When to go
Summer–early autumn
Long daylight and open trails make the fjord roads feel effortless.
Region
Eastfjords Travel Guide: Fjords, Villages & Wilderness
Fjord-by-fjord slow travel—harbors, hikes, and gentle coastal rhythms away from the busiest routes.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Great for
2–4 days
Pair with North Iceland to build a quieter, scenic Ring Road itinerary.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly—always check official alerts and road conditions before you drive or hike.
Sources to check
Travel style
Slow coastal
Small towns, harbors, and mellow hikes—ideal if you love quiet scenery.
Typical drive days
2–5 hours
Fjords add miles—plan fewer stops and leave time for viewpoints.
Don’t miss
Quiet favorites that make the east feel personal and unhurried.
Seyðisfjörður
A colorful fjord town 27 km east of Egilsstadir, reached via a scenic mountain pass on Route 93 that drops dramatically into the valley. The town (population around 670) is known for its rainbow-painted street, Blue Church cultural center, and thriving arts scene. It is also the Smyril Line ferry terminal connecting Iceland to the Faroe Islands and Denmark. Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the town, or a full day if you hike the trails to surrounding waterfalls.
Stuðlagil Canyon
A spectacular basalt column canyon carved by the Jokulsa a Dal river, located about 70 km southwest of Egilsstadir. The canyon gained attention after a dam upstream reduced water flow, revealing towering hexagonal columns up to 25 meters tall. The east-bank trail (1.5 km each way) offers the best views and is an easy 45-minute to 1-hour round-trip walk. Visit in summer when water levels are lowest and the turquoise glacial color is most vivid.
Harbors + wildlife
The Eastfjords coastline stretches over 120 km with tiny fishing villages like Djupivogur, Faskrudsfjordur, and Stodvarfjordur tucked into each fjord. Wild reindeer (Iceland’s only free-roaming herd, about 3,000 strong) graze in the highlands above the fjords and are sometimes visible from the road in autumn and winter. Puffins nest along sea cliffs from mid-April through mid-August, and you can spot seals hauled out on rocks near Stodvarfjordur.
Egilsstaðir
The largest town in East Iceland (population around 2,500), sitting beside Lagarfljot lake, which at 25 km long is one of Iceland’s largest. It has a domestic airport with daily flights to Reykjavik (1 hour 10 minutes), a good supermarket, fuel stations, and several guesthouses. Hallormsstadarskogur forest on the lake’s south shore is Iceland’s largest forest at 740 hectares, with easy walking trails through birch and larch. Egilsstadir works well as a 2 to 3 night base for exploring the entire region.
Planning help
Eastfjords FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.