacier is near a couple of waterfalls, so you can easily combine both into one day.

Explore an Ice Cave

Over at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, you will have an opportunity to not only explore the lagoon, but an ice cave as well. The inside of the ice cave glitters with shades of snow white and sapphire blue. Once you have explored the cave, you can check out the ice floating on the lagoon and the black sandy beach where that ice comes to a stop.

Head Out on a Dog Sled

Dog sledding has always been a main mode of transportation in Iceland over the years, thanks to the layer of ice that is almost always present. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may find yourself learning how to drive a dog sled on dry land or over the fluffy white snow and ice that builds up. Either way, your family will fall in love with the sled dogs and this new favorite family activity.

See the Northern Lights

Everyone wants to see the Northern Lights at one point in time and Iceland is one of the best areas to check this item off your bucket list. Yes, you will need to stay up later to enjoy these dancing lights. And you will need to time your visit for the winter months as well. But both those things are worth it when you see the colors lighting up the nighttime sky.

These are some of the top family activities in Iceland for your next family vacation. I would love to add these, or other family activities, to your itinerary when I plan your trip.

So, are you ready to plan your family vacation and tackle these family activities in Iceland?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar. Here you will be able to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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