Epic Family Adventures in South Iceland: A 10-Day Guide

You are most likely to arrive on a morning flight to the Reykjavik International Airport, in the town of Keflavik. Pick up a rental car, a walkable distance from the arrival terminal. Stop at a bakery in town for pastries and breakfast, the first taste of colorful and healthy options that Iceland has to offer. Optional stop at Viking World, a Viking ship museum near the airport.

Drive down the long roads through the lava fields, taking your time to stop at any stores of interest. Optional stops at Gunnuhver.

Arrive in the afternoon in Hella and check in to the Hotel Laekur, a beautiful farmland with small but clean and cozy rooms. Walk about the property, including a creek and beautiful forest filled with beautiful and mysterious trees.

Fill up on snacks and road trip supplies at the nearby Bonus groceries. For dinner, try the Eldstó Art Café, a small local restaurant with local art for sale. Note that most meat served in lasagnas is horse – be sure to ask if you aren’t sure.

Finish the night back at the Hotel Laekur, say hi to the Icelandic horses and have a nightcap in their community attic turned cozy lounge. Stare through the skylights to see if you can catch the Northern Lights.

This day is all about chasing waterfalls. As you head south on the Ring Road, consider stopping at some of the smaller and lesser-known hot springs for a quick dip. Visit the popular Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and prepare to get wet for an up-close look. The parking lot hosts a wonderful gift shop and food trucks. Further down the road, stop at the Rutshellir, right off the side of the road, a troll house built into the side of moss-covered rock boulders. Leave a wish, and then climb up the moderately accessible sides for amazing views of the surrounding land, including the Atlantic Ocean.

Gear up for a day of adventure. Not too far down the road, you will arrive at Myrdalsjokull and meet up with the expedition company to suit up in cramps, ice picks and helmets to begin your glacier walk. Walking to the top of the Solheimajokull glacier, embrace the majestic beauty of the landscape and the impact glaciers have on our planet.

Towards your next destination, you'll constantly be saying, “Wow! Whoa! Ahh!" There are many giant and powerful waterfalls. A beautiful creek off the side of the road begs you to stop and fill up your water bottle. No need to buy plastic bottles in Iceland — all water from taps and moving water is clean, delicious, healthy and the best water you will ever have.

Navigating to the Fjadrargljufur Gorge, you will truly see the power water has on Iceland’s landscape. You can spend hours walking the trails above this stunning gorge.

Next, arrive at Diamond Beach. Sunset is the most brilliant time to see the ice shine like diamonds. Walk the black-sand beach soaking in the beauty.

Spend the evening in Hofn, with many dinner options to choose from – including reindeer burgers!

Check into the quiet, cabin-like rooms at Arnanes Country Hotel for a simple, good night's sleep.

After another delicious, light and simple breakfast provided by the staff, return to the Ring Road towards Vik, witnessing many glacial outlets and countless side-of-the-road waterfalls. Don’t forget to stop at gas stations for budget-friendly and delicious hot meals. Grab some bags of kleinurs, an amazing donut/pastry treat. They are great to have in the car for a quick snack.

Stop across the road from Diamond Beach admiring the Jokulsarion and Fjallsarlon lagoons, a huge body of water off of a glacier, with plenty of icebergs waiting to be washed out to sea. The smaller lagoon is a fun playground to run around and enjoy icebergs at the shoreline.

A stop at Skaftafell National Park can be a short one by visiting the information center, or a long one by taking one of the beautiful hikes from the parking lot. Continue down the road and take in the Eldhraun lava fields. Look up the history and geology and read aloud as you travel — it is fascinating.

Arriving back in Vik, spend the evening at sunset atop the Dyrholaey cliff. From here, you can see the sunset behind the black beaches to your right, or the Sea Arch being illuminated by the sun on your left.

Catch a late show at the Volcano Show for a fun and educational lesson on volcanoes. The information about the sleeping giant under the town of Vik is a story that you won’t forget!

Vik also has many restaurants where you can fill up on dinner.

Check in at the Volcano Hotel and spend the evening in their library reading and resting.

For one of the most educational days, visit Thingvelir National Park. Scuba-dive between two continents, walk the trails through a rift valley and see Euroasia from North America. Be sure to stop into the museum for an interactive learning journey. The gift shop also has great sandwiches.

Once finished exploring the national park, visit Gullfoss Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. The gift shop has beautiful and unique art pieces, including volcanic glass bowls.

Just down the road, visit the Geysir geothermal area and witness active geysers and hot springs all around you. It is an exciting walk around the fields to witness these hot water fountains.

Across the road, the Geysir Hotel has a wonderful and elegant menu for a relaxing dinner.

Arrive in Laugarvatn and check in at the Arbakki Farmhouse Lodge, a bed and breakfast that makes you feel like you are at home.

Take your time to drive from the farm home to the capital city of Reykjavik. In the downtown area, check into Midgardur by Center, a traditional hotel with a lot of amenities to enjoy. Unpack and settle in for a few days, then venture across the street to a local matholl, meaning a food court, for a variety of deliciously prepared foods from all sorts of cuisines, from Mexican to Japanese to Icelandic. There is something for everyone to enjoy a hearty lunch.

A visit to the Perlan satisfies curious minds, diving into the one-of-a-kind geology and geography of Iceland. Climb through an ice cave, watch the Northern Lights in the theater and admire views of the entire city atop the museum. All ages love it!

Enjoy dinner on the hotel property or eat at one of the many options within walking distance. Treat yourself to a spa treatment or enjoy cocktails and live music in the hotel bar.

Check into a the most popular attraction in Iceland, the cloudy blue and warm waters of the Blue Lagoon. Built off of a lava field with average temperatures of 100 degrees, the water comes from the underground 464-degree pools. Enjoy a soak, a swim, a complimentary facial and drinks from the swim-up bar. This is a relaxing and special treat after all of the adventures completed.

Spend the afternoon driving around the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you will stumble upon shipwrecks, beautiful coastlines and angry waves. The best gas station meals are a welcomed treat after swimming all day.

An early morning wake-up calls for a stop at the iconic Solfar sculpture (meaning "sun voyager") in Saebraut, where you will enjoy the sunrise.

Check in at the Sky Lagoon for a completely different experience than the previous day. A cold 40-degree air temperature feels amazing in the quiet and serene warm waters. Enjoy a mimosa and watch the sunrise over the ocean. Complete the seven-step ritual to experience the waters as Icelanders do. It is refreshing and rejuvenating!

Head back to the hotel and get cleaned up to enjoy lunch nearby. Walk along the city and find discover the landmark Hallgrimskirkja Church, Rainbow Road and colorful rows of homes.

Time to check out of the city and pack up for one more night. Head east toward the airport on the Reykjanes Peninsula. This geographic wonderland needs more time to explore. Start at the Gunnuhver Hot Springs, where you will see muddy, boiling puddles. Get another view of the North American and Euroasia plates and walk the above-ground rift on the Bridge Between Two Continents. Take in more crashing waves against rocks and find the Karlinn, a 50- to 60-meter-high rock. It is an ancient crater plug that stands majestically in the sea off of Valahnukur, where the tide has eroded the rock over the years.

Depending on volcano activity, which has exploded over the past three years, you may be able to visit the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system. It is the most active area on the island. You can hike trails to see the newest land created on earth that is still cooling and emitting gasses.

Enjoy lunch in the darling town seaside of Grindavik, again depending on volcanic activity — they may or may not be evacuated.

Check into Raven’s Bed, a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of Keflavik with many knick-knacks to look at and admire, or enjoy a hot tub heated by the thermal activity underneath the earth.

Nearby is the LiBRARY bistro/bar for an incredible food menu, delicious craft cocktails and a gorgeous environment.

Finish the evening to pack up, rest up and be ready for the next day of travel.

Enjoy a final breakfast at a nearby Icelandic café and visit some of the local shops for any last-minute keepsakes before you depart.