Iceland with a Baby Itinerary

Iceland, also known as the “The Land of Fire and Ice”, is really a magical and memorable country to visit, especially with your baby along for the fun.  From glaciers to waterfalls to volcanoes to coastline to geothermal baths, the list of natural wonders for you and your baby to adore goes on and on. With Iceland being one of the most scenic and safest countries in the world, it’s the perfect place to travel with your baby.  Our Iceland with a baby itinerary will cover seeing all the natural wonders listed above in 9 days while driving the Ring Road/ entire island (over 1400 miles in total) with your baby in tow.  We visited Iceland when our daughter was 10 months old and had a really lovely trip with her.  

You will not find a better Iceland with a baby itinerary out there.  We spent years researching and have picked out the best stops along/off the Ring Road to make for the best trip for you and your baby in Iceland.  And when we say years, we mean years.  This trip was originally supposed to occur in May 2020 pre-baby (we all know how 2020 went…).  Instead, our Iceland trip took place in June 2022 with our 10-month-old daughter.  This gave us extra time to fine tune our trip and to also make it baby friendly. 

We also have paced this ‘Iceland with a Baby Itinerary’ out based on how we were able to complete traveling around Iceland with our baby in real time.  We had a loose plan of what we wanted to do before we went on our trip and then we planned this trip out based on how things played out real time each day.  Everything takes more time with a baby, and this real time method helped us better gauge how much we could realistically do in one day.  Here is our 9-Day visiting Iceland with a Baby Itinerary. 

Note: This guide covers our Iceland Ring Road Itinerary that we traveled with our baby.  For more specific baby tips while planning your Iceland trip, please our Top 10 Baby Travel Tips, How to Hike with a Baby, 5 Top Baby & Toddler Flying Tips and Flying with a Baby posts. Further, this itinerary is really fit for anyone to use but was made with a baby at the forefront of our plans. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. That means that, at no cost to you, we may get a small commission if you purchase through these links. This helps us keep providing travel resources for you!

Overview of Iceland with a Baby Itinerary 

• Day 1: Arrive & Golden Circle
  • Þórufoss , Thingvellir National Park, Efstidalur, Strokkur Geysir, Gullfoss, Faxi Waterfall and Kerid Crater   
• Day 2:  Southern Iceland 
  • Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Skogar Museum, Kvernufoss, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara Beach Lighthouse/Peninsula, Vik  
• Day 3: Southern/Eastern Iceland
  • Fjaðrárgljúfur , Vatnajökull National Park (Svartifoss,Svínafellsjökull Glacier), Hof, Hangandifoss/Múlagljúfur Canyon, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake/Diamond Beach   
• Day 4: Eastern Iceland
  • Hofn, Vestrahorn Mountain, Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss Hike, Egilsstaðir, Seydisfjordur 
• Day 5: Eastern Iceland
  • Fardagafoss, Rjukandafoss, Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss/Selfoss, Hverir Mud Pots, Grjótagjá 
• Day 6: Northern Iceland
  • Myvatn, Myvatn Nature Baths, Husavik, Godafoss, Akueryki
• Day 7: Northern/Western Iceland
  • Akueryki,  Kolugljufur Canyon, Hvammstangi, Kirkjufellsfoss/Kirkjufell, Svortuloft Lighthouse, Arnarstapi 
• Day 8: Snaefellsnes Peninsula 
  •  Arnarstapi to Hellnar Trail, Rauöfeldargjá Canyon, Búðakirkja church, Reykjavik 
• Day 9: Reykjavik & Fly Home  
  •  Reykjavik 

Day 1 Iceland with a Baby: Arrive & Golden Circle

Fly into Reykjavik

We arrived on our flight to Iceland with our baby around 10:30 AM local time (departed from Chicago the evening prior).  We’d recommend arriving earlier than this if possible.  By the time we got our luggage picked up, went through customs and got our campervan, it was 1:30 PM.  By the time we got groceries, it was 3 PM local time.  If we were to redo this trip, we would have booked a flight that landed earlier in the day to get more of a jump start on our day.

Tip: Consider staying on your home time if visiting during June or July

Due to the midnight sun (it never actually got dark) occurring in Iceland during our June trip, we never switched our time schedules.  Instead, we stayed on US Central Time the entire trip.  So even though the time would be 12 AM or 1 AM local time, it would only be 7 PM or 8 PM on our clocks (5 hour time difference). 

This decision was helpful not only for our baby but also us.  We never had to deal with time changes and had quite a smooth transition into and back out of our trip (although it is never easy to come back to everyday life from a trip…). Also, exploring late at night was great for being the only people at many attractions. Turns out, most people do not do this.  So, when we would be at normally very busy attractions at 12 AM local time, we usually were the only ones there. Score!

Tip: Buy groceries in Reykjavik before starting your trip

Grocery store options are very limited once you leave Reykjavik.  Stock up on some essentials before you head off on your journey 

We recommend stopping at Kronan to pick up some groceries. We found this grocery store chain to have the best prices and variety throughout our trip.  On the north side of the Island (where we did not encounter any Kronans), we would recommend stopping at Netto.  

There is also a Costco in Reykjavik that we stopped at in addition to Kronan to buy some drinks in bulk.  

Tip: If you have extra room in your luggage, bring as much nonperishable food as you can.

Food is EXPENSIVE in Iceland.  The expense of food is logical given that Iceland is an island but coming from the midwest where cost of food is very affordable, we were in a bit of sticker shock.  Bring what you can to cut back on cost. 

Drive and Visit Golden Circle Attractions

Þórufoss (1 hour 5 minutes from Airport)

Porufoss is a slight detour off the regular Golden Circle route, but it is definitely worth the time to stop as you will likely be the ONLY people there! This waterfall is so peaceful. It is less impressive than some other waterfalls you will see on this trip, yet it is likely one of the only ones you will have to yourself, especially on the Golden Circle. Our baby loved watching and listening to the waterfall here. 

Finding Porufoss:  After about 15km on Route 36, turn left onto Route 48.  Drive for about 5km and then you will see a small sign on the right for Þórufoss.

Note: If a site has FOSS at the end of it, it’s a waterfall. FOSS=waterfall. 

Thingvellir National Park (16 minutes from Porufoss)

The next stop on your Iceland road trip with a baby is Thingvellir National Park.  This National Park is of historic importance as this is where the Icelandic Parliament met between 930-1798. Thingvellir National Park also is home to the rift between the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates.  These tectonic plates move 1mm-18mm/year!  Between the tectonic plates is some of the clearest and cleanest water in the world.  

Note: You can snorkel between the tectonic plates here.  We initially had a tour booked to snorkel the Silfra Fissure with Tröll Expeditions in May 2020.  We did not rebook this for our June 2022 trip as we had our baby in tow and also felt we would prefer to do more hiking here than snorkeling. 

Parking is 750 Kronos (pay in bathroom) 

Öxarárfoss Hike 

In Thingvellir National Park, be sure to hike to Oxarafoss. The falls here cascades over the rift between the tectonic plates that is a visual reminder that you are standing on the border of these tectonic plates.  This 2.6 mile loop hike goes by fast.  This hike goes through Thingvellir National Park, past several other attractions in the park, including Pingvellir church, making the hike seem shorter. 

2.6 mile loop hike with 744 feet of elevation gain

Oxararfoss AllTrails

Efstidalur (40 minutes from Thingvellir National Park)

The next stop on your Iceland trip with a baby itinerary is Efstidalur, a family run farm turned into an ice cream parlor and restaurant.  Here you can enjoy farm-to-table dining while overlooking the mountains or the farm cows. During dinner, our baby liked watching the cows eat through the large windows as well as playing with the silverware.  Oh the simple joys of a baby.   

Warning: It’s a bit pricey.  Dinner and ice cream for the 2 of us (baby did not get her own meal) cost about $75 USD. This is pretty expensive in comparison to US prices but actually quite on par for Iceland standards, especially for farm-to-table dining.  

Finding Efstidalur: 801 Bláskógabyggð.  On Route 37, after the split from 365, drive about 12km (you will pass Route 366 on the right). You will see a sign for the farm on the left side of the road.

Efstidalur

Strokkur Geysir (11 minutes from Efstidalur)

The next stop on your Iceland trip with a baby is the Strokkur Geysir, a thermal area that erupts every 6-10 minutes. Our baby loved watching the Geysir bubble up and erupt. She thought it was funny and would giggle when it started to bubble. 

Tip: Go late at night for little to no people. We went right before sunset at 11:30 PM local time in June and only saw two other people.  Otherwise, this spot is very popular and busy during the day. 

Gullfoss (10 minutes from Strokkur Geysir)

Next stop on your Iceland road trip with your baby is Gulfoss, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland.  Gulfoss flows down in a three step staircase-like pattern before plunging into the river below in two dramatic stages.  It is a short walk from the parking lot down to the waterfall here but if you walk on all the trails around the waterfall, it is about a mile. 

Tip: Go early in the morning or late at night to have it to yourself. Otherwise, like Strokkur, it is really busy. 

Gullfoss AllTrails

Faxi Waterfall (10 minutes from Gullfoss)

Faxi is a waterfall hidden gem that most people drive right by.  Here you walk from the parking lot down to the waterfall in a couple short minutes.  This stop is not a must do but a quick 20 minute stop that we recommend taking if you have time.  We saw some very friendly Icelandic horses just before we pulled into this parking lot.

Finding Faxi Waterfall: Located on road 35 between Strokkur Geysir and the town of Reykholt (there is a small sign on the left when you are driving South pointing towards the falls). 

750 Kronos to Park 

Kerid Crater (45 minutes) 

Up next on your Iceland with a baby itinerary is Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater with crystal blue water.  The green around the rim contrasting the red soil and blue water is truly stunning.  You can walk around the top of the rim and/or bottom rim. Do both! The views are equally beautiful at the top and bottom rim but different

400 Kronos per person for trail use (during attendant hours), children under 12 free

0.9 miles loop, 114 feet of elevation gain

​​Kerid Crater AllTrails

Stay in or camp near Selfoss

In Selfoss, there is a Kronan grocery store. Be sure to stock up on fresh groceries again tomorrow morning as supply options only get more sparse the further you get away from Reykjavik.  

Day 1 Driving Map- 3.5 Hours of Driving

Day 2 Iceland with a Baby: South Iceland

Seljalandsfoss (1 hour from Selfoss)

The next stop on your Iceland with a baby trip is Seljalandsfoss, almost 200 feet tall.  It is one of Iceland’s most unique waterfalls as you are actually able to walk behind it! 

WARNING: Don’t ruin your camera here.  If you walk up to/behind the waterfall, it will get wet. 

Tip: Waterproof Everything! 

Be sure the whole family, especially the baby, has waterproof gear.  We almost did not bring a Baby Rain Suit for our baby and that would have been a huge mistake. We would have not been able to walk behind the waterfall. This would have been a real shame because she loved walking behind it and being misted by the waterfall.  She couldn’t stop giggling! 

Here is the gear we love and recommend: 

• Baby Rain Suit  
• Men’s North Face Waterproof Hiking Pants
• Women’s North Face Waterproof Hiking Pants
• Men’s North Face Waterproof Rain Jacket
• Men’s Keen Waterproof Hiking Boots
• Women’s Keen Waterproof Hiking Boots
• Women’s Waterproof North Face Rain Jacket 

TIP: Don’t forget to look at the little waterfall next door: Gljúfrabúi

Gljúfrabúi is the secret waterfall, hidden in a cave less than a 10 minute walk to the left (when walking from the parking lot) from Seljalandsfoss. Many people don’t even realize it was there because they are so mesmerized by Seljalandsfoss and do not walk further down the trail.  It isa little smaller than Seljalandsfoss with a 130 foot drop, yet arguably as inspiring as Seljalandsfoss.  

Note: You have to wade through a shallow stream into this cave. Be sure to have waterproof boots, like the ones we recommended above, to do this. The stream is shallow and we had no problem safely doing this with our baby strapped to us in our hiking boots. 

750 Kronos per car for parking

1.2 miles out & back, 226 feet of elevation gain 

Seljalandsfoss AllTrails

Skógafoss (27 minutes from Seljalandsfoss )

After you leave Seljavallalaug, a short drive will take you to Skógafoss, another epic 200 foot waterfall. Don’t make the mistake of only viewing the falls from the bottom.  Be sure to head up the stairs and check out the area above the falls. There are 526 steep stairs to make the climb to the top overlook and the trail that continues on.  

If you keep walking along the river, you’ll also encounter some other smaller waterfalls before the main drop. These falls are also quite beautiful and perfect for tourist-free photos. Our baby seemed to like these smaller waterfalls better than the main Skogafoss here.  She must like scenic spots better with less people too! 

There is about 1.5 miles of round trip walking to/around here to see different waterfalls/views . We walked to the bottom of Skogafoss, climbed the stairs to the top overlook of Skogafoss and then to the next waterfall after this. The trail from the top of the falls actually goes 26 miles so you can make as short or as long as you want

Skogafoss Waterfall AllTrails

Note: Supposedly, per our research, the lighting at this waterfall is better in the afternoon and you may see a rainbow with the sunlight.  It was raining when we visited in the afternoon so we really cannot speak to this being true or not.  

Kvernufoss (1 minute from Skogar Museum) 

A short 15 minute walk from the parking lot takes you to Kvernufoss, also known as the “Hidden Waterfall.” It is a quick walk with unworldly scenery to this waterfall. This was Natalie’s favorite waterfall hike up to this point in the trip.  It is a great bang for buck hike.  Also, we only saw two other people at this waterfall which was a tranquil contrast after visiting Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss (as both were quite crowded). 

Note: This trail is located very close to the Skogar Museum. You could park at the museum and walk over to the trail located just to the east.  Find the fence you need to climb over (ladder goes over the barbed wire fence) and then take the path to the waterfall.  You will not be disappointed with the views.   

0.9 miles out & back, 147 feet elevation gain

Kvernufoss AllTrails

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse/Peninsula (27 minutes)

In the summertime, many Atlantic puffins can be found nesting on the cliff faces of Dyrhólaey

This spot is not far outside of Vik and you can see Reynisfjara Beach from here

Note: The lighthouse is only open 9 AM- 7 PM local time 

This spot was actually closed when we arrived.  It is only accessible 9 AM- 7 PM local Icelandic time.  We arrived at around 9 PM local time and unfortunately were unable to visit.  We do not feel we missed out, but this is likely the best opportunity to see Puffins on this trip itinerary.  So if you have never seen Puffins (we have seen them in Kenai Fjords National Park Quick Guide) or really want to see them in Iceland, be sure to arrive before 7PM or after 9 AM local time.

Reynisfjara Beach (22 minutes)

The next stop on your Iceland with a baby trip is Reynisfjara Beach.  This is a short walk out to the black sand beach with the iconic massive hexagonal basalt columns. When we visited Reynisfjara Beach, it was super windy.  Our baby girl found it quite amusing!

Caution: Beware of “sneaky waves” on the beach.  Do not go anywhere where the sand is smooth (or has had water obviously wash up on it).  People often get close to the water, turn their backs and then get swept away by the large waves that sneak up on them. Numerous people have drowned.  Don’t be one of them.  

Vik (11 minutes)

Up next on your Iceland road trip with your baby is Vik, a remote seafront village in south Iceland.  Our favorite spot in this village was the pretty church on the hill surrounded by picturesque purple flowers 

Fun fact: These purple flowers, alpine lupine, are actually an invasive weed (yet so pretty!)

This village has several restaurants, a gas station and a grocery store. Vik was actually much smaller than we expected.  We ate at the Stronan Pub in Vik that had some nice distant views of Reynisfjara Beach. The food we had here (pasta and lamb chops) was also quite good. And, most importantly, this place is open until midnight!  We actually tried to eat at two other restaurants but they closed at 9 PM local time and since we stayed on our home time, we needed a place open later. 

*Look for all the different scenery as you drive further on the Ring Road* 

Laufskálavarða (30 minutes)

This is a small lava rock area with many rock cairns that remained after a large farm was destroyed by the eruption of the Katla Volcano. The tradition here was to stack stone cairns as a sign of good luck while crossing the area.  This is an interesting quick stop right off the road.

Eldhraun Lava Field (16 minutes)

Mossy lava field that looks like something out of the Teletubby show from the 90s.  The Apollo 11 crew came here to train for their impending moonwalk. Route 1 runs directly through Eldhraun so you cannot miss it.  It is a quick stop/drive through. 

Stay in Laki or Skaftárhreppur (camp or accommodations).  Alternatively, stay in Vik and drive about an hour more the next day

Day 2 Driving Map- 3.5 hours of driving 

Day 3 Iceland with a Baby: South/East Iceland

Fjaðrárgljúfur (10 minutes)

Absolutely stunning 1 mile long, 300 foot deep beautiful slot canyon.  The third platform has the best views of the canyon and there is a waterfall at this spot too.  And there will be less people at this platform as most tourists only make it to the first viewing platform. 

Fun Fact: Justin Beiber’s “I’ll Show You” music video features this spot

2 miles out & back, 248 feet of elevation gain

Fjadrargljufur AllTrails

Vatnajökull National Park (1 hour 9 minutes)

Vatnajökull National Park is the next stop on your tour of the ring road with a baby on board.  You could spend days in this massive national park.  We saw the highlights of this park by hiking to Svartifoss and the Svinafellsjokull Glacier. 

Parking costs 750 Kronos/vehicle 

Iconic Svartifoss waterfall

Svartifoss is known for the hexagonal basalt columns that surround its cascading falls 

Fun fact: The Basalt Columns here inspired Hallgrimskirkja Church design in downtown Reykjavik 

This waterfall is further from the road than most other waterfalls in Iceland but well worth the extra effort.  There are three traill options to see Svartifoss.  We recommend the mid-option (what we did). Here are the options to see it: 

• Option #1: Svartifoss Trail AllTrails (shorter)
  • 2.0 miles out & back, 439 feet of elevation gain
  • Most people do this one as it is the shortest 

• Option #2: Svartifoss – Magnúsarfoss – Hundafoss via Lambhagi AllTrails (mid option)
  • 2.5 miles loop, 449 feet of elevation gain
  • Same as the shorter option but on this trail you take a different route back to the trailhead to make a loop. 
  • Do this one!
  • On this loop hike, on the way back from Svartifoss, we did not see any other hikers. This part of the trail was so peaceful in comparison to the first half of the trail (the part that most people do as an out and back, option #1). For not much added effort, you’ll likely have this part of the trail to yourself, get better views of the waterfalls leading up to Svartifoss and see the snow capped mountains in the distance better.  

• Option #3: Sjónarnípa – Svartifoss –  Magnúsafoss – Hundafoss via Austurbrekkur AllTrails (longer) 
  • 4.4 miles loop, 869 feet of elevation gain
  • Loops out to the east rather than the west (mid-option does this) and takes you past a couple other waterfalls 

Svínafellsjökull Glacier

The Svinafellsjokull Glacier is a really pretty spot where you can touch parts of ice that have broken off from the main glacier. Baby G loved touching (and tasting) pieces of ice glacier.  We also only saw a few other people on the trail when we visited mid-afternoon, making it a very peaceful short hike. 

Fun fact: This glacier was used in filming of Interstellar, Batman Begins and Game of Thrones 

Caution: Sometimes this glacier is closed due to landslides

0.7 Miles out & back, 184 feet elevation gain  

Svinafellsjokull Glacier AllTrails

Eat at the Adventure Hotel in Hof 

Next, stop for a meal at the Adventure Hotel in the small quaint village of Hof. This is the nicest restaurant and the best food we ate in Iceland up to this point. 

Hof is a very small quaint and peaceful village on the southeast part of the island.  Hof, and this area in general, has very limited eating, lodging and camping options. The next place with lodging, camping and dining options is Hofn which is about 60 km away. 

Hangandifoss/Múlagljúfur Canyon (36 minutes)

This hike with several waterfalls, most notably Hangandifoss, truly offers out-of-this-world views.  At the summit of this hike, you overlook the stunning Múlagljúfur canyon with the flowing Mulaa river and Hangandifoss waterfall within it. You also can see the snow-covered volcano Oraefajokull in the distance.  Pictures and words do not do this view justice.  Baby G was a smiley little peanut for this hike.  She was very curious about all the different views throughout the hike. We also only saw 3 other people throughout this hike, making it very serene. 

Caution: Loose gravel/slippery in a lot of spots

Natalie actually tripped and fell forward with G strapped to the front of her while on this trail. G was fine, Natalie’s leg and arm took a beating but nothing requiring medical care thankfully.  We would still hike this trail again but just be very cautious hiking on the gravel path as it can be slippery in spots. We would advise not hiking this with a toddler who is mainly walking themselves though. 

3.6 miles out & back, 1,204 feet of elevation gain

Hangandifoss Múlagljúfur Canyon AllTrails

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake + Iceberg Lagoon/Diamond Beach (12 minutes from Canyon) 

The Jökulsárlón lagoon is filled with massive ice chunks that have fallen from the Jökulsárlón glacier . This lagoon is over 800 feet deep-making it the deepest lake in all of Iceland. 

There are several pull-offs from which you can see the lagoon.  Feel free to park at one or several of them and soak in the different views.  We recommend parking at the parking lot just past (east of) the bridge for the best views. 

You might even be lucky enough to see a seal here—we saw about 10!

Don’t forget to spend some time near the ocean at Diamond Beach. This beach got its name because of the crystal clear ice chunks that you’ll find on the starkly contrasting jet black beach.  We were here at sunset and the views were stunning. 

Tip: Go here early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds

Stay overnight in Hofn or at Vestrahorn Mountain 

Drive about 1 hour to the Hofn or Vestrahorn Mountain area.  We saw many sheep on this drive, many on the road where the speed limit is 90 kilometers per hour.  See our Iceland general tips for further details about sheep in Iceland.

Day 3 Driving Map- 3.5 hours of driving

Day 4 Iceland with a Baby: East Iceland

Hofn (1 hour from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake) 

Icelandic fishing town in the southeastern part of Iceland. Near Hornafjörður fjord and with views of Vatnajökull.

Fun fact: Vatnajökull is the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland

Honestly, there is not much to see in Hofn but there is a grocery store.  Be sure to stock up on food again here as there is not anywhere to buy supplies for almost 3 hours to the north. Unfortunately, the grocery store in Hofn was closed the day we visited (for an unknown reason) so we had to stop in the next main town, Eglisstadir, about 3 hours to the north.  We got a hotdog and sandwich from the gas station here and they were surprisingly good.

Vestrahorn Mountain (21 minutes from Hofn) 

The next stop on your Iceland with a baby itinerary is Vestrahorn Mountain located on the Stokksnes peninsula.  Located here is a black sand beach next to the tall spring mountains.  The area was a bit fog-covered when we visited, yet the contrast of the mountains with the black sand beach was still quite stunning.  It was very windy here and Baby G got a kick out of that. 

You can also walk around a small Viking village here. It is neat to see a primitive Viking settlement. However, this was a neat extra and not a must-see.  

The beach at Stokksnes is private and there is a small entrance fee, 900 Kronos, to drive down to the beach

Drive route 95 

Next on your Iceland road trip with your baby, drive Route 95.  This gravel road has so many waterfalls along it (you literally will see a waterfall on either side of you driving at all times) and there are also very few cars/people on it.  Taking this route is not out of the way either and it actually gets you to the next waterfall (Hengifoss) hike on this itinerary in less time than driving Route 1. Other travelers we encountered saw reindeer on this road, but we were not so fortunate.

Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss Hike (3 hours from Vestrahorn Mountain)

The Hengifoss is the third highest waterfall in Iceland at almost 400 feet tall. It is quite impressive and with the red streaking in the rocks around the waterfall, it looks quite different from the other waterfalls you have seen at this point. 

This was actually our favorite hike in Iceland at this point in the trip.  It was not overly strenuous or technical so you could get into a nice flow state.  Also, there were so many waterfalls and other scenery to see on the way to Hengifoss that the hike went by really fast.  We further only saw about a dozen other people on the trail which was a nice contrast to some of the waterfall hikes on the south part of the island. Most importantly, our daughter was in a great mood for the hike. She babbled most of the time and then fell asleep in our carrier.  Happy baby = happy parents! 

2.9 mile out & back, 830 feet of elevation gain

Hengifoss – Litlanesfoss Waterfall AllTrails

Eat in Egilsstadir at Salt Cafe & Bistro

This restaurant had a large variety of food options for a reasonable price and the staff was friendly.  Also, there was a cute high chair for baby G.  And it was open when we were driving through town.  If you want to eat at a restaurant today, Egilsstadir is really the only town you will be able to do that. 

Seydisfjordur (1 hour from Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss Hike)

Up next on your Iceland with a baby trip is visiting the town of Seydisfjordur.  This town felt like something out of a fairytale.  The town has a quaint blue church with a rainbow road leading up to it and really picturesque fjord/mountain views.  We had a lovely time walking around this town with baby G.  Most tourists don’t make it to this town as it is a bit out of the way and this allows for a more local experience. 

Further, driving to this town is half the experience.  To get here, you drive straight through the mountains. The scenery driving was much different than any other part of our trip. There was much more snow cover  on the mountains than anywhere else on our trip up to this point.  Similar to other parts of our trip, we saw many pretty waterfalls and sheep on our drive to this town. 

Stay in Seydisfjordur or Egilsstaðir

Day 4 Driving Map- 4.5 hours of driving 

Day 5 Iceland with a Baby: East Iceland 

Hike Fardagafoss (in Egilsstadir) 

Getting to this waterfall is a peaceful, relatively short, 30 minute hike.  It is certainly not a must do but a local hike located very close to where we stayed night 4 in Egilsstadir.  

Fun Facts: An old folktale claims that a female troll used to occupy the cave behind the waterfall. Also, the notorious outlaw, Fjalla-Eyvindur, sought shelter in the cave behind Fardagafoss in the 18th century, but was driven out by locals. 

Stock up on supplies in Egilsstadir 

There are very limited options for supplies/groceries on the east and north side of the island so be sure to get gas and food here as you will not see another gas station or grocery store again until you reach the Myvatn area (Reykjahlíð).

Rjukandafoss (40 minutes from Egilsstadir )

This very short walk leads to a pretty 3-part waterfall located almost right off the road (route 1).  

0.4 miles out & back, 114 feet of elevation gain

Rjukandafoss AllTrails

Stuðlagil Canyon (26 minutes from Rjukandafoss)

The next stop on your Iceland with a baby itinerary is this unique canyon.  Stuðlagil Canyon is filled with tall basalt columns and unique streaks of color. You can either hike out to this part of the canyon (east side) or view it from a viewing platform (west side).  

We went to the west side viewing platform as well as hiked out to the east side of the canyon. The hiking views on the east side of the canyon are much better than from the viewing platform. While hiking, you can see both sides of the canyon and even climb down into the large basalt columns.  Sam did this and got some cool vantage points. We would rate this hike as easy from a technical standpoint as it is a level gravel path and flat in most parts. Also, you can really get into flow state with this hike. 

5.7 Miles Out & Back, 561 feet of elevation gain from P2 parking lot. 

You can potentially park 1.5 miles closer at P1. However, you need to have 4 x 4 drive as this road is ridden with potholes.  We only had 2 wheel drive on our campervan and did the longer hike.  

How to find Stuðlagil Canyon:

• When heading to Northern Iceland from Egilsstaðir, you need to take a turn to Road 923. Then you drive about 19 kilometers to the farm Grund where you will find a parking lot and a path to the riverbank (5 minute walk). This takes you to the viewing platform on the east side of the river and is where Google Maps will take you to if you type in “Stuðlagil Canyon.”  The viewing platform is reached by climbing down (and then up) about 200 stairs and is a very short walk from the parking lot.  There is a stand here with food and drinks for sale as well as restrooms you can use for a small fee. 
• To access the hiking trail, you need to drive back 5 minutes to P2. There will be signs on how to access the hike at the viewing platform food stand too. 

Stuðlagil Canyon on AllTrails

Dettifoss and Selfoss (2 hours from Stuðlagil Canyon) 

The next stop on your iceland road trip with your baby is Dettifoss.  This waterfall is said to be the second most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.  It is located in the desolate Vatnajökull National Park. There is another waterfall here, Selfoss, that is only a few hundred meters downstream from Dettifoss. You can access Selfoss via a rocky footpath (follow the sticks marking the trail to navigate). Be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots as this rocky path is quite uneven and took us longer to hike than expected because of its uneven nature.   

How to access: There are actually two different roads that lead to Dettifoss, but make sure that you enter from highway 864 (not 852) for the best view on the east side 

Note: The road to the east side is pothole ridden and it will take about an hour to get to the waterfall.  However, on the east side, you can walk along the edge of the gorge to get better views of Dettifoss and Selfoss. If you do not want to deal with the gravel road, you can enter from the west side on a paved road. However, you will likely get very wet and because of how the mist sprays, likely have a difficult time viewing the waterfall itself. 

2.3 miles out and back, 498 feet of elevation gain

Dettifoss AllTrails

Hverir Mud Pots (1 hour from Dettifoss)

Next, stop at the Hverir Mud Pots.  Here, you may think you have left Iceland and landed on a different planet.  We have never been to Mars but this is what we imagine it looks like.  While the scenery is stunning, the smell from the sulfur here is truly terrible.  It smells like rotten eggs and neither of us could stand the smell too long. 

Grjótagjá (7 minutes from Hverir Mud Pots)

This is a quick stop to look in the cave that became famous from Game of Thrones Cave as it is where Jon Snow and Ygrette get it on.  It is a neat spot and is unlike anything we had seen on our trip so far.  The constantly changing scenery in Iceland is astounding. 

Stay in Myvatn/ Reykjahlíð area (20 minutes from Grjótagjá )

Day 5 Driving Map- 4.5 hours of driving

Day 6 Iceland with a Baby: North Iceland 

Hike around the Dimmuborgir area in Myvatn 

On the first stop today of your Iceland road trip with a baby, you’ll hike through unique volcanic rock caves and lava rock formations in the Dimmuborgir area. There are several short trail options here. We hiked the red trail which ended up being about 1 mile total. Baby G mastered using our water bite valve,and it was nothing short of adorable.

This area reminded us a bit of the rock formations in Arches National Park (see Arches National Park Quick Guide) and the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce Canyon National Park Quick Guide) but made with dark lava rock.

Caution: Beware of the midges if you are visiting in the warmer months. These small bugs don’t bite but sure do bother you in swarms.  Many people were wearing head nets to keep them away. We did not have head nets so we were just constantly swatting at them. Myvatn literally translates to “lake of midges” in Icelandic so this area really in well known for these annoying bugs.  

Swim at the Myvatn Nature Baths

Next, stop at the Myvatn Nature Baths for a bit of spa time.  This location is an outdoor lagoon with milky blue water that is naturally heated by hot springs.  Our baby loved swimming and playing around the milky warm water.  We also found this spot to be very relaxing and with some really stunning views.  Unlike the Blue Lagoon (outside of Reykjavik) that does not allow children less than 2 years old, all ages (with an adult) are welcomed here. Kids 0-2 are free to swim too.  This lagoon is also less crowded than blue lagoon with equally beautiful baths and (arguably better) views.

Tip: The earlier you get here, the less people there are.  There is no time limit on how long people can be here so it tends to be busier later in the day as more people accumulate. 

5900 Kronos/adult, Open 10 AM- 11 PM

Myvatn Nature Baths

Tip: Get groceries and gas before leaving the Myvatn area 

Husvak (46 minutes from Myvatn)

Up next on your Iceland trip with a baby is the charming little village of Husvak.  This village is well known for its incredible whale watching and picturesque harbor. The most famous landmark of the town is the quaint wooden church, Húsavíkurkirkja, in the center.  We could not get enough of the Harbor views while here.  We did not book a whale watching tour but if that is something you want to do, do it here!

Eat at Gamli Bakur while in Húsavík! The dining room decor and harbor views are on point. The food was some of the best we ate in Iceland as well. We loved our seafood pasta, fish soup and lamb steak. The lamb steak was the best lamb we had in Iceland and the fish soup was the best fish soup we had in Iceland. The food and vibes were a real win here. 

Godafoss (40 minutes from Husvak)

Next stop is Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, Godafoss. Godafoss is actually not just one waterfall but about five waterfalls together. Godafoss translates to ‘Waterfall of the Gods’. Legend has it, it got its name from when pagan Gods were thrown into it after Iceland became a Christian country. 

The hike here is an easy walk along the cliffs to the falls.  Be careful though as it is *literally* right along the cliffs.  You can also hike down to the base of this waterfall on a short rocky path for some even more up close views. The hiking trails total about 1.5 miles if you hike them all on both the east and west side of the falls.

Drive to Akueryki and stay in Akureyri (30 minutes from Godafoss) 

Day 7 Iceland with a Baby: North/West Iceland

Explore Akueryki (30 minutes from Godafoss) 

Next stop on your Iceland with a baby trip is Akueryki, the second largest city in Iceland.  Here, park & visit the free Lystigardurinn Botanical Gardens in the city center.  The paths at these gardens make for a leisurely walk around the different flora of the area.  There are lots of pretty flowers and one of the most northerly botanical gardens in the world. 

From the Botanical Gardens, you can walk to the iconic Akureyrarkirkja church.  We recommend staying parked at the Botanical Gardens as parking is more difficult once you get further into the city center. After visiting Akureyrarkirkja, walk down to the main street of the city center and stop at the cute shops. Additionally there is a small park, and our daughter loved playing in the miniature viking ship and going on the slide with Natalie (her first time on a slide!)  

Drive to Snaefellsnes Peninsula (5 hours from Akureyri)

Next up is a 5 hour drive from Akureyri to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Make sure to make several stops along the way to break up this long drive. 

Stop at Kolugljufur Canyon

This rural canyon has a tiered gorge located about 20 mins southeast of Hvammstangi.  Also, it is only a short (less than 5 km) detour from the ring road. The best part is that you will likely be the only one here as it is just far enough off the beaten path that most tourists do not make it here. To get to the canyon, you drive through ordinary farmland and then suddenly, BAM, this massive canyon arises. We spent about 30 minutes hiking around. You could also have a picnic in this peaceful spot as there is a picnic table near where you park. 

Fun fact: Legend has it that the female Kola troll dug this canyon and her treasure is hidden in it. 

Get a meal at Sjavarborg Restaurant in Hvammstangi

Sjavarborg restaurant in Hvammstangi has large windows that overlook this fishing town’s bay. In this bay, whales are often seen breaching. We did not see any during our dinner but if you are lucky enough, you may see one during your meal. Our daughter liked looking out the large windows regardless of whether the whales were there.  We had the fish of the day (cod) and a grilled sweet potato topped with chickpeas, coleslaw and peanut sauce. Both were delicious! The decor in this restaurant we’d describe as modern meets industrial harbor front.  

Start to explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula 

Stop at the Iconic Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell (5 hours from Akureyri)

Next up is the iconic Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and Kirkjufell mountain.  The falls themselves aren’t that impressive but the uniquely shaped Kirkjufell mountain in combination with the falls makes for a very pretty scene.

Tip: To get the iconic photo that everyone loves, you need to walk from the car park up towards the waterfalls. There is a bridge to cross over and walk down.

Parking 750 Kronos per vehicle 

Take in the views at vibrantly colored Svortuloft Lighthouse (45 minutes from Kirkjufell)

Next stop on your Iceland with a baby trip is the unique Svortuloft Lighthouse.  This lighthouse is so cool because it is bright orange and really contrasts the black lava rock along the coastline. Seasonally, during the summer, there are a lot of different birds in the rocks on the coastline too.  We were the only people here at 11 pm local time when we visited.  We had a nice dinner in our campervan overlooking this spot with our daughter.  She loved sitting in her compact camp chair. 

Caution: The road leading out to this unique spot is very rough yet still drivable with 2-wheel drive. 

Stay in Arnarstapi or Hellnar (40 minutes from Svortuloft Lighthouse) 

Day 8 Iceland with a Baby: West Iceland Snaefellsnes Peninsula 

Hike the Arnarstapi to Hellnar Trail

The first activity of your eighth day in Iceland with your baby is hiking the Arnarstapi to Hellnar trail. This is an easy walk along the bird-filled (seasonally in the summer) cliffs lining the coastline between the small towns of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. 

Before making your return journey from Hellnar, stop at Fjoruhusid Cafe. This cute cafe with indoor and outdoor seating is located along the water. Stop here for some tasty local Icelandic food and stunning ocean views. 

4 miles out & back, 144 feet of elevation gain 

Arnarstapi Hellnar Hike AllTrails

Take a short hike to Rauöfeldargjá Canyon 

This short (less than 0.5 miles) trail leads to some stunning cliffs that lead into a canyon  where water flows through. Be sure to enter the canyon to see the impressive views from lower down as well. 

Fun Fact: Legend has it a half man/half troll named Rauöfeldargjá lives in this canyon.

Stop at the iconic Búðakirkja church (25 minutes from Rauöfeldargjá Canyon)

This famous, and very frequently photographed, black church on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula stands out amongst the green flora surrounding it. The church is very picturesque but also very busy. We would advise visiting this spot in the early morning or late at night to avoid the crowds  

Drive towards Reykjavik (2 hours and 20 minutes) and stay in/outside of Reykjavik 

Day 9 Iceland with a Baby: Reykjavik

Explore Reykjavik on your last day in Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja Church

This church located in the Reykjavik city center is named after a 17th century hymn writer and took 40 years to construct.  The organ pipes here mimic the basalt formations, like at Svartifoss, found throughout the country. 

ISK 900 to go to top for city views

Go to a Museum in Reykjavik

We did not have time but go consider visiting one of the museums below: 

• Iceland Phallological Museum (AKA Penis museum), ISK 1700
• National Iceland Museum (Viking artifacts), ISK 2000

Get Lost Walking Around the City Center

There are some fun, interactive paintings on the street. Natalie had a fun time hopscotching the 106 spot hopscotch. Who decided it should be 106 rather than 100 spots is a great question! 

We walked through the neighborhood around the city center and saw some unique architecture while getting a glimpse into local life.  While doing this, we stopped at a local park. Our baby girl crawled around and played with a local baby. She loved it and we enjoyed our conversations with the other baby’s parents. 

Where to Eat in Reykjavik 

• Braud & Co
  • Bakery known for cinnamon rolls and buttery croissants. So delicious, soft and worth every penny . 
  • ISK 550

• Svarta Kaffid
  • This lively cafe has only two items on the menu–a daily changing vegetarian and meat soup. The soup here comes in a scrumptious sourdough bread bowl.  The wait staff was very friendly and they had a fun, unique highchair/rocking chair for our baby to play in. She loved it and we got a kick out of it too. 
  • ISK 2400 for soup in bread bowl

Drive to Airport and Fly Home

Note: Slow this itinerary down or speed it up as you please.  We found this itinerary to be very manageable in a campervan with our curious, and very wiggly, 10-month-old.  If you do not have a baby (or pokey adult) in tow, you may be able to do it in 8 days.  If you want more downtime and/or plan on staying in hotels rather than doing a campervan, we recommend taking 10+ days to do this itinerary.  Also, if you are traveling without a baby and want to go to Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik (do not allow babies under 2 years old), we recommend 10 days as well. 

General Iceland Tips

IMPORTANT: You need a PIN number to buy gas in Iceland even if you are using a credit card 

You likely will need to call to get a PIN number for your credit card in order to use it to get gas in Iceland.  We had to call to get a PIN number for our credit card prior to our trip and it took about 2 weeks to get it so do this ASAP (right now would be a good time).  Be sure to store the PIN number somewhere you will have access to it on the trip. We never have used a PIN number with our credit cards before so we are glad we found out about this prior to our trip. 

Also, get gas as often as possible. Gas stations close early and do not stay open 24 hours a day (unlike what we are accustomed to in the US).

Campervan Offers More Flexibility and Allows for a Consistent Home Base

We LOVED having a campervan to explore Iceland with our baby. It allowed us so much flexibility. It was great to have a consistent home base and not have to unpack/repack each day, especially with a baby.  We would have not been able to see as much as we did with our baby if we had done hotels instead.  Also, a campervan was more economical than rental car + hotels.

We rented our Campervan from Kuku Campers.  We would highly recommend this quirky campervan company.  Friends of ours have rented from Camp Easy and they also had a positive experience.  We rented a 5 person campervan for the 3 of us and felt that was the appropriate size.  We appreciated having a little extra room.

Tip: Play around with the reservation campervan system and see when a multi-day discount kicks in to save some $.  For the time we were visiting, a multi-day discount applied to our campervan after 9 days.  With this discount, our campervan actually cost less for 9 days than it would have for 7 days.  Score! 

Bring Waterproof EVERYTHING!

Seriously though, from waterfall spray to the unpredictable weather, you will want waterproof gear for the whole family. So glad we had a Baby Rain Suit for G. It kept her dry and happy exploring with us. 

Gear we recommend to have to explore: 

• Men’s North Face Waterproof Hiking Pants
• Women’s North Face Waterproof Hiking Pants
• Men’s North Face Waterproof Rain Jacket
• Men’s Keen Waterproof Hiking Boots
• Women’s Keen Waterproof Hiking Boots
• Women’s Waterproof North Face Rain Jacket 
• Baby Rain Suit

This gear kept us dry and warm all day exploring in the rain and walking behind waterfalls 

• Headlamps
• Plastic Bags for lagoons and hot springs 
• Compact quick dry towels

Iceland Driving Tips

• Do not speed, high fines, cameras will catch you and you may get a ticket months after you return 
• Do not stop on the road unless clearly marked. It’s dangerous and you can get a fine. 
• There are more sheep than people in Iceland. Do not hit them. Easier said than done as they like to stand in the middle of roads where the speed limit is 90 kilometers per hour. It’s about a $500 fine if you do hit one. The Police and owner must be contacted too. 

Food to Eat in Iceland

• Kleina (fried pastry, not our favorite)
• Snudur (Cinnamon Bun, most delicious cinnamon buns at Braud & Co in Reykjavik)
• Skyr (Flavored Yogurt, pretty sweet and thin in comparison to the Greek yogurt we have become accustomed to eating)
• Geyser (Rye Bread) & Soup (best fish soup in Husavik at Gamli Bakur, delicious bread bowl soup at Svarta Kaffid in Reykjavik) 
• Lamb Hot Dogs (Can get almost anywhere, inexpensive, all taste pretty much the same (delicious) per Sam) 

Campsites

• Most campsites cost about 2000 Kronos per person/night
• Do not need to make reservations prior to visiting unless visiting the first week/weekend of August (banking holiday in Iceland)
• If you pull up to a campsite after staff has left for the day, just pull into an empty spot and pay in the morning
• Iceland Campsite Map

Fun fact: Many Icelandic people believe in fairies, trolls and other incredible creatures. Icelanders are known to have small houses in their gardens for elves and the like to take shelter in.  

We hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Iceland with your baby.  Anything you’d add to our guide? We’d love to hear your feedback and questions.  Please leave us a comment!

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