Eastern Iceland

Viewpoints in Eastern Iceland

Icelandic Vistas and Monuments

This collection highlights the dramatic geological and artistic landmarks of East Iceland. It features the basalt column formations of Stuðlagil Canyon and Svartifoss, the jagged peaks of Vesturhorn and Eystrahorn, and glacial vistas from Sjónarnípa. Cultural sites include the resonating domes of Tvísöngur in Seyðisfjörður, the granite bird eggs of Gleðivík, and the Gigjukvisl Bridge Memorial, which preserves twisted steel remains from the 1996 glacial flood. These sites showcase a mix of natural wonders, sound installations, and historical ruins.

Icelandic Vistas and Monuments — Map

Jim Nicholls / CC-BY-SA

A

Gigjukvisl Bridge Memorial

Features twisted steel beams from a bridge destroyed during the 1996 jökulhlaup (glacial flood) triggered by the Grímsvötn volcanic eruption.

Ira Goldstein / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Eggin í Gleðivík

An outdoor installation by Sigurður Guðmundsson featuring 34 large granite eggs along the waterfront, each representing a local bird species.

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Vesturhorn

A 454-meter-high mountain on the Stokksnes peninsula, characterized by its sharp gabbro peaks and surrounding black sand dunes.

Debivort / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Magnúsarfoss

A waterfall in Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, situated along the hiking trail leading toward Svartifoss.

Pablo Vazquez / CC-BY-SA

E

Hvalnes nature reserve

A steep gabbro mountain at the Hvalnes Nature Reserve, marking the transition between the South Coast and the Eastfjords.

Tinnagudm / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Tvísöngur

A sound sculpture by Lukas Kühne consisting of five interconnected concrete domes designed to resonate with traditional Icelandic five-tone harmony.

Benoit Peccoux / CC-BY-SA

G

Sjónarnípa

A vantage point in Skaftafell providing views of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue and Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland’s highest peak.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

H

Seamen's Monument

A memorial sculpture located in the harbor town of Höfn, dedicated to local fishermen lost at sea.

Guillaume Baviere / CC BY 2.0

I

Ingólfshöfði

Ingólfshöfði is a small headland and private nature reserve on the south coast of Iceland.

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Svartifoss

A waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park framed by hanging hexagonal basalt columns, which inspired the architecture of Reykjavik’s Hallgrímskirkja.

Ebelyn Toapanta Ulcuango / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Hangandifoss

A high waterfall located within the Múlagljúfur Canyon, cascading down steep cliffs near the Vatnajökull glacier.

Ike Tomaszewski / CC-BY-SA

L

Boat

A preserved historic steel fishing vessel, the Akurey SF 52, displayed on land near the harbor in Höfn.

M

Jón Eiríksson

A memorial located near Skálafell, dedicated to Jón Eiríksson, a local farmer and philanthropist known for his conservation efforts.

N

Stuðlagil

A canyon featuring massive basalt column formations along the Jökulsá á Dal river, revealed after water levels dropped due to a nearby hydropower project.

O

Eyvindarkofa

Stone ruins of a shelter believed to have been used by the 18th-century outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur during his time in the highlands.

P

Skógar

Historical remains of an abandoned settlement or farmstead located in the remote Eastfjords region.

Q

Borgarhóll

Archaeological site featuring the remains of old structures, located on a hill overlooking the surrounding fjord landscape.

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