10 Best Sites to Go to in East Iceland in 2024
8 min read
If you’re doing a road vacation of Iceland’s well-known Ring Highway from Reykjavik, then you might be hunting for the very best places to visit in east Iceland. You’re in the ideal spot with these 10 epic East Iceland attractions.
All parts of Iceland are lovely, but east Iceland deserves special point out mainly because of its special scenic landscape. There are waterfalls, small charming fishing towns, glaciers, and spectacular sights of the fjords alongside the ocean.
Of all spots of Iceland, east Iceland is one particular of the most underrated, and skipped by most holidaymakers. Venturing out to this corner of Iceland allows you to see some places that are off the overwhelmed route.
I’m likely to share with you the very best sites to check out in east Iceland.
11 Best Spots to Go to in East Iceland
1. Vatnajökull Glacier
Vatnajökull Glacier is a person of the most well-liked sights in east Iceland most holidaymakers who make their way to jap Iceland, do so primarily to pay a visit to Vatnajökull.
Iceland is recognised for its glaciers, but Vatnajökull is the biggest glacier in Europe and addresses 8% of the total landmass in Iceland. There are ice caves, tunnels and lagoons.
There are a couple unique techniques to experience Vatnajökull
You can do guided glacier hikes or an ice cave tour
You can check out Glacier Lagoon basically for the sights, or go kayaking in the lagoon to get incredible sights of the glaciers
Professional Suggestion: Keep in brain that most actions in Vatnajökull will require a accredited information, so be positive to ebook tours in progress to steer clear of disappointment.
2. The Eastfjords
The Eastfjords refers to a stretch of shoreline in east Iceland that is full of – you guessed it – fjords.
The east fjords shoreline starts off in the village of Berufjörður and goes to Borgarfjörður Eystri in the north. It spans a whole of 120 km (75 miles)!
The east fjords are one particular of the most scenic parts in Iceland. When you drive as a result of, it will be almost impossible to not prevent several moments to consider pics. For this purpose, I recommend providing yourself some further time!
3. Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður is regarded as the cutest of all the smaller towns in Iceland. Situated proper on the shoreline in east Iceland, it only has 700 folks – but a extremely exclusive charm.
Seyðisfjörður is well known for its artwork scene. Pictures of it generally depict the modest blue church with a rainbow-painted street in front of it, which was a community venture that the village people worked on alongside one another.
In addition, there are some art galleries, a cultural centre, a number of good places to eat and a first rate brewery.
I advocate investing at the very least an hour in Seydisfjordur checking out this small, special off-the-crushed-path place in east Iceland.
4. Stöðvarfjörður stone collection
If you pay a visit to East Iceland throughout the summer, then just one of the most strange matters to see is the famed stone collection.
Petra’s Stone Assortment is an everyday property on a fjord with an impressive rock assortment. The proprietor, Petra, has been accumulating rocks from remote locations of Iceland since the 1940s, and her collection has now gathered countless numbers of rocks.
Petra’s Stone Assortment has been pointed out in Atlas Obscura, and there is even a ebook written about Petra in both of those Icelandic and English.
There’s also a small cafe attached to the stone collection museum, referred to as Cafe Sunno, which serves hot drinks, sandwiches and soups.
You can locate the stone collection is situated in the village of Stöðvarfjörður. You can visit whenever between Might and October.
5. Vök Baths
Vök Baths are out of doors thermal baths and are recognized for becoming the only floating infinity pools in Iceland.
They are smaller than some of the other thermal baths in Iceland, but this enables for a a lot more intimate location, and with really picturesque surroundings. Just make positive to ebook your entry ticket in advance.
Vok Baths can be visited calendar year-round. In winter season in Iceland, you may well get lucky and be in a position to enjoy the Northern Lights from the baths.
6. Egilsstaðir
Egilsstaðir is the major town in east Iceland. Not like most Icelandic cities which are located on the coastlines, Egilsstaðir is located inland – but proper on the Lagarfljót river. It has wonderful bordering valleys and mountain peaks.
Egilsstaðir is not usually a vacationer attraction in itself, but if you are in east Iceland, it can make a incredibly worthwhile stop – specially mainly because it’s only a 7-minute generate away from Vök Baths.
Egilsstaðir is a gateway for checking out lots of other areas in east Iceland, which are stated beneath. It will make a great position to stay through a trip to east Iceland.
Aside from the Vök Baths, listed here are other matters you can do in or around Egilsstaðir:
Wander along the key street in town there are quite a few places to eat, cafes, as nicely as a brewery.
Pay a visit to the East Iceland Heritage Museum which is proper downtown
See the Fardagafoss waterfall just exterior the town which is 66 ft tall
7. Dyrfjöll
Dyrfjöll is a mountain assortment, found about 70 km from Egilsstaðir. Its title means “Door Mountains” in English, and the tallest part of the summit is above 3,000 feet higher.
The best way to working experience Dyrfjöll is to hike by it. Most hikes commence in the city of Jökulsá við Bakkagerði, and there are distinctive trails for various concentrations of issues.
If you’re fortunate, you could possibly see some wildlife these kinds of as puffins, and Arctic terns. Some persons go to Dyrfjöll mostly to bird look at.
Pro Suggestion: Dyrfjöll is commonly available from spring to early autumn in advance of the snow and freezing weather sets in.
Be absolutely sure to examine weather conditions situations beforehand, as the conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable. Carry layers of garments for mountaineering in Dyrfjöll.
8. Henigfoss
Henigfoss is 1 of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and is just a 30-minute generate from the village of Egilsstaðir.
Henigfoss is 419 toes tall and surrounded by reddish layers of basalt which give it an otherworldly glimpse.
Obtaining to Henigfoss can be a obstacle, for the reason that you need to have to hike for about 90 minutes, largely uphill. The route again is substantially more rapidly due to the fact it is primarily downhill.
For persons in first rate condition, it shouldn’t be much too significantly of a issue. Even for people in a lot less form, they may well however obtain the hike (although difficult get the job done) worthy of the lovely views!
9. Stuðlagil Canyon
The Stuðlagil Canyon is just one of the most wonderful and unconventional-wanting sights in East Iceland and is situated about 1 hour from Egilsstaðir.
The h2o of the canyon has a turquoise hue, and it is surrounded by tall, linear basalt columns.
From the parking ton, it takes about 45 minutes to get to the canyon. Most sights are from the prime, on the lookout down down below into the canyon. Through the warm months, you can climb down into the canyon to get a nearer seem at the canyon.
If you’re likely to check out Stuðlagil Canyon, give yourself at minimum 2 hrs to account for the walking to and from the canyon.
10. Hallormsstaðaskógur forest
Hallormsstaðaskógur forest is the premier forest in Iceland.
If you’ve pushed around Iceland, you know that forests aren’t all that popular – so that can make Hallormsstaðaskógur even far more exclusive!
Hallormsstaðaskógur is just 27 km (16 miles) from the city of Egilsstaðir. It covers 1828 acres (740 hectares).
There are climbing trails, an arboretum, and campsites. There’s also a tree museum that you can check out.
If you’re an outdoorsy person who desires to investigate the wide, earthy landscape of east Iceland, then I really suggest viewing Hallormsstaðaskógur.
Areas to Stay in East Iceland
Considering that most of the thrilling issues to see and take a look at in East Iceland are within an hour of Egilsstaðir, that is a great place to foundation oneself while you are exploring in East Iceland.
Funds: Hérað – Berjaya Iceland Resorts – Located ideal downtown in Egilsstaðir, this lodge has a smooth, present day look and presents 24/7 space provider and a great breakfast. A great choice for solo travellers in Iceland.
Mid Range: Gistihúsið – Lake Lodge Egilsstadir – Set in a restored farmhouse designed to look new and modern this guesthouse has a spa and an on-web-site cafe that serves all a few meals.
Luxurious: Resort 1001 Nott – Enjoy private outdoor scorching tubs, an remarkable breakfast and an on-web-site bar
Is East Iceland truly worth viewing?
East Iceland is unquestionably well worth a go to. It may well be more absent than most visitors are setting up to travel, but the added time and effort are really worth it.
East Iceland has some of the most exceptional Icelandic points of interest, such as the major glacier, the biggest forest, and the tallest waterfall. It even has Iceland’s cutest compact town, Seydisfjordur.
With so several file-breaking, special attractions, I would argue that East Iceland is a person of the most effective areas to pay a visit to in Iceland.
Closing Thoughts on Checking out in East Iceland
By now, you know about all the greatest areas to take a look at in East Iceland. If you weren’t previously preparing to make your way to this portion of the nation, then I’m specified that some of these incredible areas will entice you to make the journey.
In East Iceland, you have a chance to see a lot more of Iceland’s uniqueness, these as waterfalls, remarkable canyons, forests, fjords and mountain ranges that are 1000’s of toes tall, and of study course numerous adorable modest towns together the shoreline.
I hope that I have stuffed you with concepts to add to your Iceland itinerary!
Joyful travelling!
Europe Vacation Assets
Find the ideal selling prices on lodges with adaptable cancellation at Scheduling.com
Discover magnificent day excursions on Get Your Guideline
Guide prepare tickets and invest in cheap multi-journey passes from Rail Europe
Journey super cheaply across 28 nations with Flixbus
Conserve on points of interest with a city pass from Go Town (including Amsterdam, Paris and Rome)
Type your Euros and other currencies with a Intelligent multi-forex card
