In the center of Egilsstadhir, the wooded Tjarnargarðurinn park surrounds a pond. The park has a six-hole disc golf course that is open to everyone. Egilsstadhir is located right beside Lagarfljót, a long, narrow glacial lake and river system. Its shores are suited to quiet walks, lakeside picnics and leisurely fishing. The season and weather play a role in these activities.
Green spaces, paths and water
The Selskógur forest is located in Egilsstadhir, alongside the Eyvindará River. Its paths have a wood-chip surface and are described as suitable for shorter or longer walks; picnics are also possible there. A free map of the forest is available. Check whether it is available before your trip. This gives you a choice of different green spaces: Tjarnargarðurinn combines a pond and disc golf in the town center, while Selskógur offers riverside paths and picnic spots.
The focus at Lagarfljót is more on the shore: walks, picnics and leisurely fishing are mentioned here. This is a different kind of visit from walking the forest paths. When planning outdoor activities at either location, take the conditions of the season and the weather into account.
Cultural history and performing arts
The East Iceland Heritage Museum is near the southeastern corner of Tjarnargarðurinn. It preserves and shares the cultural history, traditions and community life of the region. Its permanent exhibitions cover a range of themes. “Reindeer in East Iceland” explores the reindeer’s life and survival, natural and human-caused threats, reindeer research and the history of hunting. It also covers the use of reindeer products in food and handicrafts.
The permanent exhibition “Sustainable Unit” showcases objects from rural life in East Iceland up to the mid-20th century. These include a traditional baðstofa from the Brekka farm in Hróarstunga. Together, the exhibitions lead from the history of reindeer to objects from everyday life in the region.
Another cultural venue is Menningarmiðstöð Fljótsdalshéraðs, or MMF for short. The center is located in Egilsstadhir and is one of four cultural centers in East Iceland, with a focus on theater and dance. The Slaughterhouse Culture Center is housed in a restored former meat-processing facility. Its program includes artistic experiences, talks, workshops, performances and exhibitions. As the program may change, it is worth checking the current schedule before visiting.
Sports and outings in the surrounding area
Egilsstadhir’s swimming pool is a 25-meter outdoor pool with two hot tubs, a children’s pool and a waterslide. It is next to the town’s sports center. As opening hours may change, check the latest information before visiting. The town’s sports facilities also include a golf course operated by the local golf club, with a par-70 layout.
Near Egilsstadhir, a marked trail leads from the Fardagafoss waterfall parking lot to the falls. It is just under a mile, or about 1.3 kilometers, long. Weather and the season can affect trail conditions. Hallormsstaðar Arboretum can be explored via a wide wooden boardwalk; its visitor facilities may vary seasonally.
The trail descriptions differ in the features they mention: Selskógur has wood-chip paths for shorter or longer walks, an approximate route length is given for Fardagafoss, and a wide wooden boardwalk runs through the arboretum. These details help you compare the types of paths described; weather and season remain relevant for outdoor trails.
Beer and brewing culture
Askur Taproom in Egilsstadhir offers local craft beer and beer tastings. The microbrewery uses Icelandic water and ingredients from local producers. Brewery tours can be booked for groups: local beer is tasted straight from the tank, and the brewing process is explained. The tours are led by experienced brewers. As booking conditions may change, it is advisable to confirm availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Disastaðir, Berunes, Bjarnanes, þÓrshöfn, Breiðdalsvík, Laugarfell, Reydarfjördur, Djúpivogur.
For the regional travel overview: Austurland.
