Eldfell Volcano
The 1973 volcanic cinder cone
A 220-metre volcanic cone formed during the sudden 1973 eruption, with trails leading up red tephra slopes to smoking summit vents.
Heimaey EastFreeHike
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Ideal: 1–2 daysBest: May–Aug for nesting puffins, boat circumnavigations and midnight sunPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
Vestmannaeyjar in 60 seconds
Surrounded by stormy North Atlantic seas off Iceland's southern shore, the Westman Islands archipelago was dramatically altered in 1973 when Eldfell erupted beside the town of Heimaey. Today, travellers hike up the reddish volcanic cone whose summit remains warm to the touch, examine excavated suburban houses at the Eldheimar museum, and watch Europe's largest puffin colony nesting on the sea cliffs.
IslandVolcano
Best for
- Wildlife
- History
Known for
- Eldfell volcanic crater
- Eldheimar museum
- Stórhöfði puffin colony
Skip if
You cannot accommodate a brief 45-minute ferry crossing on your south coast itinerary.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Vestmannaeyjar fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Eldheimar Volcano Museum
ModerateThe Pompeii of the North exhibition
A moving exhibition built around a fully excavated suburban home buried under metres of ash during the five-month 1973 eruption.
HeimaeyGeologyHistory
Stórhöfði Puffin Colony
Windy southern headland & seabird cliffs
One of Europe's windiest peninsulas, featuring a clifftop bird hide overlooking thousands of breeding Atlantic puffins in summer.
Heimaey SouthFreePuffins
Eat
Where to eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
Local
Where to eat the food this city is actually known for.
Gott
ModerateFresh island fish & creative family cooking
A popular family restaurant run by a former national culinary team chef, serving fish soups, herb-crusted haddock and salads.
HeimaeyFamily runFish
Einsi Kaldi
ExpensiveSeafood & regional game specialties
Located within Hotel Vestmannaeyjar, preparing locally caught monkfish, smoked puffin and mountain lamb.
HeimaeyHistoricLamb
More places to eat
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Slippurinn
ExpensiveAcclaimed shipyard restaurant & foraged herbs
Housed in a former marine workshop, turning foraged island sea truffles, dulse and freshly landed cod into celebrated dishes.
Heimaey HarbourBook aheadFine dining
Kaffi Kró
InexpensiveCosy harbour-side café & cake
A friendly island gathering spot serving hot coffee, fresh cinnamon buns and sandwiches near the ferry terminal.
HeimaeyCaféCosy
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Herjólfsdalur Valley
Historic grassy amphitheatre & replica farm
A lush volcanic amphitheatre holding reconstructed turf longhouses from Iceland's first Viking settlement period.
Heimaey WestFreeHistory
Elephant Rock (Fíllinn)
Sea cliff resembling an elephant head
A natural basalt sea cliff formation whose shape and weathered texture bear an uncanny resemblance to an elephant dipping its trunk in the sea.
Heimaey CoastBoat viewFree
Beluga Whale Sanctuary & Sea Life Trust
ModerateMarine wildlife rescue & puffin hospital
A marine rehabilitation centre and natural bay sanctuary home to rescued beluga whales and rehabilitated puffling chicks.
Heimaey HarbourConservationMarine
After dark
Bars & nightlife
The Brothers Brewery
ModerateIsland microbrewery & lively taproom
An artisanal craft brewery founded by local brothers, pouring fresh IPAs, stouts and sour ales on draft.
HeimaeyCraft beerLocal
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Heimaey Town
Harbour and island centre
The colourful port town sheltered behind the newly solidified 1973 lava barrier wall.
Eldfell Lava Fields
Volcanic disaster zone
The fresh black and red lava terrain that expanded the island's territory by over two square kilometres.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Heimaey Town Centre
ExpensiveCentral and walkable to all island sights
Best choice for staying on the island, with all restaurants, museums and ferry connections within easy walking distance.
DiningWalkable
Practical
Know before you go
- Ferry crossing
- The Herjólfur car ferry operates multiple daily 45-minute sailings from Landeyjahöfn on the south coast.
- Car transport
- You do not strictly need a car on Heimaey; the town, museums and hiking trails are easily explored on foot or bicycle.
- Puffling rescue
- In late August, island children participate in the traditional 'puffling patrol', rescuing lost baby puffins disoriented by streetlights.
- Weather port shifts
- In heavy winter surf, the ferry diverts to Þorlákshöfn (2 hours 45 minutes crossing); check herjolfur.is for schedule updates.
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 874
Fleeing Irish slaves ('Westmen') kill Hjörleifur and take refuge on the islands before being caught by Ingólfur Arnarson.
- 1627
Barbary corsairs raid the islands, capturing over 200 islanders and enslaving them in Algiers.
- 1973
Eldfell erupts on 23 January without casualties; seawater pumping prevents lava from closing the vital fishing harbour.
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Surtsey Nature Reserve
Protected volcanic island born in 1963
A pristine UNESCO World Heritage island formed by volcanic eruptions in 1963, kept pristine for ecological research.
Boat view onlyUNESCOVolcano
RIB Boat Sea Cave Tour
High-speed coastal sea cave tour
High-speed inflatable boat tours zooming directly into natural sea caves and under the sheer cliffs of the outer islands.
1 hour from harbourAdventureBoat