Vestmannaeyjar, South Iceland · Iceland
A volcanic archipelago off the south coast, home to a town half-buried by a 1973 eruption and one of the world's largest puffin colonies.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Westman Islands are one of Iceland's most dramatic volcanic stories made physical: in 1973, a new volcano, Eldfell, tore open on the edge of the main island's only town and buried a third of it in lava and ash over several months, in an eruption residents fought back against by pumping seawater onto the advancing flow.
Today Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the archipelago, is a thriving fishing town that has rebuilt itself around that eruption rather than away from it — the Eldheimar museum sits atop an excavated buried house, and Eldfell itself is now a short, popular climb.
The islands are just as famous for wildlife as for volcanism: they hold one of the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies, and the nearby island of Surtsey, formed entirely by an eruption in the 1960s, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site studied as a living laboratory for how life colonises new land.
Why visit
The Westman Islands' case rests on a rare combination of recent volcanic drama and world-class wildlife.
It didn't exist before 1973, and residents who lived through the eruption still tell their stories on the island.
Built directly over an excavated house buried by the eruption, giving it a real claim to being Iceland's 'Pompeii of the North.'
Hundreds of thousands of pairs nest on the sea cliffs each summer.
An island born from the sea in the 1960s, visible from boat tours and still scientifically off-limits to casual visitors.
A short ferry or flight from the south coast, but with a distinct island character all its own.
Main attractions
Heimaey's compact size means its essential sights are all within a short drive or walk of each other.
A busy working fishing harbour, still one of Iceland's most important, with the town rebuilt around and over the 1973 lava field.
Tip Walk up to the harbour's northern breakwater for the best view back over the town.
A young volcano, born in a 1973 eruption that buried much of the town below, now a popular hour-long climb with warm ground still detectable underfoot.
Tip You can still feel residual heat by pushing a stick into the ground near the summit.
A striking museum built directly over one of the houses excavated from the ash, telling the story of the 1973 eruption and evacuation.
Tip The included audio guide, narrated partly by survivors, adds real emotional weight.
One of Iceland's most reliable puffin-watching spots, a windswept headland at Heimaey's southern tip with a colony numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Tip Visit in the evening, when birds return to their burrows in the greatest numbers.
A pioneering open-water sanctuary in Klettsvík bay, home to two beluga whales relocated from a Chinese aquarium in 2019.
Tip The viewing platform lets you watch the belugas without a boat trip.
A striking natural amphitheatre valley, believed to be the archipelago's first Norse settlement site and now home to Iceland's biggest summer festival.
Tip The short walking loop around the valley rim gives good views over the town.
A brand-new island, formed entirely by an underwater eruption between 1963 and 1967, now a UNESCO World Heritage site studied for how life colonises new land.
Tip Landing is restricted to scientists — most visitors see it only from a boat tour or scenic flight.
Things to do
Heimaey rewards a mix of volcanic history, wildlife watching and its own laid-back island pace.
An accessible hour-long round trip to the summit, with sweeping views over the town, harbour and surrounding islands.
Tip Wear sturdy shoes — the loose volcanic gravel underfoot can be slippery.
A moving hour spent among the artefacts and excavated remains of a house buried in the 1973 eruption.
Tip Allow at least an hour, longer if you want the full audio guide experience.
A magical evening ritual in summer, as thousands of puffins wheel in from the sea to their cliffside nests.
Tip Stórhöfði's viewing area is a short, easy drive from town.
A rare chance to see beluga whales up close in a real bay sanctuary, rather than a traditional aquarium tank.
Tip The visitor centre explains the belugas' full rescue and relocation story.
A dramatic way to see the archipelago's sea stacks, sea caves and birdlife up close, with Surtsey visible in the distance.
Tip Boats run only in summer and can be cancelled in rough weather — book flexibly.
A peaceful spot most of the year, exploding into Iceland's biggest festival crowd for one weekend each August.
Tip Ask locally about the þjóðhátíð festival if visiting in early August — book accommodation well ahead.
Local food
As a genuine working fishing community, Heimaey's food leans heavily on the daily catch alongside Iceland's usual staples.
As fresh as it comes — Heimaey remains one of Iceland's most important fishing ports.
Where to try it Harbourside restaurants in the town centre.
Available at most restaurants in town, often from sheep grazed on the surrounding islands.
Where to try it Restaurants around Heimaey's town centre.
An easy breakfast or snack option at the town's cafés and small supermarket.
Where to try it Cafés in Heimaey town.
A traditional local delicacy, historically an important food source on the islands, though increasingly debated as puffin numbers decline.
Where to try it A small number of traditional restaurants in Heimaey town.
A traditional dark rye bread, often served with the day's fish catch at breakfast.
Where to try it Guesthouses and cafés in Heimaey town.
Iceland's famous caraway schnapps, a fitting way to end an evening of puffin watching in town.
Where to try it Bars in Heimaey town.
Accommodation
Heimaey town holds all the archipelago's accommodation, easily walkable to most sights.
Transport
The Westman Islands are reached by a short ferry crossing or a quick domestic flight.
Heimaey is small enough to see most of on foot, with a car useful only for Stórhöfði.
When to go
Summer brings the puffins and reliable boat tours, though Eldfell and the Eldheimar museum are worth visiting in any season.
Peak puffin season and the only reliable window for boat tours around the islands.
Quieter, though puffins have mostly left for the winter by late September.
Atmospheric for the museum and Eldfell, though ferries can face weather delays.
Quiet, with puffins beginning to return toward the end of the season.
Worth planning around: Avoid counting on boat tours or flights in winter — rough weather regularly disrupts both.
Itinerary
Built around Eldfell and Eldheimar in the morning, wildlife in the afternoon.
The 1973 eruption story, then puffins and belugas.
Travel tips
A handful of practical notes make a Westman Islands day trip run smoothly.
FAQ
Yes — the combination of the 1973 eruption story, Eldfell and the puffin colonies makes for a distinctive day away from the south coast.
By a short ferry from Landeyjahöfn, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik, or by a quick domestic flight.
From around May to August, with evening visits to Stórhöfði giving the best activity.
Not on land — access is restricted to scientists, but boat tours and scenic flights pass close by.
A new volcano, Eldfell, erupted without warning at the edge of town, eventually burying about a third of it in lava and ash over several months.
A full day covers the main sights comfortably; an overnight stay allows a more relaxed pace and an evening puffin visit.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with the Westman Islands, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Southern Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's single most photographed stretch of coast, its waterfalls, black sand beaches and glaciers strung along one accessible road from Reykjavik.
Don't miss Walking the path that ducks fully behind Seljalandsfoss's curtain of falling water, the whole valley framed through it.
Explore Destination — The South CoastCapital Region, Iceland
Iceland's small, walkable capital, its colourful rooftops, geothermal pools and harbourfront concert hall anchoring almost every trip to the country.
Don't miss Standing at the foot of Hallgrímskirkja's 74-metre tower, the whole colourful, low-rise city spread out below toward the bay and the mountains beyond.
Explore Destination — ReykjavikSouthern Iceland, Iceland
Iceland's most-visited route, looping past a UNESCO rift valley, an erupting geyser and a thundering waterfall within a single day from Reykjavik.
Don't miss Watching Strokkur's water dome swell for a few seconds before erupting in a sudden column of steam and spray, metres from where you're standing.
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