Region
Eastfjords
700 km from Reykjavik
Neskaupstadur: Iceland's Easternmost Town
Iceland's easternmost town: a remote fishing community reached through a mountain tunnel, with good museums and steep fjord scenery.
Population
~1,500
Eastfjords • Easternmost town
Quick Answer
Neskaupstadur is Iceland's easternmost town, at the end of the Eastfjords road, with a maritime museum, the Paskahellir sea cave, and steep mountains behind it.
Neskaupstadur sits at the end of the road in East Iceland; it is the country's easternmost town. Reached through the Nordfjardargong tunnel, this fishing community sees few tourists. It has good museums, steep mountains on every side, and a working harbor.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Check Nordfjardargong and its approach roads for current conditions before setting out.
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Official sources to check
Population
~1,500
Largest town in Eastfjords
Known for
Easternmost town
Maritime heritage and museums
Top Attractions in Neskaupstadur
Maritime Museum
Fishing heritage and local history
Paskahellir Cave
Sea cave accessible at low tide
Natural History Museum
Local flora, fauna, and geology
Art Museum
Works by Icelandic artists
Mountain Hiking
Peaks above town with ocean views
Norðfjörður
The fjord the town sits on
How to Get to Neskaupstadur
From Egilsstadir: 70 km (1 hour) via Route 92 through the Nordfjardargong tunnel.
From Reykjavik: Fly to Egilsstadir (1 hour), then drive to Neskaupstadur. Or drive 8-9 hours via Route 1.
The tunnel: The 7.9 km Nordfjardargong tunnel opened in November 2017. Check current road conditions for the full journey.
Best Time to Visit Neskaupstadur
Summer: Long daylight for walks and regular summer museum opening. Check coastal path and sea conditions before visiting Paskahellir.
Winter: Check the forecast and road conditions. Museum visits from September through May need advance arrangement.
Three collections, one museum stop
Safnahusid at Egilsbraut 2 brings together three different ways of looking at Nordfjordur. The natural history collection contains birds, fish, shells and minerals. Josafat Hinriksson’s collection includes fishing and boatbuilding equipment and a reconstruction of the forge where he learned his trade. Tryggvi Olafsson’s art museum occupies the ground floor. These are collections in one museum house, so you do not need to plan three separate journeys.
The museum house lists daily hours of 13:00–17:00 from June 1 through August 31. September–May visits are by arrangement at sofn@fjardabyggd.is or +354 470 9063. Its May 2026 tariff lists standard adult admission at 2,330 ISK and free admission for ages 0–17; the adult ticket is non-transferable and valid for one year across the municipal museums. Check any special-opening charge separately before arranging an off-season visit.
The 7.9-kilometer Nordfjardargong is the current tunnel connection with Eskifjordur. Do not add a 17-kilometer tunnel to your route based on older guide copy: that figure and the Oddsskard name do not describe this crossing.
Planning help
Neskaupstadur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Neskaupstadur?
Neskaupstadur has approximately 1,500 residents and is the largest town in the Eastfjords.
Is Neskaupstadur the easternmost town in Iceland?
Neskaupstadur is on Nordfjordur in the Eastfjords. The approach from Eskifjordur uses the 7.9 km Nordfjardargong tunnel.
How far is Neskaupstadur from Reykjavik?
Neskaupstadur is about 700 km from Reykjavik (8-9 hours driving) via the Ring Road and through the Nordfjardargong tunnel.
How do you reach Neskaupstadur?
Nordfjardargong links Nordfjordur with Eskifjordur. It opened on November 11, 2017 and is 7.9 km long; check current conditions on the approach roads.
What museums are in Neskaupstadur?
Safnahusid at Egilsbraut 2 houses the natural history collection, Josafat Hinriksson’s maritime and workshop collection, and Tryggvi Olafsson’s art museum.
What nature attractions are near Neskaupstadur?
Paskahellir (Easter Cave) is a well-known sea cave, and the surrounding mountains have hiking routes with views of the Arctic Ocean.
Has Neskaupstadur experienced avalanches?
Yes, the town experienced devastating avalanches in 1974. Extensive avalanche barriers now protect the community.
What services does Neskaupstadur have?
As the largest Eastfjords town, it has a hospital, supermarkets, swimming pool, hotels, restaurants, and a small harbor.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.