Guidebook for a child friendly stay in Reykjavik
Museum & Libraries
This is a bit of a hidden gem located a little bit of the beaten track but very close to our house. Great for a rainy day as it has a library in the basement where kids can stay entertained for a long time with ever changing exhibitions. Upstairs there’s a wonderful cafe/restaurant with great views and a cute kids menu
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Nordic House
11 SæmundargataThis is a bit of a hidden gem located a little bit of the beaten track but very close to our house. Great for a rainy day as it has a library in the basement where kids can stay entertained for a long time with ever changing exhibitions. Upstairs there’s a wonderful cafe/restaurant with great views and a cute kids menu
You would have to take a car or bus to get here but there‘s lots to do. An IMAX show about the Northern ligts, an ice cave, a volcano exhibition and during the summer there is also a giant bouncy castle parked outside. And at the top there is a restaurant with 360 views of Reykjavik
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Perlan
You would have to take a car or bus to get here but there‘s lots to do. An IMAX show about the Northern ligts, an ice cave, a volcano exhibition and during the summer there is also a giant bouncy castle parked outside. And at the top there is a restaurant with 360 views of Reykjavik
If you or your children like whales but don‘t want to go whale watching this is a great option 😊. Perfect for a rainy day
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Whales of Iceland
If you or your children like whales but don‘t want to go whale watching this is a great option 😊. Perfect for a rainy day
Not quite a museum but it is a spectacular building that is well wort a visit. They often have free exhibitions and other events
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Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 AusturbakkiNot quite a museum but it is a spectacular building that is well wort a visit. They often have free exhibitions and other events
Parks & Playgrounds
This is in Laugadalur which is a suburb of Reykjavik. You’d need a car or a bus to get there but it's a quick drive. There’s no elephants or lions but rather sheep, horses, pigs and cows. A zoo with farm animals plus a couple of seals. There is also a large playground and some amusement park attractions inside. Great stop on a sunny day! It has a restaurant of sorts but the food is awful. It is best to stop by Dalur https://www.facebook.com/dalurkaffihus/ or http://www.floran.is/
If you get hungry
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Húsdýragarðurinn Park & Zoo
This is in Laugadalur which is a suburb of Reykjavik. You’d need a car or a bus to get there but it's a quick drive. There’s no elephants or lions but rather sheep, horses, pigs and cows. A zoo with farm animals plus a couple of seals. There is also a large playground and some amusement park attractions inside. Great stop on a sunny day! It has a restaurant of sorts but the food is awful. It is best to stop by Dalur https://www.facebook.com/dalurkaffihus/ or http://www.floran.is/
If you get hungry
There are lots of little playground here and there in Reykjavik and outside. This one is a short walk from our house so we go there a lot. But you will stumble on many. And note that you can enter all kindergarten and school playgrounds when they're closed.
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Hljómskálagarður
There are lots of little playground here and there in Reykjavik and outside. This one is a short walk from our house so we go there a lot. But you will stumble on many. And note that you can enter all kindergarten and school playgrounds when they're closed.
Swimming Pools
You cannot come to Iceland and not go swimming. The local pools are essentially to Icelanders what pubs are to the British. A place to meet friends, relax and unwind. Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are great experiences, but you cannot bring young children. The local pools are on the other hand very child friendly. Floatation devices and toys are almost always provided. These are our favourite ones
Vesturbæjarlaug - https://reykjavik.is/vesturbaejarlaug
This one is very traditional as it has no indoor pool, but it is great. Large hot tub, great shallow pool for kids and a fantastic steam room. This is where you will spot local celebrities and politicians. Try to go for the Viking trifecta. Steam room, cold plunge and hot tub
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Vesturbæjarlaug
HofsvallagataYou cannot come to Iceland and not go swimming. The local pools are essentially to Icelanders what pubs are to the British. A place to meet friends, relax and unwind. Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are great experiences, but you cannot bring young children. The local pools are on the other hand very child friendly. Floatation devices and toys are almost always provided. These are our favourite ones
Vesturbæjarlaug - https://reykjavik.is/vesturbaejarlaug
This one is very traditional as it has no indoor pool, but it is great. Large hot tub, great shallow pool for kids and a fantastic steam room. This is where you will spot local celebrities and politicians. Try to go for the Viking trifecta. Steam room, cold plunge and hot tub
This also has a large indoor pool and a shallow indoor pool for kids. Great if the weather doesn't allow for outdoor swimming.
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Sundhöllin
45a BarónsstígurThis also has a large indoor pool and a shallow indoor pool for kids. Great if the weather doesn't allow for outdoor swimming.
This is the beach of Reykjavík. Well wort a visit if it's sunny and not too windy. You can go cold swimming with the Vikings in the sea but there is also a part of the beach where the sea water is heated and there is of course also a 39 degree hot tub with a view of the ocean
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Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
This is the beach of Reykjavík. Well wort a visit if it's sunny and not too windy. You can go cold swimming with the Vikings in the sea but there is also a part of the beach where the sea water is heated and there is of course also a 39 degree hot tub with a view of the ocean
Food scene
There are some great fine dining options in Reykjavik but those are not necessarily places you bring your children so here are some more child friendly options. On sunny days it is a good idea to make your way to the town square on Austurvöllur. There's a lawn surrounded by restaurants and a great place to enjoy a beer and a burger while the kids play in the grass.
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Austurvöllur
101 PósthússtrætiThere are some great fine dining options in Reykjavik but those are not necessarily places you bring your children so here are some more child friendly options. On sunny days it is a good idea to make your way to the town square on Austurvöllur. There's a lawn surrounded by restaurants and a great place to enjoy a beer and a burger while the kids play in the grass.
A newly opened bakery/restaurant downtown. Great for breakfast and a casual lunch
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Baka Baka
A newly opened bakery/restaurant downtown. Great for breakfast and a casual lunch
Similar to Baka Baka but closer towards Grandi (harbour area). There are also locations in Kársnes and Hafnarfjörður
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BRIKK brauð & eldhús
Similar to Baka Baka but closer towards Grandi (harbour area). There are also locations in Kársnes and Hafnarfjörður
Yuzu Burger
Has been voted the best burger in Reykjavík. We agree.
The Laundromat Cafe
9 AusturstrætiGreat for weekend brunch
On a sunny evening this place is great. Lots of outdoor seating and a little play area next to it. You get your wine from Bodega and your food from Snaps which has a great French bistro style menu
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Bodega
9 TýsgataOn a sunny evening this place is great. Lots of outdoor seating and a little play area next to it. You get your wine from Bodega and your food from Snaps which has a great French bistro style menu
This is quite far out on Grandi but wort the visit for the creative and delicious offering
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Schokoladenfabrik Omnom
4 HólmaslóðThis is quite far out on Grandi but wort the visit for the creative and delicious offering
Countryside Excursions
The main stops are Þingvellir national park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir. The last two stops are really close together and if you avoid the crowds and get there when it's not so busy it is really amazing to see. On the way back you can drive through a town called Hveragerði. There is a newly built hotel and food hall called Greenhouse. It's a small hipster oasis in the countryside with some great food options.
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Golden Circle Iceland
AusturströndThe main stops are Þingvellir national park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir. The last two stops are really close together and if you avoid the crowds and get there when it's not so busy it is really amazing to see. On the way back you can drive through a town called Hveragerði. There is a newly built hotel and food hall called Greenhouse. It's a small hipster oasis in the countryside with some great food options.
Parts of the South Coast can be done in a day if you leave early. See the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The black sand beaches and the glacial lagoons. Read more here to learn more about the different stops and how long it might take https://www.re.is/south-shore-tours/
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Seljalandsfoss
ÞórsmerkurvegurParts of the South Coast can be done in a day if you leave early. See the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The black sand beaches and the glacial lagoons. Read more here to learn more about the different stops and how long it might take https://www.re.is/south-shore-tours/
Surprisingly easy to get to. A 40 min boat trip with several departures each day. https://visitwestmanislands.com/
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Vestmannaeyjar
Surprisingly easy to get to. A 40 min boat trip with several departures each day. https://visitwestmanislands.com/
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a two hour drive to the north-west of Reykjavik, this is a spectacular part of Iceland and includes highlights such as Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss, Gerðuberg basalt columns, Snæfellsjökull Glacier and a few charming fishing villages with good lunch options.
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Snæfellsnes
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a two hour drive to the north-west of Reykjavik, this is a spectacular part of Iceland and includes highlights such as Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss, Gerðuberg basalt columns, Snæfellsjökull Glacier and a few charming fishing villages with good lunch options.