What is there to do in Egilsstaðir?

It's the regional hub near Lake Lagarfljót (home of Iceland's 'Loch Ness monster'), Hallormsstaður forest, and the Vök geothermal baths.

Are there waterfalls in East Iceland?

Yes — Hengifoss (one of Iceland's tallest, with red clay strata), Litlanesfoss with its basalt columns, and the falls above Seyðisfjörður.

When is the best time to visit East Iceland?

June to September for open mountain passes, hiking and the ferry season. Winter is beautiful but roads and daylight are limited.

Where should I stay in East Iceland?

Egilsstaðir for a central base, Seyðisfjörður for charm and arts, or one of the eastern fjord villages like Borgarfjörður Eystri for puffins and hiking.

Can you see puffins in East Iceland?

Yes — Borgarfjörður Eystri has one of the most accessible puffin colonies in Iceland, with a viewing platform right by the harbour (May–August).

Is East Iceland good for Northern Lights?

Very — low light pollution and long dark winters make the eastern fjords excellent for aurora, weather permitting.

8°Cpartly cloudy1 m/s wind

Iceland · East Iceland

East Iceland

Glacier lagoons, fjords, reindeer and untouched nature

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From Reykjavík

8–9 h via Ring Road

Main towns

Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður

Best time

Jun–Sep

Nearest airport

Egilsstaðir (EGS)

Must See

Featured Attractions

Iceland's most iconic sights in East Iceland

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East Iceland Map

120 attractions mapped — filter by category and tap a pin.

Where to Stay

Hotels in East Iceland

Handpicked places to stay across the region

hotel

Aldan Hotel & Restaurant

Austurland

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Where to Eat

Restaurants in East Iceland

Featured places to eat and drink

Self-Drive Iceland

Road Trip Routes in East Iceland

Self-drive guides with key stops, distances and tips — explore East Iceland at your own pace.

Know Before You Go

Travel Tips

Local know-how for exploring East Iceland

Reindeer

East Iceland is the only place wild reindeer roam. Watch for them crossing roads at dawn and dusk, especially in winter.

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Ferry

The Norröna ferry from Denmark docks in Seyðisfjörður — the scenic way to bring your own car to Iceland.

Mountain passes

Fjarðarheiði (to Seyðisfjörður) and other passes get snow and fog. Check road.is and drive slowly.

Vök Baths

The floating geothermal pools at Vök on Lake Urriðavatn are the East's signature soak — clean, quiet and modern.

Current Weather

Egilsstadir, East Iceland

8°C

partly cloudy

1 m/s wind

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Related Guides

In-depth guides to plan your East Iceland trip

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about East Iceland

Is East Iceland worth visiting?

Yes, for travellers who want fjords, forests, reindeer and near-empty roads. It's the least-visited quarter of the Ring Road and feels genuinely remote and peaceful.

What is Seyðisfjörður famous for?

Its rainbow-painted street leading to a blue church, a thriving arts scene, waterfalls, and being the arrival port for the Norröna ferry from mainland Europe.