Seyðisfjörður greets you with colorful wooden houses and a Rainbow Street that leads straight to the Blue Church. Next come Hengifoss, a waterfall banded in red clay and basalt, and the floating geothermal pools of Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir. Borgarfjörður Eystri adds puffins and mountain trails if you have more days.
At a glance
- Top sights to see first: Seyðisfjörður, Hengifoss Waterfall, Vök Baths
- Main access: Icelandair flies to Egilsstaðir airport, with flight times under 1 hour
- Suggested length of visit: 7 to 10 days to drive the full Ring Road in East Iceland
- Season with the fewest rainy days from January to June: June, with nine
What are the best things to do in the East Fjords?
Seyðisfjörður
The village is known for its colorful wooden houses and the Rainbow Street that leads to the Blue Church. It is also where the weekly Norræna sailings arrive from Denmark, with a stop in the Faroe Islands.
The Seyðisfjörður Information Centre sits at the ferry harbour, at Ferjuleira 1. Staff there help with booking trips and give information about weather and places to visit, so it makes a sensible first stop before you plan the rest of the day.
Hengifoss Waterfall
Hengifoss is one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, at 420 feet (128 meters), and it is known for the red clay and basalt layers in the rock. Halfway up the hillside toward it lies Litlanesfoss, about 25 to 30 meters (82 to 98 feet) tall.
From Egilsstaðir, two routes run on either side of Lake Lagarfljót, each around 22 miles (35 km). Pause at Litlanesfoss on the way up, and plan lunch at Skriðuklaustur afterward.
Vök Baths
Vök Baths are floating geothermal pools beside lake Urriðavatn, just northwest of Egilsstaðir. They are listed among the top destinations of East Iceland. The baths have three pools: one main pool and two Vakir.
The Relax experience includes the geothermal pools, steam bath, cold plunge and wild lake, plus tea from local herbs at the tea bar. It makes an easy stop after a day of driving.
Borgarfjörður Eystri
This is the place for lively puffin colonies, and wild reindeer live in the area too. Hiking trails cross mountain passes and fjords here.
Ask at an information centre, such as the one in Seyðisfjörður, before you plan your trip. Sturdy shoes suit trails over passes.
Stöðvarfjörður
Stöðvarfjörður is the only Eastfjords town the Ring Road travels directly through. Petra Sveinsdóttir amassed a stone collection over her lifetime, and her home and garden now display it.
The town sits on the main road, so it fits into a Ring Road drive without a detour. Skip it if you have no interest in minerals and stones.
Djúpivogur
Djúpivogur is a small fishing village. It has the Eggs of Merry Bay outdoor art installation and is surrounded by black sand beaches.
The village is a natural stop for stretching your legs along the coast. The art installation is outdoors, so a dry spell is the best time to go.
Neskaupstaður
Neskaupstaður Nature Reserve is described as Iceland’s first nature reserve. In town, the Museum building brings together three museums under one roof.
The museum gives you an indoor option when the weather turns. The Norðfjörður swimming pool, with hot tubs and a sauna, is another.
When is the best time to visit the East Fjords for sightseeing?
June is the gentlest month in the Seyðisfjörður figures: highs reach 48°F (9°C) and rain falls on nine days. January runs colder, at 39°F (4°C) for a high, with 16 rainy days. Summer is also when restaurants such as Randulff’s Sea House and Berunes are open. Driving the full Ring Road in East Iceland usually takes 7 to 10 days.
Beaches and outdoor things to do in the East Fjords
Djúpivogur is surrounded by black sand beaches, and they suit a quiet walk along the shore. The Atlavík camp site sits on the shores of Lake Lagarfljót, in an inlet, for a lakeside stay.
For walking, the Eastfjords offer waterfalls, wildlife and hiking routes. Borgarfjörður Eystri has trails crossing mountain passes and fjords. Tvísöngur Sound Sculpture is reached by walking up a gravel path for 15 to 20 minutes.
Boat tours with Fjarðaferðir (Elding) explore Norðfjörður and the surrounding coastline. Skorrahestar offers horseback riding near Neskaupstaður.
Day trips from the East Fjords
Hengifoss is a drive of around 22 miles (35 km) from Egilsstaðir. Vök Baths, Hengifoss and Stuðlagil Canyon are all within a 1-hour drive from Camp Egilsstaðir.
- Hengifoss: around 22 miles (35 km) from Egilsstaðir · by car, two routes around Lake Lagarfljót · for waterfall walkers
- Vök Baths: 3 miles (5 km) from Egilsstaðir · by car · for a soak after driving
- Stuðlagil Canyon: within a 1-hour drive of Camp Egilsstaðir · by car · for basalt rock formations
- Full Ring Road in East Iceland: 7 to 10 days · by car · for a long trip
For a short day, pair Hengifoss with Vök Baths. With more time, add Stuðlagil Canyon.
What to eat in the East Fjords
Randulff’s Sea House in Eskifjörður serves dinner from a traditional local menu. Skaftfell Bistro in Seyðisfjörður is a restaurant and bar serving seasonal bistro cuisine.
Berunes Restaurant is open all summer, and so is the Já sæll grill & bar restaurant.
Things to do in the East Fjords with kids
Children can watch puffins in Borgarfjörður Eystri and look for wild reindeer in the area. The Norðfjörður swimming pool has hot tubs.
Vök Baths gives families warm water by a lake, with three pools and a tea bar. Staff at the Seyðisfjörður Information Centre can help with booking trips, which is useful for boat tours and riding.
Sources
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/travel-blog/driving-the-ring-road-through-east-iceland), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/blog/culture-summer-in-austurland), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/destinations/nature/waterfalls/hengifoss), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/blog/category/7/have-your-heard-about-neskaupsstadur-1), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/randulffs-sjohus/), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/the-fjord-way-food-and-drinkss), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/seydisfjordur-information-office/), checked 2026-10-30