Egilsstaðir is the largest town in East Iceland and the hub of the east, with nearly 3,000 residents counting its twin town Fellabær. It suits travelers who want hot pools, waterfalls and a chance to get close to reindeer, and the airport sits only 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the town center.
Domestic flights leave from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, about 31 miles (50 km) from Keflavík International, so allow for that transfer when you plan the first day. The Norröna ferry to Seyðisfjörður also keeps sailing into November.
At a glance
- Where: East Iceland, on Route 1
- Size: twin towns with Fellabær, nearly 3,000 inhabitants
- Airport: 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the town center, open 24 hours a day, all year
- Getting there: daily flights from Reykjavík, or Route 1 by rental car from Keflavík
- July and August run mildest, with highs of 52°F (11°C) in August.
- Do there: Vök Baths, Reindeer Park, Hengifoss, puffins at Borgarfjörður Eystri
Where is Egilsstaðir and what is it like?
Egilsstaðir lies in East Iceland, on Route 1, at 65°15′ north. It’s the hub of the east, and the airport has daily flights to and from Reykjavík.
Fellabær, its twin town, sits across the water. The two share a setting around Lagarfljót, a lake that may or may not be home to a monster. It’s one of Iceland’s deepest lakes and stretches about 87 miles (140 km) from the Eyjabakkafjökull glacier to Héraðsflói Bay. The river Eyvindará, one of the town’s natural gems, runs close by.
The town’s history is young. The Nielsen House was the first private house built here, in 1944. Gálgaás, a cliff just east of Egilsstaðir Church, was once an execution place, and the East Iceland Heritage Museum tells the story of how reindeer were brought to the region.
What is there to do in Egilsstaðir?
Vök Baths and the town pool
Vök Baths is a geothermal spot on Lake Urriðavatn, a 5-minute drive from Egilsstaðir. It has two floating pools in the lake, filled by natural hot springs.
You soak with the lake all around you. The town also has an outdoor pool at the Egilsstaðir Sports Center, with two hot tubs, a cold tub, a steam bath and a waterslide.
Reindeer Park and reindeer on the plate
The Reindeer Park in Egilsstaðir is the only place in Iceland to get close to reindeer. The East Iceland Heritage Museum adds the history of how the animals arrived in the region.
The same animal shows up on local menus. Nielsen Restaurant serves reindeer tataki and reindeer terrine, and other fine restaurants in town serve local reindeer too.
A visit to the park and a museum stop fit well into one slow afternoon in town.
Hengifoss and the Lagarfljót road trip
A road trip around the shores of Lagarfljót takes in Hengifoss waterfall, Skriðuklaustur monastery and the Snæfellsstofa visitor center. A hiking trail near the southern end of the lake leads to Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s highest falls.
Hikers who want more can try the Waterfall Circle from Laugarfell, a 5-mile (8 km) loop past five waterfalls. Closer to town, Fardagafoss is a waterfall at the foot of Fjarðaheiði heath that you can walk to.
With a rental car, this is a full day, so start early and carry a rain layer. Precipitation runs above 4 inches (100 mm) in most months.
Puffins at Borgarfjörður Eystri
From April to August, Borgarfjörður Eystri is home to one of the most accessible puffin colonies in Iceland. Thousands of puffins nest on the islet Hafnarhólmi.
Wooden stairs and platforms let you watch them up close. The window is April to August, so the colony is a summer plan.
Town walks, culture and Selskógur
Tjarnargarðurinn is a lush park in the heart of Egilsstaðir, named after the pond it surrounds. Sláturhúsið is the town’s Center for Art and Culture. Selskógur, east of town, has a network of trails through the forest.
Héraðssandur is a long black-sand beach on the coast where the glacial outwash plain meets the North Atlantic. Fellabær Golf Course is a cozy 9-hole course.
Egilsstaðir suits soakers, waterfall hikers and anyone curious about reindeer. Beach-and-resort travelers will find less here, and puffin fans should plan for April to August.
Where to stay in Egilsstaðir
Fellabær and the countryside just outside Egilsstaðir make two good bases. Guesthouse Vínland is in Fellabær, a 2-minute drive from the heart of Egilsstaðir. Eyjólfsstaðir Guesthouse is 5.6 miles (9 km) south of town, a better fit for a quiet stay.
Vínland has 6 bedrooms with private entrance and en-suite bath or shower. It also offers a private summer house for up to six people and camping pods. Eyjólfsstaðir has single, double, triple or quadruple rooms without private facilities.
Groups who want a two or three-course dinner at Eyjólfsstaðir must book it in advance. For Vínland, call Ásdís.
How do you get to Egilsstaðir and get around?
Egilsstaðir Airport sits at Egilsstaðanes, on the bank of Lagarfljót, midway between Egilsstaðir and Fellabær. It’s one of four international airports in Iceland, but flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport are the usual route.
From the airport, you can catch a bus or hire a taxi or private car to reach the town center. The local public bus service, Strætisvagnar Austurlands (SVAUST), stops at the airport and runs scheduled services throughout East Iceland.
By road, Egilsstaðir is on Route 1. From Keflavík, rent a car and follow Route 1 east. The route 56 bus runs from Egilsstaðir to Akureyri, leaving the Tjaldsvæðið stop at 8:30 a.m.
By sea, the Norröna, operated by Smyril Line, sails from Hirtshals in Denmark via the Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland. Services continue into November.
When should you go to Egilsstaðir?
July and August are the mildest months, with highs of 52°F (11°C) in August and lows in the mid-40s°F (7°C). These are also the months when puffins are still nesting at Borgarfjörður Eystri, since the season runs April to August.
October brings over 8 inches (208 mm) of precipitation. From December to March, highs sit near 39°F (4°C) and lows near 30°F (-1°C), so winter visitors should pack for cold and damp.
What to know before visiting Egilsstaðir
According to the U.S. State Department, no visa is needed for up to 90 days for tourism or business in Iceland.
- Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required.
Booking Egilsstaðir for November: what to know
November brings highs of 41°F (5°C), lows of 34°F (1°C) and 7 inches (177 mm) of precipitation. Puffin season is over by then, so plan around the pools, the museum and the reindeer.
The Norröna ferry to Seyðisfjörður still runs in November. Book Eyjólfsstaðir group dinners ahead, and phone Ásdís to reserve at Guesthouse Vínland.
Sources
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/destinations/communities/egilsstadir), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/blog/beyond-keflavik-how-to-get-to-austurland), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- icelandair.com (https://www.icelandair.com/arora/summer-highlights-east-iceland/), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- meteostat.net (https://meteostat.net/en/station/04197), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/guesthouse-vinland/), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/eyjolfsstadir-guesthouse/), checked 2026-10-30