KidTripster Teen: 10 things that will convince you to take your kids to Iceland
I’ve fantasized about taking a trip to Iceland for a really long time, even before it was trendy for tourists. It started as the subject of a homeschool geography project and ended up morphing into something just short of an obsession, as I lobbied year after year for a family vacation to my dream destination. Iceland was a tough sell with my parents, who weren’t convinced that it was worthy of our vacation time. Somehow, my determination ultimately paid off as I finally convinced my crew to embark on an Icelandic adventure. And, guess what? My mom and dad discovered what I knew would be true – Iceland is an epic place to visit! We all had a great time and pledged that we’d return again because there are simply too many amazing sights to see in one trip.
Here are 10 things that I think will convince you of Iceland’s worthiness as a bucket list destination.
1. Cool capital city
Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city, served as a base for my family’s Icelandic escapades. Part halcyon harbor town – part sophisticated center, this quirky, coastal city’s split personality gives it an indescribable charm. Despite its small size, the vibrant metropolis has so much going on that we easily could have spent our entire trip within the city limits without run out of things to do. Among the many attractions here, Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan – Wonders of Ice, Harpa Concert Hall, and the Sun Voyager sculpture were tops on my list. I also enjoyed strolling through town while checking out the cool shops and colorful street art that adorns various buildings. If all that isn’t enough, this city is a foodie heaven that’s brimming with excellent – albeit expensive – restaurants flaunting ultra-exotic menu items like svið (sheep’s head) and hákarl (fermented shark). I quickly christened Reykjavík as my “most favorite city ever visited.”
KidTripster Tip: For a truly entrancing experience, visit Sun Voyager at sunset during the summer. Perched at the water’s edge, the steel statue glows in a golden hue as the sun hovers on the horizon, providing mesmerizing views and a beautiful backdrop for vacation photos.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re looking for a quick breakfast early in the morning, check out Bergsson Mathús. This counter service cafe is one of the few places in the city that’s open before 7:30 a.m., and it has lots of appetizing options that won’t break the bank. You can get your food to go or grab a seat in the quaint, cozy surroundings. My mom loved the coffee, and my dad said it had the best sourdough bread that he’s ever tasted.
Read KidTripster’s choices for Best Cheap Eats and Top 10 Stays for families in Reykjavík.
2. Golden Circle
One of the many allures of Iceland is its natural wonder. A great introduction to this unique beauty is a trip around the famed Golden Circle, a 3-1/2-hour drive (without stops) that begins and ends in Reykjavík. Though this route gets a bad rep for being overcrowded and touristy, it’s still a crowd-pleaser because it’s packed with the picturesque magic that Iceland is known for. My family rented a car and chose to explore on our own, but there are plenty of tour companies, like Hidden Iceland, available to show you the sights, as well. Major highlights include Kerið, Strokkur, Haukadalur Valley, and Gullfoss – each stop more awe-inspiring than the last.
The main attraction of the drive for me was Þingvellir National Park, special because of its historical and geological importance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the setting for Þingvellir Church where Iceland’s first parliament assembled. Þingvellir Lake, located here too, is the largest natural lake in Iceland, and it’s where you’ll find the Silfra, the spot where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. It’s well-known to scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts who come here for a one-of-a-kind experience below the pristine blue waters. Book a tour (it’s illegal to do on your own), and guides will lead you to the only place in the world where you can you dive or snorkel directly in the crack between two tectonic plates.
KidTripster Tip: Know that there’s no one single place where you can put a foot on the North America plate and a foot on European plate in Þingvellir National Park.
3. Hot springs
Sliced by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland has an abundance of geothermal activity and is home to more hot springs than almost any other place on the planet! Hot springs are a popular place to soak away your stress, and there are many options for tourists who want to try one of Icelanders’ favorite pastimes. Some hot springs are natural and some are man-made, but by far, the most famous is the Blue Lagoon. Is it a bit of a tourist trap? Perhaps, but we deemed it was worthy of a stop. Though we didn’t go for a swim in the milky, turquoise waters, we liked wandering around the outside pools while admiring spectacular views of the jagged lava rocks juxtaposed against pools of pale blue H2O. Inside, we chatted with some spa-goers who said Blue Lagoon more than lived up to the hype, so maybe we’ll give it a try on our next trip.
KidTripster Tip: Be aware that before getting in the water at any hot spring, a shower in your “birthday suit” is mandatory! Some may find this obligation excessive, but it’s required to keep the geothermal waters free of harmful bacteria.
KidTripster Tip: Looking for a less commercialized hot spring for your soak? Our KidTripster editor recommends the Secret Lagoon on the Golden Circle. Read more about it here.
4. Spectacular waterfalls
Step aside Hawaii, the fossar (that means waterfalls in the Icelandic language) in Iceland undoubtedly rival those of any Polynesian paradise. This island nation’s location, climate, and topography, combine to produce some of the most magnificent cascades in the world. There are countless spots all over the country where you can observe these fantastic forces of nature, but several fabulous waterfalls can be found while driving on the Golden Circle and Ring Road (Route 1 that runs around the entire island). All the waterfalls that we visited were phenomenal, and I wouldn’t be able to pick just one as a favorite. If I were forced to narrow it to my top two, I’d choose Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. They’re both located on the Ring Road and within a 20-minute drive of each other.
KidTripster Tip: There’s a charming, little gift shop next to Seljalandsfoss with the same name that has unique gifts with better prices than you’ll find back in Reykjavík. We found it less expensive than any other souvenir stores that we saw on our travels, and to top it off, the shopkeeper, Steinunn, who was super helpful and friendly, gave us the local skinny on some great restaurants and other places to stop.
5. Black sand beaches
Some say visiting Iceland can seem as if you’ve traveled to another planet. This was most true for me on the country’s black sand beaches which look like something straight out of a science fiction novel. Star Wars fans may even recognize the terrain from opening scenes in the movie Rouge One which was filmed in Iceland. We headed to the southern part of the island on the Ring Road to catch a glimpse of some Lah’mu-esque landscapes at Reynisfjara. I can tell you that this place did not disappoint. Walking on the black sand that covered the shores, I half expected to see TIE fighters flying overhead. There are no sunbathers on towels soaking up the rays as typically seen on the beach. Instead, visitors come here to climb the giant basalt columns that line the shores.
KidTripster Tip: Sólheimasandur is another black sand beach close to Reynisfjara, most notable for the wreckage of a DC3 military plane that crashed there in the 70s. While it’s an interesting sight, getting there will take some effort as it’s about a 2-1/2-mile trek each way from the main road, and there are no restrooms or other facilities. Take this into consideration when deciding whether or not to make the trip.
KidTripster Tip: While the scenery on Iceland’s beaches is beautiful, it also can be dangerous. The undercurrent is strong and sneaker waves – which come without warning – can pull you into the ocean. Local authorities advise never turning your back on the sea, not even for a selfie.
6. Wildlife
Despite its stark, cold, and volcanic landscape, Iceland is a happy habitat for some incredible wildlife. Reykjavík does have a zoo that showcases some of the animals living here, but I think it’s more enjoyable seeing them out in the wild. In your travels, you’re likely to see Icelandic horses, sheep, goats, and even reindeer, if you head to the eastern part of the country.
One of the most popular inhabitants to see in Iceland is the puffin. While not the national bird (that honor belongs to the gyrfalcon), these colorful creatures have become synonymous with Iceland and with good reason; over 60% of the world’s Atlantic puffin population can be found on the island during mating season. If you visit from mid-spring to late summer and want to get a peak at the puffins, head to the southern part of the Ring Road as you’re bound to spot them flying near their nests in the cliffs of the coast. There also are various tours for puffin sightings.
Whale watching is another favorite activity in Iceland, but this will most certainly require a tour as they are not often spotted so close to land. No matter where you travel here, you’re sure to witness some wonderful wildlife that will rival anything that you’ve watched on the National Geographic channel!
7. Fire & ice
Iceland is often referred to as “the land of fire and ice” because of the many volcanoes and glaciers that cover its landscape. There are more than 130 volcanoes across the island, and lava is actually what makes up the majority of Iceland’s landmass. Hiking these wonders is a fun activity and with some volcanoes, it’s even possible to descend into the crater and explore! How’s that for bragging rights? We checked out Kerið Crater which was an easy stop along the Golden Circle. This volcanic caldera is young (3,000 years old) compared to most of the others in Iceland. It has a reddish color and provides a dramatic contrast to vivid blue waters of the lake below. The verdant vegetation that thrives during the summer only adds to the drama. We hiked around the ring of the crater to appreciate the views, and though we didn’t attempt it, it’s possible to trek down to the bottom and see the lake.
Glaciers, another of Iceland’s breathtaking natural wonders, also abound here. In fact, about 11 percent of the island is covered by glaciers – at least for the moment. Companies like Hidden Iceland offer glacier hiking tours that are appropriate for kids, ages 10 and up.
Read KidTripster’s 8 reasons why your family may want to book a tour in Iceland here.
8. Viking lore
The Vikings were the first people to set foot on Iceland back in the 9th century which explains why Norse mythology and Viking traditions are so entwined with the country’s history. Numerous museums and activities dedicated to all-things-Viking can be found here. Reykjavík Maritime Museum, Settlement Center, and Saga Museum are all great; but for me, the coolest museum around is Viking World. Located 40 minutes outside of Reykjavík, this place is full of historic artifacts, intriguing interactive exhibits, and multimedia presentations to educate visitors on all there is to know about Viking life.
The museum’s centerpiece is a full-size replica of a working Viking ship that’s suspended several feet off the ground, giving you the opportunity to examine it from every angle. Head to the second floor and climb aboard to better visualize what it must have been like to navigate this colossal craft. And don’t miss the display of authentic Viking garb that you can try on while posing for some Insta-worthy photos.
9. Midnight sun
The Arctic regions experience midnight sun in the summer months, and during the period of June 16th to 29th (a week before and after the summer solstice), the sun never sets in Iceland. In addition, from the middle of May to the end of July, the sun just barely dips below the horizon, so the skies are never completely dark. Instead, they become a dusty pink. That period of never-ending daylight is an ideal time to visit Iceland because it offers an amazing advantage! Outdoor adventures can start as early as you can get out of bed and last as long as you can manage to keep your eyes open. During our stay, we were lucky enough to experience the midnight sun in full effect, and it felt like we had bonus vacation time to see all the incredible splendor of Iceland!
KidTripster Tip: Make sure to bring an eye mask at night. Blackout curtains at hotels or vacation rentals don’t always do their job. This was the case where we stayed and not being able to block out the light made for several restless nights.
10. Northern lights
Recognized as one of the seven natural wonders, the Aurora Borealis is perhaps the most dazzling natural phenomena on the planet. Norse legend explained the Northern Lights as reflections from the armor of immortal warriors as they went into battle. Of course, the scientific explanation says the the Northern Lights occur as the result of an atmospheric collision of supercharged particles with the sun’s solar winds. This electromagnetic activity only happens at or near the earth’s poles, so Iceland’s location makes it one of the premiere places on the globe to witness these twirling light displays. Since they’re not visible in June, my family agreed to put a return trip to Iceland for the Northern Lights on our travel bucket list.
KidTripster Tip: The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from late September to mid-April, though they can be elusive. If you want some extra insurance, book a hotel that offers a Northern Lights wake-up service. Hotel staff will alert you if those dancing lights happen to turn on while you’re sleeping.
Laine Messier is a world-traveling, homeschooled high schooler. Her life did a total 180 when her dad took a job in Abu Dhabi. Now she splits her time between the USA and UAE, finding fantastic things to do in both places and everywhere in between. Outside of being an avid adventurer, she also loves mystery novels, superheroes, and gluten-free pizza.
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