5 Amazing Family Adventures in Iceland

Anyone fancy whale watching, horse riding or a superjeep adventure…? Perhaps you’ve got a budding geographer in the family who’s mad about volcanoes? Or maybe your teens would find it cool to chillax in a geothermal lagoon? From farmstays for younger children to multi-activity breaks for adrenaline addicts, read on for five ways to make your family holiday in Iceland a blast this summer…

Iceland Multi-Activity Break for Families

Iceland is an adventure hotspot. You can go hiking, mountain biking or canoeing pretty much anywhere in Europe, but Iceland is unique in its sheer range of activity options. Where else, in the course of a single, action-packed week or two, could you combine glacier hiking, horse riding, river rafting and snowmobiling with a whale-watching boat trip, a lava cave tour and a snorkel adventure between two continental plates? If some of those sound a bit wintry, that’s because Iceland’s permanent icecaps allow you to have all the fun of winter in the height of summer. It all adds up to the ultimate multi-activity holiday for families, with enough variety for you to pick and choose according to your children’s ages.

Let’s do it:

We recommend a centre-based holiday in South or West Iceland, or up in the north near Lake Myvatn. All three areas offer a wide range of activities, plus a good choice of accommodation in family-friendly hotels or self-catering properties. As well as arranging your flights, car rental and accommodation, our Travel Specialists can recommend and prebook a tailor-made bundle of activities. Our 7-night self-drive, Family Explorer the Icelandic Way, combines two beautiful locations in West and Southwest Iceland, self-catering in snug cottages – just like the Icelanders like to holiday themselves.

Iceland Family Escape at Glacier Lodge

Sometimes, keeping things simple is best for a family holiday. If you just want to get away and spend some quality time together in a home-from-home setting, then our exclusive Glacier Lodge may be just what you’re looking for. Sleeping six, the stylish self-catering property is located on West Iceland’s stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It has everything you need for a comfortable holiday, including a spacious open-plan lounge/dining area and a modern kitchen. A short stroll away, there’s a fabulous café overlooking a rocky cove, while adventure opportunities range from whale watching and hiking to snowmobiling across an ice-capped volcano.

Let’s do it:

Great value and available year-round, our West Iceland Escape at Glacier Lodge is an excellent option for families. Spend 3-7 nights at the three-bedroom property and consider extending your stay to explore the Golden Circle and South Coast. We can embellish your family holiday with excursions, such as whale watching, horse riding, snowcat and snowmobiling tours, guided walks inside a lava cave and an unforgettable adventure ‘Into the Glacier’ where you explore a manmade tunnel in the Langjokull icecap.

Iceland Family Farmstay

Why go to Iceland to stay on a farm when you can go free-range right here in the UK? Well, for starters, Icelandic farms are a bit different… they tend to be tucked away near breathtaking waterfalls, with distant views of volcanoes, and endless miles of spectacular scenery in all directions. Like us, Icelanders raise sheep, but they also have a soft spot for Icelandic horses. These stoic little beauties with their wind-whipped manes quickly take centre-stage on a family holiday – whether you’ve got toddlers who just want to pet, or older children keen to go horse trekking and experience the unique ‘tolt’ gait inherent in Viking horses.

Let’s do it:

We know several farms in Iceland that are ideal for a family holiday, either as a dedicated farmstay, or as part of a longer trip. Some are ideal for younger families, where children can meet farm animals and try gentle activities, while others put more emphasis on horse riding (for all abilities). Either way, you’ll receive a warm welcome, learn all about farming in Iceland, stay in cosy accommodation and enjoy delicious home-cooked food.

Puffins & Whales Iceland Family Adventure

If you’re a wildlife-loving family, Iceland should definitely be on your radar. Just a few hours’ flight from the UK lands you in a wonderful world of humpback whales, puffins, orcas, eider ducks, dolphins and, if you’re lucky, white-tailed eagles and Arctic foxes. What’s more, some of these species promise unforgettable, close-up encounters – whether it’s a humpback breaching next to your whale watching boat, or a pair of puffins landing next to their burrow a few metres from where you’re crouching. The wildlife action in Iceland takes place mainly around the coast, so you can combine your Attenborough moments with exciting boat trips and walks in amazing scenery.

Let’s do it:

We can arrange a wildlife-themed self-drive, staying in family-friendly accommodation and enjoying professionally-guided excursions with our longstanding wildlife tour operators in Iceland. Whether it’s puffins, whales or ‘anything goes’, we can tailor make your holiday to maximise your chances of sightings. As well as recommending the best places and optimum months for wildlife.

Iceland Fire & Ice Adventure for Teenagers

Need to raise adrenaline levels a little? If you have older children craving a challenge, then Iceland is one of those destinations guaranteed to banish boredom. Adventurous teenagers will relish white-water rafting, or tackling a glacier equipped with crampons and ice axe. Iceland also offers incredible hiking opportunities, from day-treks along rugged stretches of coast to multi-day expeditions in the central Highlands. They can scale volcanoes, go kayaking, and ice-caving. They can even snorkel in the flooded rift between the North American and Eurasian plates. And at the end of the day, there’s always a geothermally-heated hot tub or lagoon to chill out in.

Let’s do it:

Our Education division is a world leader in organising school trips to Iceland, so we know exactly what appeals to teenagers and how to engage them on holiday. We can tailor make a holiday with whatever theme you like. Perhaps you want to pack in as many activities as possible. Maybe you want to focus more on relaxation with a mother-and-daughter geothermal spa break? Or how about a seriously cool adventure in an all-terrain superjeep with your own driver-guide? Tell us what ticks your boxes and we’ll do the rest.

Feeling inspired?

Send us an enquiry of call one of our dedicated Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250 for help in planning your alternative romantic holiday.

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