Most tourists in Iceland do not travel beyond the Golden Circle and the South Coast, and even fewer explore the island beyond the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon towards the East Fjords. If you are looking for a quiet area and want to surround yourself with beauty, welcome to the East Fjords. The region is also more accessible than the Westfjords, as many attractions are less than an hour’s drive from the Ring Road. If you’re traveling Iceland on the Ring Road, set aside a couple of days in the East Fjords so you don’t miss out on the main attractions.
Spend some time in Borgarfjordur Eystri, an isolated community with hiking trails that lead from the valley to the mountains. In early summer, you can also find puffins in the area. Visit the sound sculptures and street art in Seydisfjordur village, or walk along the many waterfalls. Take a kayak trip through the fjords, or even take a ferry to the Faroe Islands or Denmark (a couple of days trip).
Djupivogur village is a great place to spend the night or stay while traveling, where you can stroll around the harbor or the tiny lighthouse. You can also take a boat trip to Papey Island, where you can see seals and puffins. If you stay in Egilsstadir town during the trip, visit the Hengifoss waterfall, Lagarflot lake, and Hallormsstadaskogur forest.
Highlights:
- Borgarfjordur Eystri: Isolated picturesque community with great hiking options above the fjords
- Seydisfjordur: Street art, fjord views, waterfalls, and a ferry to Denmark
- Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss waterfalls: hike to 2 waterfalls framed by dark basalt columns
- Djupivogur: a tiny fishing town with a lighthouse walk, Papey island ferry
- Hofn: Vatnajökull National Park visitor center, great views of Vatnajokull Glacier, top lobster restaurants.
How to get there: 6-hour drive along the south coast from Reykjavik; 2 hours from Lake Myvatn. Or a 1-hour domestic flight from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir.