68 Best Sights in East Iceland and the Eastfjords, Iceland

On the way to Eyjabakkajökull, take the right turn at the Bjálfafell signpost for truly spectacular views over the pristine wilderness west of Snæfell known as Vesturöræfi. Here you can see the broad edge of the Brúarjökull glacier tongue to the west, and Eyjabakkajökull to the east.

One of several places in Iceland claiming to be the country's smallest village, Brekkuþorp (Hill Village) is home to only 14 year-round residents, and the road in and out of the fjord is closed during winter. Among the few amenities, the tiny settlement has a church as well as a summertime guesthouse, campsite, and café in the old school building. There’s also a small dock for boats. A boat service operates twice weekly trips from Brekkuþorp to Neskaupstaður in all seasons.

Lush, leafy heaven can be found at Bæjarstaðarskógur, 22 hectares of vibrant woodland, where the native Icelandic birch trees grow thick and tall between a carpet of wood cranesbill, stone brambles, and meadow buttercups. The challenging 9.8-mile circular hike from Skaftafell Visitor Centre takes you towards Sjónarsker down to Kamgil and across the footbridge over the Morsá river, where a marked trail leads to the forest.

As far east as you can go in Iceland by car, Dalatangi is located at the very end of the road through Mjóifjörður with sensational views over the sea-licked cliffs out towards the North Atlantic. At Dalatangi there are two lighthouses, both some of the oldest in Iceland. The small, older building was constructed of basalt in 1895, while the larger, bright orange house, which is still in use, was built in 1908. The road is rough out here, so a vehicle with 4WD is recommended.

While en route to Borgarfjörður Eystri look out for the magnificent mountain range Dyrfjöll, featuring a remarkable gap in the middle; the name translates to "Door Mountain," with the gap being viewed as a door. Reaching heights of up to 3,727 feet, it’s an ambitious setting even for experienced hikers, but the views from the top are extraordinary.

A series of giant bird eggs known as the Eggs of Merry Bay are lined up along the waterfront in Djúpivogur, waiting to give you a lesson in ornithology. Each of the highly polished stone eggs, created by Icelandic artist Sigurður Guðmundsson, represents and honors one of the 34 bird species native to East Iceland.

A pretty waterfall with a history that includes tales of hidden gold, trolls, and secret tunnels, Fardagafoss is a tempting detour for travelers on Route 93 to Seyðisfjörður. Located approximately 5 km (3 miles) from Egilsstaðir, just off the main road, the hike up to the falls takes around 30 minutes. Though it's relatively easy, it can get steep in places. From the top you can enjoy extensive views over Egilsstaðir, Lagarfljót, and the snow-capped Snæfell peak.

Smaller and considerably colder than Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón offers an alternative perspective of iceberg calving activity, and with the snout of the glacier being much closer to the shore, you don't need a long lens to see the action. Services at the lagoon include boat tours, a modern visitor center, and a restaurant.

One of the perks of staying at Fosshotel Eastfjords is that you get free admission to Frakkar á Íslandsmiðum (aka the French Museum). The installations, which are based on the history of the French fishermen in Fáskrúðsfjörður, are located in the old Doctor’s House and French Hospital, which are now part of the hotel. The main attraction, a captivating replica of the sailors’ quarters, is located in the underground passage connecting the two buildings.

One of the hidden treasures of Vopnafjörður, Gljúfursárfoss is a striking waterfall off Route 917. A path from the stop at the Gljúfursá river leads to an observation deck where you can witness a single torrent plunging 150 feet (46 meters) down a ravine lined with vibrant moss.

Follow the coastal road past Mjóeyri, and continue southeast (around 4½ miles) to reach Helgustaðanáma, an old Iceland spar mine. These types of "spars" in Iceland are actually crystallized calcium carbonate, called "silfurberg" in Iceland. A short trail from an information board leads up to the opening. Iceland spar's unusual light-polarizing properties and the Nicol prisms made from it were crucial components for microscopes and instruments measuring optical activity, and the site was mined from the 16th until the 21st century. It's a popular belief that Iceland spar was used by Vikings as "sunstones" to help them navigate. Small pieces of Iceland spar lie around the entrance, but it is strictly forbidden to take it.

The mountain road (Route 917) between Vopnafjörður and Egilsstaðir crosses over Hellisheiði plateau leading to ear-popping and vertigo-inducing heights before descending down the other side. From here you can see superb panoramic views of Héraðsflói Bay and the black sands of Héraðssandur. Route 917 is usually closed during the winter; you can check its status before setting off on the website  www.road.is.

Stop at the bridge on the way to Dalatangi to view the terrific torrent of water known as the Heljarfoss waterfalls thundering down through the Hofsárgljúfur canyon. The stop is just under two miles past the Brekkuþorp village.

Not to be confused with the sea stack of the same name on the Vatnsnes Peninsula in northwest Iceland, the Hvítserkur of the east is a distinctive mountain. Dark streaks (basaltic dykes) run across its bright surface, making it look like a work of art.

The sight of several restored army trucks parked within the vicinity of some old Nissen barracks might look out of place in the small town of Reyðarfjörður, but they serve as a reminder of Iceland’s history with the allied forces during the Second World War, when 4,000 soldiers descended on the small town, outnumbering locals by more than three to one. The vintage trucks and buildings are now part of Íslenska Stríðsárasafnið (War Museum), an exhibition featuring images and other memorabilia from the wartime period.

East of Skaftafell, rising sharply above the vast plains of black sand is Ingólfshöfði, a solitary headland surrounded by sand and sea. In a region of ice, it steals attention from the inland sights. Taking its name from Iceland’s first settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, who probably spent his first months here, the location is also a beautiful nature preserve with abundant bird life, especially puffins and skuas who make their home there during nesting season. Visit it on a joyous tour with From Coast to Mountains. 

Some say you haven't truly experienced Skaftafell until you've conquered the twin peaks of Kristínartindar. Standing at 3,212 and 3,694 feet, the views from the vertigo-inducing summits, which are connected by a narrow path along a jagged ridge, are the best in the region, taking in the vast expanse of Skaftafellsjökull, Morsárdalur, and Skeiðarársandur. The trail to Kristínartindar is a challenging six to eight-hour round-trip (approximately 11 miles) from the visitor center. Access is closed usually starting from mid-September and over the winter because of snow, ice, and windy weather. Due to meltwater in the spring, the path stays closed until around May or early June, depending on conditions.

Located on the trail to Hengifoss waterfall, the Litlanesfoss waterfall plunges 100 feet (30 meters) over a wall of symmetrical basalt columns. It’s a perfect prelude to the area's star attraction, Hengifoss.

Designed to look like a giant shelf of books, the Þórbergssetur museum is a fitting tribute to the author Þórbergur Þórðarson (1888–1974), whose life and works have been curated into an interesting exhibition. There's a good restaurant here too, specializing in farm-raised arctic char.

A pleasant trail leads through the Fólkvangur Neskaupstaðar nature reserve to reach Páskahellir (Easter Cave in English), where, according to legend, the sun can be seen dancing on Easter morning. Remarkable holes in the cave are impressions left by trees covered with lava in an ancient volcanic episode that occurred around 12 million years ago. The views east towards Barðsneshorn with the red rhyolite glow of Rauðaberg are worth stopping to take in. Be cautious when descending the steps to the cave; they can get slippery with sea spray.

Look out for the landmark known as Prestagil (which translates as “the priests' ravine”) while descending the winding road into Mjóifjörður. According to an old folk tale, a gruesome ogress once lived here; she would lure men of the cloth into the ravine and make a meal of their holy flesh.

Found on many a postcard of Seyðisfjörður (along with many an Instagram feed), the town's pride-inspired Rainbow Road, as it has been lovingly dubbed, is much smaller in reality but nonetheless charming. 

A roadside waterfall off Route 1, Rjúkandi is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. A short trail from the parking lot leads to the delightful falls with views of the Jökuldalur Valley.

You'll find three museums under one roof here at Safnahúsið. Tryggvasafn features an impressive collection of exotic-looking paintings by local artist Tryggvi Ólafsson, who was born in the town in 1940. Sjóminja-og Smiðjumunasafn is an impressive collection of historical maritime artifacts while Náttúrugripasafnið is the museum of natural history with an eclectic exhibition of taxidermy birds, fish, and other life forms.

A distinctive rhyolite mountain on the south side of the fjord, Sandfell beckons experienced hikers. It's a steep round-trip hike to the 1,157-meter (3,796-foot) summit that can be done in around five hours.

A stop on the popular Svartifoss trail, Sel is a lovely old traditional turf-topped house built by Þorsteinn Guðmundsson in 1912 and occupied until 1946 when it was abandoned. The restored property is now maintained by the National Museum.

Follow the rainbow-brick road to this striking pale-blue church, an old landmark attraction built in the town center in 1920. The church is open during the summer months for regular concerts and events. An unusual white sculpture next to the church was made from the girders of a factory that was flattened in an avalanche in 1996.

Sjónarsker is a vantage point on the popular Svartifoss–Sel trail around 1,000 feet above sea level. Take the western route up from Svartifoss. From here you are rewarded with superb panoramic views, and with the help of the compass-style locator disk installed there you can quickly identify the surrounding landmarks.