Is Egilsstaðir worth stopping at on the Ring Road?

Yes — at minimum for a fuel stop and a night's sleep if you're driving the full Ring Road. But two nights here lets you reach Seyðisfjörður, Stuðlagil Canyon, and the Borgarfjörður Eystri puffin colony without rushing. The town itself is modest, but the surrounding area is genuinely worth the time.

How far is Egilsstaðir from Reykjavík?

Approximately 700km via the Ring Road, or around 7–8 hours of driving without stops. The internal flight from Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) to Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS) takes about 1 hour and runs daily with Air Iceland Connect — typically from approximately ISK 15,000–30,000 one way as of 2026.

What is the Lagarfljótsormurinn?

The Lagarfljótsormurinn (Lagarfljót Worm) is Iceland's equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster — a serpent-like creature allegedly living in Lagarfljót lake. Sightings have been reported for centuries, most famously in a 2012 video that circulated internationally. A local committee officially declared it real in 2014 (somewhat tongue-in-cheek). The lake itself is worth a walk regardless.

Things to Do in Egilsstaðir | The Icelandic Guide

Egilsstaðir (population around 2,500) is the largest town in East Iceland and the practical base for exploring the fjords and surrounding area. It sits on the banks of the Lagarfljót river at the point where it widens into a lake, about 50km from the coast. The town centre is functional — a supermarket, a fuel station, a handful of restaurants, and the main accommodation cluster — but the countryside around it is the draw.

For Ring Road drivers, Egilsstaðir is the natural stop between Höfn (270km southwest) and Mývatn (170km northwest). Two nights here gives enough time to see the town itself and make at least two meaningful day trips.

East Iceland Heritage Museum (Minjasafn Austurlands)

The regional museum covers the history and culture of East Iceland from settlement times to the 20th century. Exhibits include fishing equipment, agricultural tools, household artefacts, and material on the area’s French fishing connections. Entry approximately ISK 1,800 adult as of 2026. The building also houses a café. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Located on Laufskógarstræti in central Egilsstaðir.

Lagarfljót Lake and the Monster Walk

Lagarfljót is a long, narrow glacial lake stretching south of Egilsstaðir — one of Iceland’s largest bodies of water. The alleged Lagarfljót Worm (Lagarfljótsormurinn) has been reported here for centuries, and a 2012 video — slightly blurry, as these things tend to be — went viral. The lake is free to walk around and the light on it in the mornings is worth the short detour from the Ring Road. Route 931 runs along the eastern shore.

Hallormsstaðarskógur

Iceland’s largest forest covers the hillsides above Lagarfljót’s eastern shore, about 30 minutes from Egilsstaðir. The forest was largely planted in the 20th century as part of a national reforestation effort, and while it doesn’t compare to Scandinavian woodland, the walking trails through it feel genuinely different from Iceland’s treeless interior. Marked trails range from 30-minute loops to longer routes through the forest and down to the lakeside. Free to enter; a small café operates in summer.

Atlavík Campsite

On the western shore of Lagarfljót, Atlavík is one of the more scenic campsites in East Iceland — birch woodland, lakeside views, and relatively sheltered. Cost approximately ISK 2,200 per person per night as of 2026. Facilities include showers and toilets. Open in summer only. For those not camping, it’s worth a short drive for the scenery.

Egilsstaðir Swimming Pool

Icelandic swimming pools are geothermal and genuinely pleasant places to spend an hour. The Egilsstaðir pool on Tjarnarbraut has an outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, and a steam room. Entry approximately ISK 1,100 adult as of 2026. Some guesthouses offer complimentary entry — check when booking. A useful wind-down after a long driving day.

Day Trip: Seyðisfjörður

The most popular day trip from Egilsstaðir. The 50km drive crosses a mountain pass at around 600m — allow 45–60 minutes each way. Seyðisfjörður offers Rainbow Street, the blue church (Bláa Kirkján), the Fardagafoss waterfall hike, and, on Thursdays in summer, the Smyril Line ferry arrival from the Faroe Islands and Denmark. See our full Seyðisfjörður things to do guide.

Day Trip: Stuðlagil Canyon and East Fjords

Stuðlagil Canyon (Route 923, roughly 1 hour from Egilsstaðir) and the chain of fjord towns — Fáskrúðsfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, Breiðdalsvík — are accessible as a long day from Egilsstaðir. Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður (approximately ISK 1,500) and the French Hospital Museum in Fáskrúðsfjörður (approximately ISK 1,000) are both worth stops. See our East Fjords things to do guide for details.

Using Egilsstaðir as a Hub

Beyond day trips, Egilsstaðir is the gateway for Ring Road driving in both directions. Heading northwest takes you to Mývatn and eventually Akureyri. Heading southwest brings you to Höfn and the Vatnajökull glacier area. The town has Iceland’s easternmost domestic airport (useful for cutting the Ring Road drive short), a well-stocked supermarket (Nettó), and a campsite on the edge of town.

Things to Do in Egilsstaðir: East Iceland's Hub

Things to do here