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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stuðlagil Canyon is an masterpiece of Icelandic nature
