Discover East Iceland

East Iceland offers hiking trails, fjords, geothermal pools, and a diverse cultural history. If you choose the region for your vacation, you can focus on exploring the landscape, visiting distinctive natural sites, or discovering museums and historic sites. These different interests are also a good starting point for deciding which places to compare more closely when looking for a vacation rental.

Hiking among viewpoints and waterfalls

There are marked hiking trails and routes of varying difficulty throughout the region. At Stuðlagil, parking and toilets are available on site; a safe, well-marked access route leads to several viewing platforms. The trail to Hengifoss climbs uphill from the parking lot along well-marked paths. It is about 5 km long and takes 40 to 60 minutes. At Fardagafoss, there is a moderately difficult one-hour round-trip hike. Behind the waterfall is a cave whose entrance is sheltered by an overhang. At Stórurð, there is a moderately difficult four-hour hiking route. These details offer a practical guide if you are considering different hiking experiences for your vacation.

Stórurð is a landscape of huge tuff blocks, grassy meadows, and small ponds. The surroundings are shaped by majestic mountains, with Dyrfjöll as the dominant feature. Hallormsstaður Forest has a different character: well-marked trails there are open to hikers, walkers, and cyclists. This gives you a choice between a landscape defined by boulders and ponds and trails through a forest.

Fjords and nature

Mjóifjörður is a fjord in East Iceland. Its distinctive features include the remains of a Norwegian whaling station and Klifbrekkufossar, a seven-tiered waterfall. Short trails lead to waterfalls, gorges, and a shipwreck. Those particularly interested in birdlife can visit Hólmanes, a designated nature reserve and protected area. It is home to a diverse range of birdlife year-round, with seabirds especially common.

Experience geothermal energy and culture

Vök Baths is a geothermal attraction on Lake Urriðavatn in East Iceland. Facilities include floating geothermal pools, two hot outdoor pools, a sauna, and a cold-water spray tunnel. This is a different kind of outing from a hike and may factor into your choice of activities for your stay.

The cultural attractions also vary considerably. Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður is a museum in Petra’s former home and its adjoining garden. The collection combines a geological and botanical garden with a museum about Petra’s life’s work and her passion for stones. In Seyðisfjörður, the “Blue Church Summer Concerts” series takes place every summer; Rainbow Street is a colorful community project and a prominent visual landmark.

Skriðuklaustur has been open as a cultural and historical center since 2000 and houses a museum about Gunnar Gunnarsson. The ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery dating from the 16th century are also accessible year-round at Skriðuklaustur. The East Iceland Heritage Museum presents the region’s cultural history, traditions, and community life. Its permanent exhibitions include “Reindeer in East Iceland” and “Sustainable Unit.” Sænautasel, in turn, is a restored historic turf farm that serves as a living museum of Icelandic rural life.

Getting there and places to explore further

Smyril Line’s Norröna ferry runs weekly between Denmark and Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland, calling at the Faroe Islands along the way. For a drive between fjords, the “Fjord to Fjord” route starts in Egilsstaðir, East Iceland’s inland transport hub, and leads to several nearby fjords. Which of these themes matters most to you may shape your choice of places to visit. To compare the smaller destinations in East Iceland, see the relevant pages here: Höfn Í Hornafirði, Egilsstadhir, Neskaupstadur, Reydarfjördur, Breiðdalsvík, Eskifjorður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, Borgarfjörður, Eiðar, Vopnafjörður, Bjarnanes, Vallanes, Djúpivogur, Seyðisfjörður, þÓrshöfn, Hof, Hámundarstaðir, Fljótsdalur, Hoffell, Kleppur, Berunes, Disastaðir, Brekka, Laugarfell and Brunnholl.

For the broader travel overview: Iceland.