This summer we were very fortunate to go to Iceland on a family trip. We left the evening of 6/29, arriving in Reykjavik the morning of 6/30 and came back 7/10 for a total of 11 days. Iceland is a nature lover’s dream, offering a stunning mix of rugged landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, geothermal hot springs, and vast glaciers. The Northern Lights light up the winter sky with vibrant colors, while the summer months bring long, days to explore volcanoes and black sand beaches. Whether you’re hiking across glaciers, relaxing in the Blue Lagoon, or taking in the charm of Reykjavik, Iceland offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. It’s the kind of place that feels like another world, but in the best possible way! It’s a 6 hour flight from Chicago and a 5 hour time difference from CST.
I’ve mentioned that we went a few times and had a few questions about our trip. Planning this trip was an act of love! It took a lot of time and research to make the most of the days we had there. I wanted activities that would be enjoyable for all of us and help us really see and experience the amazing country. Because we did so many things and drive around the Iceland on the Ring Road, I thought I would divide our trip into several posts based on location and sequential order of our trip. These are our first 3 days in and around Reykavik and onto the Westman Islands.
6/30 Day 1: Arrive & Stay in Reykjavik
We arrived in Reykjavik early in the morning. We flew on Icelandair since that was one of the only airlines that had a nonstop flight from Chicago. For an international flight, it wasn’t fabulous. Food and almost any drinks were extra. For a 6 hour flight I thought we could at least get a meal. While some travel blogs recommended going straight to the Blue Lagoon, I’m actually glad we didn’t Between an hour delay and time spent getting our rental car, we could have missed our reservation! Instead, we planned a few activities that were not as time dependent.
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Hiking to Fagradalsfjall
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- Fagradalsfjall is a volcano located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, and it’s famous for its recent volcanic activity. It erupted in 2021, marking the first eruption in the area in nearly 800 years! The eruption was relatively mild but spectacular, with flowing lava streams and fountains of molten rock creating an incredible natural spectacle that attracted thousands of visitors.
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- This was about 45-50 minutes from the airport on the way into Reykjavik. There are several parking areas that you can pull into and pay for parking from your phone. We walked about a mile out on the green path and we were able to see a lava flow that was still smoking! Incredible views and an nice way wake ourselves up a bit after our overnight flight. It took another 45 minutes or so to drive into Reykjavik.
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Icelandic hot dog for lunch
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- After checking in at our hotel, we decided to get some lunch. We drove closer to the ‘downtown’ of Reykjavik and parked near Hallgrímskirkja. This is a famous Lutheran church in Reykjavik. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Iceland, easily recognizable by its striking, modernist design that resembles the shape of volcanic basalt columns, which are a common feature in Iceland’s landscape. We were able to walk around it and stopped at Víkinga Pylsur, a hot dog stand nearby for lunch. Icelandic hot dogs are iconic! It’s made with a unique blend of lamb, beef, and pork sausage, served in a soft bun and topped with ketchup, mustard, remoulade, crispy fried onions, and raw onions, creating a delicious mix of savory, tangy, and crunchy flavors. We all loved them and ate them several times during our Iceland family trip.
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Perlan Museum
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- After lunch we headed a short way to the Perlan museum. The Perlan Museum in Reykjavik is a stunning blend of science, nature, and innovation, housed in a futuristic glass dome. It offers a variety of interactive exhibits, including a fascinating Ice Cave replica that allows you to experience Iceland’s glaciers up close. The museum also features displays on Iceland’s unique geology, geothermal energy, and wildlife. One of its highlights is the 360-degree observation deck, offering breathtaking views of Reykjavik and the surrounding landscapes. Additionally, the Perlan is home to a planetarium and an impressive Water and Ice exhibit, making it a great spot for learning while exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. It’s the perfect spot for kids to learn more about Iceland’s wonders, but very interesting for adults, too. We spent about 2 hours looking at the displays and watching the shows.
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- To cap off our first day on our Iceland family trip (and to celebrate Matt’s and my 19th anniversary that day), we booked a Heli-Happy Hour flight. This hour flight took us to a nearby mountaintakes with breath-taking views of Reykjavik. We saw the neighboring towns and the surrounding countryside with extensive lava fields. We landed on one of the summits surrounding the city for the photo opportunity of a life-time before heading back to the airport.
7/1 Day 2: Reykjavik, continued
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- After a breakfast at our hotel, we headed to the bus station in Reykjavik to meet for our tour. For our second day, we booked a combination tour. It included a morning tour going to a Lava Tube outside of Reykjavik first. This was a guided tour through volcanic caves formed by flowing lava. These natural tunnels were created when the outer layers of a lava flow cooled and hardened while the molten lava inside continued to flow, leaving behind hollowed-out passageways. We saw unique features like stalactites, ice and lava formations, and mineral deposits.
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Golden Circle tour by Reykjavik Excursions
- We then headed back to the bus station to meet up with our afternoon tour of the Golden Circle. Our Golden Circle tour took us through some of Iceland’s most breathtaking natural and historical wonders. We began at Gullfoss, or “Golden Falls,” a powerful two-tiered waterfall that plunges into a rugged canyon, often surrounded by mist and shimmering rainbows. Next, we explored the Geysir geothermal area, where bubbling hot springs and the active Strokkur geyser put on an impressive show, erupting every few minutes. Our final stop was Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and visit the site of Iceland’s first parliament, established over a thousand years ago. Each stop offered a unique glimpse into Iceland’s raw, untamed beauty and rich geological history.
Gullfoss
Geysir geothermal area
Geysir geothermal area
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park
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- While this was a fun day, I think this tour would have been better arranged as one, full-day tour instead of 2 half day tours. We didn’t realize that when we booked it. Because of the structure of it, it involved about an extra hour of driving from the lava tube back to Reykjavik and then back out towards the Golden Circle sites. It was also tricky making sure we had a packed lunch since there was no time to stop between the tours. Just something to think about if you take this tour.
7/2 Day 3: Leave from Reykjavik to Westman Islands
Hveragerði Geothermal Park
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One day 3 of our Iceland family trip, we had breakfast at our hotel and checked out. Then we drove about 40 minutes to Hveragerði Geothermal Park, located in the charming town of Hveragerði in southwest Iceland. It showcases of the country’s abundant geothermal activity. Known as the “hot spring town,” Hveragerði sits atop a highly active geothermal area, and the park offers visitors a close-up look at bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and boiling hot springs.
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Hveragerði Geothermal Park
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The park highlights how Icelanders have long harnessed geothermal energy, not just for heating but also for cooking and agriculture. We were able to boil eggs in naturally heated water, try bread made in the hot ground, and try out mud foot baths, and learn about the town’s famous geothermal greenhouses that grow vegetables and flowers year-round. The kids loved this educational and immersive experience. I thought it was so fun to experience and ‘do’ rather than just ‘see’.
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- After wrapping this up around lunch we drove 90 minutes to Landeyjahöfn harbor to get to the ferry Westman Islands. The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, are a stunning archipelago off Iceland’s south coast. They are best known for their dramatic volcanic landscapes, rich birdlife, and fascinating history. The main island, Heimaey, is the only inhabited one. It offers visitors a chance to explore lava fields from the 1973 Eldfell eruption, hike scenic sea cliffs, and see one of the world’s largest puffin colonies in summer. With its small-town charm, active fishing harbor, and natural beauty, the Westman Islands offer a unique glimpse into Iceland’s volcanic power and coastal culture. We arrived around 3pm with enough time to checked into our VRBO and walk to our ATV volcano tour.
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- Volcano ATV tour was the only tour we did on the Westman Islands. It was our first time on ATVs and we all loved it. We were able to drive around and see the location of the 1973 eruption as well as many other beautiful sites on the island like the loneliest house in the world. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and told us a lot about the puffins that were currently nesting. The largest colony in the world is located on the island.
- After our tour, we drove out to the puffin nesting grounds. Every summer, from late April to early August, over a million puffins nest in the cliffs and grassy hillsides. We went to Stórhöfði, the southernmost point of Heimaey to see them.
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- The puffins dig burrows in the soft soil (so stay on the path!) to lay their single egg and raise their chick, or puffling. Visitors can often see puffins flying overhead or perched on cliff edges, especially in the early morning or evening. They have a characteristic flight pattern of flapping their wings very quickly and are easy to spot. In August, local children help rescue young pufflings that get disoriented by the town lights and guide them back to the sea in a beloved local tradition. It’s called the Puffling Patrol.
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Tanginn for dinner
- After a recommendation from our ATV guide, we went to Tanginn for dinner. While not traditional Icelandic cuisine, it was delicious, affordable, and had amazing views of the island and harbor.
7/3 Day 4 Morning in Westman Islands
- Before taking the 9am ferry back to the mainland, we went to see Elephant Rock. It was neat, but not quite as cool as I saw in photos online. If we had more time I would have liked to visit Eldheimar Museum. It details the volcanic eruption of 1973 which forced the entire population, of over 5000 people, to evacuate the island on a moment’s notice in the middle of the night. Many of them lost their homes and belongings, some never returned to Heimaey. There is an excavated house that was damaged in the eruption. There is also a boat tour that visits sea caves that are only accessible in small boats. Unfortunately our schedule did not allow for these.
Elephant Rock
TIPS:
- I highly recommend a rental car! It is very easy to drive around Iceland. If you are comfortable with it, electric cars could save you a lot of money on gas.
- Get a hotspot with your car. It made directions, looking up information, and more so much easier.
- No need to exchange any money. We used our credit card for everything we needed the entire trip.
- Pack rain pants in your carry on so they are easy to access if it rains during the hike.
- Bring an empty water bottle. Water is available in many places.
- Prebook the ferry- it fills up fast.
- While the Westman islands are walkable, if you aren’t staying long, bring your car since it is faster to get around.
Check back next week for our next days continuing in southern to western Iceland!
Last week’s favorite post was from Bo at Bo’s Bodacious Blog who shared her life lately. She has been busy in the best way!
Between Naps on the Porch | I do de Claire | Walking in Memphis in High Heels & The Fashion Canvas | Tuesday Twirl | My Slices of Life | The Style Splash | Curated by Jennifer | Mummabstylish | Shelbee On the Edge | Nancy’s Fashion Style | Momfessionals | Marsha in the Middle
