We drove around Iceland with 3 kids under 10
Here's our 9-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
We embarked on a 9-day family journey around Iceland’s famous Ring Road, renting a car and stopping in different cities along the way.
Ring Road is a 1322 km (820 miles) loop connecting most towns and villages in Iceland and an amazing way to see the major towns and iconic sites. We chose to go counter clockwise—but you could go either way as it makes a full circle. Our starting point was the countries capital—Reykjavík. All international flights come into the city of Keflavik which is an hour drive to Reykjavík.
My kids were aged 6, 7, & 10 and it ended up being a trip to remember for a lifetime. They were able to keep up with all the hikes and exploring. We made sure to buffer in a lot of down time in the evenings o let them recharge. The days were packed with exploring and driving.
The landscapes in Iceland are mesmerizing and full of elements that can not capture fully in with photography/videography. All the pictures included in the article are from my personal iPhone.
Here’s a breakdown of tips, insights, and a summary of our adventure.
Day 1: Reykjavik
Arrival: We flew into Keflavik Airport, rented a car, and drove 45 minutes straight to Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Triangle—our kids were in literally in REM sleep with the timeshift that we couldn’t get them up to step outside.
The hubby and I scoped out a few spots and then drove to our accommodation in Reykjavik to take some time to rest and get over the jet lag.
Recommended Accommodation: We stayed at the The Moon Cottage at Baldursgata 22, Reykjavik—it is perfectly located near restaurants and attractions. It’s a cozy 2-bedroom with a full kitchen.
I would definitely rent the same unit again if we visited in the future.
Days 2 & 3: Vik
The next day we headed south towards the town of Vik where we had our next nights accommodations—we saw three stunning waterfalls on the way:
Seljalandsfoss: Getting a picture behind the waterfall is a MUST!
Gljufrafoss (next to Seljalandsfoss): This was right next to Seljalandsfoss (3 min walk). Seljalandsfoss is much busier and sought after and many tourists don’t even realize this fall is literally right next to it.
It is situated in a split between rock formations. Once you walk through a short passage it just leads you to this hidden and vibrant space. Great place for a photo op!
Highly recommend checking out both waterfalls during the same visit.
Skogafoss: This is a must see and if you’re able to make that climb up those stairs (you see them to the right). My 6 year old stayed at the bottom with my husband but my 7 & 10 year old made it up with me and we so excited to find a whole another landscape and waterfall on the top platform— it was a pleasant surprise and felt other worldly!
Black Sand Beach: While in the town of Vik we went to the famous black sand beach.
The sand is actually black and the waves are strong.
There are warning signs not to get too close to the coast and a local told us that there have been cases of kids getting pulled into the rough oceans.
Be sensible while visiting but it is a MUST SEE. It was also the first place we saw puffins—my kids were super excited about that.
We stayed for two nights in Vik—it’s a very small town (population 700).
One night would suffice if you’re not traveling with little kids. We wanted to buffer in enough downtime for them.
Day 4: Hofn
We drove east towards the town of Hofn—stopping at Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Jokulsarlon Glacier Park, Skaftafellsjökull Glacier, and Diamond Beach.
The glacier is breathtaking even from a distance—though our kids were too young for an official hiking tour we walked around it the surrounding area.
Fjadrargljufur Canyon: This was our first stop on the way to Hofn and I would rate it amongst the top 3 sites we saw in Iceland.
This is a hidden gem where Justin Bieber filmed one of his music videos (I added the spot to our itinerary after I read that online).
We missed the location during our first attempt but turned around and took the time to find it—so glad that we did!
Accommodation: One night in Hofn is enough to take in the glacier and surrounding views. We rented a small cabin off Airbnb.
Day 5: Seydisfjorour
We drove up the east coast and stayed in the picturesque town of Seydisfjorour—rather than the larger Egilsstaðir. This felt like stumbling upon a well kept secret as Egilsstaðir is the common stop as it’s located on the ‘Ring Road’.
Seydisfjorour is a 30 minute detour off the ‘Ring Road’ taking you east BUT I would highly recommend it. The views on the way were absolutely jaw-dropping.
The drive to the down in up a significantly windy road and back down it on the other side. It feels like your uncovering a hidden town that is nestled at the waterfront. It was just so cool.
Our accommodations in Seydisfjorour were also the cheapest and the place was largest we stayed in all of Iceland—likely because it isn’t visited as much as the other towns that are located right on the ‘Ring Road’
Fun fact: The movie “Secret Life of Walter Mitty” was filmed in this little town.
Days 6 & 7: Akureyri
We headed towards Iceland’s second-largest city—Akureyri—with several stops along the way.
Dettifoss Waterfall: This is said to be the largest waterfall in Iceland and its intensity and power can be felt standing next to it.
We were able to see beautiful rainbows over the falls the day we visited.
Hverir Geothermic Landscapes: We explored the unique geothermic areas on the east side of Lake Mývatn. There are beautiful colors in the landscape and boiling mud pools. A unique sight for sure.
Warning: There is a very strong smell in this area (Sulphur or ‘boiled eggs’)— after a bit the smell can get overwhelming.
Hverfjall Crater: Another visually stunning stop was the Hverfjall Crater. It was a bit of a hike to get up to the crater but well worth it once we got to the top to see the remains of a meteor strike.
We made our way into Akureyri and checked into an apartment near the city center. Akureyri has plenty of restaurants and little shops to check out.
We stayed for two nights and and it felt like a good amount.
It's a great spot for whale watching, horseback riding, or dining in town.
Days 8 & 9: Reykjavik
We drove back to Reykjavik for our last two nights. We spent our time walking around the city, visiting the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, the waterfront, and enjoying the nightlife and restaurants.
We headed towards Keflavik several hours before our flight and explored a Giantess cave near the airport where I was able to get a good teeth cleaning done:)
It was a fun stop for the kids to kill some time and completely free.
And finally—we stumbled upon a Pakistani restaurant in Keflavik and indulged in a big lunch there as our last action item before flying out.
The name ‘Royal Indian’ was a marketing adjustment since the locals seemed to be more familiar with the concept of Indian cuisine as opposed to Pakistani.
The food was delicious and and the family that ran it was super friendly.
Tips and Observations:
Iceland is Expensive: Food, gas, and souvenirs can add up. To save money, visit the grocery chain Bonus and stock up on supplies for sandwiches or cooking—especially if your accommodations have a kitchen.
Plan Ahead: Large stretches of road lack gas stations or places to eat—so make sure to:
Keep your gas tank topped up in every town.
Bring snacks for the road.
Use the bathroom before leaving town.
Limited Connectivity: We lost phone service often. Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi hotspot or SIM card. I previewed our route each night and took notes, which helped.
Pack in Layers: Iceland’s weather can change rapidly.
You’ll need:
Sturdy hiking boots, warm layers, and waterproof jackets.
A tuque, gloves, and an extra pair of shoes for when one gets wet.
Pack for outdoor adventures—but bring one nice outfit for nights out in Reykjavik or Akureyri.
Electricity Converter: Bring one from home compatible to European outlets.
Accommodations: If you’re visiting from North America—expect smaller spaces and tight parking. Think European size for everything (including food and coffee).
Language: The native language is Icelandic but everyone speaks English—most signage is in English.
Currency: Credit cards are accepted everywhere (no need for cash).
Final Notes:
We couldn’t explore the western peninsula due to time constraints, but it’s worth adding if you have an extra day.
Consider hiking the active volcano near Keflavik if it’s still erupting for an unforgettable view.
Golden Circle: Don’t miss a classic day trip from Reykjavik, featuring Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall.
We did this during our first trip to Iceland so skipped it this time around—make sure to check it out!!
Iceland is a very safe and welcoming place for visitors to travel through.
The landscapes are breathtaking (this is an understatement).
A visit around the entire country on the “Rind Road” is an incredible way to see the what Iceland has to offer.
If you are thinking about going—take the leap, you won’t regret it!!
Happy and safe travels!!