Iceland

[AIMD]

Pondering booking an Iceland holiday for our family ( 2 children currently 4 and 6).
Obviously looking ahead to 2022 summer....

Any tips on holidays in Iceland with kids? I have been in winter before but that was pre kids.

[SJaneS49]

You’ll already know if you’ve been that it’s expensive! I’d rent an apartment going with kids - when I took my then 6 year old DD1 many years ago, eating out cost a bomb so the ability to self cater would help. My DD most liked a day out pony riding and swimming in public thermal pool in Reykjavik. We didn’t do whale watching thanks to the weather but your DC might enjoy?

[Yorkshirepuddingforever]

We took DD when she was nearly 4 and she loved it. Still talks about wanting to go back so think we will plan for 2022 as well. We went in winter when we took her but have been in summer ourselves. We did whale watching, the whales of Iceland exhibition, the ice cave at the Perlan, road trip to the glacier lagoon, black sand beach, swimming in Reykjavik, the viking longhouse exhibition and some wandering around Reykjavik with stops at playparks.

We are planning to do the Snaefellness peninsula and possibly further north if we have time.

[AIMD]

Thank you. Yea I remember how expensive it was and we did self catering last time and would do that again. Thanks for the suggestions it’s nice to know it’s been a good destination for others with kids.

[Whynotnowbaby]

We went and liked it so much we moved here! Totally agree re. Apartment rather than hotel and there are lovely cabins out in the countryside too which are perfect for families. My kids love Árbærsafn which is a place with historic houses with an amazing indoor play area, swimming - there’s a wave pool in Álftanes which is great, and generally being out in the nature- especially waterfalls and Geysir. Pm me if you want any more info

[GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing]

I’m looking ahead to 2023 now as I’ve had to put a 2021 holiday off to 2022.

Would love to go to Iceland so all tips welcome! Mine will be 14 and 9 by that time.

[NotCurrently]

We went a couple of years ago with ds 11 and dd 9. Loved it. Hired a car and drove all the way round the island. The day we went to Diamond Beach was one of the best days of my life. Our favourite accommodation was the Lambhus Cabins lambhus.is/

[JobRetentionScheme]

How much should you budget per day for two adults if you are eating out?

[Indoctro]

£150 is what I'd say from when I was there

[JobRetentionScheme]

Is that each or per couple ?

How expensive is a bottle of wine ?

[SheriffCallie]

We are here currently and it’s been a great spot for a family holiday. We headed south to Vik and stayed in the Vik apartments for a few nights. Would highly recommend these. Our Reykjavik apartment is tiny in comparison.
Vik was a great base for the south coast, including Glacier Lagoon/Diamond beach and Skaftafell. We went to a lava show in the village, and learned about volcanic eruptions, it was fascinating. Did the golden circle (Gulfoss, geyser, and Thingvellir Park) on way to Reykjavik, and now plan a few days of mooching and pool lounging before doing Blue Lagoon on way back to airport.
The Sky Lagoon has just opened and looks fab but it’s not open to kids under 12, so we had to give it a miss.
Would love to come back again and go further east.
It’s expensive but tbh, not much more so than our restaurant spends in a touristy part of England recently. We’ve self catered, so shopped in Kronan supermarkets for breakfast lunch and occasional dinners.

[JobRetentionScheme]

It sounds amazing. Is it easy enough to drive around ?

[SheriffCallie]

@JobRetentionScheme, yes very, very easy. Just takes a minute to orient to the left hand side driving seat, and right hand side driving, but the roads are very straightforward. And once out of Reykjavik, the roads are v quiet. We’ve mostly driven on the ‘1’ road, a couple of the short inland roads have been gravelly, but we just took care to drive slowly on these.