Reykjavík Grapevine - Nov 2019, Page 54

The Reykjavík G
rapevine
Best of Iceland 2019
54 BEST OF ICELAND 2019
East
Where the mountains slump into the sea
Best Tour
Wilderness Centre
Fljótsdalur
This fantastic base camp has it all—accommodation in a beautifully reno-
vated, historic house, a restaurant, a museum, and best of all, warm hosts
who’ll help you fill your time with anything from stargazing to bike-rides,
hikes, or driving up into the Highlands. They offer day tours, escorted
adventures and tailor made trips to all the sites and activities of this tucked
away corner of East Iceland. Note: Options during winter may be limited.
Map square: F10Runner Up
Runner Up
Sea Kayaking
Seyðisfjörður
Experience this gorgeous fjord from the
water. “I did a tour a few years ago and
it was the most calming and wonderful
experience,” said the panel. “The sun was
shining and the fjord was like a glass of still
water.” Kayaking in winter is possible, but
make sure to stay safe. I8
Runner Up
Papey Sailing
Djúpivogur
Tours on the Gísli í Papey ferry are offered
daily throughout the summer. The trip
takes you to Papey Island, with its bird-
cliffs and seals, and the possibility to hike
up to see the oldest and smallest wooden
church in the country. It’s great for a re-
laxed and easy going afternoon tour. H12
Best Museum/Gallery
Skaftfell
Austurvegur 42, Seyðisfjörður
This far-flung cultural outpost maintains
a year-round arts programme in a tiny
eastern town, with a surprising and cut-
ting-edge programme that relates to the
town’s artistic history. It’s probably the
best place in the East to see some contem-
porary art from both local and international
artists. On the ground floor, there is also
a café-bistro-bar with great pizzas, local
beers and a small library. There’s an events
programme with lectures and concerts in
the summertime, too. I8
Runners Up
Snæfellsstofa
Skriðuklaustur, Egilsstaðir
This visitor centre located in the first
BREEAM certified—meaning it’s sustaina-
bly built—building in Iceland offers a great
exhibition about the Eastern part of the
Vatnajökull National Park, and its fauna,
flora and geological development. It’s a
perfect place to spend a rainy day and or-
ganize your trip as the staff is always ready
to give advice. H8
Bustarfell
Bustarfell, Hofsárdalur
Just outside Vopnafjörður, is this really
informative and charming little museum.
It’s a window into the lives of many gener-
ations who lived and worked on the farm
and it’s run by the last generation who lived
there. “And they have stories, I tell ya,” said
the panel. F7
Best Café
Fjóshornið
Egilsstaðir 1, Egilsstaðir
When you have high coffee standards,
sometimes you desire more than the basic
drip variety, which is often the only option
in the East. But at Fjóshornið, they know
how to make the good stuff. The atmos-
phere is more than welcoming, you can sit
either inside in a cosy “living room” or on
the sunny terrace. The selection of home-
made cakes is great, and the place is also
a dairy farm, so you can take home some
fresh skyr, cheese or meat. H8
Runners Up
Klausturkaffi
Fljotsdalsvegur, Skriðuklaustur
This curious little café worth a stop be-
cause of their outstanding cake buffet. You
can eat as much of the delicious home-
made cake and freshly fried kleinur as you
please from the buffet table, and there are
savoury delicacies on offer, too. The lunch
buffet will fill you up for the rest of your
road trip. G10
Havarí
Nr. Djúpivogur, Berufjörður
Havari is a farmstead run by the singer of
Prins Póló Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson and his
wife Berglind Hasler. Their fun spirit runs
through Havarí, which is a hostel, work-
ing farm, music venue, and fantastic little
café with snacks, cakes and soups. Sleep
there, party there, eat there—the decision
is yours. H11
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