East Iceland Heritage Museum Travel Guide

Minjasafn Austurlands, also known as the East Iceland Heritage Museum, is a museum in Egilsstadir showcasing the culture and society of East Iceland from the past to the present.

Travelers can visit Minjasafn Austurlands while in Egilsstadir, the largest town in East Iceland. Self-drive tours are an excellent way to travel at your own pace and stop at the attractions you most want to visit. Check out this 10-day self-drive tour of the complete Ring Road or this epic 14-day one, both of which pass through Egilsstadir and offer a chance for you to stop at the East Iceland Heritage Museum.

Minjasafn Austurlands aims to preserve East Iceland’s history through artifacts and educational material displayed in their permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum is a family-friendly attraction offering activities for children and displays visitors can touch.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Christian Bickel No edits made

Exhibitions at Minjasafn Austurlands (East Iceland Heritage Museum)

Minjasafn Austurlands has two permanent exhibitions. The first shares information about reindeer in East Iceland, the only area of the country wild reindeer live. Visitors can learn about these animals and their survival and will also get insights into reindeer hunting and how Icelanders use reindeer products.

The second permanent exhibition displays historical artifacts from rural East Iceland, offering insights into life in this region before the mid-20th century. You can take your time looking at items necessary for survival and those used for decorative purposes.

The East Iceland Heritage Museum features a children’s guide for the two permanent exhibitions, providing an interesting way for little ones to engage with the exhibits and learn about the area’s wildlife and history.

Various temporary exhibits further educate visitors on the history and culture of this region.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, By Christian Bickel No edits made

Visiting Minjasafn Austurlands

Minjasafn Austurlands is open year-round, with reduced opening hours over winter. From June until August, it’s open every day from 1000 to 1800. It’s closed between Saturday and Monday from September until May and open between Tuesday and Friday from 1100 to 1600. Contact the museum to arrange visits outside of opening hours.

The East Iceland Heritage Museum is in central Egilsstadir, on the southeast corner of Tjarnargardur city park. You can fly to Egilsstadir or visit as part of a Ring Road tour. Egilsstadir is directly across the country from Reykjavik, around 394 miles (635 kilometers) away, whether traveling via the South Coast or North Iceland.

Attractions Near Minjasafn Austurlands (East Iceland Heritage Museum)

Egilsstadir is an excellent base for exploring the Eastfjords. Quaint fishing villages dot the coastline in this sparsely populated region, which offers the perfect place to enjoy a slower pace of life.

Egilsstadir lies on the picturesque Lagarfjlot lake’s shores, a place steeped in folklore. The long, narrow lake is reportedly home to the Lagarfjlot Worm, a monster living in its depths.

Also on its shores, Hallormsstadaskogur, Iceland’s largest national forest, is a fantastic place to visit. Stop here to enjoy the hiking trails, wildlife, and the density of trees seen in few places around the country.

The Vok Baths are an excellent choice for rejuvenation, 3.6 miles (5.9 kilometers) from Minjasafn Austurlands (East Iceland Heritage Museum). These lakeside thermal baths are unique because two pools are in the lake. You can relax in the warm waters at lake level or try the hot pools overlooking the lake.