East Iceland Guide

Why Visit East Iceland

East Iceland is the least visited region along the Ring Road, and that is precisely what makes it special. While tour buses crowd the Golden Circle and coaches line up at Jokulsarlon, the Eastfjords remain genuinely quiet. You can drive for an hour along staggering coastal scenery and barely pass another car. This is Iceland as it was before the tourism boom -- remote, rugged, and unhurried.

The landscape here is defined by deep fjords that slice into the coastline like jagged teeth. Towering mountains rise directly from the water, their slopes streaked with waterfalls in summer and snow in winter. Unlike the flat lava fields and glacial outwash plains of the south, East Iceland is vertical country. Every bend in the road reveals a new fjord, a new mountain, a new composition of sea and stone.

Beyond the scenery, East Iceland offers something increasingly rare in Iceland: authentic local culture without a tourist veneer. Seydisfjordur has emerged as an artistic enclave, with galleries, workshops, and a creative community drawn by the extraordinary setting. The region is also the only place in Iceland where wild reindeer roam, descendants of animals introduced from Norway in the 18th century. And for travellers arriving by sea, Seydisfjordur is the gateway from the Faroe Islands and Denmark via the Smyril Line ferry.

Getting There

Most visitors reach East Iceland by driving the Ring Road. Coming from the south, the route passes through Hofn and follows the coast northward through a succession of fjords and tunnels before reaching Egilsstadir, the regional hub. From the north, the Ring Road descends from the Myvatn area through highland passes into the Egilsstadir valley. Either approach takes roughly three to four hours from the nearest major stops.

For those short on time, domestic flights connect Reykjavik to Egilsstadir in about one hour. Icelandair operates scheduled flights year-round, making it possible to fly in, rent a car, and explore the Eastfjords without driving the full Ring Road. This is an excellent option for travellers who want to experience the region without committing to the entire circuit.

The third option is the Smyril Line ferry, MS Noronna, which sails from Hirtshals in Denmark via Torshavn in the Faroe Islands to Seydisfjordur. The ferry arrives once a week in summer, turning the arrival itself into an experience as the ship glides through the narrow fjord to the tiny harbor. This route is popular with Europeans bringing their own vehicles for an extended Icelandic road trip.

Seydisfjordur

Seydisfjordur is the jewel of East Iceland and one of the most photogenic small towns in the entire country. Tucked at the head of a narrow fjord, it is reached by a dramatic 25-kilometre mountain pass road from Egilsstadir that climbs to 600 metres before descending through a series of switchbacks with waterfalls cascading alongside the road. The drive alone is worth the trip.

The town itself is a collection of brightly painted wooden houses, many dating from the early 20th century, clustered around a small harbor. The most photographed feature is the rainbow-painted road that leads to Bla Kirkjan, the Blue Church, a charming timber church that hosts concerts and events throughout summer. The rainbow street has become one of Iceland's most recognizable images, though the town's appeal runs far deeper than a single photo opportunity.

Seydisfjordur has developed a thriving art scene. The Skalanes nature reserve at the mouth of the fjord combines art residencies with wildlife watching. Galleries and craft workshops dot the town. The LungA art festival in July draws artists and musicians from across Europe. Despite its small population of around 700 people, the town punches well above its weight culturally.

Practically speaking, Seydisfjordur has a handful of restaurants, a small supermarket, and several guesthouses and hotels. The ferry terminal dominates the harbor, and on arrival days the town briefly swells with passengers and vehicles before settling back into its peaceful rhythm. Allow at least half a day here, but a full day or overnight stay lets you absorb the atmosphere properly.

East Fjords Drive

The stretch of Route 1 through the Eastfjords is one of Iceland's most scenic drives, yet it rarely appears on highlight lists because most visitors are rushing between Hofn and Egilsstadir. That is a mistake. The road winds through a chain of fjords, each with its own character, connected by mountain passes and tunnels carved through solid rock.

Heading south from Egilsstadir, the first major fjord is Reydarfjordur, the longest fjord in East Iceland and home to a town of the same name. Continue south to Faskrudsfjordur, once a base for French fishermen and still bearing French street names alongside the Icelandic ones. The small museum here tells the story of the French connection.

Further along, Stodvarfjordur is home to Petra's Stone Collection, an extraordinary private collection of minerals and semi-precious stones gathered over a lifetime by local resident Petra Sveinsdottir. The garden and house are packed with thousands of specimens and it is one of those unexpected stops that people remember long after they leave. At the southern end of the fjord drive, Djupivogur is a quiet fishing village with a pleasant harbor and views across Berunes peninsula.

The driving itself requires attention. Roads are mostly paved but narrow in places, with single-lane tunnels where you must yield to oncoming traffic. Coastal fog can reduce visibility without warning. Take your time, use pullouts, and treat the drive as a destination rather than a commute. The entire Eastfjords stretch from Egilsstadir to Djupivogur takes about three hours without stops, but half a day with pauses is far more rewarding.

Egilsstadir

Egilsstadir is the largest town in East Iceland with a population of roughly 2,500. It serves as the services and transport hub for the entire region. Do not expect a picturesque Icelandic village -- Egilsstadir is functional rather than charming, built around a crossroads with supermarkets, fuel stations, a hospital, and the domestic airport. Its value lies in its location and the day trips it enables.

The town sits on the banks of Lagarfljot, a long narrow lake that stretches 25 kilometres to the southwest. Lagarfljot is home to one of Iceland's most enduring legends: the Lagarfljot Wyrm, a serpent-like creature said to inhabit its murky depths. Whether or not you believe in lake monsters, the scenery around Lagarfljot is genuinely beautiful, particularly where the lake narrows between forested slopes.

Just south of town, Hallormsstadaskogur is Iceland's largest forest, which says more about Iceland's general lack of trees than the forest's actual size. Still, by Icelandic standards it is impressive -- a dense woodland of birch, larch, and spruce stretching along the lakeshore. Walking trails wind through the forest, and in autumn the birch turns golden and orange, creating some of the best fall color anywhere in Iceland.

Egilsstadir is also the starting point for highland drives into the interior, including routes toward Snaefell and the Karahnjukar highlands. These require 4x4 vehicles and are only open in summer, but they offer access to some of the most remote and untouched landscapes in Europe.

Vatnajokull East Side

While most visitors experience Vatnajokull from its southern outlet glaciers at Jokulsarlon and Skaftafell, the eastern side of Europe's largest ice cap offers a wilder and less-visited perspective. The glacier's eastern edge is visible from sections of the Ring Road between Hofn and Egilsstadir, a wall of white rising above the dark landscape.

The Lonsorbaefi wilderness area, between Hofn and the Eastfjords, is one of Iceland's most remote lowland areas. Rivers braided across black sand outwash plains flow from Vatnajokull's eastern tongues. Access is limited and the terrain is challenging, but for experienced hikers this area offers genuine solitude and raw glacial landscapes.

Vestrahorn and the Stokksnes peninsula, technically in the southeast near Hofn, are often visited as part of an East Iceland itinerary. The dramatic peaked mountain reflected in tidal flats has become one of Iceland's most photographed scenes. A small fee is charged for access via the Viking Cafe at Stokksnes. Early morning and late evening provide the best light and reflections.

Where to Stay

Egilsstadir has the widest selection of accommodation in the region, including hotels, guesthouses, and a hostel. It is the most practical base if you are spending multiple days in East Iceland, with easy access to Seydisfjordur, the Eastfjords drive, and Hallormsstadaskogur. The town also has the most dining options, though choices remain limited compared to Reykjavik or Akureyri.

Seydisfjordur offers a smaller but characterful selection of places to stay, from the Hotel Aldan in renovated heritage buildings to cozy guesthouses and a well-run campsite by the river. Staying overnight here lets you experience the town after the day-trippers leave, when the fjord falls quiet and the light turns soft on the mountains.

Several of the smaller fjord towns -- Reydarfjordur, Faskrudsfjordur, Stodvarfjordur -- have guesthouses and small hotels that offer a more local experience. These tend to be simple, clean, and welcoming. Booking ahead is advisable in July and August but outside peak summer you can often find rooms on arrival.

Camping is available at multiple sites throughout East Iceland, including in Egilsstadir, Seydisfjordur, Hallormsstadaskogur, and several fjord towns. Facilities range from basic to comfortable. The campsite at Hallormsstadaskogur, set among the trees beside the lake, is particularly pleasant and one of the best camping spots in Iceland.

When to Visit

Summer, from June through August, is the prime season for East Iceland. All roads are open, the weather is at its mildest, daylight is nearly continuous in June, and services throughout the fjord towns operate at full capacity. July is the warmest month, with average temperatures around 10-12 degrees Celsius -- warm by Icelandic standards but still requiring layers.

September brings autumn colors to Hallormsstadaskogur and the fjord slopes, making it arguably the most beautiful month in East Iceland. The birch forests turn vivid shades of gold, orange, and red against the dark mountains. Tourist numbers drop sharply after August, so you will have the roads and towns largely to yourself. However, daylight hours shorten rapidly and some services begin to close for winter.

Winter in East Iceland is a serious proposition. The mountain pass to Seydisfjordur (Route 93) can close for days during storms. The Ring Road itself is maintained but ice and snow make driving slow and demanding. Short days and limited services mean careful planning is essential. On the other hand, the Eastfjords in winter are hauntingly beautiful, with snow-covered mountains, frozen waterfalls, and a chance to see reindeer at lower elevations.