Egilsstaðir City
Regional service town in East Iceland, near Lagarfljót
A crossroads in East Iceland, Egilsstaðir sits by lake Lagarfljót and funnels travellers into the Eastfjords; visitors come for fjord drives, forest trails at Hallormsstaðaskógur, trout dinners and the region's remote hot springs.
Egilsstaðir at a Glance#
Costs: USD 130-220 per day - expect higher Icelandic prices outside Reykjavík.
Safety: Extremely safe - very safe with a small-town feel.
Best Time: June-August - summer for hiking and access to Eastfjords.
Why Visit Egilsstaðir?#
A practical gateway, Egilsstaðir opens access to Iceland’s Eastfjords, where dramatic coastal roads and tiny fishing villages like Seyðisfjörður shape the experience. Nearby Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest woodland, and the mysterious Lagarfljót lake - famed in lore - give the area contrasting green and watery landscapes. The town’s riverside cafés and trout farms underline a quiet, nature-focused rhythm that draws hikers, birdwatchers and anyone wanting to explore remote fjord scenery.
Best Things to Do in Egilsstaðir#
Egilsstaðir Bucket List#
East Iceland Heritage Museum - Displays on regional life, fishing, and forestation in the East Iceland area.
Lagarfljót lake and legend - Large glacial lake known for scenic shores and the local Lagarfljót ‘worm’ legend.
Hallormsstaður Forest - Iceland’s largest woodland with walking trails, arboretum, and picnic areas a short drive.
Vök Baths (Urriðavatn) - Floating geothermal baths on Urriðavatn offering warm pools and private soak cabanas.
Skriðuklaustur Manor and Museum - Literary center and historic house linked to Gunnar Gunnarsson with exhibits and gardens.
Local trout angling on Lagarfljót - Guided fishing opportunities for brown trout and scenic shoreline access nearby.
Seyðisfjörður - Art-filled coastal town reached via scenic mountain pass, famous for colorful wooden houses.
Hengifoss waterfall - Tall waterfall framed by red clay layers and basalt columns, accessible by hiking trail.
Best Time to Visit Egilsstaðir#
Egilsstaðir sees harsher winters and clearer summers than the coast; visit June-August for warmest, driest conditions ideal for highland hikes. Winter travel is challenging but spectacularly snowy.
December - February
-10°C to -3°C (14°F to 27°F)
Long, cold winters with deep snow, frozen roads and limited daylight; perfect for solitude, winter sports and dramatic icy landscapes if you’re prepared for tough travel.
March - May
-3°C to 6°C (27°F to 43°F)
Slow thaw, muddy tracks and variable weather; rivers rise and mountain paths remain wet. Great for fewer crowds but pack waterproof boots and patience.
June - August
6°C to 12°C (43°F to 54°F)
Short, brilliant summers with long daylight and warmest temperatures; ideal for hiking, fishing and exploring fjords, though midges may bother in some boggy spots.
Egilsstaðir's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 14°C. Moderate rainfall (737 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. The wettest month with 94 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The driest month with just 29 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Egilsstaðir#
Egilsstaðir is the main service town for East Iceland with a regional airport and bus links along the Ring Road. For exploring remote Eastfjords, a rental car gives the most freedom.
Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS): Egilsstaðir has a regional airport with scheduled flights from Reykjavík (Domestic Airport/RKV). Flight time is about 45-60 minutes; advance fares on regional carriers often start in the lower thousands of ISK.
Keflavík / Reykjavík (KEF/RKV): International arrivals come via KEF; from there transfer to Reykjavík and connect by domestic flight or by bus along the east section of the Ring Road.
Train: Iceland has no rail network.
Bus: Intercity buses (Strætó and regional operators) connect Egilsstaðir with other East Iceland towns and Reykjavík (longer journeys). Local bus services link surrounding villages; journeys on the Ring Road can be long - expect several hours to Reykjavík by coach and variable prices depending on operator.
How to Get Around Egilsstaðir#
Egilsstaðir is best reached by a short domestic flight or a long bus journey along the Ring Road. For exploring the Eastfjords and scattered attractions, renting a car is the most practical choice.
- Domestic flights (Egilsstaðir Airport EGS) (ISK 7,000-18,000) - Regular domestic flights from Reykjavík make quick connections to East Iceland; helpful if you want to save time on long overland trips. Check baggage rules and seasonal schedules.
- Intercity / regional buses (ISK 2,000-6,000) - Strætó and regional carriers serve Egilsstaðir on routes along the Ring Road and to nearby villages. Buses are reliable but trips can be long - plan extra time in winter when services may be reduced.
- Local buses & community services (ISK 200-1,000) - Local routes connect smaller settlements and farm areas to Egilsstaðir; timetables are limited and often designed for residents, so check schedules in advance and expect fewer weekend services.
- Car hire (ISK 6,000-20,000/day) - A hire car is the best way to access Eastfjords, waterfalls and remote hiking trails - roads vary from paved to gravel. Fuel and rental costs are higher in Iceland, so budget accordingly.
- Taxi / private transfer (ISK 2,000-10,000) - Taxis and pre-booked transfers operate in and around Egilsstaðir for arrival/departure and short hops; useful for airport or ferry connections but more expensive than buses.
- Walking - Egilsstaðir town centre is compact with short walking distances between services, shops and the riverbank paths.
Where to Stay in Egilsstaðir#
Town Centre - $35-80/night
Budget stays are mainly family guesthouses and simple rooms. Limited dorm-style hostels but practical for exploring East Iceland.
Guesthouses & hostels (Egilsstaðir) - Affordable guesthouses and rooms.
Airbnb in Egilsstaðir - Good value private apartments.
Central Egilsstaðir - $90-150/night
Solid mid-range hotels offer comfortable rooms, decent breakfast, and easy access to surrounding fjords and hiking trails.
Icelandair Hotel Hérað - Comfortable hotel near the lake.
Hotel Eyvindara (local options) - Good mid-range local hotel choice.
Lake/Forest outskirts - $150-300/night
Egilsstaðir lacks big luxury hotels; higher-end stays are boutique guesthouses or private villas. For more lavish resorts, consider Reykjavík or Akureyri.
Upscale guesthouses & private villas - Few full-service luxury hotels.
Icelandair Hotel Hérað (best local option) - Top-tier service locally available.
Where to Eat in Egilsstaðir#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Egilsstaðir’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Egilsstaðir#
Shopping is practical and focused on local needs: grocery stores, a few outdoor shops and small specialty stores. Local crafts and food products can be found but selection is modest compared with larger towns.
Nightlife in Egilsstaðir#
Evenings are quiet with a few cafés, bars and hotel restaurants hosting locals and visitors. Live music or late-night venues are occasional rather than regular, so expect relaxed nights out.
