Egilsstaðir: Culture, Forest and Water

Egilsstaðir offers a variety of starting points for planning your trip: exhibitions on the history of East Iceland, paths through woodland, activities by the water and cultural attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel in Egilsstaðir, you can consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay. Places in the town and its immediate surroundings give you concrete points of comparison—from museum visits to outdoor walks.

Park, Outdoor Pool and Town Center

Tjarnargarðurinn is a wooded park in the center of Egilsstaðir, surrounding a pond. Its disc golf course has six stations and is open to everyone. The park brings nature together with a clearly defined recreational activity. The town’s swimming pool is a 25-meter outdoor pool. It has two hot tubs, a children’s pool and a water slide, and is located next to the sports center. Since operating hours may change, check the latest information about the pool before visiting.

Exhibitions on the History of East Iceland

The East Iceland Heritage Museum is near the southeastern corner of Tjarnargarðurinn. It preserves and presents the region’s cultural history, traditions and community life. Its permanent exhibitions include “Reindeer in East Iceland” and “Sustainable Unit.”

“Reindeer in East Iceland” explores the lives and survival of reindeer, natural and human-caused hazards, and reindeer research. It also covers the history of hunting and the use of reindeer products in food and handicrafts. “Sustainable Unit” focuses on rural life in East Iceland up to the mid-20th century. Among the objects on display is a traditional baðstofa from Brekka farm in Hróarstunga. The two exhibitions thus offer different perspectives: one through reindeer and their relationship with people and nature, the other through rural life and its objects.

Forest Trails and Waterside Scenery

Selskógur is in Egilsstaðir, by the Eyvindará River. Woodchip-covered trails are suitable for short or longer walks, and there are also places to picnic in the forest. A free map is available for Selskógur. Check whether it is available before you travel.

Egilsstaðir is right beside Lagarfljót, a long, narrow glacial lake and river system. Possible activities along its shores near Egilsstaðir include peaceful walks, lakeside picnics and leisurely fishing. Weather and season affect outdoor conditions. For an excursion nearby, a marked trail leads from the Fardagafoss waterfall parking lot to the falls: it is just under a mile, or about 1.3 kilometers, long. The arboretum in Hallormsstaðar can also be explored along a wide wooden boardwalk; visitor facilities may vary seasonally.

Cultural Activities and Brewery Tour

The Slaughterhouse Culture Center is located in a restored former meat-processing plant. Its offerings include artistic experiences, talks, workshops, performances and exhibitions. Since the program may change, check in advance what’s on during your stay. Menningarmiðstöð Fljótsdalshéraðs, or MMF for short, is also in Egilsstaðir and is one of four cultural centers in East Iceland. It focuses on theater and dance.

The Askur Taproom offers local craft beer and tastings. Groups can book a brewery tour, where they can sample local beer straight from the tank and learn about the brewing process. The tours are led by experienced brewers. The microbrewery uses Icelandic water and ingredients from local producers; if this brewing practice matters to you, check in advance whether it is still in use. Booking arrangements and offerings may also change. Groups should therefore confirm that the tour is available for their preferred date.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hof, Disastaðir, Stöðvarfjörður, Breiðdalsvík, Neskaupstadur, Hoffell, Brekka, Kleppur.

For the main travel overview: Austurland.