Egilsstaðir

Egilsstaðir, situated diametrically opposite to Reykjavik, about 635 km away and 248 km from Akureyri, on the eastern side of the country, is known to be one of the hottest towns in Iceland. Named after a farm near a bridge over the River Lagarfljot on Ring Road, Egilsstaðir, which also has an airport, is one of the most-preferred tourist destinations in Iceland, which has a lot to offer.

Egilsstaðir, situated diametrically opposite to Reykjavik, about 635 km away and 248 km from Akureyri, on the eastern side of the country, is known to be one of the hottest towns in Iceland. Named after a farm near a bridge over the River Lagarfljot on Ring Road, Egilsstaðir, which also has an airport, is one of the most-preferred tourist destinations in Iceland, which has a lot to offer.

The region has Iceland’s first national forest, Hallormsstaðaskógur National Park, which has been preserved since 1905, besides two beautiful waterfalls, Hengifoss, Iceland’s second-highest waterfall and Fardagafoss, near the mountains of Fjarðarheiði on the way to Seyðisfjörður. It also has the longest lake in Iceland, Lake Lagarfljót, also known as Fljótið, which is also the third-largest in size and is popular for a magical folk tale about a creature that lurks within. One of the acclaimed natural wonders, Stórurð or ‘The Giant Boulders’ formed 10,000 years ago, lies to the west of Dyrfjöll mountain. Egilsstaðir is also home to the Studlagil basalt Canyon, which highlights the largest number of basalt rock columns in Iceland.

The self-sufficient town boasts of multiple natural activities, with innumerable hiking trails, wilderness centre, with a traditional cable car across River Jökulsá and also Vök-Baths on Lake Urriðavatn. Blessed with rich flora and fauna, Egilsstaðir is also known for its reindeer population, with restaurants offering reindeer meat.