68 Best Sights in East Iceland and the Eastfjords, Iceland

There’s a continual blossoming of creativity at Skaftfell, a center dedicated to visual and contemporary art. Located on the second floor above Bistro Skaftfell, the center features a gallery exhibiting the works of both local and international artists. It also hosts art courses and workshops, has a communal space for artists, and offers artist residencies.

A popular destination for locals and families, scenic Skjólfjörur beach is a short walk from Route 917. Look out for the Ljósastapi rock pillar, lovingly dubbed the Elephant (Fíllinn) by locals. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; walking.

While exploring Fáskrúðsfjörður, you'll see the island of Skrúður at the mouth of the fjord. The island is known for its large caves—the biggest in East Iceland, in fact, and home to a thriving bird population. Its other resident is Skrúðsbondi, a mythical giant.

As a filming location for several big-budget films and the wildly popular HBO show Game of Thrones, Svínafellsjökull is often referred to as the “Hollywood glacier,” attracting countless fans to its formidable icy terrain. More recently, it has been a cause for concern as scientists discovered the glacier was becoming more unstable and too dangerous to warrant any glacier-walking activities (so glacier tours take participants to nearby glacier tongues such as Falljökull). You can drive the bumpy access road to the car park giving access to a few trails (on regular terrain, not on ice) for some great close-ups. It's signed off the Ring Road just east of Skaftafell.

In the summer, Sænautasel—a restored lakeside turf farm with pleasant green surroundings dating back to 1843—serves excellent coffee, homebaked lummur (oatmeal pancakes), and a welcoming splash of color in the otherwise desolate landscapes of the area. Apart from the evacuation period caused by the eruption of Askja in 1885, it was inhabited until 1943. Sænautasel is said to be the inspiration for the main character’s home in the novel Independent People, written by Nobel Prize–winning Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness.

A short uphill trail (a 15-minute walk) off Hafnargata on the east side of town leads up the mountainside to this musical sculpture called Tvísöngur. Designed by German artist Lukas Kühne, the series of interconnected concrete domes resonates with specific tones from the traditional, five-tone Icelandic harmony. The views are glorious.

The 12th-century Valþjófsstaður door, a rare, beautifully carved Icelandic treasure that's now on display at the National Museum in Reykjavík, originates from Valþjófsstaður at the southern end of Fljótsdalur valley, off Route 933. The door, which depicts a knight on horseback slaying a dragon to free an enslaved lion and an inscription of medieval runes, was installed in a stave church that stood for centuries at Valþjófsstaður before a new church was built there in 1966. The modern church features a perfect replica of the medieval artwork installed as an interior door.

Sitting in the shadow of the iconic Vestrahorn mountain on Stokksnes is a remarkable replica of a Viking village. The landowners, who also run the Viking Cafe, charge an entrance fee to the area, which includes beach access at Stokksnes. The "village," with its collection of grass-topped wooden houses, was built in 2010 as a film set for a movie that was never made. It's in varying states of disrepair thanks to the weather, but still fun to explore.