The East Fjords are in East Iceland, a long way round the Ring Road from Reykjavík, and they suit travelers who like waterfalls, wildlife and hiking routes. Egilsstaðir is the travel hub, and the whole route around the island runs 828 miles (1,332 km).
Local buses run within towns and stop short of the sights, so plan on a car. Every international flight lands at Keflavík, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, and the last leg east takes a domestic flight, a long drive or a ferry.
At a glance
- Region: East Iceland, with Egilsstaðir as the largest town and travel hub
- Flight from the US East Coast: about 5 to 6 hours to Keflavík (KEF)
- Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir by air: about one hour, from Reykjavík Airport (RKV) to Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)
- Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir by road: 8 to 8.5 hours on the southbound Ring Road route
- By sea: the Norröna ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark, to Seyðisfjörður, about 2 to 3 days
- To do: waterfalls, wildlife and hiking routes
Where is the East Fjords and what is it like?
The East Fjords lie in East Iceland. All flights arrive at Keflavík International Airport, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, and from there Egilsstaðir Airport is about one hour away on a domestic flight. Egilsstaðir is the largest town in East Iceland and a hub for travel and services.
The landscape is built from fjords and mountains. Bjólfur rises 3,560 ft (1,085 m) over Seyðisfjörður, and Lagarfljót, the lake at Egilsstaðir, reaches a depth of 367 ft (112 m). Mjóifjörður is home to a community of around 10 to 15 people.
Hengifoss plunges from the plateau into a gorge, with reddish layers between Tertiary lava strata. Those layers are part of why the waterfall is so recognizable.
Where to go in the East Fjords
Egilsstaðir
It has access to Lake Lagarfljót and sits close to Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest forest.
Vök Baths, the floating geothermal pools, are just outside town. Hengifoss is in the same area.
Seyðisfjörður
Seyðisfjörður is known for its colorful wooden houses and the Rainbow Street leading to the Blue Church. The Norröna ferry from Denmark arrives here, and the mountain Bjólfur towers over the town.
The Seyðisfjörður Information Centre is at the ferry harbour, Ferjuleira 1. Staff help with booking trips and give information about weather and places to visit, which is useful on the first morning.
Borgarfjörður Eystri
Borgarfjörður Eystri is the place for wildlife and walking. It has lively puffin colonies, and wild reindeer live in the area.
Neskaupstaður
Neskaupstaður is known as Iceland’s easternmost town, at the end of Norðfjörður. Neskaupstaður Nature Reserve is described as Iceland’s first nature reserve.
The Museum building brings together three museums under one roof, a good option for a wet afternoon.
Stöðvarfjörður
Stöðvarfjörður is the only Eastfjords town that the Ring Road travels directly through. Drivers pass it without a detour.
A stone collection amassed by local woman Petra Sveinsdóttir is now a home and garden setting that visitors can see.
What is there to do in the East Fjords?
Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss
Hengifoss is one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, at 420 ft (128 meters). It is known for red clay and basalt layers in the gorge.
Litlanesfoss, 25 to 30 meters tall, lies halfway up the hillside toward Hengifoss. It makes a natural first stop on the way up.
Vök Baths
Vök Baths sits by lake Urriðavatn, about 1,640 ft (500 meters) from Route 1 and 3 miles (5 km) from Egilsstaðir. It has three pools, one main pool and two Vakir, with water that renews itself continuously and no chlorine or other chemicals.
The Relax experience includes geothermal pools, a steam bath, a cold plunge and the wild lake, plus tea from local herbs at the tea bar. Water temperatures range from 41°F to 106°F (5°C to 41°C), so you can move between hot and cold as you like.
There are 8 electric car charging stations on site, from ON, and they require their app. Vök Baths describes itself as Iceland’s only floating pools.
Puffins, reindeer and hiking around Borgarfjörður Eystri
Borgarfjörður Eystri is where visitors see puffins, and wild reindeer live in the area.
Hiking trails here cross mountain passes and fjords. Local buses stop short of the sights, so a car is the way to get to the trailheads.
For a first day, pair the puffin colonies with a short walk and keep the longer passes for another day.
Boats, horses and warm water around Neskaupstaður
Boat tours with Fjarðaferðir (Elding) explore Norðfjörður and the surrounding coastline. Skorrahestar offers horseback riding near Neskaupstaður.
The Norðfjörður swimming pool has swimming facilities, hot tubs and a sauna. It is an easy stop after a day outdoors.
If you want waterfalls and hot water, the Egilsstaðir area fits best. For puffins and walking, head to Borgarfjörður Eystri. For boats and horses, choose Neskaupstaður. Anyone who dislikes long drives will find it suits them less, since the sights are spread out and a car is needed.
Where to stay in the East Fjords
Egilsstaðir is the hub, and Eiðar Hostel & Apartments, with 26 rooms, is 8 miles (13 km) away. Fljótsdalsgrund Guesthouse has 10 rooms near Hengifoss. On the coast, Hotel Eskifjörður has 17 double rooms in the town centre of Eskifjörður, and Fosshotel Eastfjords has 47 rooms in Fáskrúðsfjörður.
Seyðisfjörður has Post-Hostel, with 4 double rooms and 2 rooms for 4 people, and Hafaldan Harbour Hostel, established in 1975. Sólbrekka guesthouse in Mjóifjörður has 5 rooms. Síreksstaðir Farm Holiday offers a guesthouse with 7 rooms and two summerhouses, and Laugarfell has accommodation for 28 people. Mjóeyri cottages stand on the Mjóeyri peninsula just outside Eskifjörður.
Most of these places are small, so rooms are limited. Contact the host early.
How do you get to the East Fjords and get around?
From the East Coast of the US, flights to Iceland take about 5 to 6 hours and land at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). The fastest way east is a domestic flight from Reykjavík Airport (RKV) to Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS), about one hour.
By road, the Ring Road to Egilsstaðir takes about 7.5 to 8 hours on the northbound route and typically 8 to 8.5 hours on the southbound one, without stops. By bus, Route 57 from Reykjavík to Akureyri takes about 6.75 hours, then Route 56 from Akureyri to Egilsstaðir takes about 3.5 hours. Route 51 from Reykjavík to Höfn takes about 7.75 hours, and Route 94 continues east through Djúpivogur in about 1.75 hours.
The Smyril Line ferry Norröna sails year-round from Hirtshals, Denmark, to Seyðisfjörður. The crossing takes about 2 to 3 days.
When should you go to the East Fjords?
Winter is colder and wetter. January has a high of 39°F (4°C) and 16 rainy days, and February to April stay close to freezing at night. Pack for rain in any month and add layers from January to April.
What to know before visiting the East Fjords
The U.S. State Department says 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 the East Fjords for November: what to know
Rooms in the East Fjords are in small properties, so ask early for November. Síreksstaðir asks guests to contact them for prices and booking information.
Hafaldan Harbour Hostel in Seyðisfjörður advises booking directly through its website for the best prices.
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/travel-blog/how-to-get-to-east-iceland), 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/food-accommodation/accomodation/guesthouses/), checked 2026-10-30
- vokbaths.is (https://www.vokbaths.is/is/faq), checked 2026-10-30
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/blog/category/7/have-your-heard-about-neskaupsstadur-1), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- east.is (https://www.east.is/en/destinations/nature/waterfalls/hengifoss), checked 2026-10-30