Reyðarfjörður & Eskifjörður Travel Guide: Fishing Heritage Between Mountains and Fjords
Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður are two fascinating communities, where dramatic mountains, deep fjords and a rich maritime history come together. Part of The Fjord Way, these neighbouring towns offer travellers a chance to experience the landscapes and stories that have shaped life along Iceland's eastern coast.
Eskifjörður is closely connected to fishing and seafaring, with historic buildings, a harbour and cultural attractions that reveal the town's maritime past. Reyðarfjörður, located beside the longest and widest of Iceland's Eastfjords, has its own distinctive history, including an important connection to the Second World War.
Beyond the towns, the surrounding landscape offers plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. From waterfalls and nature reserves to challenging mountain hikes, historic sites and peaceful coastal scenery, there is plenty to discover. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður are well worth slowing down for.
The ideas in this guide are intended as inspiration for travelling from spring through autumn, roughly from late April to early October. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly, and road access and travel conditions may vary with the weather and season. Opening times and availability for accommodation, restaurants, museums, activities and other services can also vary throughout the year, particularly outside the main summer season. Always check current road conditions before setting out, and check opening times and availability directly with individual businesses and attractions before you visit.
Reconnect with nature
Slow down and embrace the peaceful rhythm of the Eastfjords. Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður are surrounded by steep mountains, open fjord views and beautiful coastal landscapes that invite you to spend more time outdoors.
Explore scenic hiking trails, walk along the shoreline, discover waterfalls and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of these small communities. This part of East Iceland is ideal for travellers who want to reconnect with nature while also experiencing local culture, history and everyday life in the fjords.
Photographer: Ester Ösp Gunnarsdóttir
Explore The Fjords and Surrounding Nature
The landscape around Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður is defined by steep mountains, deep valleys and wide-open views across the fjords. It is a place to slow down, breathe in the fresh sea air and spend time outdoors. The two communities are close enough to explore together, making it easy to combine short walks, scenic stops and cultural experiences in a single day. If you have more time, the surrounding mountains offer longer hikes and rewarding views across some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Eastfjords.
Discover Hólmanes Nature Reserve
Between Reyðarfjörður and Eskifjörður lies Hólmanes Nature Reserve, one of the area's most beautiful outdoor destinations. It is an ideal place for an easy walk, with trails leading both towards the sea and into the surrounding hills.
The reserve is known for its remarkable rock formations, coastal scenery and rich birdlife. The views across the fjords are particularly beautiful on clear days, and if you are lucky, you may even spot wild reindeer in the surrounding landscape. Hólmanes is a great stop for families, photographers and anyone looking for a peaceful nature experience close to both communities.
Visit Helgustaðanáma
Near Eskifjörður, Helgustaðanáma offers a fascinating glimpse into both the geology and history of the region. The former mine is famous for its Iceland spar, a particularly clear variety of calcite that was mined here for centuries. The crystals from Helgustaðanáma became known internationally and were used for scientific purposes because of their unusual optical properties.
Today, the site provides an opportunity to learn about one of Iceland's most remarkable geological resources while exploring the landscape around Eskifjörður. The mine is also a reminder that the history of the Eastfjords is about more than fishing and seafaring — the region's natural resources have shaped its story in many different ways.
Chase Waterfalls
1. Bleiksárfoss
Bleiksá and its waterfalls are the first thing that catches your eye when you turn off the main road into Eskifjörður. The highest waterfall in the series of Bleiksár waterfalls is called Bleiksárfoss. Floodlights have been directed up to Bleiksárfoss, and it is quite a spectacle to see it on dark evenings, whether it slides down the slope or is covered in ice during winter.
2. Búðarárfoss
Above Reyðarfjörður, Búðarárfoss waterfall is another rewarding stop for travellers who want to stretch their legs and enjoy views over the town and fjord.
The walk towards the waterfall is relatively accessible and combines a short outdoor adventure with beautiful scenery. As you gain elevation, the landscape opens up, giving you a different perspective on Reyðarfjörður and the mountains surrounding the fjord
Hike Hólmatindur, Grænafell or Vöðlavík
For travellers looking to venture deeper into the landscapes around Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður, Hólmatindur, Grænafell and Vöðlavík offer some of the area's most rewarding outdoor experiences. Hólmatindur rises dramatically above the fjords and rewards hikers with spectacular views across the surrounding mountains and coastline, while Grænafell offers another opportunity to explore the rugged landscape above Reyðarfjörður. Further afield, the remote bay of Vöðlavík provides a true sense of wilderness, with dramatic mountains, rugged coastline and peaceful hiking trails. Together, these destinations showcase the wilder side of the Eastfjords and are ideal for travellers who want to spend more time exploring beyond the towns. As with all mountain and remote-area hikes in East Iceland, check weather and trail conditions carefully before setting out.
Photographer: Jessica Auer
Discover the history of the fjords
The Maritime Museum in Eskifjörður offers an insight into the town's strong connection with the sea. The collection includes objects and tools connected to fishing and seafaring, as well as reminders of local trade, industry and medicine from earlier times. It is a great place to learn more about the people, industries and traditions that helped shape life in Eskifjörður.
In Reyðarfjörður, the Icelandic Wartime Museum tells the story of the Second World War and the military presence in the fjord. Visitors can learn how this unusual period affected the local community and discover a side of Icelandic history that is very different from the country's better-known Viking and settlement stories.
Relax like local
After a day of hiking and sightseeing, visit the local swimming pool and relax the Icelandic way.
Swimming pools are an important part of everyday life in Iceland, and the pools in the fjords are ideal places to slow down and recharge. Enjoy the hot tubs, swimming facilities and beautiful mountain views while reflecting on the day's adventures. It is a simple experience, but often one of the most memorable ways to experience local life in East Iceland.
Taste local food
Take time to discover some of the local flavours of Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður.
Randulff's Sea House offers a particularly atmospheric dining experience, serving food inspired by traditional local cuisine in a historic setting closely connected to Eskifjörður's fishing heritage. Sesam Brauðhús focuses on handcrafted breads and pastries made with quality ingredients, including sourdough baking and a menu with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients.
Whether you stop for a meal, coffee or something freshly baked, enjoying local food is a great way to add another dimension to your visit.
Stay
Consider making Eskifjörður or Reyðarfjörður your base while exploring the Eastfjords. Staying overnight gives you more time to experience the fjords in the quieter morning and evening hours and makes it easier to enjoy hiking, museums, local food and nearby nature without rushing.
Accommodation options in the area include: Mjóeyri, Hótel Eskifjörður, Hótel Austur and Studio 22. With mountains on one side and the fjord on the other, both communities offer a memorable place to slow down and spend a night or two during your journey through Austurland
Plan Your Visit to Eskifjörður & Reyðarfjörður
Ready to explore Eskifjörður & Reyðarfjörður? Discover more ideas and visit the Eskifjörður & Reyðarfjörður community websites for more detailed information for things to see and do, places to stay, food, hiking and experiences in Eskifjörður & Reyðarfjörður and its surroundings, and add the fjords to your own Fjord Way itinerary.
Are Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður worth visiting?
Absolutely. Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður combine dramatic fjord landscapes with local history, hiking and small town life. Because the two communities are close to one another, they are easy to explore together and make a great stop on a journey through the Eastfjords.
Can you visit Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður on the same day?
Yes. The two towns are close together, making it easy to combine them in a single day. Along the way, stop at Hólmanes Nature Reserve, explore the waterfront in Eskifjörður and discover Reyðarfjörður’s fascinating wartime history.
What is there to do in Eskifjörður?
Eskifjörður is a great place to explore East Iceland’s fishing heritage and enjoy the surrounding mountains and fjord. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk through the town, hike to waterfall or simply spend some time by the harbour taking in the views.
What is there to do in Reyðarfjörður?
One of the highlights of Reyðarfjörður is the Icelandic Wartime Museum, which tells the story of the Allied occupation of the area during the Second World War. You can also explore the town, enjoy walks in the surrounding landscape or hike to Búðarárfoss.
What is Hólmanes Nature Reserve?
Hólmanes is a beautiful nature reserve between Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður. Walking trails lead through an area of unusual rock formations, coastal scenery and rich birdlife, with routes towards both the hills and the sea. You may even spot reindeer in the area.
Can you hike in Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður?
Yes. There are several opportunities for walking and hiking around both fjords. Hólmanes is ideal for a relaxed nature walk, while the hike to Búðarárfoss above Reyðarfjörður rewards you with views over the town and fjord.
What is Eskifjörður known for?
Eskifjörður is particularly known for its fishing heritage and strong connection to the sea. Its historic buildings, harbour and Maritime Museum offer a glimpse into the way fishing and seafaring have shaped life in the Eastfjords.
Why is Reyðarfjörður connected to the Second World War?
Reyðarfjörður played an important role during the Second World War when Allied forces were stationed in the area. Today, the Icelandic Wartime Museum tells this story through exhibitions and artefacts connected to the wartime years.
How long should you spend in Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður?
You can see some of the highlights in a few hours, but allowing a full day gives you time to explore both communities, visit Hólmanes, see a museum or two and enjoy a walk or hike without rushing. Staying overnight lets you experience the fjords at an even slower pace.
Where can you stay in Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður?
There are accommodation options in both communities, making either town a convenient base for exploring this part of East Iceland. Staying overnight also gives you more time to discover nearby fjords and continue your journey along The Fjord Way.
Are Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður part of The Fjord Way?
Yes. Eskifjörður and Reyðarfjörður are both stops along The Fjord Way, a travel route connecting the fjords, landscapes and coastal communities of East Iceland. Their close proximity makes them particularly easy to combine as part of a longer journey through the Eastfjords.