A Long Weekend in Iceland: the Perfect Winter Getaway with Kids

If you’re looking for a fun, active, and educational long weekend getaway with the kids, look no further than Iceland! This small island country – known as the Land of Fire and Ice – is packed with amazing natural wonders like outdoor spas and geysers, as well as cultural attractions like museums and churches. And if you’re lucky, you might even be able to see the Northern Lights!

About Iceland

Iceland is a small island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle. It is the westernmost European country and has a population of about 364,000 people. The country has a rugged landscape that is characterized by volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and glaciers. The capital city of Iceland is Reykjavik, which is known for its colorful houses and vibrant culture.

Iceland has a long history of human settlement, with the first known inhabitants – vikings from Norway and Denmark – arriving around 870 AD. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with a strong tradition of storytelling, poetry, and music. Today, Iceland is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and its unique cultural traditions, which include the Icelandic language, folk dances, woolen sweaters and Icelandic cuisine.

The economy of Iceland is largely based on fishing, tourism, and renewable energy. Iceland is also home to a number of high-tech companies, and has a well-educated and technologically advanced population. The country has a high standard of living and is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world.

Getting to Iceland

Iceland has a well-connected international airport operated by many transatlantic airlines in Keflavik, a 45 minute drive from the capital. Several airlines let you take a stopover of a few days at no extra charge if flying from Europe to the US or vice versa.

Guide for the perfect long weekend with kids in Iceland

A long weekend in Iceland is the perfect getaway with kids! Here’s a quick guide to help you plan the perfect one with your kids.

Day 1

Arrive in Reykjavik and check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city – visit the Harpa concert hall – an architectural delight with a multicolor glass facade right on the harbor – take a walk around Tjornin pond, or stop by one of the many museums. No visit to Reykjavik is complete without passing by the Hallgrimskirkja church placed on a hill top right at the center of the city. In the evening, grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious seafood restaurants serving fresh langustine before heading back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep.

And don’t worry about if the kids can do the walking – Reykjavik is a very small capital of roughly 130,000 inhabitants and a small geographical centre.

Day 2

Wake up early and drive out to Thingvellir National Park for a day of hiking and picnicking. Thingvellir is home to Iceland’s – and the world’s – very first parliament dating back to the Altingi established as early as the year 930 AD, so make sure to stop by and learn a little bit about Icelandic history from one of the guided tours.

The geographical wonders of Thingvellir are truly extraordinary. Situated on the border between North America and Eurasia, this national park allows visitors to experience two continents slowly drifting apart while conveniently staying in only one country. Within the park you can view a plethora of natural marvels, including glaciers, lava fields, hot springs, and lotic basins – just to name a few! The underlying geology of the area makes it one of the most fascinating places to explore in Europe. The park is even known amongst Scuba divers for some stunning underwater scenery with incredible visibility because of the pristine pure and cold water. It’s probably one of the only places in the world where you can dive in the cracks between two continents!

Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure or just want to observe some stunning landscape, Thingvellir is definitely worth visiting! We recommend taking a short hike on one of the trails in Thingvellir National Park. Ask for kid-friendly ones at the Visitor Centre.

In the evening, relax in one of Reykjavik’s world-famous outdoor spas before heading back to your hotel for another early night.

Day 3

Drive out to Geysir hot springs early in the morning to see the geyser, Strokkur, erupting. This is a fascinating event taking place every 5-10 minutes. It’s quite addictive for the whole family to keep staying for “just one more blow”!

After a well deserved rest in the Geysir cafe sipping a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, you can head over to the impressive Gullfoss waterfall for a picnic lunch. Afterward, head back to Reykjavik for dinner and a show at one of the city’s many theaters. Or if you are ready for more adventures, book a tour to see the northern lights. You may also just want give in and go to sleep early at your hotel after a day of outdoor exploring.

Day 4

On your last day in Iceland, depart from Reykjavik early in the morning and drive out to Vik i Myrdal to see the black sand beaches. If you are lucky, you will spot lots of puffins on the cliffs. Then, head inland to Skaftafell National Park for some glacier hiking before making your way back to Reykjavik in time for your flight home.

If you feel more like taking a day where the whole family gets to relax, find a public swimming pool near you hotel and enjoy the affordable outdoor spas – often there are several of different temperatures – and nicely heated outdoor swimming pools.

If you and your family are feeling adventurous there’s even a beach in Reykjavik where the Atlantic sea water is heated with hot water from underground and there’s a great spa with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach and spa can be used for free if you don’t mind sharing it with locals dressed in woolen swimming pants, hats and mittens (we find it to be quite a sight!). Iceland has so much energy from the heated underground and volcanic activity that you don’t even need to worry how this will impact carbon emissions. Look for signs towards the Nautholsvik beach in Reykjavik to go there.

This concludes the 4 day itinerary. And oh, we didn’t talk so much about the Northern Lights. Although you can find a ton of beautiful Aurora Borealis photos of Icelandic scenery, it’s actually not the best place to catch them as Iceland gets a lot of dense clouds from the Atlantic Ocean. We have been several times and never had the chance to see them. There are other places you can go with higher likelyhood of seeing them like in Tromsø in northern Norway or Swedish Lapland.

Final words

A long weekend in Iceland is the perfect getaway for families with kids! With its beautiful and unique volcanic scenery, fascinating history, and wide range of activities, there’s something for everyone in this small island country. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable long weekend getaway!