Just a short ferry ride from Iceland’s rugged south coast lies a hidden gem waiting to be explored: the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). This dramatic archipelago of volcanic islands feels worlds away from the mainland, yet remains easily accessible for an unforgettable Icelandic adventure.
Home to Iceland’s largest puffin colonies (though their numbers have sadly declined in recent years), Heimaey Island invites you to walk across still-warm lava fields from the monumental 1973 Eldfell eruption. Picture yourself hiking up this fiery mountain that literally reshaped the island’s landscape, then peering over the cliffs at playful puffins darting through the North Atlantic breeze.
The magic of Heimaey lies in its perfect blend of accessibility and wild isolation. Frequent ferries make it ideal for a day trip from the mainland, but we recommend staying a night (or two!) to experience the island’s slower rhythm after daytrippers depart. You’ll discover charming seafood restaurants serving the day’s catch, cozy guesthouses with stunning ocean views, and quiet coastal paths where nature takes center stage.
Ready to explore more of South Iceland?
Your Vestmannaeyjar adventure pairs perfectly with these nearby wonders:
South Coast Landmarks
Reykjanes Geothermal Parks
Golden Circle Highlights
The Hidden Gems of Iceland: Westman Islands Unveiled
Picture rugged cliffs alive with seabirds, volcanic landscapes shaped by fire, and a community forged by resilience – welcome to Iceland’s Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). While Heimaey is the only inhabited island, this archipelago’s wild beauty and rich history make it a must-visit detour on any Icelandic adventure.
Surtsey: Earth’s Youngest Island
Most of these islands remain untouched except by seabirds, but adventurous travelers might glimpse the archipelago’s star geological wonder: Surtsey. Born from a fiery underwater eruption in the 1960s, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers scientists a rare chance to study how life colonizes new land. While landing is restricted to protect ongoing research, boat tours provide breathtaking views of this natural laboratory.
A Volcanic History Written in Stone
The Westman Islands’ story begins with rebellion – both geological and human. These young islands (just 12,000 years old) earned their name from escaped slaves (“Westmen”) of Iceland’s first settlers. For centuries, life here followed Viking rhythms until July 1627, when Algerian pirates stormed Heimaey, leaving destruction in their wake.
The islands’ modern rebirth came amidst catastrophe. In January 1973, Heimaey’s peaceful winter shattered as the earth tore open. The Eldfell volcano began swallowing homes in rivers of lava. Through heroic efforts, islanders saved their harbor by pumping seawater onto advancing molten rock. Today, Eldfell’s crimson slopes stand as a monument to resilience, while the improved harbor buzzes with fishing boats – proof that nature’s fury can sometimes bring unexpected gifts.
Your Journey Begins: How to Reach the Westman Islands
Reaching these island treasures is simpler than you might think. The gateway lies at Landeyjahöfn, just 15km south of Iceland’s Ring Road via Route 254. Here’s your transportation toolkit:
Take Flight with Stunning Views
For unforgettable aerial perspectives, book flights with Atlantsflug (from Landeyjahöfn) or Eagle Air (from Reykjavík). Note: Icelandic weather can be fickle – pack patience as flights may delay.
Coastal Cruise by Ferry
Most visitors choose the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey. Pro tip: Book tickets days ahead during summer months. If storms roll in, ferries divert to Þorlákshöfn near Hveragerði – a longer crossing but equally scenic.
Road-Trip Ready Bus Options
Strætó bus #52 connects Reykjavík to Landeyjahöfn via South Coast highlights. Check schedules closely – services adjust if ferries reroute.
Heimaey: Heart of the Westmans
Affectionately called “Home Island,” Heimaey packs extraordinary experiences into its 6km length. Imagine walking between volcanic craters, discovering puffin colonies, and exploring a town reborn from lava.
When to Visit the Westman Islands
May-September offers long days perfect for hiking and puffin spotting. But the true spectacle erupts during the August Þjóðhátíð festival. Commemorating Iceland’s independence, this three-day bonfire-lit celebration features music, fireworks, and Viking-worthy revelry. Book accommodation a year ahead if joining this legendary party!
Nature’s Playground: Adventures on Heimaey
• Walk Through History: Hike Eldfell volcano for panoramic views over lava-buried neighborhoods
• Birdwatcher’s Paradise: Visit Stórhöfði’s cliffs for puffins, guillemots, and 30+ seabird species
• Marine Magic: Join whale-watching tours to spot orcas, humpbacks, and playful seals
• Rainy Day Gems: Explore the Sæheimar aquarium’s lumpfish and geological exhibits, or chat with staff about their rescued seabirds
Where to Rest Your Head
From cozy guesthouses to harbor-view hotels, Heimaey’s accommodation fills fast. Festival-goers should embrace the camping spirit – just pack windproof gear! The island’s mild climate (by Icelandic standards) still delivers occasional 220km/h winds, as recorded at Stórhöfði.
Travaloca’s Tip: Iceland’s Best-Kept Secret
While most visitors flock to the Golden Circle, those who venture to the Westman Islands discover Iceland’s raw beauty and Viking spirit in their purest forms. Whether you’re hiking volcanic trails, laughing with locals at Þjóðhátíð, or marveling at puffins taking flight, these islands will etch themselves into your memory – and call you back again.
Ready to explore more? Check our guide to planning your perfect Iceland itinerary.
Meet Heimaey’s unlikely residents—a tame puffin and guillemot currently calling the local museum home!
Skansinn Fort & Stafkirkjan: Where Viking Tales Come Alive
Just east of the harbor along Strandvegur, history whispers through the chest-high lava walls of Skansinn Fort. Built by thirteenth-century English pirates and later repurposed to house Iceland’s only standing army, these stone defenses tell tales of oceanic intrigue. Pirates loved Heimaey’s isolation—one audacious rover even swiped the island’s church bell in the 1500s!
Across the way stands Stafkirkjan, an extraordinary Viking-inspired wooden church crowned by a dramatic black-shingle roof. Built in 2000 to celebrate Iceland’s millennium of Christianity, this spiritual landmark faces the site where Gizur the White constructed Iceland’s first dedicated church before championing the faith at the historic Alþing parliament.
Kirkjubæjarhraun Lava Flow: Nature’s Frozen Fury
South of the harbor, walk beneath the imposing Kirkjubæjarhraun lava flow—a two-story-high mass of jagged rock that consumed Heimaey’s eastern edge. Climb the steps from Heimagata to stand atop this geological giant, where markers reveal streets buried 16 meters below. Painted stones mark swallowed homes, while engraved memorials honor what lies beneath your feet.
Heimaey’s Coastal Trails: Where Wild Beauty Reigns
While the eastern airstrip prevents a full island circuit, Heimaey treats hikers to 12km of dramatic coastal paths. Start your adventure by following the western cliffs from the golf course—6km of windswept trails lead to Stórhöfði’s puffin-packed viewpoints. Keep binoculars ready for breaching whales and dive-bombing gannets!
East coast trails deliver wilder thrills—expect salt spray, crashing surf, and seals bobbing in kelp-strewn coves. Navigate tidal pools and hidden caves before scaling Landstakkur peninsula’s stile entrance. Here, puffins nest below panoramic ocean views. The final stretch rewards with cliffside vistas before looping back toward town above the runway’s edge.
Heimaey’s Puffins: Clowns of the Coast in Peril
Meet Iceland’s most beloved seabirds—puffins strut like miniature jesters in tuxedo plumage, sporting circus-bright beaks and comically clumsy landings. Watch their fishing runs turn into aerial heists as gulls relentlessly chase these bewhiskered snack-carriers.
Heimaey once hosted two million breeding pairs who fledged fluffy “pufflings” each summer. Come August, an extraordinary spectacle unfolds: fledglings first flights often veer toward town lights, prompting rescue missions by locals who release disoriented chicks safely seaward.
Since 2005, a silent crisis has unfolded. Warming seas have driven away sand eels—puffins’ primary food—causing mass nest abandonments and breeding failures across Iceland. While Heimaey still offers puffin sightings, these charismatic birds may vanish from Icelandic shores within our lifetime without ecological intervention.
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