Iceland Family Vacation - Tour Around Iceland for 10 Days

Enjoy fun-filled family holidays in Iceland. Bring the whole family to Iceland for an action-packed ride around the island. Enjoy an exciting whale watching tour where you could encounter the blue whale, the largest creature ever to roam the earth, have a look at the beautiful puffins, take a boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon or go for a horseback ride on the beautiful Icelandic horse. If you want a different vacation for your family this year, this Iceland family vacation package is for you.

SEASON
May - Sept
travel style
Self-Drive Tours
Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Location
Around Iceland
accessibility
Moderate

The itinerary

This itinerary can be offered throughout the year (some adjustments might be required depending on travel dates).

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik

dAY STARTS IN
DAY ENDS IN
DRIVING DISTANCE
About your day

Welcome to your Iceland family vacation! Once you arrive at Keflavik International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the heart of Reykjavik. In the afternoon you can explore some landmarks of the city like Perlan building, Hallgrímskirkja Church and Harpa – Music & Conference centre. Reykjavik has also many interesting museums and we recommend to visit the Northern Lights Centre, the Saga Museum or the Marine Museum. You could also visit the Reykjavík Zoo and Family Park. Very special in Iceland are also the outdoor swimming pools and in Reykjavik you should not miss to visit Laugardalslaug (see picture). Overnight in the heart of Reykjavík.

Day 2: The “Golden Circle”

dAY STARTS IN
Reykjavik
DAY ENDS IN
Golden Circle area
DRIVING DISTANCE
~224 km / 139 miles
About your day

Your journey around the island starts today! You will pick up your rental car in the morning and start your day in Þingvellir National park. Þingvellir because of its beauty and its geological and historical value, was accepted as UNESCO’s heritage site in 2004. After exploring the treasures of the park, head south to see Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall to complete the “Golden Circle”. In the afternoon we recommend stopping by at the country farm Vorsabær II where you can get in contact with the farm animals and the kids can go horse riding. Stay the night at a hotel/guesthouse/cottage in the area.

Day 3: The South Coast

dAY STARTS IN
Seljalandsfoss
DAY ENDS IN
Vík
DRIVING DISTANCE
~93 km / 58 miles
About your day

Today you will head to the famous South of Iceland. After breakfast and packing, drive east to the picturesque waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Near Skógafoss you will find Skógar Museum where you can see how the Icelanders used to live. A bit further is Mýrdalsjökull glacier where you can enjoy an optional snowmobile or glacier walk tour. Drive further along the south shore to Dyrhólaey natural reserve where you can find one of the best seabird colonies in Iceland where you might spot some puffins. Dyrhólaey is a 120 meter high headland into the sea and you definitely should hike on it. You stay the night close to Vík and we recommend you an evening walk at the black beach of Vík.

Day 4: Vatnajökull and Glacial Lagoon

dAY STARTS IN
Vík
DAY ENDS IN
Höfn
DRIVING DISTANCE
~271 km / 169 miles
About your day

Today you will head to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. You will cross Mýrdalssandur and Eldhraun which is the largest lava field ever to flow on earth in historical times. We recommend the great hiking trail to Svartifoss waterfall that is surrounded by beautiful basalt columns – this is also convenient for small children. Near Skaftafell you can join an optional birdwatching tour to Cape Ingólfshöfði which is home for thousands of nesting seabirds, like puffins and great skuas. Continue east to the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón that comes from the roots of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. During summer time you can take an optional boat tour where you will sail between the icebergs while the local guides tell you the story about this great phenomenon. You stay the night close to Höfn.

Day 5: East Iceland

dAY STARTS IN
Höfn
DAY ENDS IN
Egilsstaðir
DRIVING DISTANCE
~290 km / 180 miles
About your day

Time to travel the tranquil and beautiful East Fjords of Iceland. On your way there you can join an optional boat tour from Breiðdalsvík where you might see some puffins and seals and enjoy some sea angling. We also recommend to stop and explore Miss Petra´s stone collection and then continue your travel through tranquil coastal villages towards the largest village in the east, Egilsstaðir. Nearby Egilsstaðir, there is a small forest called Hallormsstaðarskógur. In the ancient times, it was believed that a large worm-monster lived in the lake by the forest, our very own Loch Ness monster. If you manage to snap a photo of it you are in for some seriously good rewards. Close to Hallormsstaður you will find Hengifoss, a beautiful waterfall which takes about 30 minutes to walk up to. Stay the night in Egilsstaðir (the “Capital of the East”).

Day 6: Lake Myvatn

dAY STARTS IN
Egilsstaðir
DAY ENDS IN
Mývatn
DRIVING DISTANCE
~341 km / 212 miles
About your day

Today you will drive to the amazing and almost surreal Mývatn area. We recommend that you take the Dettifoss Road and explore Dettifoss Waterfall (the most powerful in Europe), Hljóðaklettar Cliffs and Ásbyrgi Canyon. After that drive to Húsavík, where you can take an optional whale watching tour before continuing to Lake Mývatn. Please note that we recommend a 4×4 vehicle if you are taking the longer route to Mývatn via the Dettifoss Road. Around the Mývatn area you will find amazing attractions such as the colorful Námaskarð pass, the Skútustaðir pseudo craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, Krafla volcano and the Natural Baths of Mývatn. Stay the night in Mývatn.

Day 7: North Iceland

dAY STARTS IN
Mývatn
DAY ENDS IN
Akureyri
DRIVING DISTANCE
~90 km / 55 miles
About your day

Start the day early by exploring the sights around Lake Mývatn before driving to Akureyri. On your way to Akureyri (the “Capital of the North”) stop and enjoy the charming Goðafoss waterfall. In Akureyri we recommend that you visit Kjarnaskógur forest, a recreational area with a playground for the kids, visit the Christmas house and it is always popular to spend the afternoon in the town’s outdoor geothermal swimming pool & Water Park. Overnight in or around Akureyri.

Day 8: Troll Peninsula and Skagafjörður Fjord

dAY STARTS IN
Akureyri
DAY ENDS IN
Skagafjörður
DRIVING DISTANCE
~200 km / 120 miles
About your day

It’s time to continue your Iceland travel. Leave Akureyri behind and start making your way to the beautiful Skagafjörður fjord where you can enjoy optional riding tours on the famous Icelandic horse or an exciting family river rafting tour. On your way to Skagafjörður, we recommend you drive the Tröllaskagi peninsula and visit the towns of Ólafsfjörður, where you will find a Museum of Natural History, and Siglufjörður, where you will find a Herring Era Museum. In the afternoon we recommend visiting one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Iceland in Hofsós. The best thing about the pool is its location next to a stunning fjord. Stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Skagafjörður area.

Day 9: West Iceland

dAY STARTS IN
Skagafjörður
DAY ENDS IN
Reykjavík
DRIVING DISTANCE
~300 km / 190 miles
About your day

Today you will be heading back to the capital. Before finishing your ”ring road”, take a look at the highlights of West Iceland. Sights along the way are the volcanic crater Grábrók, Barnafossar and Hraunfossar waterfalls, Deildartunguhver (the largest hot spring in Europe) and the settlement center in Borgarnes. There is also a really unique children park in Borganes, known as Bjössaróló, that was handmade by a local craftsman. Once heading back to Reykjavík, you can either take the Hvalfjörður fjord route or take the “under ocean” tunnel Hvalfjarðargöng that was made in 1998 to shorten the ring road. If you are interested in sport and museums, you can pass by the sports museum in Akranes and hop on board the Kútter Haraldur (an old famous Icelandic ship) in Akranes museum center. Once back in Reykjavík return the car and stay the night in central Reykjavik.

Day 10: Departure

dAY STARTS IN
DAY ENDS IN
DRIVING DISTANCE
About your day

Your last day in Iceland! Transfer to Keflavik airport. If you have an afternoon flight you can either do some last minute shopping or stop by the Blue Lagoon (optional) to relax before you flight home. Have a safe journey home!

What's included in the tour

Included

9 nights accommodation (comfort) in a mixture of family rooms with breakfast and apartments without breakfast

Rental car of your choice for 8 days with unlimited mileage/CDW & VAT

WiFi hotspot in your rental car for easy internet access

1 extra driver for each rental car

Transfer from Keflavik International Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík

Optional private information meeting with our travel consultant in Reykjavik before your tour starts

Transfer with pickup at your accommodation in Reykjavik upon departure

Big, handwritten, detailed map with route, recommendations and accommodations highlighted

Written guides of the regions you will be visiting

24-hour emergency service

Taxes & service fee

Not included

Flights to/from Iceland

Meals & drinks at restaurants and entrance fees (unless otherwise agreed upon)

Personal travel insurance

Discover local activities and adventures

Let your personal travel consultant know what other activities catch your eye and we’ll add them to your custom-made trip itinerary.

Your route

Get a free quote

Start your Iceland
adventure today

Send us information about your upcoming trip and we’ll send you a free quote.

What do you have in mind for your journey?

Share your travel vision with us

Iceland only, or add another destination?
When will you be travelling?
Who will be travelling?
Adults
Children (2-15 year old)
Infants (0-2 year olds)

Nice, do you have more
information you can share?

The more information you give us, the more accurate the quote will be.

What is your budget?
What kind of accommodation are you interested in?
What travel style are you most interested in?
Thanks!
We have received your submission and will get back to you shortly!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Unwind in the perfect accommodations

We handpick accommodations to ensure memorable stays for every type of traveler.

Comfort

Experience a higher level of comfort with our carefully selected comfort accommodations, each offering private facilities including a shower and toilet for your convenience and privacy. These lodges fall under the 3-star hotel category, providing a perfect blend of quality and value. Most properties boast an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of meals without needing to venture far. In Reykjavik, all comfort accommodations are ideally situated in central locations, giving you easy access to the city’s main attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural spots. This category represents a significant upgrade in both comfort and service compared to budget options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a cozy yet affordable stay. To make your mornings hassle-free, a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.

Quality

Our quality accommodations feature spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offering the choice of a relaxing bath or a refreshing shower, along with a private toilet to ensure maximum comfort and privacy. These rooms represent the best available lodging options, found within prestigious 4-star hotels or the finest, highest-quality lodges across each region. In Reykjavik, all quality accommodations are centrally located, placing you within easy reach of the city’s key attractions, shopping areas, and vibrant dining and cultural scenes. These accommodations provide an elevated experience with superior comfort, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service designed to make your stay truly memorable. To enhance your visit, a complimentary breakfast is included each morning, helping you start your day well-nourished and ready to explore.

Luxury

Our luxury accommodations feature exquisite suites and premium rooms within top-tier lodges and resorts, offering an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. Designed with refined decor and upscale touches, these accommodations provide a seamless blend of style, comfort, and exclusivity. Personalized services cater to your every need, ensuring a truly indulgent and tailored experience. In Reykjavik, all luxury accommodations are centrally located, placing you at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, fine dining, shopping, and key attractions. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or an immersive urban experience, these upscale lodgings deliver the perfect base. Classy, elegant, and supremely comfortable, our luxury options strive to provide a first-class stay marked by exceptional amenities, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Every aspect is carefully crafted to make your visit not just memorable, but extraordinary.

Good to know

Prepare for your adventure with these essential tips and information for a smooth journey.

Contact us
How do I contact Iceland Unlimited?

Iceland Unlimited aims to answer all e-mails within 24 hours. You can also reach us by phone. Our main number is +354 415 0600

How far in advance should I book?

All travel arrangements should be booked at least 48 hours in advance. For holiday packages and custom-made tours, we strongly recommend you book with a few weeks/months notice. For larger groups we recommend you book with a few months’ notice.

Is icelandunlimited.is a secure site?

- icelandunlimited.is provides all the security you need. All transactions on the site are powered by Flywire. Flywire undergoes an annual SOC II and PCI DSS review to help ensure that Flywire handles customer data securely and in compliance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, GDPR, PIPEDA, FERPA, GLBA and other data protection law so you can feel confident in the security of your transactions. - Site is developed and hosted in Webflow. Webflow is backed by enterprise-grade security, including SSO, advanced DDoS protection, a reliable hosting infrastructure, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and more. All the information we receive from you is regulated by our privacy policy and is not shared with anyone else.

Can I drive in Iceland with my foreign driver’s license?

Yes. Visitors can drive in Iceland with a valid driver's license from their home country. If your license is not in Latin script, an international driving permit is recommended.

Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?

Absolutely. Iceland has some of the purest and cleanest drinking water in the world—straight from natural springs. No need to buy bottled water.