Egilsstaðir

The town of Egilsstaðir in East Iceland is at the heart of Iceland’s greenest region. It’s just a few minutes away from Hallormsstaðaskógur, the country’s biggest forest. From here, it’s easy to access any of the villages dotted around the Eastfjords too.

You’ll find Egilsstaðir located on the Ring Road (Route 1), on the shores of Lake Lagarfljót. It’s the largest town in East Iceland, with a good selection of places to refuel yourself and your car.

Natural gems dot the countryside around Egilsstaðir. Not far are Hengifoss waterfall and the spectacular fjords of Seyðisfjörður and Berufjörður. Further afield you’ll find Vatnajökull National Park to the south and Mývatn Nature Reserve to the north.

Thanks to Egilsstaðir Airport, it’s possible to fly directly to East Iceland from Reykjavík. And by road, it’s straightforward to get to the rest of the country too.

The standout attraction of the town is Vök Baths, which actually float in Lake Urriðavatn. Don’t worry, the water’s warmed up by Iceland’s hot springs. Here you’re treated to amazing views across the lake and surrounding countryside.

Egilsstaðir has a good choice of places to spend the night, including some camping options in the lush fields just outside town. You’ll also find supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, and the Vínbúðin alcohol shop.

In the summertime, you won’t want to miss taking a detour out of town along the 931 road. The route follows the shores of Lake Lagarfljót and will take you through relatively dense forest. At the end of the road, you’ll be met with views of the Hengifoss waterfall.

You can also continue further along road 934 to the Wilderness Center. Here you can visit an abandoned farm and an exhibition about the history of Iceland’s wilderness.