Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [268]
Toilets at museums and other public institutions usually have dedicated nappy-changing facilities; elsewhere, you’ll have to improvise. Attitudes to breast feeding in public are generally relaxed. Formula, nappies and other essentials are available everywhere, but it’s hard to find child-care facilities. Best bet is to ask at the tourist office.
All the international car-hire companies offer child seats for an extra cost (these should be booked in advance), but you may want to bring your own to be safe. All cars in Iceland have front and rear seatbelts, including taxis. Buses sometimes have belts, but these are not compatible with child seats.
Sights & Activities
Once you’ve decided on a family holiday in Iceland one of the biggest considerations will be what to see and where to go, as distances can be long between attractions. It may be a good idea to limit yourself to one part of the island to avoid boredom-induced tantrums and frequent bouts of carsickness.
Reykjavík is the most child-friendly place in Iceland simply because it has the greatest variety of attractions and facilities. The family fun park and zoo Click here are popular attractions, and local children can be seen feeding the birds on Tjörnin, the city’s lake, every day. The most suitable museums for older children are the open-air Árbæjarsafn and the dramatic Saga Museum – the latter’s realistic-looking figures may scare younger kids.
Almost every town in Iceland has a geothermal swimming pool, often with a children’s play pool, water slides, and hot pots where adults can relax while the children play.
Another activity ideal for children is whale watching – the best spot in the country to see them is at Húsavík, and there are regular summer trips from Reykjavík’s harbour Click here.
The short, mild-mannered Icelandic horses appear to have been specifically bred with children in mind, and horse farms all over the country offer riding by the hour from Ikr4000 – Click here.
Children will also enjoy some of the more lively geothermal areas, such as Geysir, where the Strokkur geyser erupts at six-minute intervals, and Mývatn, where the abundance of odd features, lava fields and steaming vents can provide several days of entertainment for families. If you’re driving long distances, the waterfalls just off Rte 1 in southwest Iceland are worthwhile detours to keep children amused, and the glaciers Sólheimajökull and Vatnajökull are also right next to the main road. Adults and children alike find the icebergs at Jökulsárlón fascinating.
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CLIMATE CHARTS
Icelandic weather is unpredictable at the best of times, with bright, sunny days reverting to cold, wet and miserable conditions within a matter of hours. Rainfall in Iceland is fairly consistent throughout the year, but, because temperatures plummet in winter, it often falls as snow from September to May. The south and west coasts are usually the wettest parts of the country, with the north and east enjoying generally drier but colder conditions in winter. Areas with geothermal activity are often noticeably warmer than surrounding areas. Temperatures drop considerably as you go up into the mountains, particularly around the ice caps. For more information on weather in Iceland and the best time to travel, Click here.
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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Iceland has quite strict import restrictions. Duty-free allowances for travellers over 20 years of age are 1L of spirits (21% to 79% alcohol) and 1L of wine (less than 21%); or 1L of spirits and 6L of foreign beer; or 1.5L of wine and 6L of beer; or 3L of wine. People over 18 can bring in 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products. You can also import up to 3kg of food (except raw eggs, meat or dairy products), provided it doesn’t cost more than Ikr18,500. This may help self-caterers to reduce costs.
To prevent contamination, recreational fishing and horse-riding clothes require a veterinarian’s certificate stating that they have been disinfected. Otherwise officials will charge you