Category: East of Iceland

East of Iceland

East Iceland is the quietest corner of the country, and that’s exactly its appeal. This is the region most travelers rush through on the Ring Road, but those who slow down here are rewarded with dramatic fjords, empty roads, fishing villages with real character, and a calm you won’t find around the busier sights in the south.

Two Atlantic puffins with black and white plumage, bright orange webbed feet, and colorful beaks stand on a grassy cliffside overlooking the ocean. The grass around them is a mix of green and yellow hues, with small wildflowers scattered throughout. The deep blue water in the background contrasts with the puffins' striking features. One puffin faces slightly toward the camera, while the other gazes off to the side.
Beautiful puffins at their colony at Borgarfjörður Eystri.

The Eastfjords are the heart of it. A string of narrow inlets framed by steep mountains, dotted with small towns like Seyðisfjörður, Borgarfjörður eystri, Fáskrúðsfjörður, and Neskaupstaður. Seyðisfjörður is the best-known — a colorful village with a famous rainbow-painted street, an arts scene, and a ferry connection to mainland Europe. Borgarfjörður eystri is one of the most reliable places in Iceland to see puffins up close in summer.

Vök baths in Iceland seen from the air
Vök baths in Iceland, seen from the air. Just look at that design.

Activities and attractions in the East of Iceland

For things to do in East Iceland, think hiking, boat trips out on the fjords, hot springs, and slow drives along the coast. Egilsstaðir is the regional hub and a sensible base, with the long lake Lagarfljót nearby and Háifoss waterfall (made famous in Stranger Things), Vök Baths, Studlagil Canyon, and the Iceland Wilderness Center within reach. Reindeer roam this part of the country — the only region where you’ll spot them wild.

Háifoss waterfall dropping into its green-walled canyon in Þjórsárdalur, Iceland, with the neighbouring fall Granni on the left
Háifoss falls a clear 122 meters into the Fossá river gorge. Look left, and you’ll spot Granni — the second waterfall that shares the canyon, and the reason Stranger Things fans keep counting falls in the finale shot.

The practical things are worth knowing. Distances are longer here, and some mountain roads close in winter, so check conditions and give yourself more time than you think you need. A rental car is essential. The East is at its best in summer and early autumn, when the roads are open, and the daylight is long, though winter has its own stark beauty for those prepared for it.

Traveler standing beside the turquoise river surrounded by towering basalt columns in Stuðlagil Canyon, one of Iceland’s most stunning natural formations.
The vibrant turquoise waters and majestic basalt columns of Stuðlagil Canyon are a hidden gem in East Iceland’s breathtaking landscape. Photo by Thrainn Kolbeinsson.

In this section, you’ll find our guides to East Iceland and the Eastfjords: where to stay, what to do, when to go, and the detours worth making — the honest, practical advice we’d give a friend planning the same trip.