Things to do & places to visit in East Region, Iceland

East Region #5 destination in Iceland 2023. The average rating score is 4.75 based on 18.5k traveler reviews, of 193 attractions. Timezone: Atlantic/Reykjavik, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 18:18.

Top things to do (46)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Glacier Lagoon (4.691 reviews)
- Well Worth the Drive in All Seasons
Bodies of Water

Nestled within Vatnajökull National Park, Jökulsárlón is a stunning glacial lagoon filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Hop on a boat tour to get close to the icebergs—you’ll get the chance to taste the 1,000-year-old ice. Some of the ice chunks wash out onto Diamond Beach, a hidden gem nearby, making the black sand sparkle—there are plenty of great photo opportunities here. Visit Jökulsárlón on a tour of Iceland’s south coast, which will also take you to the spectacular Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls along the way. – Tripadvisor See more..
5.0 Glacier Adventure (1.274 reviews)
- Incredible glacier and guide...
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Walking Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

I cannot say enough about how great our experience was. Zanet was our guide and she was perfect. She was funny, kind, keenly aware of our safety, but above all so knowledgeable and passionate about the glacier. Every question asked she had a thorough and thoughtful answer. She was able to relate to a varied bunch of people and made the walk (and drive) a most memorable and fun occasion. The glacier is amazing and with crampons and an ice ax, walking (in the summer) was easy and we were able to see different parts of the glacier, all while Zanet taught us about the life and cycles of the glacier. There are boots (for a small fee) if you don't have proper hiking boots and they fit your crampons with care. I would (and will) highly recommend Glacier Adventure. It's away from the crowds and you (and your group) are the only people walking on the glacier. Thank you for an experience that will stick with us for many, many years. It was a high point of our visit to Iceland. See more..
5.0 Fellsfjara (737 reviews)
- Amazing natural wonder
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Beaches

The icebergs from the glacier float down the river and then flow onto the black sandy beach. This is one of the most amazing sights I have seen. There were lots of tourists there, but this didn’t detract much from the beauty of this area. You can pay for tours whilst there, but it costs nothing to park up and watch the ice flowing down the river. Definitely one sight to see whilst in Iceland. See more..
5.0 Local Guide of Vatnajokull (421 reviews)
- Glaciert + Ice Cave Tour - absolutely stunning nature with awesome guide Kasia!
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Photography Tours

We booked the long tour with local guides including a glacier hike and a visit to the ice cave, in total taking us about ~6h on the glacier (incl. ~30min one-way drive there and back). Our guide Kasia was very knowledgeable about the glacier and skilled in teaching us how to handle walking on ice with crampons. With her being (almost) as excited about the glacier as us guests, it felt like we were visiting the glacier with a friend who is just a little more knowledgeable and experienced (she even included some ice climbing as we were a smaller group) - absolute recommendation when visiting Iceland! See more..
5.0 Melrakki Adventures (414 reviews)
- 1,000 Stars!
Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Ski & Snow Tours • Climbing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Day Trips

Absolutely the best! We are so glad we booked with this company. Our day on the glacier was filled with exploration of crevasses, arches, pinnacles, ice walls, and other stunning ice formations. We had a huge smile on our faces the entire time. Small group sizes allow the guide to tailor the experience and you get to do more adventuring (think trying to accommodate 15-20 people brought in on a small bus versus 2 to 8). We could see other groups and they weren't doing the stuff we were doing. Our guide was exceptional. He's a friend of the couple that owns the company and they all do what what they do because the love it. We haven't wrote a review for a company in a long time but we had to share our praise for this outfit. They deserve it. We'd give them 1,000 stars if we could. See more..
5.0 Ice Explorers (395 reviews)
- Awesome Trip!
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

This was my friends and I's first time to Iceland and she really wanted to do this tour, I was a little nervous. The ride to the glacier caves was very bumpy but it was worth it once we got there were able to walk around on the ice. Getting in and out of the caves was really easy and the guides were very kind helpful and informative about the way the caves form and the history of the area. The tour ended up being the highlight of our tour and the first thing we mention when asked about our trip to Iceland. See more..
5.0 Iceguide (375 reviews)
- Iceberg lagoon kayaking
Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

Our guide Veronica was our own seal whisperer, I have never seen so many seals up close on small icebergs. We kayaked the harbor and had an awesome experience. Our guide captured so many great memories for us so we could enjoy the moment. 10 out of 10 would recommend. See more..
5.0 Glacier Journey (368 reviews)
- Ice Cave Tour
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Ski & Snow Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Snowmobiling not an option in February and the rain was tipping down, but with only five days to see as much as we could of Iceland, an Ice Cave Tour looked promising. We literally booked at 10.30pm for the following morning and joined three other intrepid travellers skittering across the icy car park like drunken puffins to Laufey's monster truck. Firstly, love Laufey, super-competent, practical, funny and full of info about the glacier and local culture (do NOT call an Icelandic horse a pony if you value your life). Kitted out with helmets and overboot crampons, we skipped like mountain goats across the rocky terrain, over foaming torrents, and into the ice cave. There were rather too many other tour groups, but presumably the weather had made it impossible to go anywhere else that day. The ice cave and the views of the glacier were still beautiful and we would love to get further off the beaten track with Glacier Journey another time. Thanks, Laufey :-) See more..
5.0 Glacier Trips (321 reviews)
- Beautiful landscapes, a dream comes blue!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Walking Tours • Night Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

We'd definitely recommend the Ice Caves & Glacier hike tour, the hike is fairly easy (about 5km but with crampons, that makes it a bit more difficult) with stunningly beautiful landscapes. Our guide Stefan knows so many things about Iceland, the nature, the people... he was happy to share with us. We had plenty of time to take pictures, it was never too crowded - all tour operator seem to respect each other and try to give all groups time and space. If you have never seen an ice cave or hiked a glacier don't miss the opportunity! See more..
5.0 Vatnajökull Glacier (303 reviews)
- Absolutely amazing
Geologic Formations

Amazing place. Definately check for tours, as you won't get to the cool spots without a guide and/or superjeep. We did a snowscooter tour with Vatnajökull tours which we booked through Guide to Iceland and it was really amazing. Also, if you've never walked on a glacier, definately book a walking tour. Around the glacier are some other great must see hot spots like diamond beach, the lagoon, etc. See more..
5.0 South East Ehf (226 reviews)
- Awesome, amazing, exceptional ...
Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

Thank you for an AMAZING experience. The ride in the specially outfitted bus was thrilling. Fennar our guide told us about everything we were seeing, including the creative system developed in Iceland to improve how the tires inflate and deflate. The hike to the cave was beautiful. Before setting out, Fennar and his fiancé taught us everything we needed to know to be safe. They let us go at our own pace. And then, the big surprise!! A cave that had only recently been discovered by Fennar abd his team. It was beautiful...the blue ice, the wavy structures of the walls, the sunroof (holes), the visual changes in texture. These are images that will bring me joy for many years to come. Thank you for making my trip to ICELAND so memorable. You are the best!! See more..
5.0 Ice Cave In Iceland (209 reviews)
- Iceland highlight!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

Our family took a tour with Ice cave in Iceland. It was truly outstanding and very professional. Boggi was friendly, funny, and full of interesting facts about the glacier lagoon, the glaciers and local legends. One of the things that really stood out was how he was able to avoid crowds and show us the ice caves in their most unspoiled beauty. He was able to time our visit so that we avoided running into the many other tour groups. In addition to being a great guide, he was also very thoughtful and gave us tips on where to get the best shots and took the time to take photos of our family. We highly recommend this tour guide and this company if you are looking for a small group tour. They truly went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable and enjoyable experience. See more..
5.0 Glacier and Volcano Expeditions (119 reviews)
- Safe, personal and accommodating
Saturday: Walking Tours • Climbing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing • Day Trips

The trip was wonderful and both the guides were simply terrific. Safety is noticeably a priority to them, but they were nonetheless very accommodating to our needs and wants. I was really happy with my tour and would definitely recommend them to a friend. All my thanks to Rowan and Guðný! See more..
5.0 Atlantsflug (117 reviews)
- bucket list- check! ☑
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Helicopter Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Photography Tours • Air Tours

We had the pleasure to fly over skaftafell glacier tongues on 19.01 for around 15minutes. It was an unforgettable experience. Welcoming reception, knowledgeable & friendly pilot, amazing flight. Even if 15minutes doesn't sound much, it is the perfect amount of time to spend in the air for this tour. I strongly recommend it. See more..
5.0 From Coast To Mountains (107 reviews)
- A tour you should not miss
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ski & Snow Tours • Climbing Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

This is a very very unique tour. Taking in the wonderful views from the tractor, leading you to a place you could not go yourself, climbing up the black sand, to meet up with birds and puffins, is an experience you will remember. You need to walk upp a bit in the sand, but the guide is giving you enough time to do so and telling you informative stories about the settlers in acient times. Of course the trip depends a bit on the weather, but the views are there and so are the puffins most of the time. See more..
5.0 JFS Handcraft (99 reviews)
- Fun and Unique Experience
Speciality & Gift Shops

It's clear simply from pulling up in the car that this will be a unique experience! Jon has lots of decorations all over the property front, side, and back. He has such a variety of rocks all from the local area and he's proudly shows them off, as well as the jewelry he makes from them. It's a fun stop to see the variety of Iceland's geology and meet a very interesting man. Recommend to bring a little something from your home town as Jon absolutely loves receiving little gifts from all over the world which he proudly displays in the store. See more..
5.0 Askur Taproom - Taproom at Microbrewery (73 reviews)
- Great beer, great people
Saturday: 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM Spent 2-3 hours Bars & Clubs

Askur Taproom is a Taproom located in the brewery "Austri Brugghús" in Egilsstaðir. We offer a good variety of local craft beer and beer flights, along with quality coffee and good cocktails. At Askur Taproom you can book a tour around the brewery for groups where you can taste the local beer straight off the tank and get to know the brewing process itself. Guests can come by and enjoy beverages, watch TV or play a game of darts in a friendly atmosphere. We now offer great local pizzas as well! *Free WiFi *Flat screen TV for sports *Beer Pong table *Dartboard See more..
5.0 Blue Iceland (72 reviews)
- Most incredible experience
Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

This is a fabulous excursion. You get the best of everything: hike on the glacier plus the opportunity to see beautiful blue ice caves that don't disappoint. The colours are indescribable. We found the glacier hike quite easy (and we were with our 18 year old), and the scenery is simply breathtaking. Tom was a fantastic (and patient!) guide and very knowledgeable about the glaciers and their formation. If you are in Iceland in winter, do not miss this activity. It is worth every penny. See more..
5.0 Glacier Travel (66 reviews)
- Photography in the Ice caves
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Night Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

As I was with a Group of Photographers we were able to get to the caves a little Earlier than the groups of tourist so we got the e Tore place just for us photographers! We had an amazing experience, the guide Vigfùs was very attentive and fullfilled all ours expectations he guided the entire group through the hike to the glacier in complete safety! The hike it self is not so step , and just when you’re about to enter the cave you need to put on your crampons that are provided by the tour operator, togheter with an helmet! Thank you Vigfus for the amazing experience and for your professionality! Hi higly reccomend Glacier travel! Hope to post some nice pictures with this review, when I’ll get back home! See more..
5.0 Skorrahestar - Riding Tours (65 reviews)
- One of my best memories of Iceland
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Our ride within the fjord, with Doddi, our guide from the Skorrahestar farm family, was simply unforgettable. I have never been on a horse before, but with a few good tips, I was able to ride my horse Skálmöld "the fighting lady" just fine. Doddi took us for a breathtaking tour, through small cliffs, tiny streams, surrounded by the (melting) snow-covered mountains delimiting the fjord. He explained us a lot of things about the horses, the flora and the fauna of the fjord, and then he told us a few stories about the ancient past of the lands we were treading. After the ride, the family offered us coffee and they showed us how to prepare and eat the Pönnukökur, an icelandic dessert with pancakes, jam and whipped cream. In the end, this was really one of the best memories our trip in Iceland. See more..
5.0 Glacier Horses (63 reviews)
- Excellent and safe stable for riders of all ages and levels
Spent 1-2 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Enjoy the Icelandic horse in the beautiful realm of Oræfajokull glacier and Hvannadalshnjukur, the highest peak in Iceland. We offer short riding tours (1-2 hours) in Sel, only 6,4 km east of Skaftafell National park. The tour suits beginners and experienced riders. Opening hours: May-November 10:00-17:30 Please book in advance via phone or email For more information glacierhorses.is See more..
5.0 Heading North (59 reviews)
- Wonderful, memorable day exploring the Sapphire Cave!
Private Tours • Day Trips

Thinking back on this ice cave tour, I’ve got to give Tamara (Tam!) major creditor for not only being an awesome and fun guide, but for also running a business that caters to very small and intimate tours. These young entrepreneurs are some of the most humble and friendly people I met on my recent winter trip to a very frosty white Iceland. Exceptionally well recommended. Thanks Heading North team! See more..
4.5 Skaftafell National Park (1.153 reviews)
- Family-friendly destination!
National Parks

Skaftafell National Park is easily accessible (by personal car /bus) and has a clean touristic structure> information center, restaurant, campsite, agency (for glacier hikes and others) at the base and hiking trails towards the glacier or the hidden waterfalls within the park. I personally liked the voluntary initiative of locals > there are rangers which provide you free hikes full of information of the area, both historical and geographical. I also liked the hiking trails which leads you to the hidden waterfalls or gorgeous view of the area. Skaftafell is not too far from Jokursarlon Lagoon, so, if you have enough time in your journey, this place deserves some pictures! See more..
4.5 Svartifoss Waterfall (796 reviews)
- Picturesque Waterfall
Spent < 1 hour Waterfalls

It's a bit of a hike to get here (maybe 45 minutes or so), but it's a very easy path, some uphill but it's really not bad altogether. Besides, it's worth the destination! Svartifoss is surrounded by basalt columns and is very picturesque. We spent quite a bit of time there just taking photos and admiring. There were some other people there when we went but it wasn't uncomfortably crowded or anything. In fact, after we'd been there for a little while it actually cleared out and we had it to ourselves for a bit until we left. See more..
4.5 Ice Lagoon Adventure Boat Tours (603 reviews)
- Highly recommended.
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Boat Tours • Private Tours

Zodiac boat tours on the lagoon - an absolutely amazing experience! While the Amphibian boats only go into the lagoon for 30 mins, the Zodiac Boats (rubber inflatable boats or RIBs) go for a 2 hr ride deep into the lagoon, reasonably close to the glacier wall. It was a very wet and rainy day and the boat moves like a speedboat. The waterproof overalls provided by the company kept us dry except our faces! One has to sit on the rim of the boat and hold on to something when going at speed but once you get used to the rhythm, it’s all good. As we go deep into the lagoon, the RIB slows down and we can walk around in that tiny boat. The view is magnificent. Due to the rain the glacier calved right in front of us in 3 different places. An amazing sight! We saw many seals and gulls too. The rain didn’t matter any more! See more..
4.5 Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon (339 reviews)
- Just as impressive as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

It was late November and the sun comes up around 10am. It is a great sight to see Fjallasrion Iceberg Lagoon as the sunlight first strikes the glacier above and then the mountains flanking the lagoon, and finally as the light reaches the water, but just barely as the sun doesn't rise too high in Iceland during Winter. It's much smaller than Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, but it is more intimate and you fell more involved with the surroundings. It is truly impressive and beautiful. The icebergs in the lagoon add some action to the lagoon as they float around, being driven with the wind. See more..
4.5 Fjallsarlon Iceberg Boat Tours (300 reviews)
- Fantastic Experience
Temporarily closed - Closed until Apr 1, 2023 Boat Tours

One of our favourite experiences in Iceland was our Zodiac boat ride on Fjallsarlon Lagoon. Booking online was simple and straightforward and the cost was not excessive, some activities in Iceland really are! When we arrived we were informed exactly what was going to happen, then we all got fitted out with our safety equipment. It is a short walk to the lagoon, then on to the boat and away. We spent nearly an hour on the water with our guide Suzanna, who was brilliant. The lagoon is a little smaller than the larger Jökulsárlón lagoon and hence a lot quieter. We would really recommend this experience to anyone, any age. See more..
4.5 Seydisfjordur Church (269 reviews)
- Breathtaking Views - Perfect Location - Relaxing and Outstanding Scenery
Churches & Cathedrals

Bláa kirkjan is a beautiful church that sits in a perfect setting in Seyðisfjörður. Probably one of the best, if not the best, photo opportunity in all of Iceland (at least for a building). Take a few minutes to relax and take in the scenery surrounding this church. It doesn't get much better than this. Was unable to enter the church as the doors were locked. Still, the exterior of this church in this natural setting is worth the visit. Bring your camera and be prepared to have your breath taken away. See more..
4.5 Hengifoss Waterfall (247 reviews)
- Two magic waterfalls on the same hiking
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Waterfalls

It's a long way, about 4km, go and return, climbing 300 meters, but it is totally worthwhile. The waterfall is majestatic, the red layers surprising and on the way it is possible to see the fantastic Litlanesfoss, surrounded by huge basalt pillars. There is many fantastic waterfalls in Iceland, maybe more well known, but you should not miss those ones. See more..
4.5 Marina Travel (230 reviews)
- Fabulous experiences
City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Scuba & Snorkelling • Helicopter Tours • Hop-On Hop-Off Tours • Boat Tours • Private Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Photography Tours • Bus Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Ski & Snow Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Walking Tours • Climbing Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Day Trips

Loved the day trip for Golden circle geyser’s where the plates split. Wonderful experience for us as a family. The transport time table and pick ups were efficient and on time I would definitely recommend The blue lagoon what an amazing experience we arrived at 10 am and stay for about 4 hours . See more..