In 60 seconds
Tucked away at the end of scenic mountain road 94 in the northeastern Eastfjords, Borgarfjörður Eystri is a remote paradise of fewer than a hundred residents. It is celebrated globally for Hafnarhólmi—the most accessible puffin breeding colony in Iceland—the legendary elf hill Álfaborg, painter Jóhannes Kjarval's heritage, and the dramatic mountain door of Dyrfjöll.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You are uncomfortable driving unpaved or winding mountain passes; Route 94 crosses high gravel terrain.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Borgarfjörður Eystri fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Protected volcanic rock promontory and wooden boardwalk system inside the small boat marina where 10,000 pairs of puffins nest
Walk along timber stairways within arm's reach of nesting puffins without disturbing their burrows.
Prominent rocky hill rising right beside the village of Bakkagerði, celebrated in folklore as the imperial palace of the Queen of the Icelandic Elves
Climb the marked trail to the top for panoramic views over the village, fjord and ocean.
Colossal 1,136-metre volcanic mountain massif breached by a monumental natural vertical gap known as The Door (Dyr)
Embark on an exhilarating day hike from the pass up to the surreal mountain door fissure.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
No booking, no ceremony, reliably good.
Heartwarming rustic cafe-restaurant on the main street serving famous fish soup, local lamb and home-baked bread
Feast on rich seafood soup and dark rye bread with smoked trout.
Refined spa hotel restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing ocean and mountain views
Dine on local arctic char, lamb fillet and Icelandic craft beer.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Seaside cafe overlooking the puffin island and marina serving fish chowder, coffee and cakes
Enjoy fresh waffles while watching puffins circle above with beaks full of sand eels.
Cozy village spot serving freshly brewed espresso, Icelandic kleinur and hot chocolate
Warm up after a coastal hike with a slice of rhubarb tart.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Charming traditional turf-roofed red cottage in the center of Bakkagerði dating from 1899, with stone cellars and flowering gardens
Photograph one of Iceland's few remaining continuously inhabited turf dwellings.
Historic 1901 village church holding a famous altarpiece painted by master artist Jóhannes Kjarval depicting Christ on Álfaborg
Admire the painting where the Sermon on the Mount is set directly against local Eastfjord peaks.
Network of premier multi-day wilderness trails leading south through deserted red rhyolite fjords and deserted fishing hamlets
Trek between Urðarhólar boulder fields and untouched pebble bays.
After dark
Historic converted fish factory that hosts Iceland's beloved annual indie-rock summer music festival Bræðslan
Mingle with musicians and locals over cold craft beer in an intimate rustic venue.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Compact coastal settlement surrounded by green meadows, elf hills and mountain amphitheaters
Walk quiet roads between colourful iron-clad homes and flowering gardens.
Sheltered boat harbour 5 kilometres out of town with wooden piers, lighthouse and puffin rocks
Breathe salty ocean air surrounded by squawking seabirds and tranquil waters.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Boutique waterfront guesthouse with outdoor geothermal hot tubs and saunas facing the open fjord
Exceptional luxury relaxation and midnight sun viewing.
Cozy traditional guesthouses scattered throughout the peaceful village of Bakkagerði
Immediate access to hiking trailheads and village cafes.
Practical
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
Settled as a small inshore fishing station and trading hub for the isolated northeastern fjords.
Famed painter Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval spends summers here, immortalizing the local landscape in masterworks.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Surreal mountain basin filled with colossal meadow-scattered boulders and turquoise glacial meltwater pools
Trek into one of Iceland's most awe-inspiring hidden geological wonders.
Capital of East Iceland featuring floating geothermal pools on the calm waters of Lake Urriðavatn
Soak in hot geothermal water pools floating directly on a crystal-clear subarctic lake.
