Sunday, November 2, 2014

Iceland: Traveling with children

Generally speaking Iceland is a very family friendly tourist destination. There is always so much to see, and most of it is probably very different from what the children are used to. And you can stop the car almost everywhere. If you see some horses, cows or sheep, then don’t hesitate to get out of the car and let the children get real close to the animals. And how about letting them lie down in the green moss and feel how soft it is?

If driving, one good rule of thumb when the children were young, is to drive for an hour and stop for 15 minutes. You can stop virtually anywhere and there is always something to see or do. Therefore you can see the sights you want to see, just by allowing more time to travel.

Here are some destination suggestions when visiting Iceland with children:
In the Reykjavik area: The Reykjavik Pond in the city center. Bring some bread and let the children feed the ducks and swans. Go to the Geothermal Beach Nauthólsvík and let the kids run around and bathe in the geothermal pots and the sea. After that you can hike up the Öskjuhlið hill up to the Perlan. There is a huge fountain indoors. Upstairs is a viewpoint with great views over the city. Go to the Reykjavik Domestic Zoo and take a look at some Icelandic domestic animals and foxes too! 
Adjacent is an amusement park with many rides for small children.

Go to Grótta and let the children play in the black sand of the beach. If the weather is bad go to Smaralind Shopping Centerl (free bus rides from Reykjavik center) and visit the indoor amusement park. Go to Hellisgerdi park in Hafnarfjörður town (15 minutes from Reykjavik center) and let the kids run around free. Perhaps you’ll  meet some of the many elves that live there. Go to Elliðaárdalur valley (10 minutes from city center) and just walk around.

Outside of Reykjavik (but not too far away): Go to Eiriksstadir Viking Farm (2 hour drive) and let the children dress up in Viking clothes and experience how it was like for the discoverer of America to grow up as a Viking. Visit the Blue Lagoon (45 minute drive). Visit Vatnaveröld in Keflavik town (45 minute drive). There you visit an indoor pool specially made for children. There is also one in Þorlákshöfn village (45 minute drive).


Everywhere: Take them to a local geothermal swimming pool. There is at least one in every village and all have some toys for children, and many have waterslides.

0 comments:

Post a Comment