July 3: Off to Iceland!
Our Iceland adventure began late on the night of July 3rd with a red-eye flight departing at 11:00 PM. While waiting at the airport, we enjoyed watching the World Cup, which seemed to be playing on every television in sight.
The flight itself was uneventful, although none of us got particularly good sleep. The kids were absolute troopers, though, and we all agreed to power through the day without taking naps once we arrived. It wasn't easy, but it made adjusting to the time difference much smoother for the remainder of the trip.
July 4: Exploring Reykjavík
After landing on July 4th, we spent the day exploring Reykjavík. Once we picked up our luggage and rental cars, our first priority was finding coffee and pastries!
Our next stop was Laugardalslaug, a local public pool. It was the perfect way to wake up after an overnight flight, and the kids loved the multiple pools and water slides. Phones weren't allowed, so we couldn't take any pictures, but it was a fantastic place for the kids to burn off some energy.
We spent the rest of the day wandering through the city and visiting the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja cathedral. Visitors can take an elevator to the top for incredible views of Reykjavík, and if you're as lucky as we were, you'll be there when the bells chime. Trust me—they are loud!
The day also included a little shopping and, of course, ice cream. We wrapped things up with pizza in the hotel room while watching more World Cup soccer before proudly making it to about 7:30 PM before completely crashing for the night.
July 5: Lava Tubes, Volcanoes, and a Tooth Fairy Visit
After finding more coffee and pastries, we spent a little more time exploring Reykjavík before heading out on the road.
Our first stop was Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland. Formed during the Leitahraun eruption approximately 5,200 years ago, it was one of the most fascinating places we visited. Our guide was wonderful and patiently answered all of the kids' questions.
Some of our favorite facts from the tour included:
- There is no echo inside the tunnel.
- The only living organisms in the cave are bacteria.
- The red and yellow colors in the rock come from iron and sulfur.
At one point, our guide turned off the lights completely. Since we were so deep inside the tunnel, no natural light reached us, and we experienced total darkness. It was both educational and unforgettable—a true highlight of the trip.
Next, we visited Kerið Crater, a volcanic crater lake formed when a volcano collapsed. We walked around the rim before climbing down to the lake below, enjoying the beautiful scenery from every angle.
That evening, we arrived at a group of cozy cabins that the kids immediately loved. We found a soccer field and ball nearby and spent some time playing in the beautiful weather.
The excitement continued that night when Oliver lost a tooth! Thankfully, Icelandic children believe in the Tooth Fairy too, so she paid him a visit and left behind Icelandic krónur.
July 6: Between Continents
Our day began at Þingvellir National Park, home to one of the only places on Earth where you can clearly see and walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We hiked approximately 3½ miles through the park, and the kids handled it like champions.
Our Golden Circle stops continued with:
- Brúarfoss, known for its stunning bright turquoise water.
- Geysir, where eruptions occurred about every eight minutes, much to the kids' delight.
- Gullfoss, a massive waterfall often compared to Niagara Falls.
That evening, we checked into another group of small cabins situated in the middle of a wide-open field with incredible views.
The kids also had their first encounter with Arctic terns. Unfortunately, they got a little too close to a nest, and the birds were not amused. Arctic terns are known for swooping and dive-bombing perceived threats—and they definitely let us know exactly how they felt!
July 7: Waterfall Day
This was the day of waterfalls—one after another, each beautiful in its own unique way.
Our first stop was Seljalandsfoss, where we were able to walk behind the waterfall itself. We came prepared with waterproof gear, which turned out to be a very good decision because we got soaked. Nearby trails led us to several smaller waterfalls, including a hidden one that required scrambling over rocks to reach.
Next came Skógafoss, another massive waterfall that left us drenched when we ventured close to its base. A seemingly endless staircase leads to the top, where a scenic trail follows the river feeding the falls.
We also visited Kvernufoss, another stunning waterfall tucked away in a beautiful canyon.
Later, we drove to Vík to visit Víkurfjara, the famous black sand beach. The waves were incredibly powerful and far too dangerous to play in, but the kids had fun chasing the water and running back before it caught them. The black sand itself was unlike anything we'd ever seen.
July 8: Basalt Columns and Glaciers
We began the day at the Dwarf Rocks, towering basalt columns formed by cooling lava at the end of the Ice Age when sea levels were higher. According to Icelandic folklore, dwarves live within the cliffs. Naturally, the kids loved climbing all over them.
Next, we visited Vatnajökull Glacier in Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest ice cap. We hiked up to the glacier and were surprised by how black the ice appeared. At the time, we assumed it was simply dirty or muddy. Later, we learned that the dark color came from volcanic ash rather than dirt.
That evening, we moved into a farmhouse where everyone could stay together. The girls had their own room, the boys had theirs, and everyone was thrilled.
For dessert, we tried dandelion ice cream. Made from locally harvested dandelions, it had a surprisingly sweet, honey-like flavor.
July 9: Icebergs and Glacial Lagoons
This was easily one of the favorite days of the trip.
We took a boat tour on Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, another major highlight of our Iceland adventure. The tour operators provided waterproof gear and warm coats for the adults, while the kids received insulated waterproof suits that kept everyone comfortable despite the chilly conditions.
The lagoon was breathtaking. Icebergs of every size floated across the water, with the massive glacier serving as a backdrop.
We also learned about iceberg colors:
- Black ice contains volcanic ash from past eruptions.
- Blue ice is extremely dense ice that has recently flipped over after years underwater.
- White ice has been exposed to the air and sunlight for longer periods.
Afterward, we visited Diamond Beach, where icebergs from a nearby glacier lagoon wash ashore and sparkle like diamonds on the black sand. It truly lived up to its name.
We also spotted seals swimming through the lagoon searching for fish.
Overall, the group agreed this was one of the best days of the entire trip.
During this portion of the trip, our farmhouse was very secluded, so we often drove to Höfn for meals. According to Oliver, Höfn was home to the best pizza he has ever eaten. We also enjoyed more excellent coffee and pastries there before continuing our journey.
July 10: Beaches, Seals, and Bounce Pads
We drove a few hours to our next accommodation, making several stops along the way. Our first planned stop was Stokksnes and its Viking Village, but it ended up being a bit of a bust. There wasn't much to see, and with the strong winds that day, the kids had little interest in making the hike out to the village. We decided to skip it and honestly didn't feel like we missed much.
A much better stop was Hvalnes Nature Reserve Beach, where I think I saw more swans gathered in one place than I ever have before. The kids enjoyed exploring the beach and lighthouse, and we spent time searching for interesting rocks, shells, and surprisingly large fish bones.
We also stopped at Fauskasandur Beach, which offered beautiful ocean views and several more seal sightings. Seeing seals became one of those unexpected bonuses throughout the trip that never got old.
After lunch, we found a local playground that quickly became one of the kids' favorite stops of the day. It featured a giant inflatable bounce pad, a zipline, and a jungle gym. We had noticed these inflatable bounce pads all over Iceland during our travels, and the kids had been begging to try one. We happily spent about an hour there, and it was the perfect way to break up a long day of driving.
Our final stop before reaching our next accommodation was Folaldafoss Waterfall. The waterfall is impressive even from a distance, but we were able to hike down for a much closer view and truly appreciate its beauty.
That evening, we arrived at another house large enough for all of us to stay together. Unlike some of our more remote accommodations, this one was located in a town, which was a welcome change toward the end of the trip. Having easy access to restaurants, stores, and other amenities was especially appreciated as everyone was starting to feel a little travel-weary.
July 11: Relaxing at Vök Baths and Puffin Watching
One of the highlights of our trip came on July 11th when we spent the day at Vök Baths, a geothermal spa located right in Egilsstaðir, where we were staying.
The baths feature several geothermal pools, some of which are surrounded by the waters of Lake Urriðavatn. Feeling adventurous, we all took turns dipping into the lake, which was a chilly 51°F. I will fully admit that I was the least brave of the group—a quick dip was more than enough for me! Oliver, on the other hand, completely submerged himself, Avery swam around for a bit, and Chris somehow managed to stay in the lake for ten minutes at a time.
We spent the day soaking in the warm pools, enjoying drinks from the swim-up bar, and simply relaxing. The weather was beautiful, making it the perfect day to slow down and recharge.
That evening, we decided to take a chance and drive about an hour north to Borgarfjörður Eystri, home to one of Iceland's most famous puffin colonies. We weren't sure whether the drive would be worth it or how many puffins we would actually see, but by the end of the night, everyone agreed it was absolutely worth the trip.
We saw hundreds of puffins in their natural habitat. Watching them was fascinating. They would fly out to sea to fish and then return with beaks full of tiny fish. As soon as they landed, they hurried into their burrows—small holes in the ground—to avoid the seagulls constantly circling overhead, waiting for an opportunity to steal their catch.
The puffins were incredibly cute, endlessly entertaining, and one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of the entire trip.
July 12: Volcanoes, Horses, and One Last Waterfall
Our day began at Stuðlagil Canyon, where we explored another incredible display of Iceland's famous basalt columns. The towering rock formations lining the canyon were truly impressive and unlike anything we had seen before.
Next, we visited Skútustaðagígar, a series of pseudo-craters formed by volcanic activity. While the landscape itself was interesting, I have to admit that this was probably my least favorite stop of the trip. Throughout our travels we occasionally caught whiffs of Iceland's famous sulfur smell, but this location took it to an entirely new level. The odor was so strong that the kids were completely over it, and honestly, I wasn't too disappointed to take them back to the car while the rest of the group finished exploring. It was very smelly!
Thankfully, our next stop was much more enjoyable. At Grjótagjá Thermal Cave, we carefully climbed down into a small cave to see an incredibly beautiful pool of bright blue geothermal water. The water is far too hot for swimming or even touching, but it was amazing to see up close.
We also hiked up a nearby volcano, where the wind was so intense that it felt like it might blow us right off the edge. The views, however, were well worth the effort.
One of the biggest highlights of the entire trip came later that day when we went horseback riding at Safari Horse Farm in Mývatn. The experience was incredible from start to finish. The guides introduced each of us to our horse, sharing their names and a little about their personalities before we headed out.
We spent about an hour riding through the beautiful countryside and learned about the unique gait of Icelandic horses known as the tölt. Unlike other horse gaits, the tölt provides a remarkably smooth ride, and we all had the opportunity to experience it ourselves.
This was Oliver and Chris's first time horseback riding, and I hadn't ridden a horse since I was a child. Fortunately, everyone had a wonderful experience. This was old hat for Avery, as she took lessons when she was younger. She was definitely in her happy place! After the ride, we spent time feeding the horses treats and giving them plenty of affection. If anyone is looking for a horseback riding experience in Iceland, I truly can't recommend Safari Horse Farm enough.
Before ending the day, we made one final waterfall stop at Goðafoss. Like every waterfall we visited in Iceland, it was spectacular in its own way and a beautiful conclusion to another unforgettable day.
That night, we arrived in Akureyri for our final accommodation of the trip. One of our favorite little discoveries was that many of the town's red traffic lights are shaped like hearts—a charming detail that perfectly matched the welcoming feel of the city.
July 13: A Quiet Final Day
On our final full day in Iceland, and after nearly two weeks of exploring, we intentionally kept things low-key.
We spent part of the day wandering through Akureyri's Botanical Garden, one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world. It was filled with beautiful flowers and plants from all over the globe and provided a peaceful place to stroll and relax.
Of course, we couldn't leave Iceland without enjoying more of its famous hot dogs. Avery even decided to try a pizza hot dog, which she loved!
The rest of the day was spent shopping, visiting a playground, and simply enjoying the town. By this point, the kids were definitely feeling tired, but they were still excited to take in the last few sights of our vacation.
That evening, the adults celebrated a successful trip with a relaxing soak and a glass of wine while reflecting on all of the incredible memories we had made together.
July 14: One Last Drive
On July 14th, it was finally time to head home. We began the roughly five-and-a-half-hour drive from Akureyri back to the airport, soaking in every last bit of Iceland's breathtaking scenery.
As we drove, horses and sheep dotted the landscape in every direction. We must have seen thousands of sheep during our trip—no exaggeration. One day we counted every sheep we saw and ended up counting 1,228 sheep in just one day of driving! Some of our favorite sightings were the countless baby lambs and foals we spotted along the way. They were so adorable and always managed to make us smile.
Before heading to the airport, we made one final stop in Reykjavík to stretch our legs and take one last walk around the city. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable adventure.
As our plane lifted off, we left Iceland with incredible memories, countless photos, and a long list of favorite moments. From glaciers and waterfalls to puffins, horses, volcanoes, and black sand beaches, Iceland exceeded every expectation and gave us a family trip we'll never forget.
