This realistic East Iceland Guide helps you plan your next trip to black sand beaches and glaciers in this region.

East Iceland is a land of powerful waterfalls, massive glaciers, black sand beaches, and human made structures.

This post includes affiliate links that will earn us commission if you make a purchase via these links.

Sights & Places of Interest

East Iceland is a large region in the east of the island. It is one of the least populous areas in the entire country. Like other regions, East Iceland is rich in natural sights and scenic landscapes.

This East Iceland Guide covers 17 stops you would not want to miss in this region. The Guide follows an eastbound path from South Iceland towards Northern Iceland.

You will start at Haoldukvisl Glacier and end at the Suspension Bridge over Jokulsa a Fjollum river. A drive through East Iceland will take you at least 6.5 hours without stopping. You will cover 285 miles (460 km).

1. Haoldukvisl Glacier

You would not have to wait long to see the first sights in East Iceland if you travel from Reykjavik. East Iceland will reveal its beauty just minutes after passing the line with South Iceland.

The Haoldukvisl viewpoint is just off the Ring Road. It takes less than 15 minutes to reach this viewpoint from Lomagnupur. The viewpoint itself looks more like a tourist trap. There is a whole field with human made stone formations.

Still, there is a reason to stop at Haoldukvisl. It provides great views of the homonymous glacier. There will no doubt. You have now entered the glacier country.

You can also drive a bit further to the actual glacier viewpoint. A drive on a somewhat beaten-up gravel road will add another 15 to 20 minutes to your journey. A round trip covers 4.8 miles (7.8 km).

At the same time there is some logic behind skipping this extra drive.

• Driving on gravel might not be your cup of tea.
• You might fear issues with your car rental company and insurance if there is any damage.
• You could want to leave more time to explore more famous sights in East Iceland.

If any of these reasons apply to you, do not give a second thought to this drive. There will be a few glaciers on your East Iceland journey that you could see far easier.

2. Skaftafell Glacier

The Ring Road will bring you to Skaftafell next. It is a wilderness are of Vatnajokull National Park. Skaftafell is one of the most picturesque sights in East Iceland and beyond.

You would need to hike for a couple of hours to make the most from a trip to Skaftafell. Skaftafellsjokull Glacier is one of the easier hikes in the park.

• It takes about 45 minutes to hike 2.1 miles (3.4 km) the glacier lake.
• There is minimal elevation gain on this out-and-back hike.

If you would like to see the glacier from above, you should extend your hike.

• In this case, you will hike 3.9 miles (6.2 km) round trip.
• You would gain 826 ft (252 m) in elevation.
• You will see truly remarkable landscapes on this hike.

If time and elevation gain are not issues for you, you could hike to the top of Kristinartindar mountain peak.

• This is the most challenging route in the park.
• Budget about 5 hours for this trail.
• You would hike 10 miles (16.5 km).
• The total elevation gain is 3,583 ft (1,092 m).

You will feel atop of the world. As a bonus, you could see Morsarfoss Waterfall. It is by far the highest waterfall in Iceland. This waterfall drops over 745 ft (227 m).

3. Svartifoss Waterfall

Skaftafell has one other hike. And most visitors to the park end up only taking this trail. They come to admire Svartifoss Waterfall.

It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Svartifoss drops in front of the volcanic columns. A combination of the volcanic formations and a powerful waterfall makes this view so captivating.

A hike to the waterfall will take you about an hour. It involves 500 ft (153 m) in elevation gain. You will cover 2.7 miles (4.3 km) round trip.

Plan your trip in a way that allows you to spend a few hours in Skaftafell. If time and fitness level permit, hike to both Svartifoss Waterfall and Skaftafell Glacier. This way, you will see two of the major sights in East Iceland.

The easier-to-reach viewpoints do not give this park enough credit. You will make lots of memories hiking in Skaftafell.

In fact, the impressions you make in this park could influence the rest of your journey through Iceland. It will be easy to feel that other sights in the country pale in comparison to Skaftafell.

But it is still best to keep an open mind and a keen eye. This way, you will not miss any of the sights off the beaten path.

4. Svinafell Glacier

Once you finish the hikes to Svartifoss Waterfall and Skaftafell Glacier you will be tired. Yet, you are in luck. The next few sights on this East Iceland Guide do not require lengthy hikes.

Svinafell Glacier is just minutes from Skaftafell. You might have just enough time to catch your breath.

• You will be driving for a total of 3.5 miles (5.5 km).
• The route will bring you on the eastbound Ring Road.
• You will have to cover the last 0.9 miles (1.5 km) on a gravel side road.

You will get fairly close to another glacier. There is a small glacier lagoon. You will see the powerful Svinafell glacier just across this lake.

5. Fjallsarlon Glacier Lake

As you continue east on the Ring Road, you will be driving around one of Europe’s largest glaciers. It will take you about 40 minutes to reach the next attraction in East Iceland.

The last 0.6 miles (1 km) to the viewpoint are on an unpaved road. But this time a drive on the gravel road is worth it.

You will not just get a closer view at the glacier. You will see a glacier lake first and foremost. Welcome to Fjallsarlon viewpoint. As the name of the lake suggests, it is a lagoon of Fjallsjokull glacier.

There will be icebergs on the lake. You could also take a boat tour. There is a company that brings you next to the glaciers in a small boat. Their prices start at ISK 9,300 ($68) per person for a 75-minute tour.

The tour at Fjallsarlon is quite a bit cheaper than a similar tour at nearby Jokulsarlon. Fjallsarlon is in the shadow of the bigger and more popular lake. If you are after the icebergs, do not miss a chance to see them at a discount.

There are still things to do at this viewpoint if you decide against a boat tour. Enjoy the views of the glacier and icebergs. Feel the cold that is coming from this mass of ice.

Weather in East Iceland could be quite unpredictable. You might get lucky and see the glacier when the sun is shining bright. Or you could encounter the glacier covered in thick fog and low clouds.

In the latter case, get ready for a surreal sight. It would like the glacier continues into the clouds. You might feel as if the glacier is never ending.

6. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lake

Your next stop in East Iceland should be at the most famous glacier lake in the country. This lake is so famous that its name means a Glacier Lagoon.

Jokulsarlon is several times bigger than Fjallsarlon. This glacier lake is an endless source of icebergs. You can enjoy fantastic views of the blue ice formations.

Jokulsarlon is also right off the Ring Road. You only need to drive a few hundred feet (meters) to a paved parking lot.

Similar to Fjallsarlon, you could take a boat tour to explore the glacier lake and icebergs closer. But the popularity of this glacier lake means you will have to pay a higher price for the same experience.

A tour in a comparable boat at Jokulsarlon costs ISK 13,900 ($101) per adult. Still, there is a solution if you would like to save. You can board a bigger boat at Jokulsarlon. It costs ISK 6,300 ($46) per adult.

This tour is by no means a budget friendly activity. But it could be one of the easiest ways to see icebergs and ice caves from a close distance.

7. Eskey Glacier Viewpoint

There will be few sights for a while as you drive east on the Ring Road from Jokulsarlon. The scenery of East Iceland will continue to be fascinating. But there will be no pullouts and viewpoints.

That is why you should not skip the Eskey viewpoint. It is about 35 minutes east of Jokulsarlon. There is a short uphill walk from the pullout to the viewpoint. You will get a good look at three glacier arms.

You will start getting further and further away from the glacier country after the Eskey viewpoint. But have no regrets. You are about to enter an even more fascinating area of East Iceland.

8. Hofn Fishing Town

But before you embark on exploring new sights, you should not forget about food. This is a great time to grab a bite to eat.

Hofn will be the largest town in East Iceland you have passed so far. There are a few restaurants there.

• Most of them serve seafood, fast food, or traditional Icelandic dishes.
• The majority of restaurants is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Only a handful of the restaurants work during dinner hours.

This town is also a good stop if you are looking to spread your exploration over a couple of days. You can find a few places to stay in Höfn.

9. Fauskasandur Black Sand Beach

Well rested and fed, you can continue your drive through the East Iceland. The route is following the coastline. You will pass rivers and waterfalls, lighthouses and bridges.

You will arrive in Fauskasandur about an hour after leaving Hofn. This fairly long stretch without viewpoints is worth a chance to see this beach.

The beach is quite remote. It is over 315 miles (508 km) from the capital city. You would need almost 7 hours to get there from Reykjavik.

But Fauskasandur is one of the most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland. In a way, Fauskasandur is most similar to Punaluʻu Beach on the Big Island. The volcanic black sand at both beaches is very fine.

It sets Fauskasandur apart from Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in South Iceland. The more famous black sand beach near Vik looks more like a pebble than a sand beach.

You would need to drive on a dirt road for a few minutes to get to Fauskasandur Black Sand Beach. There are no amenities at this beach beyond a picnic table with two benches.

But you will not need much to enjoy the beauty of this volcanic beach. The waves of the North Atlantic Ocean will crash against the cliffs and rocks. You can easily spend over half an hour at this beach.

10. Barkinafoss Waterfall

The road will be calling you again at some point. This is true if you plan to arrive in Egilsstadir before dusk.

You can reach the largest town of the region from Fauskasandur Black Sand Beach in under 2 hours without stopping. But why would you want to skip some of the most picturesque sights in East Iceland?

No guide to Iceland is complete without describing a handful of waterfalls. This East Iceland Guide is no exception.

You would have already seen glaciers and black sand beaches in East Iceland. But Svartifoss and smaller waterfalls in Skaftafell are the only ones you would have seen so far in the region.

You are in luck. Barkinafoss Waterfall is a scenic stop right off the Ring Road. You can get there in under 20 minutes from Fauskasandur Black Sand Beach.

Barkinafoss Waterfall is not the highest or prettiest waterfall in the country. But it has one major advantage over many more famous falls.

You can see it right from the highway. You can also hike a short uphill path to get even closer to the waterfall.

Barkinafoss Waterfall will also mean that you entered East Iceland Fjords. There is no doubt that Westfjords region has the most famous and plentiful fjords in the country. But East Iceland offers you a scenic alternative.

11. Nykurhylsfoss Waterfall

You can enjoy the views of the fjords for about 30 minutes as you drive to the next viewpoint. It is another waterfall.

Nykurhylsfoss has a slightly difficult name to remember. But this waterfall is quite powerful. It is well worth a stop.

Know that you would need to take a 0.3-mi (0.45-km) gravel side road to see this waterfall. This road is in somewhat poor condition. It might be challenging for the smaller vehicles to reach the waterfall during fall and spring.

Nykurhylsfoss Waterfall is right next to a important road intersection. You can choose from two options.

You can continue driving on the Ring Road or switch to Highways 939 and 95. Both routes have some advantages and disadvantages.

• The Ring Road is a paved highway.
• It will bring you along the fjords and through Fáskrúðsfjarðargöng tunnel.
• Since the road follows the fjords, it is a longer route to Egilsstadir.
• In fact, it is nearly twice as long, 85 miles vs. 43 miles (136 km vs, 69 km).
• Driving on the Ring Road will also take you 40+ minutes longer.
• But Highways 939 and 95 through the Öxi Pass are only partially paved.

As a result, you need to choose between a longer paved route and a shorter gravel drive. If time is an issue, the Öxi Pass route is a good option.

12. Folaldafoss Waterfall

The Oxi Pass is a narrow mountain gap. It often has thick fog and precipitation. But it brings you to Egilsstadir sooner. Still, time is not the only reward for choosing this route.

You can also enjoy Foldaldafoss Waterfall. This waterfall flows from a plateau. It looks a bit similar to famous Svartifoss. But you do not have to hike to see this waterfall. It is visible right from the parking lot.

13. Egilsstadir Town

The rest of the way to Egilsstadir brings you via meadows and forests. There are few viewpoints on this route. You can just admire the flat top mountains from your car.

About 2,500 people reside in Egilsstadir. It is enough to make it the largest town in East Iceland.

It is not a surprise that Egilsstadir is the main hub for exploring the most remote parts of the country.

• It is one of the few towns with a few places to stay in entire Eastern and Northeastern Iceland.
• This town has a couple of grocery stores and restaurants.
• It is a good stop to buy snacks, get food, and spend the night.

Egilsstadir is 30 minutes west of Seydisfjordur. The latter town connects Iceland with Denmark and Faroe Island via the only car ferry. It takes three days to reach Iceland from continental Europe.

14. Pjodvegur Arch Bridge

The sights of East Iceland beyond Egilsstadir are quire sparse. You will still be traveling through the breathtaking landscapes.

But this area is incredibly remote. As a result, you would often need to stop at no name pullouts to soak in the surrounding beauty.

An Arch Bridge over the Jokulsa a Bru river is a perfect example of such a viewpoint. This river is one of the longest rivers in Iceland. It flows for over 93 miles (150 km).

The Pjodvegur Arch Bridge is a scenic structure over a narrow river canyon. It looks a bit like the Bixby Bridge on California Highway 1 near Big Sur.

You can stop there for a couple of minutes to observe the river and the bridge. There is also a pedestrian bridge about 0.6 miles (1 km) north of the main bridge.

15. Rjukandi Waterfall

You should also not skip Rjukandi Waterfall, the next attraction in East Iceland. Do not get confused. Some maps also call this waterfall by the name of Rjukandafoss.

It is a waterfall right next to the Ring Road. The waterfall viewpoint is just 20 minutes from the Pjodvegur Arch Bridge. A drive to this waterfall takes a total of 30 minutes from Egilsstadir.

But it is not just any waterfall. Rjukandi Waterfall is the 7th highest waterfall in the country. It drops 305 ft (93 m) over a series of terraces.

16. Vegahnukur and Geldingafell Volcanoes

It is far too easy to miss the next stop in East Iceland. It is a gravel viewpoint off the Ring Road. A white patio chair used to be the only thing that set it apart from other similar pullouts.

The chair is no longer there. But you would not have stopped there for the chair alone. Spectacular views of a volcanic mountain range make this stop worth your time.

You can enjoy the views of over 5 mountain peaks. All of them are volcanoes. Their perfect cones look a lot like Sunset Crater Volcano in Arizona.

Their names might not tell you much. Check if you ever heard about Geldingafell, Vegahnukur, Sandahnukur, Hadegistindur, and Sotatindur.

But this volcanic range and its surrounding scenery make this part of the drive very picturesque. The Ring Road goes through a narrow mountain pass between Vegahnukur and Sandahnukur.

You could get another, closer look at the former mountain peak on the other side of the range.

17. Tundra

The landscapes will start to gradually change as you continue on the Ring Road towards Akureyri. The lava fields dominate the landscape for a few miles (kilometers) after the mountain range.

Tundra becomes the main sight for miles and miles quite soon. Do not take this modest northern landscape for granted. Tundra is quite fragile. It takes decade for it to restore any affected areas.

This is why many parks with tundra landscapes, like Denali, do not have marked trails. This way, the visitors have a lower chance of destroying the fragile vegetation.

The landscape will not change much for the rest of your drive through East Iceland. You will only know that you are in Northern Iceland once you cross a suspension bridge.

This Bridge is over Jokulsa a Fjollum river. It is the second longest river in Iceland. Dettifoss Waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, is another 30 miles downstream.

You can even visit it from East Iceland on an gravel road. You will get far less mist. But a road from the Northern Iceland side is paved. So a visit to Dettifoss from the other region is faster.

Continue with this East Iceland Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to East Iceland

East Iceland is one of the most remote regions in the country. Egilsstadir is about as far from Reykjavik as one could get while staying on the Ring Road.

• A clockwise drive from the capital city takes just under 8 hours.
• A counterclockwise drive on the Ring Road takes just over 8 hours.

As a result, you cannot visit the sights in East Iceland on a day trip from Reykjavik. All of them are simply way too far. Even Skaftafell, one of the closest major sights, is over 4 hours away.

But East Iceland is a crown jewel on any full Ring Road itinerary. You should have enough time to explore its sights if you make overnight stops in South and Northern Iceland. Akureyri and Vik have a few good places to spend the night.

Where to Stay in East Iceland

There are two reliable places for lodging in East Iceland. Both Egilsstadir and Höfn have plenty of places to stay.

You do not have to stop in Hofn overnight if you start your East Iceland journey from Vik. But there are are few alternatives to Egilsstadir if you are doing the full Ring Road drive.

It is one of the only towns in that area of the country with a few hotels. You are unlikely to find another town with several options until Myvatn Lake. Sometimes you might have to drive all the way to Akureyri.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

All of the sights on this East Iceland Guide are open around the clock. But you might have difficulty reaching some of them in the winter and during the shoulder seasons. The gravel roads might be impassable then.

All but one park in East Iceland are also free to visit. Skaftafell is the notable exception. It costs ISK 1,000 (~$7) per car to visit this park. This fee covers the hiking trails to Svartifoss and Skaftafellsjokull.

You would also need to pay if you decide to take a boat tour on Fjallsarlon or Jokulsarlon.

• It costs at least ISK 6,300 (~$46) per person to get closer to the icebergs on these glacier lakes.
• Private and luxury tours could be as expensive as ISK 239,000 (~$1,755) per person.
• Comparable Jokulsarlon tours cost a good deal more than Fjallsarlon.

Takeaways: East Iceland

East Iceland has it all: fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, lagoons, and black sand beaches. You can stop at national parks and no name viewpoints on the scenic drive through the region.

Fauskasandur Black Sand Beach, Jokulsarlon, and Skaftafell with Svartifoss will become highlights of your trip to Iceland.

This region is far more remote than Golden Circle, South Iceland, and West Iceland sights. It even beats Northern Iceland in distance from the capital city.

Yet, you should not overlook the sights of East Iceland. A lot fewer people visit them. As a result, you can admire the natural beauty without crowds. East Iceland will make your experience in the country unforgettable.

Take a look at this East Iceland Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!