Reykjavik with 11 and 13 year old

[Mumtr]

We are looking at doing a 3 day/ 4 nights trip to Reykjavik . Has anyone done this before? Looking for tips for how to get the most out of our short stay. Also will October be an ok time to visit?

We’ve been a few times as we love Iceland! All attractions are outdoors and it will be cold so if your children prefer to stay indoors during cold weather i would think again, otherwise it’s a fantastic place, the people are lovely, food is great and going on trips to see the main attractions is a must! Whale watching, the geysers, the waterfalls, the landscape and maybe if your lucky the northern lights are a must

Oh and not forgetting the natural outdoor baths! The are so warm!!

Sounds amazing. I think the kids would be ok with the cold weather. So one day golden circle, one day whale watching and one day to the outdoor natural bath. Does that sound a good itinerary starting point?

We went in October a couple of years ago with friends who had a 12 year old. It wasn’t actually that cold. We pre booked everything, blue lagoon, bus trip to geysers etc look on trip advisor for best reviews. Book a hotel with breakfast included because it is very expensive to eat out. We all had a great time.

We couldn't get in to Blue Lagoon when we went, so the hotel pointed us in the direction of the local swimming pools.
out door Plunge pools, steam rooms, lovely swimming bath, all full of locals , great.
Not as instagramable but very enjoyable

This sounds fab! We went in January 2020 before Covid, did exactly what you have said but instead of natural bath we did the Blue Lagoon (I know it's £££ and tourist trap but it was AMAZING!) We did northern lights cruise too and saw them (we did this the night we arrived so we're tired but definitely worth it, totally the highlight! We didn't see any whales but someone told me more chance in March onwards?! The golden circle was incredible! But I did get a bit of anxiety on the coach because the weather was crazy and the roads are just ice in parts but they obviously know what they are doing haha! Absolute once in a lifetime trip! Just be prepared that it is expensive!

That’s sounds great! Try the secret lagoon rather than the blue lagoon, it’s less touristy and not remotely picture perfect but locals go there if they don’t go to their local swimming pools and it’s much quieter!

Also all the tours pick you up from most bus stops, so once you book your hotel ask which is your nearest bus stop and they pick you up and drop you off from there! We always stay in the same place and our bus stop is right outside ( bus stop 12) one poster said it wasn’t cold in October but it was cold (2 degrees) when we went in October and it’s because the weather is very changeable in Iceland sometimes hourly so layer up!

Iceland has a working Harbour and that’s where you obviously board the whale watching boats you don’t really need to book so just have a wander down and find one and jump aboard! You can pre book if you prefer to know you have a seat 👍

Second the recommendation for the local outdoor pools, they’re great. I would book blue lagoon too, it’s very touristy but good fun.

The best thing we did by far was the pony trekking - getting to tolt on a Icelandic pony across the lava fields was just unforgettable.

I've just been with an 11 and 14 yo. They loved it. We did 5 nights which was a good time. Stayed central hotel plaza in Reykjavik.

Not sure how long the days are in October. We did inside the glacier tour. Expensive and long day but amazing. Golden circle. Whales and puffins (don't think they will be there October) we also did a iceland I. Fairytale walking tour which was great.

We went in February and it was knee deep in snow, had to rearrange our tours but our 10 and 12 year old loved making real snowmen. We did the golden circle tour inc the blue lagoon and it was worth it. I’ve also done the secret lagoon and it is great but they are a bit more strict on the communal naked showering. We hired a car and some days touring ourselves. The local swimming pools are relatively cheap and we went twice. Have a cocktail in the big elbow sky bar-expensive but an excellent chocolate orange espresso martini! It’s a great trip and we’d go back.

Thanks some really great tips here

I went in August and it was freezing, and rainy so fully expect it to be chilly in October.

One thing I didn't realise (because I am usually self-sufficient on holiday and do my own itinerary), is that booking tours is an absolute expectation and you will really get the most out of it that way.

A great tour was an Icelandic pony trek. (But I do really like horses).

It is pricey though for sure.

Dh just asked me if it will be full of stag dos in Reykjavik. This hadn’t occurred to me? Has anyone found this to be the case

We went feb 2020 and it was freezing. Didn't notice loads of stag/hens, just a lovely chilled city atmosphere. Book the northern lights trip in for your first night as they will cancel and rebook you in if the weathers not suitable. Definitely the highlight of our trip. We went without kids and said the whole time we need to bring them here.

We didn't see any. It was a really relaxed chilled city lovely to wander around. The car drivers were a world away from those in London.

We flew out Sunday at start of half term and there were very few children on the flight - mainly late tweens / early teens the ones that were there.

Definitely second about booking northern light trip first night then they just keep rebooking until you eventually do hopefully see them . We booked the basic coach trip on one of our holidays and because it was full they upgraded us to one of those four wheel drive trips that are really expensive to go on instead. The local swimming pool is really nice, it's a large one with lots of little heated pools and a reasonable price, we used it a lot.

Horse riding! Icelandic horses are amazing and you will get treks for complete beginners as well as experienced. Also try the public pools. All seem to be outside with a range of hot pools at the side. We went in summer but imagine it would be lovely when the weather was colder. We went to some natural saunas too. Never did the blue lagoon. Did our own trip to geysir/ gulfoss etc by public bus.

With the weather it can be a bit dullish often a bit wet and very windy, I wore walking/hiking type clothes and best to have a decent thick waterproof coat, walking boots were ideal I found so dress as if you were going for a winter week in the Lake District.

Temperature will probably be about 0-5c and a bit colder at night, if you are very lucky it may get up to about 10c