Spot the lake-monster
„Drive the one-hour-long “grand circle” around the Lagarfljót lake. This is a very popular route among the locals as you’ll see many things on this relatively short drive, such as the largest forest in Iceland and the country’s second highest waterfall. You have a great view over the lake during the drive and, if you are lucky, you could spot the lake monster, Lagarfljótsormurinn. Midway through the circle you can stop at Skriðuklaustur (an ancient manor estate) and enjoy a tasty waffle and hot chocolate.”
Recommended by Ívar Ingimarsson, a former professional football player and current owner of Birta and Olga Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir.
Stroll around Fáskrúðsfjörður town
“Take a walk around the town of Fáskrúðsfjörður and visit the French hospital and museum. All the town’s street names are in Icelandic and French in memory of the French fishermen who used to fish around the coasts of Iceland.”
Recommended by Hulda Guðnadóttir, teacher and tour guide in Reyðarfjörður.
Family-time on the seafront in Berufjörður
“Kids really enjoy a trip to the beach and shorter walks around Berufjörður fjord.”
Recommended by Berglind Häsler, a sheep farmer in Berufjörður.
Mountain-road to Kárahnjúkar opened
The mountain road to Kárahnjúkar damn was opened for traffic this week and so was the Laugafell Highland Hostel and its natural geothermal baths.
The Kárahnjúkar damn involved damning the glacier rivers Jökulsá á Dal and Jökulsá í Fljótsdal with five damns, creating three reservoirs. The damn is the largest of its kind in all of Europe and was extremely controversial at the time of its construction.
Sail to the island of the monks
Sail to Papey island with Papeyjarferðir. The island, which is named after Irish monks called „papar“ which first inhabited the island, is around two square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) in size. The tour with Papeyjarferðir includes seal and puffin watching as well as a guided hike on the island.
The boat sails daily from the town of Djúpivogur at 1 pm.
This is the East Iceland section of Best of Iceland This Week, the only Icelandic guide of its kind. New every week.
Spot the lake-monster
„Drive the one-hour-long “grand circle” around the Lagarfljót lake. This is a very popular route among the locals as you’ll see many things on this relatively short drive, such as the largest forest in Iceland and the country’s second highest waterfall. You have a great view over the lake during the drive and, if you are lucky, you could spot the lake monster, Lagarfljótsormurinn. Midway through the circle you can stop at Skriðuklaustur (an ancient manor estate) and enjoy a tasty waffle and hot chocolate.”
Recommended by Ívar Ingimarsson, a former professional football player and current owner of Birta and Olga Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir.
Stroll around Fáskrúðsfjörður town
“Take a walk around the town of Fáskrúðsfjörður and visit the French hospital and museum. All the town’s street names are in Icelandic and French in memory of the French fishermen who used to fish around the coasts of Iceland.”
Recommended by Hulda Guðnadóttir, teacher and tour guide in Reyðarfjörður.
Family-time on the seafront in Berufjörður
“Kids really enjoy a trip to the beach and shorter walks around Berufjörður fjord.”
Recommended by Berglind Häsler, a sheep farmer in Berufjörður.
Mountain-road to Kárahnjúkar opened
The mountain road to Kárahnjúkar damn was opened for traffic this week and so was the Laugafell Highland Hostel and its natural geothermal baths.
The Kárahnjúkar damn involved damning the glacier rivers Jökulsá á Dal and Jökulsá í Fljótsdal with five damns, creating three reservoirs. The damn is the largest of its kind in all of Europe and was extremely controversial at the time of its construction.
Sail to the island of the monks
Sail to Papey island with Papeyjarferðir. The island, which is named after Irish monks called „papar“ which first inhabited the island, is around two square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) in size. The tour with Papeyjarferðir includes seal and puffin watching as well as a guided hike on the island.
The boat sails daily from the town of Djúpivogur at 1 pm.
