Visiting Iceland with a Toddler or Baby is not just a good idea, it’s a fantastic one for many reasons. Firstly, the flight is an easy, short one at only 3 hours from the UK. It actually has a moderate climate and is beautiful in the summer. Iceland is essentially one enormous free outdoor playground for toddlers, kids and adults. It’s an extremely family and child friendly destination. There’s a real calm, laid back vibe, with so many open spaces and pure freedom for little ones and there are no large busy crowded cities to navigate.
When To Visit Iceland
You could go at any time of year as temperatures in Iceland in Winter don’t get as low as people think; it actually has more of a moderate climate. However, if you can, I would always recommend visiting Iceland with toddlers or babies in tow between May & September. The weather is warmer, the flowers start to bloom and most importantly you can take advantage of those endless hours of daylight thanks to the Midnight Sun! Plenty of time for naps and to enjoy a full day of exploring, fun-filled activities and soaking up those incredible sights! You can take all the time you need and let’s face it with babies and toddlers nothing happens in a hurry. Plus, if you don’t have a good sleeper, as I don’t, you could go out for a walk, bathe in a hot spring or visit a waterfall at 11pm in full daylight!
Where To Stay in Iceland
There are some lovely boutique hotel options and all hotels in Iceland are baby and toddler friendly however, consider staying in Apartment Hotels in Reykjavik and farmstays/cottages in rural locations as they offer the best of both worlds. Plenty of space, self-catering options (very useful when travelling with babies and toddlers) and hence no fixed dining schedules to adhere too and some have restaurants too, or restaurants nearby. In terms of which areas to visit, I highly suggest seeing enough but not too much, you don’t want to be stuck in a car for hours upon end with little ones. Stay tuned for our new Toddler Tour of Iceland which will be up and running shortly (email me if you want to see it now!) If possible, arrange your holiday well in advance as accommodation books up very quickly.
How to Get Around Iceland
I would recommend one of two options when visiting Iceland with a Toddler. Have a private driver and guide (not necessary in Reykjavik where walking or a city pass is the best option) or alternatively, go for the self-drive option. If funds allow, there’s nothing like having your own driver who will also be a qualified guide. There is so much to learn about Iceland; its culture, people and myths and folk legends and the only way to do this is to hear it from the Icelanders themselves. Every beautiful site and geological feature has a folk story behind it and we simply loved hearing all these (what toddler doesn’t like stories?) Secondly, if things don’t go to plan (Icelandic weather is very variable), your driver will always have a plan B & C. If you’re travelling alone you probably won’t have a backup plan(unless we create your route for you) and you don’t want to miss out on seeing things. Self-drive is a great option if funds are more limited, this does give you a lot of flexibility but you need to plan very well in advance and ideally with someone who has done this themselves (this is where we come in). You could also do a combination of the two. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend signing up for group tours as you will have absolutely no flexibility and will have to run by their schedule and won’t have the time to deal with any potential meltdowns or the freedom to take more time to savour Iceland and all that it has to offer.
Things to Do in Iceland
I don’t know where to start. Of course you’re here to see the incredible scenery, the plethora of waterfalls, geysers and volcanic features, mountains and glaciers and wildlife. Have a look at our Grand Tour of Iceland for inspiration. There is so much culture to soak up too but when it comes to specific things to do with your little ones the list is long. This would be an entire blog post in itself so I’ll just have to write a post on this too but to give you an idea; there are caves geared towards children, a ‘Waterworld’, numerous outdoor heated pools with slides and natural thermal pools, Reykjavik Zoo and the Viking, Saga and Whale Museums are always a hit with toddlers, kids and adults. There are fun lighthouses for little explorers, puffins aplenty, whales, dolphins, seals and reindeer to look out for and craters, ice and lava caves and volcanoes (dormant) to investigate.
What to Take to Iceland
Again this warrants an entire blog post (Contact us to request a packing list or our Iceland guide we can send you) but a few particular things I’d recommend are a rain/playsuit, or two, layers and waterproofs/windproofs for everyone and hats and gloves, suncream (believe it or not), sunglasses, a baby carrier or baby backpack with waterproof and suncover if possible, toys for the aeroplane or car, a water bottle or two (as that glacier/spring water is incredible). If you decide to take a travel buggy/pram bring a snoozeshade/UV cover. However, you’d probably only use this in Reykjavik. A travel cot or foldable highchair isn’t necessary (but check with us/hotels beforehand that a cot is available at each location).
Is Icelandic Food Child Friendly?
Yes, Icelandic food is delicious with a strong focus on fish and lamb but there are so many vegetarian/vegan options and the flavours are delicious yet simple for toddlers and children plus there are numerous pasta or pizza options for example. However, I do recommend packing some of those fruit or meal pouches (for babies) for example as these are ideal when short of time or for when you’re on the go and if you need a quick energy hit to keep them going. You can buy all these things in local supermarkets but they will be more expensive.
In Case You Need a Little More Convincing
The Icelanders are extremely friendly and it’s incredibly safe (crime is almost non-existent), breastfeeding in public is normalised and welcomed. There’s no need to buy bottled water as Iceland has some of the purest water in the world. Last but not least, it has some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes on the planet!
I really could write pages and pages on why you should visit Iceland with a toddler or baby so please feel free to contact me, Steffi (Fleewinter Iceland Specialist) at steffi@fleewinter.com should you have any questions regarding travelling around Iceland (with or without little ones).
Written by Steffi Shaw
Top Travel Tip
Sri Lanka
“There is no better place to be in Sri Lanka than up in the hills, staying on a former tea manager’s estate surrounded by beautiful gardens, lush vegetation and being treated like you’re the only person on the planet.”
Iceland
“I highly recommend visiting the beautiful North, the lesser known East Coast or the Wild Westfjords so you can really get off the beaten track” – Steffi Shaw, Sri Lanka & Iceland Travel Specialist
