Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.08.2018, Qupperneq 54

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Iceland 2018
54 BEST OF ICELAND 2018
East
Where the mountains slump into the sea
Best Tour
Norðurfjörður Boating
Neskaupstaður
Neskaupstaður is Iceland’s easternmost town, making it the per-
fect place to take a boat trip out around the Eastfjords. You’ll get
a seaborne view of the various peninsulas, coves and inlets that
make up Iceland’s eastern coast, revealing the landscape from
a different perspective, and there’s a chance of seeing whales,
too. Neskaupstaður also has a variety of other options if the sea is
rough, such as hiking and horseback riding. Map square: I9
Runner Up
Horseback riding
Húsey
Horseback riding is always fun
when the conditions are nice, and at
Húsey you’ll get an added bonus. The
horse-riding route here runs along the
seaside, passing a seal colony. So as
well as getting some fresh air and tak-
ing in the majestic landscapes of east
Iceland at a gentle pace, you can do
some horseback seal-spotting too. H6
Runner Up
Sea Angling
Breiðdalsvík
Whether or not you’re an experienced
fisherman, you’ll enjoy the sea angling
day trip that leaves from the small
town of Breiðalsvík. With the equipment
provided, you’ll see seabirds, seals and
puffins while you fish on the islands
around the fjord. The tour ends at Hotel
Bláfell, where the catch will be cooked
for dinner. I11
Best Museum/
Gallery
Skaftfell
Austurvegur 42, Seyðisfjörður
Located in a charming old wooden
house in the picturesque seaside town
of Seyðisfjörður, the Skaftfell gallery is
an outpost of culture in the far reaches
of east Iceland. They have exhibitions,
lectures and events in the airy gallery
space, and host an artist residency.
There’s also a café-bar in the basement
where you can relax afterwards. Those
interested in art and culture should
also check out Slaughterhouse just
over the mountain in Egilsstaðir. I8
Runners Up
Petra's Stone Collection
Fjarðarbraut 21, Stöðvarfjörður
The tiny town of Stöðvarfjörður was
once a thriving fishing village, but
has recently reinvented itself. The old
fishing factory has been converted
into an arts and culture space; down
the street, Petra’s Stone Collection is
a beautiful display of colourful rocks,
gems and minerals collected locally by
the late Ljósbjörg Petra María, and run
by her family to this day. H11
Neskaupstaður Museum
Egilsbraut 2, Neskaupstaður
The museum in the remote and peace-
ful town of Neskaupstaður is a three-
for-one offering with something for
everyone. On the ground floor there’s
an art gallery showing the works of
celebrated local painter, Tryggvi Ólafs-
son; on the second, there’s a maritime
museum, and on the third, there’s a
museum of natural history. I9
Best Café
Salt Café &
Bistro
Miðvangur 2, Egilsstaðir
Out in the east, seasonal opening
times can be patchy and inconvenient,
but Egillstaðir’s café-bar Salt has you
covered. Whatever the time of year,
you can hole up in this spacious and
comfortable dining room and tuck
into something from the surprisingly
massive and diverse menu, which has
everything from curries to pizzas to
local meat and fish dishes, and more. H8
Runners Up
Kaupvangskaffi
Hafnarbyggð 4a, Vopnafjörður
This large, proud, red-painted harbour
house is one of the main buildings in
Vopnafjörður. It contains a local history
museum, an information centre, a
crafts shop, and a cosy and welcoming
café. “Try the stellar local seafood
pizza,” the panel advised. The opening
hours are somewhat sporadic, so check
in advance. G6
Móðir Jörð, Vallanes
Translating as “Mother Earth,” this
charming café and B&B is on the
grounds of an organic farm tucked
away in a wooded area near the shores
of lake Lagerfljót. There’s a store selling
products grown and packed on the
farm, and the café serves delicious and
healthy food in a light dining room with
big windows. It’s only open in summer,
so check ahead. G10