It is no secret that I fell hard for the Westman Islands after my trip there a few summers ago. From hiking up a volcano to taking a boat tour around the islands everything about my day in Westman Islands has me dreaming of a return trip this summer.
I will even go as far as to say that my day in the Westman Islands is one of my favorite adventures I have done in Iceland, and I have seen some pretty amazing places.
If you have the time I highly recommend adding a day trip to the Westman Islands to your Iceland plans. To help you plan here is a quick guide to the islands.
About Westman Islands
Referred to as the “Pompeii of the North”, the Westman Islands, Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic, is a chain of 15 islands located off the south coast of Iceland. Out of those 15 islands only one is inhabited, the island Heimaey, where you will find 4,000 of the friendliest people in Iceland. With stunning landscapes and the largest puffin colony in the world, these little islands have a lot to offer visitors, you will want to add more time to your visit after your day in the Westman Islands!
How to Get There
Ferry
The best way to get to Westman Islands is by ferry. The main ferry port is at Landeyjahöfn, but on days when weather conditions are bad (mainly in the winter months), the ferry at Þorlákshöfn is used.
From Landeyjahöfn
An hour and 45-minute drive from Reykjavik the ferry ride from Landeyjahöfn takes about 35 minutes one way.
Price per ticket round trip:
Adult $20 USD, Teenager $10 USD, Children ride free
Car $32 USD round trip
Click here for more information and to book tickets.
*If you are not renting a car while in Iceland you can still reach the ferry from Reykjavik by taking the bus. For more information on bus transportation to Landeyjahöfn read the Stræto website for information on route #52 here.
Did I mention that I get super bad motion sickness? This is my trying not to puke face on my ferry ride to the Westman Islands. It was worth it when I saw the Westman Islands in the distance.
Flight
A more expensive option is to take a flight over to Westman Islands with Eagle Air. If you are interested you can find ticket information here.
What to Do
Boat tour with Ribsafari
A boat tour with Ribsafari is a must-do while visiting the Westman Islands. I recommend taking this tour, a one-hour trip that will take you all around the islands, past the elephant rock, and into four different caves, you may even see a whale or puffin along the way!
Try Spranga
Known as the local sport on the island, Sprangan is described as a miniature version of cliff rappelling that is mainly practiced at Skiphellar, a cliff face that is not far from the harbor. The locals grow up working on their Sprangan skills and encourage visitors to give it a try. Or you can just sit back and enjoy watching others show off their skills.
Visit Sæheimar Natural History Museum and Aquarium
Dream of cuddling a puffin? The Sæheimar Natural History Museum and Aquarium often takes in injured pufflings to receive care before being released back into the wild so you may be lucky enough to see one on your visit. Open daily in the summer months and on Saturdays in the winter this is one place you won’t want to miss visiting.
Visit the Eldheimar museum
Take a visit to the Eldheimar museum to learn more about the volcanic eruption that hit Heimary island without warning in 1973. This eruption caused an emergency evacuation for the entire island, and it would be over a year before many of the island inhabitants could return back to Vestmannaeyjar. Sadly many of these inhabitants would never return to their homes as the lava flow destroyed around 400 homes.
The museum displays are centered around an excavated home that was buried by ash during the eruption. An audio guide will take you around the museum covering events before, during, and after the eruption. It is amazing to see how the island recovered from this natural disaster you won’t want to miss visiting this museum!
Take a walk on the lava fields
After visiting the Eldheimar museum head off to walk around the lava fields that now cover the homes that were destroyed in the eruption. They have added streets signs to show how the neighborhood used to look making it even more surreal that you are walking on top of houses.
Go Hiking
Heimaey may be a small island but there are some beautiful hiking trails to explore.
Eldfell | After you have gone to the Eldheimar museum head off to explore the volcano that caused the eruption. Eldfell is a composite volcanic cone that is 200 meters tall. A short yet steep hike that has some beautiful views over the islands at the top.
Heimaklettur | If you are looking for a more adventurous hike this one is for you! The climb to the highest peak in Westman Islands will have you climbing up wooden ladders to the top which is 900 feet above sea level.
Herjólfsdalur | The location of the popular annual music festival Þjóðhátíð, a hike to the top will challenge you, but it is worth it for the views over the islands at the top!
Where to Eat
Gott | The perfect lunch spot, try the soup and fish of the day
Slippurinn | Order the tasting menu for dinner
Einsi Kaldi | A modern restaurant known for its great service and delicious dishes!
While on Heimaey be sure to enjoy a meal or two, you won’t be disappointed in the fresh dishes featuring local products the restaurants on the island serve!
Additional Notes
Where to stay
Planning on staying a night or two enjoying the slower pace of life on the Westman Islands? The accommodation options for the island aren’t many (it is an island of only 4,000 after all) but if you are planning on staying overnight these places will work for you.
Hotel Vestmannaeyjar | Treat yourself to an evening of relaxing at the newly renovated Hotel Vestmannaeyjar before heading off the next day for more Iceland exploring.
Hotel Eyjar | Located 5 minutes away from the ferry terminal Hotel Eyjar rooms have a kitchenette so you can save a little cash to use on other Icelandic adventures by preparing your own meals.
Guesthouse Sunnuhóll | If you are traveling on a budget Guesthouse Sunnuhóll is the place you want to stay. With reasonably priced rooms and a great location, it will be everything you need for your stay in Westman Islands.
How much time should you spend in Westman Islands?
You can explore almost everything on the island in one day, but you may want to stay longer after seeing this beautiful place!
If you have just one day to visit the Westman Islands I recommend taking the ferry over first thing in the morning and planning on spending the entire day exploring the island. With the last ferry leaving at 22:00 you will have more than enough time to explore all over the island.
You can read about my day in Westman Island here for more ideas and trip planning information.
Do you need to rent a car?
If you already have a car rental for your time in Iceland I recommend bringing it over on the ferry, especially if you are planning on spending only one day on the island. If you aren’t planning on renting a car in Iceland no worries, it is still possible to travel around the island without one. Heimaey island is small, the total area of the entire island is 13.2 km. If you don’t mind walking you can head off on foot to explore all over the island. If you happen to be visiting on a day where the weather is less than ideal there are multiple bus tours that will take you all over the island for less than $60 USD for the day.
If you have the chance plan a visit to the Westman Islands, one of my favorite places in Iceland, I hope you will love it there as much as I do! Save the below map to make sure you don’t miss any of the locations mentioned in this post.
Question of the Day?
Anything you would like to know more about visiting Westman Islands? What place has the most beautiful landscapes you have seen?
