# Egilsstaðir
**Egilsstaðir** is a town in East Iceland on the banks of the Lagarfljót, and the largest town in the region, serving as its main service, transportation, and administration center[1](https://visitegilsstadir.is/en/about-egilsstadir/) • [2](https://placeandsee.com/wiki/egilsstadir). The town lies in the Fljótsdalshérað district and grew from a single farm bought in the early 20th century by the farmer Jón Bergsson, who reportedly predicted "Crossroads will be here" as the country's main routes converged on the site[3](https://areastays.com/en/iceland/egilsstadir/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | East Iceland, on the banks of the Lagarfljót, in the Fljótsdalshérað district[1](https://visitegilsstadir.is/en/about-egilsstadir/) |
| Population | Around 2,600–2,719 residents (2022–2026 figures)[4](https://www.islandihnotskurn.is/place/egilsstadir) |
| Founded | Established as a town in 1947, when it had 110 inhabitants[5](https://gamla.fljotsdalsherad.is/static/files/baeklingar/innvidagreining_ens.pdf) |
| Role | Largest town in East Iceland; main service, transportation, and administration center[2](https://placeandsee.com/wiki/egilsstadir) |
| Airport | Egilsstaðir International Airport is one of four airports in Iceland fulfilling international flight requirements, open 24 hours a day[6](https://www.innanlandsflugvellir.is/en/egilsstadir-airport/about-egilsstadir-airport) |
| Ring Road | The Ring Road passes through the town; distance to Reykjavík via the southern or northern route is practically the same[7](https://arnastofnun.is/sites/default/files/2023-01/Iceland%20and%20Icelanders.pdf) |
| Nearby forest | Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland's biggest national forest, covers over 740 ha with an arboretum of more than 70 foreign tree species and 40 km of hiking trails[8](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/egilsstadir/) |
## History
Egilsstaðir grew from a farm bought in the early 20th century by the farmer Jón Bergsson, who reportedly predicted "Crossroads will be here" as the country's main routes converged on the site[3](https://areastays.com/en/iceland/egilsstadir/). The town was established by law in 1947, when its inhabitants numbered 110[5](https://gamla.fljotsdalsherad.is/static/files/baeklingar/innvidagreining_ens.pdf). In 1909, the cooperative society Kaupfélags Héraðsbúa (KHB) was founded with its seat at Egilsstaðir[4](https://www.islandihnotskurn.is/place/egilsstadir).
## Geography and climate
The town lies in the Fljótsdalshérað district, on the banks of the Lagarfljót river[1](https://visitegilsstadir.is/en/about-egilsstadir/). The area is known for its natural beauty and mild weather[9](https://austurland.is/en/town/egilsstadir/). Stretching 25 km south from Egilsstaðir, Lagarfljót ranks as Iceland's third-largest lake[10](https://www.atlasiceland.com/guides/egilsstadir-east-icelands-hub).
Nearby is Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland's biggest national forest, covering over 740 ha with an arboretum of more than 70 foreign tree species and 40 km of hiking trails[8](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/egilsstadir/).
## Transport
The Ring Road passes through the town, and the distance from Egilsstaðir to [Reykjavík](https://www.edgepedia.org/reykjavik) via the southern or the northern stretch of highway one is practically the same[7](https://arnastofnun.is/sites/default/files/2023-01/Iceland%20and%20Icelanders.pdf). Egilsstaðir International Airport is one of four airports in Iceland fulfilling requirements for international flights and is open 24 hours a day[6](https://www.innanlandsflugvellir.is/en/egilsstadir-airport/about-egilsstadir-airport). Public buses travel between the main urban areas and the airport[11](https://skipulag.austurland.is/en/god-heimkynni/byggd-og-grunnkerfi/).
## Culture and folklore
Lagarfljót is home to the Lagarfljót Worm (Lagarfljótsormurinn), a legendary creature said to live in the river and show itself only very rarely. The legend is first mentioned in the Icelandic Annals of 1345[7](https://arnastofnun.is/sites/default/files/2023-01/Iceland%20and%20Icelanders.pdf).
## Tourism and recreation
The Vök Baths geothermal pools float in Lake Urriðavatn, offering temperature experiences between 0 and 41 °C[8](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/egilsstadir/). The town is a hub for tours in the area, with a number of hiking routes and activities[9](https://austurland.is/en/town/egilsstadir/).
## Administration
In autumn 2020, Fljótsdalshérað joined the municipality of Múlaþing, together with Borgarfjarðarhreppur, Djúpavogshreppur, and Seyðisfjarðarkaupstaður.[9](https://austurland.is/en/town/egilsstadir/)
## References
1. [About Egilsstaðir – Visitegilsstadir](https://visitegilsstadir.is/en/about-egilsstadir/)
2. [Egilsstaðir – placeandsee.com](https://placeandsee.com/wiki/egilsstadir)
3. [Where to Stay in Egilsstaðir, Iceland — East Iceland Ring Road Guide](https://areastays.com/en/iceland/egilsstadir/)
4. [Egilsstaðir – Ísland í hnotskurn](https://www.islandihnotskurn.is/place/egilsstadir)
5. [Fljótsdalshérað – innviðagreining](https://gamla.fljotsdalsherad.is/static/files/baeklingar/innvidagreining_ens.pdf)
6. [About Egilsstaðir Airport](https://www.innanlandsflugvellir.is/en/egilsstadir-airport/about-egilsstadir-airport)
7. [Iceland and Icelanders – Árnastofnun](https://arnastofnun.is/sites/default/files/2023-01/Iceland%20and%20Icelanders.pdf)
8. [Egilsstaðir | Visit Iceland](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/egilsstadir/)
9. [Austurland.is Egilsstaðir](https://austurland.is/en/town/egilsstadir/)
10. [Egilsstaðir: East Iceland's Hub | Atlas Iceland](https://www.atlasiceland.com/guides/egilsstadir-east-icelands-hub)
11. [Settlement and Basic Infrastructure | Svæðisskipulag Austurlands](https://skipulag.austurland.is/en/god-heimkynni/byggd-og-grunnkerfi/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Places and geography › Settlements and neighborhoods › Cities and towns › Cities, towns, and villages of Western, Northern, and Southern Europe › Municipalities of the Nordic countries*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license