If you’ve watched a movie recently and thought to yourself, Where did they shoot this otherworldly scene?, the answer may very well be Iceland. Star Wars, Captain America, Batman Begins, and Interstellar all filmed in Iceland, as did Black Mirror and Game of Thrones. Why the influx of Hollywood visitors? Because Iceland is a bonafide environmental treasure, that’s why.
The Nordic country is truly the land of fire and ice, packed with glaciers and lagoons, volcanoes and geysers, waterfalls and craters, and sometimes even the Northern Lights, if you’re lucky. Its black sand beaches are steeped in folklore, and its cute little puffins dot the southern shore in packs.
Given the abundance of natural riches, Iceland makes for an excellent family vacation destination—especially if your crew loves a little outdoor adventure. I traveled to Iceland with my fam last summer and between the six of us, we carved out a killer itinerary complete with thrill time and chill time. (There are few remedies for a long-haul flight as soothing as a geothermal pool waiting for you on the other side, let me tell you.) Now, I’m sharing the itinerary with you here—broken down by where to play, relax, and eat—so you can copy it for yourself.
P.S. The writer received free or discounted activities while researching this trip in order to write this story.
PLAY
Take an ATV tour: The best way to appreciate Iceland’s geological sights is to see them up close. Safari Quads offers ATV tours (with a professional guide, of course) that wind through the Reykjavik area and let you take in all the beauty along the way. On my family’s tour, we drove through stunning purple lupine fields on two-person ATVs, but the company also offers lava field tours, if that’s more your speed.
Colin Whittaker
Don’t skip the museums: Whether you’re in the city for a day or a week, it’s worthwhile to pick up a Reykjavík City Card. It grants you free bus access, entry to dozens of museums and galleries (including the maritime museum, zoo, and national gallery), entry to thermal pools, and discounts at select city shops and restaurants. My family of six ultimately saved about $300 by using our 48-hour passes on three museums and a pool.
Road trip to Vik and the Golden Circle: The landscape is absurdly beautiful in Iceland, so go out and see it! We rented a car and went on two road trips while in Iceland: one to Vik, in the south, to see the Reynisfjara black sand beaches (which you can peep in Star Wars: Rogue One), and one around the Golden Circle, which took us to waterfalls, geysers, and craters. (Pro tip: Don’t skip the volcanic Kerið Crater!)
Ride Icelandic horses: You don’t have to be a Certified Horse Girl™ to enjoy a riding tour through the Icelandic landscape. The unique and friendly horses are great with beginners (they have literally never had predators in the wild, so they’re not easily spooked!) at Íshestar Horseback Riding, which is only ~15 minutes outside Reykjavik.
Lauren Whittaker
Lauren Whittaker
RELAX
Sky Lagoon: Honestly, the most important part of an adventure trip is a built-in chill day, and in Iceland, that translates to get your butt to a lagoon. There are plenty of hot springs and geothermal pools to choose from, but few compare to Sky Lagoon. Thanks to an infinity wall stretching out over the ocean and a seven-step body skincare ritual, finding R&R at this hotspot (heh) is a piece of cake.
Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon is considered a world wonder for good reason. The face masks are nourishing, the drinks at the swim-up bar are sweet, and the silica in the water will leave your skin singing (no really, time in the Blue Lagoon is recommended to treat psoriasis!). Just be sure to book your reservation in advance, because slots fill up quickly.
Alexandra Whittaker
EAT
The Soup Company: This family-owned gem in Vik served up the best lamb stew I’ve ever tasted. If lamb isn’t your thing, don’t pass up the bestselling all-you-can-eat lava soup, which is a combination of beef, black beans, red wine, onion, tomatoes, bay leaves, and red lentils, all served in a bread bowl.
Kattakaffihúsid: Cat cafés have spread all the way to the heart of Iceland. It’s a purr-fect (excuse the pun) pairing, since Iceland is famously a feline-loving country. (Fun fact: The Vikings had cats as companions, whereas pet dogs were banned in the Icelandic capital until 1984.) At Kattakaffihúsid in Reykjavik, you can meet friendly adoptable cats, munch on some warm apple cake, and appreciate Iceland’s kitty-filled history all the while.
Efstidalur II: If you’re on a road trip around the Golden Circle, make a pit stop at Hlöðuloftið, a restaurant on Efstidalur II farm, for true farm-to-table dining. If you have more than a meal’s worth of time, the property has horseback riding, which you should try. If you have less than a meal’s time, the property has buttery ice cream to go. (Or, you can always do both!)
Vikinga Pylsur : Icelandic hot dogs are a thing, with meats and spices specific to Iceland, and lamb as the secret ingredient. The good news? There are plenty of places to sample them. My family’s favorites came from Vikinga Pylsur, a food truck outside Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik. The line moved quickly and the hot dogs were a perfect post-Hallgrímskirkja treat. (Also a hit? The pulled pork.)
For more information on vacationing in Iceland, check out Visit Iceland, which has additional recommendations, guides, and trip resources we love.
Alexandra Whittaker is the deputy editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, where she helps manage the website and all of Cosmo’s news and entertainment coverage. With more than a decade of journalism experience, Alexandra oversees multiple teams of stellar writers and editors. She crafts thoughtful editorial coverage plans from start to finish by ideating, assigning, and editing timely, search, and brand-building stories with an eye on strategy, growth, and audience development. She is a mentor with Girls Write Now and the American Society of Magazine Editors, and she is a proud Northwestern and Marquette alumna.