Attractions in East Fjords
Where wild reindeer roam and mountains meet the sea 🦌🏔️
Showing 52 attractions · Sorted by importance
Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass (Route 93)
📍 Egilsstaðir
🚗 Road TripA 27km paved mountain pass connecting Egilsstaðir to Seyðisfjörður, taking approximately 30-45 minutes. It is famous for its steep hairpins and dramatic views descending into the fjord. Highlights include the Gufufoss waterfall and the iconic mountain scenery featured in 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'.
Hallormsstaður National Forest
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏔 Scenic ViewIceland's largest forest offering over 40 kilometers of maintained hiking trails, arboretums, and picnic spots perfect for families exploring the East.
Hengifoss
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏛 LandmarkOne of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, known for its striking red clay layers sandwiched between black basaltic rock formations.
Lagarfljót Lake
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏔 Scenic ViewA vast and mysterious glacial lake, famous for the legend of a lake monster and surrounded by beautiful walking paths and recreation areas.
Seyðisfjörður Village
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🏘 Town / VillageA vibrant historic town famous for its colorful wooden architecture, the iconic rainbow-paved street, and a thriving arts community.
Skriðuklaustur
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏰 CastleA magnificent stone mansion and medieval monastery ruins offering a rich cultural experience and insights into Iceland's literary history.
Eastfjords Coastal Road (Route 1 and Route 96)
📍 Djúpivogur
🚗 Road TripA major scenic coastal drive of approximately 150km between Djúpivogur and Egilsstaðir, combining sections of the Ring Road (Route 1) and coastal roads including Routes 92 and 96. The route winds through Fáskrúðsfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, and Reyðarfjörður, featuring steep headlands, sea stacks, and charming fishing villages. Typical duration is 3-4 hours.
Hafnarhólmi
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
⛱ BeachA premier coastal bird-watching site with a harbor and boardwalks providing safe, close-up views of puffins and kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs.
Oddsskarð Ski Resort
📍 Eskifjörður
⛷ Ski Resort513-840m elevation range, 5 runs, 9km total pistes, Dec-May season. Known as the 'East Iceland Alps', this resort features 3 lifts, a ski lodge with cafeteria, and equipment rentals.
Skaftfell Center for Visual Art
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🖼 Art GalleryA premier contemporary art center housed in a historic timber building, featuring international exhibitions and a residency program.
Stórurð (The Giant Boulders) Trail
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🥾 Hiking & Cycling14km round trip, moderate to challenging difficulty, typical duration 5-7 hours. Elevation gain approx. 500m. The trail leads to a massive rock slide with turquoise ponds and giant boulders beneath the Dyrfjöll mountains.
The Wilderness Center (Óbyggðasetrið)
📍 Egilsstaðir
🐄 FarmAn immersive historical farm experience offering a glimpse into old Icelandic rural life with friendly farm animals and horse riding.
Víknaslóðir (Trails of the Inlets)
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🥾 Hiking & Cycling150km network of trails, typically completed as a 3-5 day trek. Moderate to challenging difficulty. Features colorful rhyolite mountains and deserted fjords. Elevation gain varies significantly by segment (approx. 500-800m per day).
Vök Baths
📍 Egilsstaðir
🌊 Water ParkAn upscale geothermal destination featuring Iceland's only floating pools, offering a unique soak in the exceptionally pure geothermal waters of Lake Urriðavatn — the only geothermal water in Iceland certified as drinkable.
Borgarfjörður Eystri Cultural Village
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🏘 Town / VillageA remote and charming village steeped in elf folklore, featuring the Alfaborg (Elf Rock) and high-quality local hiking trails.
Litlanesfoss
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏔 Scenic ViewA stunning waterfall framed by some of the most perfectly formed vertical basalt columns in Iceland, located on the trail to Hengifoss.
Borgarfjarðarvegur (Route 94)
📍 Egilsstaðir
🚗 Road TripA 70km scenic drive (approx. 1 hour) that is now fully paved. It crosses the Vatnsskarð pass and follows the dramatic Njarðvíkurskriður screes along the coast to Borgarfjörður Eystri. Key stops include the Hafnarhólmi puffin colony and the spectacular Dyrfjöll mountain range.
Búlandsnes Bird Sanctuary
📍 Djúpivogur
🌲 NatureA peaceful coastal area with trails weaving through wetlands and rocky shores, renowned for its bird diversity and scenic views.
Egilsstaðir Swimming Pool
📍 Egilsstaðir
🌊 Water ParkA central geothermal aquatic hub featuring outdoor pools and a water slide, making it a favorite for families traveling through the East Fjords.
Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass Cycling Route
📍 Egilsstaðir
🥾 Hiking & Cycling27km point-to-point, challenging difficulty for cyclists, duration 2-4 hours. Elevation gain 600m. A famous paved road route between Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður featuring steep hairpin turns and alpine views.
Hafnarhólmi Bird Sanctuary
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🌲 NatureThis bird-watching sanctuary offers the safest and easiest access for families to view puffins and kittiwakes from wooden platforms.
Hallormsstaður Arboretum
📍 Egilsstaðir
🌿 GardenIceland's largest collection of foreign trees features over 80 species from around the world with family-friendly walking trails through a lush forest.
Meleyri Beach
📍 Breiðdalsvík
⛱ BeachA black sand beach on the Ring Road near Breiðdalsvík, offering a scenic spot for coastal walks against a backdrop of steep fjords and mountains.
Mt. Snæfell Summit Trail
📍 Egilsstaðir
🥾 Hiking & Cycling14-16km round trip, challenging/expert difficulty, typical duration 8-10 hours. Elevation gain 1000m. Iceland's highest peak outside the glacier regions. Requires good weather and navigation skills. Start from Snæfellsskáli hut.
Neskaupstaður Nature Reserve
📍 Neskaupstaður
🌲 NatureA rugged coastal park offering hiking trails through vibrant greenery to seaside caves and dramatic cliffs overlooking the fjord.
Sænautasel
📍 Egilsstaðir
🏘 Town / VillageAn authentic reconstructed turf farm in the highlands that offers families a glimpse into the traditional Icelandic way of life during the 19th century.
Selárdalslaug
📍 Vopnafjörður
♨ Hot SpringHistoric 30-32°C geothermally heated swimming pool and 40°C hot tub. Built in 1949 on the banks of the Selá river, it is famous for its remote, scenic location and natural mineral-rich water.
Seyðisfjörður to Skálanes Route
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🥾 Hiking & Cycling17km one way, easy to moderate difficulty, typical duration 4-5 hours hiking or 1.5 hours cycling. Mostly flat gravel road. Scenic coastal route to a nature reserve. Mountain bike rental: Hlynur (hlynur.is) or Seyðisfjörður Information Center.
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
📍 Egilsstaðir
🔬 ScienceThis interactive visitor center offers engaging exhibits on the wildlife and geology of Vatnajökull National Park, perfect for curious children.
Stafdalur Ski Area
📍 Seyðisfjörður
⛷ Ski Resort190-480m elevation range, 4 runs, 5km total pistes, mid-December to mid-April season. Features 3 lifts (including a T-bar), groomed trails for alpine and cross-country skiing, and a mountain lodge.
Stórurð
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🏔 Scenic ViewA spectacular natural wonder featuring massive boulders, turquoise alpine ponds, and meadows tucked beneath the jagged Dyrfjöll mountains.
The Fish Factory Creative Centre
📍 Stöðvarfjörður
🖼 Art GalleryAn abandoned fish factory transformed into a vibrant multidisciplinary art center with galleries, workshops, and street art murals.
The French Museum
📍 Fáskrúðsfjörður
🔬 ScienceSet in a beautifully restored 19th-century hospital, this site explores the historic presence and heritage of French fishermen in the East Fjords.
The Wilderness Center
📍 Egilsstaðir
🧗 AdventureAn interactive recreation hub offering highland adventures like horseback riding, hiking, and a traditional river cableway at the edge of the wilderness.
Tvisongur Sound Sculpture
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🏛 LandmarkA unique monument consisting of five interconnected concrete domes designed to amplify the resonance of traditional Icelandic music.
Vallanes Organic Farm (Móðir Jörð)
📍 Egilsstaðir
🐄 FarmA pioneering organic farm and rural destination where families can explore barley fields, forest trails, and enjoy farm-to-table dining.
French Museum (Franski spítalinn)
📍 Fáskrúðsfjörður
🏘 Town / VillageA beautifully restored historic hospital that tells the story of French fishermen in Iceland, featuring a museum and cultural exhibits.
Gufufoss
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🏔 Scenic ViewA powerful and photogenic waterfall located right by the main road, offering an easy stop for families traveling the scenic route into Seyðisfjörður.
Skálanes Nature & Heritage Centre
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🌲 NatureA remote nature reserve at the mouth of the fjord where families can explore diverse wildlife, coastal cliffs, and archaeological ruins.
Technical Museum of East Iceland
📍 Seyðisfjörður
🏰 CastleHoused in the historic telegraph station and smithy, this site showcases the arrival of modernity and technical innovation in the region.
Djúpavogskörin
📍 Djúpivogur
♨ Hot Spring40°C natural geothermal hot tubs located in a rustic field overlooking the Atlantic. These standalone metal tubs are fed by a nearby borehole and offer a simple, authentic bathing experience with panoramic fjord views.
East Iceland Heritage Museum
📍 Egilsstaðir
🔬 ScienceA fascinating museum featuring a permanent exhibition on wild reindeer, where kids can learn about these animals through interactive displays and artifacts.
Eskifjörður Swimming Pool
📍 Eskifjörður
🌊 Water ParkA scenic geothermal pool complex offering waterslides and hot tubs with breathtaking views of the surrounding fjord and mountain landscape.
Kjarvalsstofa
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🖼 Art GalleryA fine art exhibition dedicated to Jóhannes S. Kjarval, one of Iceland's most influential and beloved painters, who grew up in the area.
Lagarfljót Scenic Loop
📍 Circular
🚗 Road TripAn 80km loop (Route 931/95) around the Lagarfljót lake, taking 1.5-2 hours. The route is paved and well-maintained. It passes through Hallormsstaðaskógur (Iceland's largest forest), the trailhead for Hengifoss waterfall, the Skriðuklaustur cultural center, and the Wilderness Center.
Laugavallalaug
📍 Highland East
♨ Hot Spring40°C natural hot waterfall and stone-lined pool in the eastern highlands. A unique geothermal feature where a hot stream cascades over a cliff into a pool, creating a natural thermal shower in a lush green valley.
Lindarbakki Turf House
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic, well-preserved traditional Icelandic turf cottage with a bright red facade and a thick grassy roof.
Neskaupstaður Swimming Pool
📍 Neskaupstaður
🌊 Water ParkThis aquatic facility is famous for its large waterslides and spectacular mountain views, providing a high-energy stop for families.
Sænautasel Turf House
📍 Egilsstaðir
🐄 FarmA reconstructed highland turf farm offering an authentic rural experience with heritage sheep and traditional Icelandic pancakes.