A Family’s Guide to the Wonders of Iceland: PART II
I'm back with Part II of A Family's Guide to the Wonders of Iceland. Let's go!
Downtown Reykjavík
Exploring downtown Reykjavík quickly became one of our family’s favorite parts of Iceland. The city feels incredibly charming and creatively alive — colorful corrugated buildings, cozy cafés, street art tucked into unexpected corners, and storefronts that feel thoughtfully curated rather than commercialized. We loved slowly wandering the main shopping streets, popping into beloved local spots like Icewear Magasin for beautifully-made Icelandic outerwear, The Handknitting Association of Iceland for handcrafted Icelandic wool and woolen treasures, and Sandholt, our favorite bakery in town. Don't froget to make your way to Reykjavík Roasters for a fantastic cup of coffee and comfy shop you'll want to settle into to warm up.
Rainbow Street
Enjoy a crepe or ice cream from Eldur og Is and then head out their front door to the rainbow path for that iconic photo walking on the rainbow toward Hallgrimskirkja church. Most commonly referred to as Skólavörðustígur the rainbow path was created in celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and as a symbol of inclusivity and welcome in Iceland. It was first painted in 2015 during Reykjavík Pride and later made permanent due to its popularity with both locals and visitors.
Today, it’s often described as a joyful, uplifting walkway — a small but powerful expression of Iceland’s progressive culture — and one of the most photographed streets in the country. Lined with cafés, boutiques, and design shops, it feels both vibrant and intimate, and walking it up toward Hallgrímskirkja makes for a memorable, slow climb through the heart of the city.
Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja rises above downtown Reykjavík with its soaring concrete spire and cascading basalt-inspired columns designed to mirror the country’s volcanic cliffs and lava formations. Named after beloved Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, this striking Lutheran church is one of Iceland’s most recognizable landmarks, visible from nearly every corner of the city.
Just outside, the atmosphere feels wonderfully welcoming rather than formal — our kids darted between the playful swing sets while we were in line for insanely good waffles from the food truck parked right out front.
Unplanned Meanders
Some of our favorite moments in Iceland were never part of the itinerary at all. A quiet roadside pull-off, a moss-covered lava field glowing in the afternoon light, horses grazing beneath dramatic skies — the in-between places often felt just as magical as the destinations we had carefully mapped out.
Leave room for wandering here. Pull over when something catches your eye, linger a little longer than planned, and allow yourself to fully settle into the rhythm of this remarkable country. Iceland has a beautiful way of reminding you that the journey itself is often the most memorable part.
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is a sweeping stretch of black volcanic sand framed by towering basalt columns, Atlantic waves, and dramatic sea stacks rising from the water just offshore. Tucked along Iceland’s South Coast near Vík í Mýrdal, it’s one of the country’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.
The kids immediately turned the basalt formations into the most magical natural playground and climbing wall imaginable, carefully scrambling across the geometric stone columns while the wind carried the sound of the ocean around us. It was also where we spotted our very first puffins tucked into the cliffs above — one of those unforgettable travel moments that instantly becomes part of your family story.
Frioheimaris
Frioheimaris is one of those wonderfully memorable stops -- a glowing greenhouse restaurant tucked benearth rows of thriving tomato vines, even in the heart of winter. Their famous tomato soup, served with warm bread and fresh herbs, is simple in the best way and tastes especially comforting after a long day of exploring.
Just outside, you’ll find gentle Icelandic horses waiting to greet visitors — their calm, friendly nature making them especially lovely for children.
Don't forget to check out PART I of this series for more Icelandic adventures with kids!