Travel Blog

The chance to witness the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights during the other seasons is a popular reason for tourists to visit Austurland. These natural phenomena are both bucket list worthy, so let’s take a brief look at the basics of achieving a sighting one or other of them when you find yourself in East Iceland.

While Iceland has long attracted winter visitors with its dramatic snowy landscapes and the magical Northern Lights, more travellers are now discovering the thrill of skiing and snowboarding in East Iceland. Though the country’s ski areas may not rival the size of resorts in mainland Europe or North America, they offer something truly unique, unspoiled terrain, fewer crowds, and unforgettable views.

Many people believe that there are no trees in Iceland, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tucked away in the heart of Austurland lies Hallormsstaðaskógur, the largest forest in the country and a thriving symbol of reforestation, biodiversity, and the deep bond between Icelanders and their natural environment. Located along the eastern shore of Lake Lagarfljót, near Egilsstaðir, Hallormsstaðaskógur is a beloved destination for locals and travelers alike. With its rich mix of native and foreign tree species, peaceful walking trails, and vibrant wildlife, the forest is a living example of how restoration and conservation can bring new life to the land.

Austurland Freeride Festival is a unique ski and snowboard event in East Iceland, blending adventure, culture, and community. As the festival kicks off tomorrow, March 7, we spoke with Steve Wall, an Australian freerider who found both adventure—and love—in Iceland.

If you harbor a dream to experience all the magic of an Icelandic winter, few places rival Austurland.

From reindeer to seasonal beer, and greedy trolls to sweet traditional tales, East Iceland has a wealth of Christmas cheer. Read on to discover the unique ways we mark the season, and keep in mind that this is the darkest time of the year in Iceland. Here in Austurland, we have only about 3.5 hours of daylight over the Christmas period – which explains the abundance of twinkling lights strung up everywhere!

Our previous blog covered the seven fabulous fjord communities that make up the Austurland municipality of Fjarðabyggð. This blog covers the communities of the neighboring municipality known as Múlaþing. On a map, it stretches over a wide ‘n’ shape that’s overflowing with notable and next-level natural treats. Múlaþing includes the four communities of Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður, Borgarfjörður eystri, and Djúpivogur, plus the Fljótsdalur countryside that encompasses lakeshore, waterfalls and forest, and the highland area up to the edge of Vatnajökull glacier.

In the mid-Eastfjords of Iceland you’ll find seven waterfront towns, generally named after the fjord or bay on which they’re located (but not always!). They’re renowned for their closeknit communities, fishing folklore, and stunning scenery. They offer plenty to discover – walking trails and magnificent viewpoints, of course, and fresh local seafood, naturally. But there are some surprises, too, if you have the time to dig deeper. Is it a coincidence that there are seven fjords? Could this be the making of a magnificent week-long adventure, checking off our list of highlights? We’re sure that if you ask the locals, they’ll add plenty more highlights to fill your days. Maybe you need to spend even more time here…?

Some people keep their favorite destinations a well-guarded secret. They fear a place might lose its magic if word gets out, and if too many people start to visit. Not us! And not when it comes to sharing one of Austurland’s gems: Vopnafjörður. In the beautiful, near-empty northeast of our region, there’s plenty of nature to go around.

You might already know this: in Iceland, we get pretty excited about summer!

Head inland to discover some of Austurland’s incredible natural highlights: the scenic valley that surrounds a mythical lake, and the eastern territory of the magnificent Vatnajökull National Park.