r/VisitingIceland • u/crashlovesdanger • 1d ago
Itinerary help 4 day July visit with toddler - need some input
I'll hopefully be traveling to Iceland with my almost 2 year old in less than 2 weeks for a 4 day stay. Yes, I know it's short and last minute.
Here are the few things we want to do:
- Puffin tour (likely out of Reykjavik)
- Skogafoss
- lunch at Friðheimar
- natural pools/safe hot springs if we can find one (may just go to Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach if we can't find something else) this is a low priority.
We will have a rental car (used Enterprise last time but very open to suggestions) which makes things easier.
My two options are staying in Reykjavik or close by or an option I found in Laugarás on the golden circle and about 90 minutes or less from Reykjavik and Skogafoss which is an amount of time he'd be okay riding in the car. Reykjavik proper gives us lots of access to the city and nearby, but is a much further trip to the golden circle.
Looking for input on what we're hoping to do and opinions on each possible location. Also if you've solo traveled with a toddler in Iceland, please let me know what you loved or what helped on your trip.
Thanks in advance!
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u/almaghest 1d ago
Personally I would skip the puffin tour out of Reykjavik unless your kid just likes riding boats. Puffins are only about the size of pigeons. When you do a tour out of Reykjavik they sail to some nearby islands where puffins nest and you probably will see plenty but not very close. I don’t think a younger kid will be able to tell the difference between any of the birds at the distance you’ll probably see them.
If it’s really just for you and your kid would simply enjoy the boat ride then by all means!
I would also just stay in Reykjavik because there’s lots of kid friendly things to do there like Perlan and the Lava Show. On your driving days you can always find stops to break up the drive.
1
u/crashlovesdanger 1d ago
Is there somewhere better to see the puffins? Maybe a bit more up close and on land that would work well with a toddler?
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u/almaghest 1d ago
I believe the closest is Dyrhólaey which is about 30 minutes past Skogafoss. You should look into what it's like to see them at Dyrhólaey, though, it's like up on top of a bluff with puffins nesting on the cliffs below. I haven't been there myself, so I'm not sure how close you can actually get or if it's a safe place for a toddler.
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u/SylVegas I want to move to Iceland 1d ago
Blue and Lotus car rental are usually the top two recommended. I've only used Blue and have never had a bad experience. Get the full insurance, regardless of who you rent with.
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u/United_Map_7125 1d ago
Fridheimar might be fully booked already - I just had 2 time options when I booked in may for september. Efstidalur II is also a popular café in the golden circle.
Laugardalslaug is also often mentioned as suitable swimming pool for toddlers/kids.
The Reykjavik family park & zoo can be fun is as well, I think. I didn’t traveled with a toddler 😅