Family Holidays to Iceland

The most popular family bases combine a manageable town with easy access to the island's headline attractions.

• Reykjavik: Reykjavik is the natural starting point for most family itineraries, and its compact centre means children can walk between museums, the harbour and cafes without long journeys. The city also works as a launch pad for day trips, so you can return to a familiar bed each evening rather than packing up every morning. Its main drawback is that it is busier and pricier than the rest of the country, but for a first family visit the convenience usually outweighs that cost. We recommend it for families who want a settled base with plenty to do on rainy days. It is exactly the brief our Reykjavik holidays deals are built around.
• Akureyri: Akureyri sits on Eyjafjordur, a long fjord in the north, and it offers a calmer pace than the capital while still giving access to whale watching and waterfalls. The town centre is a short walk from the harbour, and the botanical garden gives younger travellers a green space to explore. The trade-off is the longer drive south to the capital, which is better suited to a northern extension of a wider trip. We rate it highly for families who prefer a quieter base with a strong sense of local community.
• Husavik: Husavik is a small harbour town and one of the country's main whale watching hubs, with tours departing directly from the quayside. Its harbour sits close to the town centre, so the outing starts with minimal travel, which suits families with younger children. Cruise calls bring activity during the season, though the town stays small and unhurried at other times. It works best as a focused stop for families who want a single memorable excursion.
• Vik: Vik is a village on the south coast, set on the Ring Road and known for its dramatic black sand scenery. Its appeal for families is the easy coastal setting, though strong waves along that shore mean children must be kept well back from the water at all times. The village is small, so amenities are limited, and the area is best treated as an overnight stop rather than a long stay. It suits families travelling the south coast who want a memorable pause along the route.
• Stykkisholmur: Stykkisholmur is a small town on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with a harbour that serves as a base for boat trips on Breidafjordur bay and a ferry link to the Westfjords. The town is quiet and peaceful, which suits families seeking a slower pace away from the capital. Its smaller size means fewer restaurant and shopping choices, so planning ahead helps. We recommend it for families who value calm and want a relaxed base on the western side of the country. It is exactly the brief our Iceland holidays deals are built around.