DAY ONE
Getting there
If you’re taking advantage of the free stopover, you’ll be flying on Icelandair. (Note: You may see other websites mention free Iceland stopovers on WOW Air. That airline went out of business in May 2019.) Icelandair can be accurately described as a budget airline where you’ll pay extra for baggage and in-flight meals. That’s to be expected. What was a surprise was the airline’s dismal performance in terms of on-time departures. Every single leg of our journey on Icelandair – two legs to Europe and two legs back to the USA – was delayed by 45 minutes to an hour. So be careful not to book your connecting flights too close together.
When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll land at Keflavík Airport. This international airport is different than Reykjavík Airport which is a local airport for flights within the country. Keflavik is a 45-minute drive from downtown Reykjavík. If you’re not renting a car, you’ll need to use a shuttle bus. We booked online with Airport Direct, though it’s possible to buy tickets at the airport counter. Cost: Youth (0-13) Free; Adult about $20, depending on the exchange rate. While incredibly inconvenient in terms of distance from the airport, the shuttle is comfortable and equipped with free WiFi.
Where to stay?
As mentioned earlier, I think an Airbnb-type rental is the way to go in Reykjavík, especially for larger families. You’ll want to be located in the lively downtown within easy walking distance to restaurants and shops. Fortunately, you’ll find that Reykjavík is a very walkable city.
KidTripster Tip: Whether you’re staying in a rental or hotel, you’ll likely notice that the water has a sulfur odor. In Iceland, hot and cold water are delivered in separate pipes. The hot water is sourced directly from the ground, hence the smell. Know that the cold water is completely safe to drink from the tap and doesn’t have the same odor. It’s sourced from glaciers and filtered through lava rock.
What to do?
Housed under a futuristic glass dome, Perlan – Wonders of Iceland is a good first stop in Iceland. This museum and planetarium will provide you with background information on the natural forces that have shaped Iceland’s history. Iceland is so volcanically active that folks here often talk about volcanic systems rather than individual volcanoes. The island has 30 systems; each has many types of volcanoes which are explained in the museum. The exhibits on glaciers are particularly well done with huge interactive screens where your kids can manipulate the information being shown. You can walk through a man-made ice cave (yes, it’s cold!). And on the first floor, don’t miss the exhibit of stunning photos from Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson, one of Iceland’s most accomplished Arctic photographers. Full-access cost (including the planetarium show on the Northern Lights called Aróra): Youth (5 & under) Free; Youth (6-17) about $19; Adult about $36; Family (2 adults, 2 kids) about $71, depending on the exchange rate. You also can purchase less expensive tickets for just the museum, ice cave, and observation deck or just the planetarium and observation deck.
KidTripster Tip: The best views in Reykjavík are from the observation deck at Perlan. Be ready to get your Instagram-worthy shots of the colorful buildings and red roofs here.
KidTripster Tip: You may be tempted to have dinner at the revolving restaurant at Perlan, Út í Bláinn– that is, until you see the prices on the menu. It’s really expensive. Instead, you can grab lunch or a snack at the Coffee House on the same floor. Know that beyond a ham and cheese croissant, there’s really no dinner choices here as the grill closes early.
From the Perlan, it’s a 20-minute walk to Reykjavík’s iconic landmark, Hallgrímskirkja. The Lutheran church is open to the public. Inside, make sure to look up at the church organ and its 5,275 pipes. However, it’s the exterior of the church that’s most captivating. Move around the structure so that you can photograph it from different angles. In front of the church, you’ll find a statue of one of Iceland’s most famous sons and the first known European to set foot on the North American continent, Leif Erikson. The statue was a gift from the USA.
KidTripster Tip: There’s a fee to go up in the church’s tower. Cost: Youth (under 7) Free; Youth (7-16) about $1; Adult about $9. However, I’d recommend skipping it. The views from the Perlan are much better, mainly because they include the church itself.
Just a short walk from the church, you’ll find yourself on the main shopping street in Reykjavík, Laugavegur, and home to many Icelandic brands here like 66° North, Cintamani, and Icewear – all with Icelandic prices! At the end of this street, you’ll come to Austurstræti and its popular cafes where folks gather for a cup of coffee. At night, the cafes transform into disco bars, and the area comes alive with music.
End your day with a stroll to Harpa Concert Hall to see the multi-colored light show displayed on its glass exterior.
Now that you’ve seen the city, how about a visit to Iceland’s famed “Golden Circle,” full of geothermal wonders and a big waterfall. Click below to see where Day 2 takes us.
