Blog

Egilsstadir, Iceland

Egilsstaðir on the banks of the Lagarfljót river is the largest town in East Iceland, home to around 2,600 people. With its natural wonders as well as good connections to other attractions in the east and north of the country–such as Vatnajokull National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Dettifoss waterfall, and Lake Myvatn and its Nature Baths–via the Ring Road and a regional airport, Egilsstaðir is often used as a base by travellers to Iceland. Domestic flights to Egilsstaðir leave from Reykjavík Airport; international services have only ever been occasional, so check current schedules. On our Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour, we reach Egilsstaðir on Day 11, after a detour to Dettifoss, and set out from here through the East Fjords on Day 12.

Small Group Tour

Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour

17-Day Tour · Round trip from Reykjavík · Small group, up to 16 travellers, solo travellers welcome

Explore Lake Lögurinn, Hallormsstaðaskógur forest and Hengifoss around Egilsstaðir on Day 11, then travel through the East Fjords on Day 12, on a 17-day journey around Iceland with an Odyssey Program Leader. Activity level: Level 2 – Moderate.

View the Tour

This is a young town, established only in 1947 thanks to the efforts of surrounding rural districts. Its location near the bridge over the river and the intersection of main routes makes it the prime candidate to be the Eastern Region’s centre for service and transportation. On your tour of Egilsstadir, a visit to the East Iceland Heritage Museum will give insight into the town and the region’s development, culture and history through the years.

There is plenty to do and experience in town, from taking a dip in the swimming pool or the nearby hot baths, to horseback riding on Icelandic horses.

On our small group tour, we visit three must-see sights around Egilsstaðir. Lake Lögurinn is the lake formed by the glacial river Lagarfljót. The lake is Iceland’s third-largest natural lake, beautifully scenic but, according to local legend, home to a serpent monster.

We also drive through the largest forest of Iceland, 740-hectare Hallormsstadaskogur, and view the picturesque waterfall of Hengifoss. Beyond Egilsstadir you will be able to reach the beautiful wilderness of the East Fjords. East Iceland is also the only part of the country where wild reindeer live.

The Hengifoss Waterfall in Iceland

Seeing Egilsstaðir on our Iceland tour

On our Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour, Egilsstaðir is where the journey turns south along the east coast. On Day 11 we leave Lake Myvatn and cross the highland desert of Modrudalsoraefi, with a detour to the powerful Dettifoss waterfall, then explore Lake Lögurinn, drive through Hallormsstaðaskógur forest and view Hengifoss. On Day 12 we pass through the fishing villages of the East Fjords, visit Petra Sveinsdottir’s Rock and Mineral Collection in Stodvarfjordur and descend to Hofn beneath Vatnajokull. On Day 13 we take a boat among the icebergs of Jokulsarlon and walk among the glaciers of Skaftafell National Park. The tour is Level 2 – Moderate and led by an Odyssey Program Leader.