Iceland
- shimonsolof
- Feb 9, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Feb 16, 2025
Day 1: Friday
We landed at 9:00 AM in the morning.
Since we landed in the morning, we planned a day of activities before heading to our Airbnb to prepare for Shabbos. We initially planned to stop at the Perlan Museum; however, our 2-year-old didn’t sleep well on the plane, and we were exhausted! We ended up pulling into the Perlan Museum’s parking lot and promptly fell asleep. We ended up pushing it to the end of our trip.
Next, we drove to the Lava Tunnel Tours. The drive through gorgeous fields of lava covered in moss, with huge mountains in the distance, was breathtaking.
The Lava Tunnel Tours were extremely accommodating and let us switch to the next tour since we were all still discombobulated. We enjoyed some sandwiches I had prepared before the flight and drinks we bought at their little shop.
The tour was incredible! Our guide was both entertaining and informative. He explained the geology of the rocks in the tunnel, the lava levels, and other fascinating information about the area. Overall, it was an easy hike, and our 2-year-old was able to walk it while holding one of our hands. There were lots of wooden pathways and steps, making it easier. It got really cold at the end when we were in the lowest part of the cave, and we even saw some ice formations—think about 35-40 degrees.
After the lava tunnel tour, we stopped at some local grocery stores in Reykjavik to pick up basics for Shabbos. Don’t expect a wide variety of items; we went to three different stores just to find paper goods.
We also stopped at Chabad to pick up our Friday night meal since we were eating at home, as it was too late for our kids to walk back and forth.
Day 2: Shabbos
This was the first Shabbos that Chabad used their new shul, and it was a privilege to be part of this momentous occasion!
We joined the Chabad Shabbos meal in a two-story building next door to the Rabbi’s house. There were about 100 people at the meal—some locals and many tourists! It was beautiful to be part of such a warm and inviting gathering.
After the meal, the Rabbi offered us his playroom, which we happily accepted since there was a long afternoon ahead of us. After about an hour and a half of playtime, we decided to head home.
The Rebitzin invited us back for Shabbos party/Shalosh Seudos, but we ended up playing some board games we had bought in local stores on Friday and taking Shabbos afternoon naps. By the time we woke up and were ready to go out, it was too late to join the Chabad Shalosh Seudos. We had a lovely meal at home with food we had brought along.
Later, we ventured out to a local park and walked along the waterfront, finding little things to keep our kids entertained.
We returned home around 11:00 PM and put the kids to bed. They weren’t too happy about going to sleep when it was still light outside.
We made Havdalah at about 1:40 AM and then prepared our bags for the road trip we’d be starting on Sunday.
Day 3: Sunday
We pulled out at about 9:45 AM since we had a full day ahead. The streets were silent, as Reykjavik had partied all night. We made great time despite the rainy weather.
Stop 1: Kleifarvatn Lake
Although it was rainy and super cloudy, the drive to the lake was still gorgeous! There were huge mountains all around us and a beautiful lake on one side. Plenty of places to pull over let us get closer to the water or look out over it. Make sure to wear a good coat for wind protection.
Stop 2: Hafnarfjordur Hot Springs
This wasn’t even on our itinerary, but our son noticed bubbling water out his window, so of course, we stopped! The beautiful walkway along multiple hot springs was a delight. The first one bubbles a lot, while the rest are larger and more colorful.
Stop 3: Graenavatn Lake
We stopped at a lookout above this stunning lake before climbing down to it. We took turns since our 2-year-old couldn’t manage the descent alone. Even in the rain, the lake’s color was absolutely beautiful!
I climbed down again to toivel some cutlery we had bought locally (since disposable items are really not a thing here). The water was frigid!
Stop 4: Fagradsfjall Volcano Hike
We took the shortest hike, called Natthagi, which was about a half-hour of easy walking on a gravel path—our stroller managed most of it easily. We crossed a massive field of lava and got to see the colors and layers under the top black layer. It was a fantastic experience for the kids.
Stop 5: Reykjadalur Hot Springs
The gravel walkway uphill to the hot springs was stroller-friendly. We only walked to the hot springs and didn’t complete the full hike. There are pools to swim in, but it was too cold to change.
Stop 6: Hveragerdi Geothermal Park
We wanted to stop to see the geyser and try cooking an egg in it, but it is privately owned and closed by the time we got there.
Stop 7: Kerids Crater
This stunning volcanic crater features a beautifully colored lake. There’s a viewpoint at the top, plus stairs leading down to the lake, making for a quick visit.
Stop 8: Bruarfoss WaterfallA must-see waterfall in the prettiest shade of ice blue! We parked about 10 minutes away and had an easy walk with the stroller.
Stop 9: Strokkur Geyser
We parked in the lot across the street from the visitors center. The geyser erupts every 8-10 minutes, and the walkway is beautiful with lots of hot springs along the way.
Stop 10: Gullfoss Waterfall
The massive waterfall is a sight to behold! The sheer force of the water is astonishing. There’s a mist at the viewpoint, so be sure to wear waterproof jackets, and there’s also a walkway alongside the top of the falls.
Hotel: The Hill at Floyden
A beautiful, clean hotel. It was a bit out of the way, but since we booked in May, options were limited. I’d suggest staying closer at The Geyser Hotel across the street from Strokkur Geyser.
Day 4: Monday
The drive today was stunning, and we found ourselves stopping frequently to capture the scenic views.
Stop 1: Aegissidufoss Waterfall
This stunning double waterfall can be accessed via two paths. One path leads to the top, while the other takes you down to the water's edge. Our 2-year-old managed the gentle slope easily. At the bottom, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the waterfall. The water was shallow enough for us to dip our feet in, but be cautious—it’s very cold!
Stop 2: Gluggafoss
This tall waterfall offers a flat walk to the lower level where you can get up close and feel the mist. We then took the path to the top, which provided breathtaking views of the water cascading over the cliff. The rainbow in the pool was a stunning sight! There are picnic tables nearby, so we took advantage and enjoyed lunch with a view of the glacier.
Stop 3: Slejalandsfoss
The drive here was mostly on gravel roads, so ensure your vehicle is suitable. Slejalandsfoss is absolutely gorgeous! A pathway leads behind the falls, providing a unique experience. Be prepared to get a little wet as you pass through the spray.
Stop 4: Skoggafoss
This beautiful waterfall drops straight down a high cliff, creating an impressive mist. We ventured close enough to get soaked, but the view was worth it! There are about 430 stairs to reach a viewpoint at the top, which offers hiking trails.
Stop 5: Dyrholaey Viewpoint
This ocean viewpoint offers spectacular vistas of the sea and snow-capped mountains. While the lighthouse was closed, the views from the walking trail were incredible.
Dinner:We passed a picturesque picnic area while driving from Dyrholaey and stopped to grill and enjoy dinner.
Stop 6: Reynisfjara BeachThis black sand beach is unlike anything we've seen before. The jet-black sand contrasts beautifully with the ocean. Be cautious of the unpredictable waves; we got soaked by a sudden surge. If possible, visit for sunset to see colors that are out of this world.
Hotel: Dyrholaey Hotel
A clean and simple hotel nearby, serving a complimentary breakfast with fresh fruit, eggs, and coffee.
Day 5: Tuesday
Stop 1: Fjadrargljufur Canyon
About an hour's drive from the hotel, this canyon is accessed via a gravel path leading to three lookout points. The views are breathtaking, especially of the waterfall feeding into the canyon.
Stop 2: Svartifoss
Located in a national forest, the hike to this waterfall is steep but paved and manageable with a stroller. Although we didn’t make it to the end, the hike was beautiful.
Stop 3: Glacier Lagoon
The lagoon is awe-inspiring, with massive icebergs floating in the water. We took an amphibian tour that brought us close to the glaciers, and the kids loved throwing chips of ice into the water as wishes.
Stop 4: Diamond Beach
You can walk to Diamond Beach from the lagoon, but we opted to drive for ease. The icebergs on the black sand truly resemble diamonds, and the kids enjoyed climbing on the larger pieces.
Stop 5: Stokksnes Beach
This stunning beach features cliffs dropping to black sand. The kids had a great time playing in the sand.
Hotel: Hotel Breiddalsvik
A clean and simple hotel where we booked a room with three beds. They offered breakfast and provided us with fresh fruits and veggies.
Day 6: Wednesday
Today, we drove along Highway 95, taking in magnificent mountain views and stopping to explore glaciers. We enjoyed lunch at a scenic canyon rest area.
Stop 1: Studagil CanyonThis stunning canyon is not to be missed! The path from the parking lot is about 45 minutes, and we pushed our stroller with ease. The canyon’s blue-green water is incredible, especially as glaciers melt.
Stop 2: Detifoss and Selfoss
Detifoss is the second most powerful waterfall in Europe, and you can see the mist from the road. The walk to the viewing platform is straightforward, but expect to get wet!
Stop 3: Husavik
We had planned to take a whale-watching tour but decided to cancel due to cold temperatures and limited sightings.
Stop 4: Gjaldskylda
We visited the natural steam baths surrounded by beautiful mountains, with easy paths to explore.
Hotel: Berjaya Iceland Hotels - Myvatn
A stunning American-style hotel with a bathtub—a first for us in Iceland!
Day 7: Thursday
Myvatn Lake is right across the street from our hotel, with a lovely walking path along the shore.
Stop 1: Leirhnjukur
This area features natural hot springs accessible via a mud path and boardwalk, with beautiful colors in the landscape.
Stop 2: Viti
This turquoise crater lake is surrounded by lava. The walkway around the lake is steep but offers stunning views.
Stop 3: Grjotagja
A natural cave filled with a beautiful hot spring, easily accessible from the parking lot.
Stop 4: Hverfjall Volcano Trail
The steep walk up to the crater is worth it for the stunning views of Myvatn Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Stop 5: Goddafoss/Geitafoss
We parked behind the gift shop for easy access to the falls. The staircase down provided a fantastic view.
Stop 6: Kjarnaskogur Woods
We chose to skip this stop to head to the petting zoo.
Stop 7: Petting Zoo Daladyro
The kids had a blast petting and feeding animals, enjoying an indoor play area, and exploring the outdoor facilities.
Stop 8: Akureyri
We strolled through the old section of town, enjoying a lovely park and the boardwalk views.
Hotel: Hraunsef Country Hotel
After a stressful hotel search, we arrived to a warm welcome, with snacks waiting in our clean and beautiful room.
Day 8: Friday
Stop 1: Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is a uniquely shaped mountain with a stunning waterfall at its base. While it may be a bit overrated on tourist blogs, the combination of the waterfall and the mountain is undeniably beautiful.
We took the ocean route to our next stop, driving alongside the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean, and found a lovely picnic spot along the water’s edge for lunch.
Stop 2: Londranger Viewpoint
This viewpoint offers spectacular views of the ocean and volcanic rock formations. We spotted a large bird colony below the cliffs. The walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint is a quick two-minute uphill trek.
Stop 3: Arnarstapi
We strolled along the boardwalk, admiring stunning ocean views and impressive volcanic rock formations. There was even a playground for the kids, which added to their excitement!
Stop 4: Reykjavik
In Reykjavik, we enjoyed wandering the old city streets and browsing souvenir shops. We also checked out Rainbow Street, where the kids enjoyed jumping on the colorful pavement.
Hotel: AirBnB from Alva Hotels
I highly recommend their apartments—modern, clean, and beautifully designed.
Day 9: Shabbos
Shabbos was absolutely gorgeous! We took a lovely 15-minute walk through the city to a meal at Chabad. The place was packed with Jews from all walks of life.
After the meal, we explored a nearby playground, relaxed with some books, and played with toys, enjoying a peaceful afternoon together.
Day 10: Sunday
Stop 1: Into the Glacier
Be sure to dress warmly and in waterproof gear for this activity! The drive from Reykjavik to Husafell takes about two hours. Once we arrived, we boarded a coach bus to Base Camp, where anyone without waterproof jackets or shoes was provided with gear.
Next, we hopped onto a monster truck that drove us onto the glacier. Our guide, Ryan, entertained us with Icelandic facts and folklore during the ride. Upon reaching the glacier, we entered the tunnels and were fitted with crampons. Our daughter even received a sled to sit on, making it easier for her to navigate the tunnels.
The experience of being over 200 feet below the glacier’s surface was amazing, and the tunnels were beautifully lit and easy to explore. Ryan shared fascinating insights about the glaciers, their lines, and how they melt—an enlightening experience for both kids and adults!
Stop 2: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Just a five-minute drive from the glacier parking lot, this strip of waterfalls is absolutely breathtaking! The vibrant colors of the water against the volcanic stone are spectacular. A gravel path leads from the parking lot lookout to the end of the waterfall strip, offering a beautiful, easy, and quick walk.
Stop 3: Perlan Museum
The Perlman Museum was fascinating! We enjoyed the IMAX about the Northern Lights and a captivating exhibit on volcanoes, especially the more recent ones. They also had an ice cave, but since we had explored tunnels that morning, we decided to skip it.
Stop 4: Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon was truly unforgettable! We loved swimming in the warm waters, surrounded by stunning lava fields and the crisp Icelandic air. It was the perfect way to unwind after such an amazing trip—a perfect ending!
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