Ideas for 24 hours in Iceland with family in July

[Thierryhenryneedisaymore]

Have a quick stopover arriving into Keflavik early afternoon and leaving next day approx same time. Looking for some recommendations for food, accommodation and think I’d like to do the blue lagoon, anything really - open to ideas to make most of the time. Likely to hire a car for the short stay. Getting a bit overwhelmed with choice on other things, and would prefer recommendations and pointers on what needs booked well in advance and what’s reasonable to fit in during such a short trip. Happy with basic accommodation for one night, 2 adults and 2 children. I know it’s expensive🙈. Kids are good with most types of food. Many thanks in advance.

There are lots of companies that turn up when you Google "Iceland stopover" or "Keflavik layover" that will organise something more or less bespoke based around your flight times. That might also save on car hire.

The obvious tour is the Golden Triangle (Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir). But you probably don't have time to do that if your flights are in the afternoon, since your non-sleeping time will be split, unless you either leave at 6am or stay somewhere up-country. You don't say which month you're going, but if it's in summer then you could maybe go to Reykdalur for sunset on your first day and then just about manage either Thingvellir, or Geysir and Gullfoss, on the second day. Thingvellir needs a good hour to walk around, whereas Geysir and Gullfoss only need 15 minutes each at a pinch.

Personally I would skip the Blue Lagoon. It's fun in a "can you believe we are bathing in power station effluent and loving it?" kind of a way, and apparently the water is good for your skin (although terrible for your hair), but it's quite a lot of money to basically stand around in warm water with a load of American and European day trippers. A more authentic (and free!) outdoor bathing experience is the thermal stream at Reykjadalur, which including the drive, the walk from the car park, and an hour on site, is about a 3½-hour round trip from Reykjavik.

Thank you very much, I hadn’t thought of googling Iceland stopover to possibly find something that will factor in all of what I’m looking for, will take a look. Heard similar comments about the blue lagoon so may try Reykjadalur, thanks again👍

@samarrange Your review of Blue Lagoon 😄 I know some people love it but I quite agree.

Reykjadalur is very cool!

We were in Iceland for about 36 hours last year (stopover on way back from Toronto). I think our flight arrived around 6.30am and departed about 4pm the next day. The coach into Reykjavic takes almost an hour.

Basically, we did the Golden Circle tour, which took about 7 hours. I'd recommend this tour.

In the evening, we had a wander around Reykjavic (the city centre is tiny), and a nice supper in a traditional seafood restaurant by the harbour. We could have done a lot more but were happy to chill. We wandered up to the cathedral next morning but were too early to get in.

Iceland is really expensive, so we were happy to have breakfast included in our hotel stay, and free food at the airport (business lounge). We must have spent a fair bit in the hotel bar, though.

There are many providers of the Golden Circle tour. It took about 8 hours round trip (literally!) when we did it, so I'm wondering if you'll have time. All the tours seemed to pick up around 9 am, got back at 5 pm. That was in winter, and we were based in Reykjavik. Maybe there will be earlier tours in the summer, or some that leave from Keflavik. It is a great tour, though fur the highlights of Iceland. Maybe your idea of hiring a car and do it self guided with a very early start would be good, possibly with a shorter route.

I loved the Blue Lagoon, but friends enjoyed the Sky Lagoon (BL was closed due to volcanic activity when they went). I enjoyed the state run sauna/hot baths/sea swimming at Northolik thermal beach better though.

The heated beach is at Nauthólsvík - not trying to be a dick because I know the Icelandic names look strange when you're not used to them, but OP won't be able to Google things if they're not approximately right.

But I suppose the best way to fit the golden circle into the time available is to avoid going to Reykjavík at all, stay overnight in a summerhouse or Hótel Geysir or similar and do half one day and half the next day. This should save wasted time driving back and forth.

In July you'll have 24 hour daylight so it's easier to do long days. It gives you more energy.

Apologies for my spelling, and you are correct that one can't look anything up if one doesn't know how to spell it.

Many thanks for all the responses, a lot to think about. We’re about 2pm arrival to 2pm next day (need to be back at airport by about 230) so pretty much 24 hours split over 2 days. I was thinking well perhaps try to stick to Reykjavik on the morning of day 2 before the airport and try to make the most of day 1 late into the evening. undecided on what to do for accommodation. Think we’re definitely hiring a car to give some flexibility. Lots to think about. Thanks for the ideas.

If you hire a car, remember that the speed limit is generally 80 km/h and there is not much friendly Nordic tolerance when it comes to writing tickets.

It sounds like you may not be having lunch in Reykjavik, but if you do: We found the way to eat cheaply is to have the daily special in a modest place. It's usually fresh fish and excellent. We actually ate at a couple of fine dining places, partly because the price differential with other countries seemed to be less extreme at the higher end (paying £30 for a pizza just feels stupid).