Iceland Activities

While not bursting with children’s activities, Iceland does offer many thermally-heated swimming baths, especially in Reykjavík, which can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The curious thermal beach is ideal in the summertime if you have kids, and whale-watching tours are available in the summer. Near Reykjavík, skiing is available in the wintertime, where quality ski resorts offer instruction to children as well as adults.

Arbæjarlaug
Located within a 10-minute drive or bus ride from downtown Reykjavík, Arbæjarlaug is a family-friendly swimming pool that is well-geared for babies. The baby pool is both indoor and outdoor, with a passage between, and features many water toys and gadgets. In addition, older kids will enjoy the big hot tub which gets filled in the evenings.

Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is Reykjavik’s biggest and most popular pool and hot tub complex, offering a large water slide, a huge generic pool and a range of hot tubs and super-hot pots. There is also a steam room and a wading pool for babies, while an excellent gym is also on-site.

Nautholsvík Thermal Beach
This fascinating summer attraction is another family favourite; a natural beach in Reykjavík, which has hot water piped into a sectioned off area to keep the water warm enough to bathe in during the summer. Children love it and in addition, there is a large hot tub in the centre of the water.

Skálafell skiing area
Skálafell is perfect for beginners and families, for both skiers and for snowboarders. There are several well-lit slopes here of varying difficulties as well as five modern ski lifts and cross-country sliding. Equipment and ski instruction is also available and a service centre provides food and drink.

Whale-watching
The whale season runs from June to August, which is the warmest time of the year. Various whale-watching tours leave from Stykkisholmur, off the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of Iceland, and giant humpback whales can be seen frolicking in the choppy waters. For those who are in the north of the island, smaller minke whales, dolphins and porpoises can be seen near Husavik, where there is also whale centre. The Husavik Whale Centre is great for kids as it features a natty museum which covers the history of whaling in Iceland and displays various skeletons.

Iceland is an outdoors country and there is always something for the outdoor enthusiast to have a go at, no matter what time of the year you visit. Summertime obviously has the best opportunities for enjoying the countryside on foot or horseback, and it is also the best time to fish for salmon and trout, while the winter is best for those who want to test the ski slopes.

Fishing
Like whale-watching, the best time to go salmon fishing in Iceland is in summer, from mid-June to mid-September. Permits must be reserved well in advance for salmon fishing in Iceland, while permits to fish for trout, the other main fish, are much easier to obtain. The trout fishing season has a wider window depending on the river or lake, but is generally from late April to October. Keen fishermen who are here in the winter can go ice-fishing.

Glacier activities
Around 11 per cent of the land in Iceland is covered by glaciers; there are literally hundreds of them. Vatnajökull and Langjökull glaciers are Europe’s oldest and longest glaciers respectively, the latter of which can be visited on a dog-sledding tour. Another company also operates snowmobile tours on Sólheimajökull Glacier in the south of Iceland from late winter to the summer.

Hiking
Iceland offers the very best terrain and hiking experience for many seasoned hikers. This is true wilderness country, where breathtaking and remote landscapes are another world away from the general bustle of modern day life. Trails are well marked and are best walked in the summer months when rainfall is relatively low and temperatures are comfortable. There are many dangers to be aware of while hiking in Iceland, and it is advisable to research trails well before embarking on a hike.

Horseback riding
Seeing the country by horse is far more comfortable than hiking, where Icelandic horses can easily navigate the rugged terrain, which encompasses hundreds of volcanoes, glaciers, lofty mountains, valleys and geysers. Icelandic horses are known for their well-mannered disposition and are trained to use the ‘tölt’ and ‘pace’ gaits for even greater comfort over rough terrain. In addition to horseback riding, there is a multitude of equestrian events held all over Iceland during the summer including races and contests.

Skálafell skiing area
There are several quality ski resorts in a number of locations in Iceland, with numerous slopes that are open to skiers and snowboarders, and lots of great terrain for cross-country skiers, also known as Nordic skiing. Some of the country’s best ski resorts are in the Reykjavík area including Skálafell and the Blue Mountain, where facilities and services are great.

Reykjavík has some great restaurants, with virtually any and every cuisine available on the island, from traditional Icelandic delicacies to Chinese and Indian food, and even the typical fast-food joints of any great city. The café scene in the capital is excellent, where ethnic snacks, breads, salads, sandwiches and Icelandic niceties such as cakes and sweets are on offer.

It is tough to find traditional Icelandic food, although some places in Reykjavík offer some of the island’s better known dishes, which are cooked to perfection. Fish and lamb are Iceland’s two main resources. Icelandic waters are pristine, which transcends to the fish, making them delicious and succulent; shellfish dishes are also very good here, while lobsters are popular in the summertime.

Like the fish, Icelandic lamb is exquisite and should not be missed. A slightly off-putting yet tasty delicacy is burnt and divided sheep’s head, typically served with swedes and mashed potatoes. Also, sausages frequently appear on the menu. 

Reykjavík offers the pick of the restaurants including traditional Icelandic, international and many ethnic eateries, and they are mostly found in the city centre. Prices are fairly steep and in-line with Iceland’s cost of living. The Pearl restaurant is a favourite and is known for its view of the city as much as for the delicious food, while Thrir Frakkar Vatnsmyrarvegur restaurants offer some great traditional local fare. 

Markets, malls, galleries and craft shops make up the general shopping scene in Iceland, and downtown Reykjavík is where most of it is at.

Porcelain sculptures, paintings and jewellery are in abundance, while wool items are the traditional Icelandic souvenir. Woollen hats, gloves and sweaters are not just a good buy for family and friends; they are very useful products for wearing yourself when visiting the cool interior or northern coast. Reykjavík also has some quality goldsmiths in the Laugavegur area of downtown, where unique items such as earrings, necklaces and precious stones are sold.

In addition, music shops abound in many towns and cities around the country. Apart from Björk, other popular Icelandic bands include: Bellatrix, Hera, Sigur Rós, Singapore Sling and Múm. Downtown Reykjavík’s 12 Tonar is the best music store in the country at which to find obscurities.

Shopping hours are from 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, and 10:00 to between 13:00 and 16:00 on Saturdays, depending on the town and store. Some of the more established supermarkets and malls are open until 23:00 every day of the week.