Small, colourful Reykjavik looks more like a prosperous fishing town than a capital city. But it’s surprisingly lively, filled with interesting things to see and do for kids and a great base for exploring the rest of rugged and magnificent Iceland. If you haven’t arranged any trips* before you arrive, you’ll be overwhelmed by choice in Reykjavik whether you want a day whale-spotting or a week getting to grips with glaciers and volcanoes.

• Reykjavik’s within easy distance of several Icelandic legends like the Blue Lagoon, Nauthólsvík geothermal beach or Krýsuvíkurbjarg for immense cliffs, volcanic vents and geysers.
• Visit in winter for northern lights over the city, Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village and ice skating on Tjörnin Lake.
• Don’t miss: Whales of Iceland, Reykjavik Old Harbour, The Pearl, Reykjavik Zoo, Mount Esja, Reykjavik Art Museum and Hofsstaðir Viking Park.

*It’s best to book longer tours online in advance, especially during summer.

This huge national park covers over 13% of Iceland, making it the country’s largest and one of the biggest in Europe. Centred around the Vatnajökull Glacier, it’s a landscape of volcanic peaks, craters, caldera, little towns and breathtaking beauty. Camping here in summer is a fantastic adventure with older kids and there are several campsites in the park. Visiting in winter is a lot more challenging, only possible in certain areas and best as part of a guided trip or as a drive – armed with weather info and good, local advice.

• The western edge of Vatnajökull is just over three hours drive from Reykjavik.
• Widely available tours and short breaks with expert local guides are a great way for families to enjoy this huge park safely.
• Don’t miss: Laki Craters, winter and summer trail walking in Skaftafell, camping in Jökulsárgljúfur and the Heinaberg, Hjallenes and Hoffell glaciers.
• The Askja caldera is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Vatnajökull.
• The park has five excellent visitor centres for information on everything from local hotels to guided tours, campsites, weather conditions and travel in the park.

Just half an hour’s drive north of Reykjavik this national park is a Nordic World Heritage site, one of the country’s most historic areas and a landscape where almost anything is possible from diving to fishing, swimming, hiking, horse riding and camping. Very accessible all year round and a fantastic, not too demanding, Icelandic adventure with younger kids.

• An easy day-trip from Reykjavik, there are also two camping areas in the park open from March to September.

This is one of Iceland’s most popular road trips and can be done as a two or three day drive or as an eight hour bus tour. Either option is great fun for kids, but going it alone gives you more freedom to explore.

• 300km loop starting in Reykjavik and travelling east as far as Bláskógabyggð taking in the Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss, River Hvítá, Þingvellir National Park, Solheimar eco-village, Kerid Crater.
• If you’re travelling over a few days, fascinating hotels on-route include Hotel Geysir in Haukadalur and the Ion Adventure Hotel in Selfoss.
• Several major companies, including Reykjavik Excursions, offer the Golden Circle Tour and in most cases kids under 11 travel free.