Iceland’s remarkable landscapes are a true wonder, with its mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, beaches and more. However, families with children need attractions more suitable for the little ones, and Iceland has a range of great things for families to see and do. Here, we explore a whale museum, a Viking village film set, a sea monster museum, a puffin colony, and, for the older kids, the Icelandic Punk Museum.
1. Whales of Iceland Museum, Reykjavik
Up until fairly recently, Iceland had a controversial history when it comes to whales. However, having put an end to whaling, the country is doing its best to make up for this. Visitors can now enjoy a close-up visit with the massive, intelligent mammals, including whale-watching tours.
However, to learn more about these magnificent creatures, Whales of Iceland is the best place to teach the kids about whales and their importance in this world. Meanwhile, the museum also aims to educate visitors on Iceland’s conservation efforts.
On entering the Whales of Iceland Museum, it almost feels like walking through an underwater world, with life-size whale replicas displayed overhead. These replicas of some of the largest mammals on the planet have been carefully prepared on a 1:1 scale. Meanwhile, the 23 whales, crafted from foam and steel, are surrounded by a haunting blue light for full effect. Moreover, aquatic sounds are played to give a true sense of the whales’ natural habitat.
2. Viking Village Film Set, Höfn
Meanwhile, the film set has remained in place, allowing visitors to explore the village, by entering its walls. What makes this truly authentic is that the buildings were constructed in the true Viking tradition and are fascinating to enter. Meanwhile, there is even a dungeon to visit in the village, located under an artificial boulder.
3. Icelandic Sea Monster Museum (Skrímslasetrið Bíldudalur)
Due to this, the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum was created to educate visitors about the mythical creatures. Among the monsters displayed here are the fjörulalli (Shore Laddie), the hafmaður (Sea Man), the skeljaskrímsli (Shell Monster) and the faxaskrímsli (Combed Monster/Sea Horse) pictured above.
Meanwhile, the museum uses videos and multimedia to explore the history of Iceland’s sea monsters. These even include oral histories from those people who say they have encountered the monsters.
4. World’s Largest Puffin Colony, Heimaey, Iceland
If visiting here from late April to late summer, the puffins can be seen in their hundreds on the cliffs and in the meadows of their colony. It is believed that 20 percent of the world’s puffins come to these islands to breed and raise their young.
Moreover, Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the colony and children living here follow an annual tradition. They form what are known as “pysja patrols” to seek out and rescue lost youngsters that have wandered from their nests. These patrols apparently save many adolescent puffins each year so other children can visit Iceland and see these quaint birds.
5. Icelandic Punk Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland
Meanwhile, the museum is tiny and is housed in a former public toilet in downtown Reykjavik. Exhibits are displayed around the washbasins and in the former toilet stalls. These include a large selection of photos, posters, instruments, stage equipment and streaming videos of classic Punk shows in Iceland. Moreover, visitors can listen to punk music on the pull-down headphones inside the museum.
Have fun with the family on a unique adventure in Iceland this year, learning about whales and sea monsters, cute puffins, the Viking lifestyle and a tribute to Icelandic punk.
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