If you’re doing a road trip of Iceland’s famous Ring Road from Reykjavik, then you might be looking for the best places to visit in east Iceland. You’re in the right place with these 10 epic East Iceland attractions.
All areas of Iceland are beautiful, but east Iceland deserves special mention because of its unique scenic landscape. There are waterfalls, small charming fishing towns, glaciers, and breathtaking views of the fjords along the ocean.
Of all areas of Iceland, east Iceland is one of the most underrated, and missed by most tourists. Venturing out to this corner of Iceland allows you to see some areas that are off the beaten path.
I’m going to share with you the best places to visit in east Iceland.
11 Best Places to Visit in East Iceland
1. Vatnajökull Glacier
Vatnajökull Glacier is one of the most popular attractions in east Iceland; most tourists who make their way to eastern Iceland, do so mainly to visit Vatnajökull.
Iceland is known for its glaciers, but Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe and covers 8% of the total landmass in Iceland. There are ice caves, tunnels and lagoons.
There are a few different ways to experience Vatnajökull
- You can do guided glacier hikes or an ice cave tour
- You can visit Glacier Lagoon simply for the views, or go kayaking in the lagoon to get incredible views of the glaciers
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that most activities in Vatnajökull will require a certified guide, so be sure to book tours in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. The Eastfjords
The Eastfjords refers to a stretch of coastline in east Iceland that is full of – you guessed it – fjords.
The east fjords coastline starts in the village of Berufjörður and goes to Borgarfjörður Eystri in the north. It spans a total of 120 km (75 miles)!
The east fjords are one of the most scenic areas in Iceland. When you drive through, it will be almost impossible to not stop numerous times to take photos. For this reason, I recommend giving yourself some extra time!
3. Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður is known as the cutest of all the small towns in Iceland. Located right on the coastline in east Iceland, it only has 700 people – but a very special charm.
Seyðisfjörður is famous for its art scene. Photos of it often depict the small blue church with a rainbow-painted road in front of it, which was a community project that the village residents worked on together.
In addition, there are some art galleries, a cultural centre, a few good restaurants and a decent brewery.
I recommend spending at least an hour in Seydisfjordur exploring this small, unique off-the-beaten-path place in east Iceland.
4. Stöðvarfjörður stone collection
If you visit East Iceland during the summer, then one of the most unusual things to see is the famous stone collection.
Petra’s Stone Collection is an ordinary house on a fjord with an impressive rock collection. The owner, Petra, has been collecting rocks from remote areas of Iceland since the 1940s, and her collection has now accumulated thousands of rocks.
Petra’s Stone Collection has been mentioned in Atlas Obscura, and there is even a book written about Petra in both Icelandic and English.
There’s also a small cafe attached to the stone collection museum, called Cafe Sunno, which serves hot drinks, sandwiches and soups.
You can find the stone collection is located in the village of Stöðvarfjörður. You can visit anytime between May and October.
5. Vök Baths
Vök Baths are outdoor thermal baths and are known for being the only floating infinity pools in Iceland.
They are smaller than some of the other thermal baths in Iceland, but this allows for a more intimate setting, and with very picturesque surroundings. Just make sure to book your entry ticket in advance.
Vok Baths can be visited year-round. In winter in Iceland, you may get lucky and be able to watch the Northern Lights from the baths.
6. Egilsstaðir
Egilsstaðir is the largest town in east Iceland. Unlike most Icelandic towns which are located on the coastlines, Egilsstaðir is located inland – but right on the Lagarfljót river. It has beautiful surrounding valleys and mountain peaks.
Egilsstaðir is not usually a tourist attraction in itself, but if you’re in east Iceland, it makes a very worthwhile stop – especially because it’s only a 7-minute drive away from Vök Baths.
Egilsstaðir is a gateway for exploring many other places in east Iceland, which are mentioned below. It makes a good place to stay during a trip to east Iceland.
Aside from the Vök Baths, here are other things you can do in or near Egilsstaðir:
- Walk along the main street in town; there are many restaurants, cafes, as well as a brewery.
- Visit the East Iceland Heritage Museum which is right downtown
- See the Fardagafoss waterfall just outside the town which is 66 feet tall
7. Dyrfjöll
Dyrfjöll is a mountain range, located about 70 km from Egilsstaðir. Its name means “Door Mountains” in English, and the tallest part of the summit is over 3,000 feet high.
The best way to experience Dyrfjöll is to hike through it. Most hikes start in the town of Jökulsá við Bakkagerði, and there are different trails for varying levels of difficulty.
If you’re lucky, you might see some wildlife such as puffins, and Arctic terns. Some people visit Dyrfjöll mainly to bird watch.
Pro Tip: Dyrfjöll is typically accessible from spring to early autumn before the snow and freezing weather sets in.
Be sure to check weather conditions beforehand, as the conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable. Bring layers of clothing for hiking in Dyrfjöll.
8. Henigfoss
Henigfoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and is just a 30-minute drive from the village of Egilsstaðir.
Henigfoss is 419 feet tall and surrounded by reddish layers of basalt which give it an otherworldly look.
Getting to Henigfoss can be a challenge, because you need to hike for about 90 minutes, mostly uphill. The route back is much faster since it is mostly downhill.
For people in decent shape, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Even for those in less shape, they may still find the hike (although hard work) worth the beautiful views!
9. Stuðlagil Canyon
The Stuðlagil Canyon is one of the most beautiful and unusual-looking sights in East Iceland and is located about 1 hour from Egilsstaðir.
The water of the canyon has a turquoise hue, and it is surrounded by tall, linear basalt columns.
From the parking lot, it takes about 45 minutes to get to the canyon. Most views are from the top, looking down below into the canyon. During the warm months, you can climb down into the canyon to get a closer look at the canyon.
If you’re going to visit Stuðlagil Canyon, give yourself at least 2 hours to account for the walking to and from the canyon.
10. Hallormsstaðaskógur forest
Hallormsstaðaskógur forest is the largest forest in Iceland.
If you’ve driven around Iceland, you know that forests aren’t all that common – so that makes Hallormsstaðaskógur even more unique!
Hallormsstaðaskógur is just 27 km (16 miles) from the town of Egilsstaðir. It covers 1828 acres (740 hectares).
There are hiking trails, an arboretum, and campsites. There’s also a tree museum that you can visit.
If you’re an outdoorsy person who wants to explore the vast, earthy landscape of east Iceland, then I highly recommend visiting Hallormsstaðaskógur.
Places to Stay in East Iceland
Since most of the exciting things to see and visit in East Iceland are within an hour of Egilsstaðir, that is a good place to base yourself while you’re exploring in East Iceland.
Budget: Hérað – Berjaya Iceland Hotels – Located right downtown in Egilsstaðir, this hotel has a sleek, modern look and offers 24/7 room service and a good breakfast. A good option for solo travellers in Iceland.
Mid Range: Gistihúsið – Lake Hotel Egilsstadir – Set in a restored farmhouse made to look new and modern this guesthouse has a spa and an on-site restaurant that serves all three meals.
Luxury: Hotel 1001 Nott – Enjoy private outdoor hot tubs, an exceptional breakfast and an on-site bar
Is East Iceland worth visiting?
East Iceland is absolutely worth a visit. It may be further away than most tourists are planning to travel, but the extra time and effort are worth it.
East Iceland has some of the most rare Icelandic attractions, such as the largest glacier, the largest forest, and the tallest waterfall. It even has Iceland’s cutest small town, Seydisfjordur.
With so many record-breaking, unique attractions, I would argue that East Iceland is one of the best places to visit in Iceland.
Final Thoughts on Visiting in East Iceland
By now, you know about all the best places to visit in East Iceland. If you weren’t already planning to make your way to this part of the country, then I’m certain that some of these amazing places will entice you to make the journey.
In East Iceland, you have a chance to see more of Iceland’s uniqueness, such as waterfalls, dramatic canyons, forests, fjords and mountain ranges that are thousands of feet tall, and of course many cute small towns along the shoreline.
I hope that I have filled you with ideas to add to your Iceland itinerary!
Happy travelling!
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