Iceland
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
IrelandIceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Sul · Iceland
Volcano, eruption memory and Heimaey coastline on a boat trip from the South.
In the photo: Eldfell, Heimaey
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago off the south of Iceland. Tourist visits focus on Heimaey, where the town bearing the same name is located. The sea crossing and an overnight stay let you experience a setting different from the South Coast road strip.
Eldfell shapes the landscape with the cone formed during the 1973 eruption. Eldheimar brings that history into everyday life through the exhibition centered on an affected house. To the south, Stórhöfði offers viewpoints over the archipelago and areas used by seabirds.
Plan the island as a separate stage, confirming the port and round trip before booking other activities. Between May and August birds commonly use parts of Heimaey for breeding, depending on the species. Access to Surtsey, a World Heritage site, is restricted to research; tourist landings focus on Heimaey.
This destination brings together 1 city: Vestmannaeyjar.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: National Land Survey of Iceland, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
Confirm before purchasing. From southern Iceland, arrange the ferry crossing to the port of Heimaey.
The local experience
Volcanic cone of the island of Heimaey, linked to the eruption that transformed the town's landscape.
Exhibition about the Heimaey eruption, organized around a house affected by the ash.
Southern tip of Heimaey with views of the archipelago and areas used by seabirds.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
June to August usually offers more daylight for hiking and wider operation of tours. Crossings depend on sea conditions in any month; confirm the schedule.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days with two nights accommodate the hike on Eldfell, Eldheimar and the coastline, without reducing everything to a single day trip.
The urban core of Vestmannaeyjar brings together the port, meals and initial transfers. Check the distance to the tour meeting points if you choose lodging outside the center.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Heimaey is the inhabited island; Vestmannaeyjar is the name of the archipelago and of the town where services are concentrated.
No. Access to the island is restricted to preserve studies of natural colonization.
The cone shows the landscape; the museum presents the eruption and the residents' experience.
Overnighting allows you to spread out visits and arrange the crossing without concentrating the entire itinerary into a few hours.
