Route 1 and Beyond - A Self-Drive Guide to Iceland: The East Coast

Far away from the bright lights of Reykavík, the East Coast of Iceland is a tranquil and peaceful realm.

You’ll discover a photographer’s paradise, where flower-filled summer meadows and snow-capped mountains provide a glorious contrast with the bright blue sea.

Fabulous Fjords - slowly wind your way from one tiny hamlet to another

Route 1 hugs the shoreline as it snakes in and out of the steep-sided Eastfjords, passing little farmsteads along the way.
Although many are uninhabited, each fjord has its own character and grandeur.

The natural harbours offer a reminder of earlier times, when tiny fishing villages clung to the shores here.

It takes longer than you might think to get from one place to the next here, but the Eastfjords are ideally suited for “ slow travel ”.

Before the Ring Road was completed, many of these villages were only accessible by steep mountain passes. Often cut off by snowfalls, the locals depended on supplies by sea or air.

As you zoom by, think of the challenges faced by Iceland’s road builders, tunnelling under mountains and glaciers, and bridging vast river deltas to connect the country.

Relax and enjoy the tranquillity of these idyllic landscapes on a 250km stretch from Höfn to the regional hub, Egilsstaðir.

Wildlife of the East - watch for reindeer, seals and puffins

In this quieter, less-populated area, you’ll have a better chance to see reindeer and seals and maybe even an Arctic Fox! In the summer months, this is where you can get up close to puffins at their breeding grounds.

A journey into Austurland is well worth the time it takes to get there - here's a little of what you'll see!