By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 17th June 2023 | Updated: 19th December 2024
East Iceland is the place to go if you want the coastal scenic drives, beautiful nature reserves and fjords galore. With its numerous natural harbours and seaside villages, the East Fjords in Iceland are also full to the brim with birdlife and typical Icelandic lighthouses, and if you’re lucky a wild reindeer or two!
📍 East Iceland Itinerary – Day 1: Fjarðarheiði, Gufufoss & Seyðisfjörður
📍 East Iceland Itinerary – Day 2: Egilsstaðir, Reyðarfjörður, Djúpivogur & Hvalnes Peninsula
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
East Iceland Itinerary Map
East Iceland Itinerary Overview
📍 Length / time – 355km / 5 hours drive
📍 Start / end – Egilsstaðir to Vagnsstaðir
📍 Cities / towns on the route – Egilsstaðir, Seydisfjordur, Reyðarfjörður, Djúpivogur & Vagnsstaðir
📍 Waterfalls on the route – Rjúkandi Waterfall, Gufufoss
📍 Top sights on the route – Hvalnes Peninsula & Vatnajökull National Park
📍 Where to stay in East Iceland – Seyðisfjörður Old Hospital HI Hostel
East Iceland Itinerary in Summer
A summer visit to East Iceland is like visiting other locations around Iceland, but be prepared for rapid weather changes, strong wind, rain then sun can all happen in the space of an hour! Also always respect any warning of closure signs as they can be dangerous or restricted due to wildlife.
East Iceland Itinerary in Winter
Visiting East Iceland in the height of winter means you can face tough driving conditions such as snow, blizzards, strong winds and on top of all that road closures. When we visited East Iceland at the beginning of April there was still lots of snow around on the mountain passes so if you are planning on visiting in the peak of the winter then you have to be prepared! Also be aware of potential closures to tourist attractions and waterfalls if there are safety risks from ice or falling icicles, (it does happen and there won’t be anything you can do about it so don’t get your hopes up too much!).
East Iceland Itinerary – Day 1: Fjarðarheiði, Gufufoss & Seyðisfjörður
Coming from north Iceland, leave Route 1 and head up and over the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass along Route 93. Here is where we saw the main amount of snow during our trip so we can only imagine what it is like in the depths of winter to try and cross!
On the way down Route 93 be sure to stop at an unassuming layby with a path to Gufufoss. This waterfall has to be one of our favourites from the trip as it is so unknown yet so beautiful to get to.
Continuing down Route 93 you eventually reach the town of Seyðisfjörður, a colourful artist’s delight of a place with just the mountains and fjord accompanying it. Be sure to get out on foot and wander through this wonderful place to the Seyðisfjarðarkirkja along the rainbow road, as well as stopping by the only pizzeria we saw in Iceland.
Spend the night in Hafaldan Old Hospital Hostel, before retracing your steps over the mountain pass again tomorrow.
East Iceland Itinerary – Day 2: Egilsstaðir, Reyðarfjörður, Djúpivogur & Hvalnes Peninsula
From Route 93, take Route 92 south out of Egilsstaðir to join up with Route 1 again before driving through the East Fjords and out along the coast taking in Reyðarfjörður and Djúpivogur and everything in between.
Stop for fresh fish and chips at Djúpivogur enjoying the sculptures throughout the town before continuing along Route 1 to Hvalnes Peninsula and the Nature Reserve Beach. This vast black pebble beach is surrounded by towering mountains and often has a swan or two, so makes a wonderful stop to wander through pure Icelandic nature.
Continuing an hour down the road you will reach Vatnajökull National Park and your home for the night, Vagnsstaðir HI Hostel.
From here you can continue with our South Iceland Itinerary.
Top Things to do in East Iceland
Whilst in Iceland Matt and I were travelling around the Route 1 Ring Road, with an odd detour here and there, and found that the East of Iceland is truly incredible. There are many major attractions and less well-known things to see in this region, but here are our top places you must visit, see and stay at:
There are 3 main towns in the east of Iceland, Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður and Fjarðabyggð. Route 1 goes directly through Egilsstaðir with Seyðisfjörður and Fjarðabyggð only short drives off the route. We visited Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður amongst numerous other places along the east coast, but there are the ones you just have to see…
1. Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður has to be Iceland’s most artistic and colourful town with its pretty blue church, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, at the end of a rainbow-painted road and beautifully decorated homes, murals and sculptures dotted throughout the town and all along the harbour front. It is a far cry from the snowy roads above!
2. Reyðarfjörður
At the end of the longest and widest of all the east fjords, Reyðarfjörður is one of the largest towns in the region yet still only has a mere 1100 people living there! It is one of the oldest areas, geologically, through the whole of Iceland and has numerous walking routes, so is a haven for hikers and the geology interested.
From Reyðarfjörður the driving just begins to get more scenic, more coastal and more incredible! Every turn in the road leaves you wanting more, with open grassy scenery and a few wild reindeer thrown in for good measure!
3. Djúpivogur
Djúpivogur is the southernmost town in the East Fjords, with boat links to the island of Papey, famous for its puffins. It has a quaint little harbour at the centre of the town, where you can watch the local seabirds frolicking about before heading off around the coast. Further through the town is a sculpture called Eggin í Gledivík, which consists of 34 giant eggs, one for each seabird species of the area, with the largest egg created for the official bird of Djúpivogur the red-throated diver.
4. Gufafoss
One worth stopping at is Gufafoss, ‘Gufa’ meaning steam in Icelandic, which is one of 25 official waterfalls that flow along the River Fjarðará in the area. There are countless more cascading over the cliff faces higher up but if you counted them all you’d be there for years!
5. Hvalnes Nature Reserve
Just before the ring road starts heading north, is Hvalnes Peninsula, or ‘Whale Peninsula’, with its large beach, three horn mountains and of course a lighthouse. In the middle of the peninsula sits Hvalnes nature reserve, a vast (and extremely windy!), black pebble beach. It is often teeming with whooper swans, which can be seen all over the country in April. Not only can you enjoy the crashing waves on the beach with next to no one but you also get a great view over the spiky horn mountains Vestrahorn, Brunnhorn and Eystrahorn.
6. Vatnajökull
Continuing further down Route 1 you reach the famous Vatnajökull National Park. Even driving along you get a real sense of how much life is within the park, with fields full to the brim with barnacle and greylag geese and with oystercatchers and common redshanks darting across the sky left right and centre!
Food Recommendations In East Iceland
East Iceland may be full of fjords and beautiful landscapes but it also has some great places to stop by for a bite to eat. Be sure to check out these places and try what they have to offer:
📍 Skaftfell Bistro in Seyðisfjörður for a local brew and some of the best pizzas in Iceland.
📍 Sesam Braudhus in Reyðarfjörður for bagels good enough for breakfast, brunch or lunch!
📍 Vid Voginn in Djúpivogur for fish and chips overlooking the harbour.
Where To Stay In East Iceland
With 4 HI Hostels located in East Iceland, you can have your pick of places to stay, however, we opted for Seyðisfjörður Hafaldan HI Hostel, a hostel set within an old hospital building, complete with the old windows from the blue church in the village. There is parking on site, a massive kitchen and dining area and the best bit – it has a sauna!
Seyðisfjörður Old Hospital HI Hostel – The historic hostel at the artistic town of the fjörds
📍 Open 1st April – 15th October
📍 60 beds
📍 Situated on Route 93
📍 Free Wifi
📍 Parking on site
📍 Washing machine access
📍 Sauna
Fancy extending your trip to East Iceland and visiting some of the other regions to see what they have to offer? Check out our posts on North Iceland, South Iceland, and West Iceland.
East Iceland Itinerary FAQs
Is it worth going to East Iceland?
If you thought the fjords in North Iceland were delightful then you are in for a treat in East Iceland! The East Fjords in East Iceland are quite possibly the most beautiful place in all of Iceland. With numerous walking routes and some of the oldest landscapes in the whole of Iceland, this is the land that the seabirds call home.
Where are the East Fjords?
The East Fjords are located on the eastern coast of Iceland. They span a vast area from the southeast corner of Iceland, near the town of Höfn, to the north of the island, close to the town of Egilsstaðir. The region is known for its rugged and picturesque landscapes, with numerous fjords, mountains, and coastal cliffs.
How To Get To East Iceland
The best way to get around and in fact to get to East Iceland is by renting a car and driving. There is no international airport in the region of East Iceland, so you are either coming from a stopover in Keflavík Airport or Akureyri Airport or, like most people, driving.
✈️ Flight – you can fly into Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport, with numerous flights daily from Reykjavík.
🚌 Bus – Strætó public buses operate across Iceland, however they will take around a day to reach East Iceland from the capital.
🚗 Car – Via car you take the Ring Road Route 1 east from Reykjavík, this is a long drive to do in one day so we would recommend splitting it up and maybe driving the Ring Road clockwise so arriving into East Iceland from the north.
🚢 Ferry – you can also arrive into East Iceland via ferry at Seyðisfjörður from the nearby Faroe Islands. This is very seasonal however so you will need to book and plan the trip well in advance to make sure you can get on the ferry. You can get more information on the ferry crossing here (website in Icelandic).
How To Get Around East Iceland
With a car – getting around East Iceland with a car is simple as you basically just follow along the Ring Route Route 1 all along the coast other than a brief drive along Route 93 or Route 94 to visit Seyðisfjörður or Bakkagerði. We were of course driving, (you can check out our whole route in our 7 days exploring Iceland’s Ring Road), and boy did it make the trip through the area even more breathtaking. We stopped so many times just to take in the view and watch a reindeer or two.
Without a car – if visiting East Iceland without a car you can by taking organised tours such as this one, or by taking the local Strætó public transport buses that operate. You can get more information on them here.
Renting a car in East Iceland
Assuming, as per the above, you are driving to East Iceland then be sure to check out Rentalcars.com for the best vehicle rental deals for your trip.
When is the best time to visit East Iceland?
Figuring out the best time for a trip to East Iceland depends on your specific desires. If you’re looking to embark on thrilling hikes and witness the magical Midnight Sun, visit between June and August. On the other hand, if your goal is to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, then the best time to visit East Iceland is during the winter months, from October through to March.
For those interested in an adventurous road trip, (like we were!), it’s advisable to plan your visit during a shoulder season, which falls between the peak of summer and the onset of winter, therefore avoiding most of the tourists and the snow.
What is the most beautiful fjord in East Iceland?
Seyðisfjörður is often talked about as being the most beautiful fjord in East Iceland, and it is easy to see why with its waterfalls, colourful buildings and arty cultural scene. However there are so many fjords in East Iceland, and each one is as beautiful as the last.
What is the best town to stay at in East Iceland?
The main towns in the East Fjords include Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður, Neskaupstaður, and Djúpivogur, each offering its own unique charm and attractions. We would recommend staying in Seyðisfjörður or Djúpivogur in you are visiting East Iceland as they both have plenty of accommodation options and are just breathtakingly beautiful.
East Iceland Tours
Conclusion: The Best East Iceland Itinerary & Top Things to do
So there is our guide to the best East Iceland itinerary and top things to do in East Iceland. Hopefully, that gives you a taste of what East Iceland has to offer, so go book your own trip and make memories to last a lifetime!
All Our Iceland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 Why Is Iceland So Expensive: How To Have An Affordable Iceland Trip
📍 The Perfect 1 Week Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.