Where to Stay in Egilsstadir for East Fjords Day Trips

Egilsstadir is the practical base for the East Fjords: here is which side of town to book, how far the main drives really are, and what to skip.

Why Egilsstadir Works as a Base

Egilsstadir sits at the head of Lagarfljót, Iceland's third-longest lake, where the Ring Road meets Route 92 and Route 94. From the town centre you can reach Fellabær across the bridge in five minutes, the airport at Egilsstaðaflugvöllur in about ten, and Seyðisfjörður at the end of Route 93 in roughly 30 minutes over the Fjarðarheiði pass. That road closes in winter weather, so a base on the Egilsstadir side keeps you flexible when the pass is shut and the fjord villages are not reachable.

Accommodation clusters in three places: the compact centre around Tjarnargata and the Kaupvangur area, the services strip along Route 1 towards the airport, and guesthouses on the outskirts near the lake outflow. For day trips, the centre is the better pick — petrol, the Vínbúðin liquor store, the pharmacy and restaurants are all walkable, and you are not adding a drive before breakfast. Book a room with a private bathroom if you plan to return late from long fjord loops; shared facilities slow a short summer night down.

The Day Trips and Real Drive Times

Seyðisfjörður is the signature run: Route 93 climbs over Fjarðarheiði to a fjord village of Norwegian-style wooden houses around the blue church. Allow 30-40 minutes each way in good conditions and check road status before setting out between October and April. South of town, Route 92 follows Lagarfljót past Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland's largest forest, and on to Hengifoss, one of the country's tallest waterfalls — a 40-minute drive from Egilsstadir to the car park, then a steep 2.5km return walk.

North, Route 94 leads to Borgarfjörður Eystri, a fishing village with a working harbour and the puffin colony at Hafnarhólmi, about 70km and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way on unmade sections. East along Route 1, the fjords toward Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður take 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, and the latter has a small wartime museum. The East Fjords are not a single loop you can rush: pick two destinations a day, not four.

Which Part of Town to Book

For a two- or three-night stay built around drives, I would book in the centre: you can walk to dinner at the cluster of restaurants on and around Tjarnargata, and you are five minutes from the Route 92 turnoff for Lagarfljót and Hengifoss. Rooms here range from simple guesthouse doubles to mid-range hotel rooms; guesthouse rates in the East typically run clearly below Reykjavík hotel rates in July and August, though I will not quote figures. Ask about parking before booking — several central properties have limited spaces.

The Route 1 strip toward the airport suits early flights or a one-night stop between Mývatn and the southern fjords. It is quieter and easier to park, but you will drive to dinner. Guesthouses on the town edges can be excellent value, especially shoulder-season, and often have kitchen access — useful when restaurant hours shorten. Avoid committing to Seyðisfjörður as a base in winter unless your plans are flexible; the pass is the bottleneck, and Egilsstadir keeps every direction open.

Timing, Weather and What to Skip

Best months are June to early September: long daylight, open mountain roads and puffins at Hafnarhólmi from May into August. Late September brings autumn colour at Hallormsstaðaskógur but shorter days. Winter is quiet and cheap by Icelandic standards, but build slack around weather and check road.is and vedur.is each morning. The town sits at roughly 30m elevation, so it is milder than the pass villages, and summer evenings stay light enough for a late drive back.

Skip the idea of 'doing' all the East Fjords from one base. The southern fjords toward Djúpivogur and Höfn are better as a separate overnight or a long day you start early; from Egilsstadir the round trip to Höfn exceeds five hours of driving. Skip the interior highland routes unless you have a proper 4x4 and confirmed opening. And skip arriving without fuel or food late in the evening — the town is small, and rural opening hours are not city hours.

Questions, answered

How far is Seyðisfjörður from Egilsstadir?

About 27km along Route 93 over the Fjarðarheiði pass, roughly 30-40 minutes in good conditions. The road can close in winter storms, so check road.is before setting out and keep the return drive in daylight if you are unfamiliar with the pass.

Do I need a car to stay in Egilsstadir?

Practically, yes. The town itself is walkable, but the East Fjords day trips — Seyðisfjörður, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Hengifoss and Hallormsstaðaskógur — all need your own transport. Public buses exist but are infrequent and not built around sightseeing stops.

How long should I stay to cover the East Fjords?

Two or three nights suits most travellers: one day north to Borgarfjörður Eystri, one day west to Hengifoss and the forest, and a half-day for Seyðisfjörður. Add a night if you want the southern fjords toward Reyðarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður without rushing.

When is the best time to visit the East Fjords?

June to early September gives the longest daylight, open roads and puffins at Hafnarhólmi from May into August. Late September is quieter with autumn colour at Hallormsstaðaskógur. Winter is possible but demands weather checks and flexibility around the mountain passes.

Is Egilsstadir a good base for Hengifoss?

Yes. The Hengifoss car park is about a 40-minute drive west along Route 92 past Lagarfljót. The walk is steep and takes two to three hours return, so start in the morning and carry waterproofs — the weather at the falls is often wetter than in town.

Where should I park when staying in central Egilsstadir?

Central guesthouses and hotels often have only a few spaces, so confirm parking when booking. Street parking near Tjarnargata and the Kaupvangur area is straightforward outside peak summer, but August evenings can fill up. Properties on the Route 1 strip toward the airport are easier for parking.

Can I see puffins near Egilsstadir?

Yes — the colony at Hafnarhólmi in Borgarfjörður Eystri is about 70km north on Route 94, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Puffins are usually present from May into August. Stay behind the barriers and keep your distance from nesting birds.

Is it worth staying in Seyðisfjörður instead?

For one atmospheric night, yes — the harbour and wooden houses are lovely. As a multi-day base for the region, Egilsstadir is more practical: it has more services, sits on the Ring Road, and is not dependent on a single mountain pass that can close in winter.

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