The most beautiful sights in the south of Iceland

As if our Iceland tour wasn’t great enough, we also took a trip to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Up to this point, we had already explored the north of Iceland, the south, the southeast, the Vatnsnes Peninsula, and the east. Now the next adventure awaited us.

This archipelago is located 10 to 30 kilometers off the Icelandic coast in the south of the country. Only one of the 14 islands is inhabited, Heimaey. And that’s exactly the island we went to. Some people take a day trip to the island (there in the morning, back in the evening). We stayed overnight on the island and can only recommend it to everyone. In the following article you will learn everything about the island, activities, tours, accommodation and transfers.

Getting to the Westman Islands

From Landeyjahöfn in the south of Iceland, you can take a relaxing ferry ride to Heimaey. The journey only takes around 30 to 35 minutes. You can also take your camper or rental car with you. Of course, you can also get to the island without your own vehicle. We parked our car in front of the ferry terminal and didn’t take it with us. The ferry runs at least four times a day. The times vary depending on the month. During peak season, the ferry runs more frequently. You pay only 1380 ISK (10.80 €) per trip. With a small car, you would pay a total of 40 € for a round trip. Cheap, right?

By ferry to Heimaey

The ferry can’t depart if the weather is too bad. This means you might already be on the island and can’t get back to Landeyjahöfn as planned. Then you’ll have to book accommodation locally and spend the night there. You should be at the ferry 30 minutes before departure.

Generally, only the driver is allowed to stay in the car during the crossing. All other passengers must board the ferry. There, you can sit comfortably and sip a coffee. You should book your tickets in advance, either online or by driving to the ferry port in Landeyjahöfn. Occasionally, tickets are fully booked online. In this case, you should call them; tickets are usually still available over the phone.

heimaey-hafen-wanderung-vestmannaeyjar-strassenschild

Don’t feel like taking the ferry? You can also fly to the island from Reykjavik with Eagle Air. The flight takes just under half an hour. Expect to pay at least €120 each way. Of course, if the weather is good, you’ll have a great view of Iceland and the sea. For that reason alone, a flight to the island is certainly pretty cool. However, it’s cheaper to take the ferry. You can book your ferry tickets here.

Climate & Weather on the Westman Islands

The climate on the islands is moderately warm. It never gets really icy, but never really warm either. In summer, temperatures rise to 12 degrees Celsius. In winter, however, temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees Celsius. This is also typical for Iceland. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, it never gets icy cold on the island, like in other northern regions. This makes it quite bearable year-round.

However, it rains a lot and often, even on the Westman Islands. We were lucky. During our trip, the sun shone and it was only partly cloudy. Hiking in the mountains can get very cold and windy, so you should bring appropriate clothing. According to the climate chart, the best months are from June to September. But as you know, the weather in Iceland is unpredictable and extremely changeable.

Our accommodation on Heimaey

After almost two weeks in a tent, we were really craving a bed. We quickly booked a cool cabin on the campsite via Booking.com*. In other words, we were “glamping,” a slightly more comfortable version of camping. The small wooden cabins are truly charming. They contain two beds, two chairs, a table, heaters, a mirror, a refrigerator, and storage space.

The toilets, kitchen, and showers are located in the main building. We paid €79 per night. It was worth it; we slept like a log! However, the price did not include blankets, pillows, and bed linen (€16 more per person). We slept in our sleeping bags, which was really sufficient.

From the harbor, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the campsite, where the cabins are located. You reserve your cabin in advance through Booking.com, but only pay on site. An impressive, small mountain range rises in the background of the campsite. The island’s local mountain, with the highest elevation at 283 meters, has a lot to offer.

You can go on a great hike here, but more on that later. There’s also a golf course right in front of the complex. The local outdoor pool is just a 10-minute walk away. You don’t generally need a car on the island, but you can take one with you. Hitchhiking is also a great option, as Icelanders are incredibly helpful and friendly.

Other accommodations on the island

Puffin Nest Capsule Hostel*
Aska Hostel*
Lava Guesthouse*
Midleiti Cottage*
Eldey Apartments*

Hiking on the Westman Islands

On the island, you can enjoy both relaxed and challenging hikes. We once hiked to the southern tip of Stórhöfði (4.5 kilometers). Here, a beautiful peninsula with a puffin lookout awaits you. You can also look forward to a small black sand beach and great views of the sea. It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the peninsula. We then hitchhiked back. You can also drive to the peninsula and park there. On the peninsula, you’ll find small hiking trails that you can stroll along.

How about a hike up the Eldfell volcano? The best place to start is from the harbor and onto the hiking trail up Eldfell. From the top, you have a fantastic view of the entire island. In good weather, you can even see the mainland. You should plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours for the hike. Incidentally, this volcanic cone appeared out of nowhere on January 23, 1973.

The volcanic ash and lava destroyed many houses on the island. Everyone had to be evacuated and were only able to return to the island almost five months later. Even today, it’s warm enough in some places to bake bread. Next door is the Helgafell volcano. You can also climb this.

Hiking to the local mountain, Heimaklettur

A very beautiful and challenging hike awaits you directly behind the campsite. From there, the hike to the 283-meter-high local mountain, Heimaklettur begins. It’s only a 20-minute walk to the top, but the path is steep. Once at the top, you can turn left and walk along the ridge. The views are spectacular.

Afterwards, keep right towards the harbor. The paths are somewhat shaky, unsecured, and slippery in places. This hike is not recommended for small children, and generally only if you’re reasonably fit. The trail ends down in the town near the harbor. It took us about 1.5 to 2 hours in total.

If you have more time, you can explore the entire island. The hiking trail leads from Herjólfsdalur along the coastal road to the southern tip of Stórhöfði. On the way back, you follow the east side back to the Eldfell, just described. You should plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for this route. It’s best to ask for a map at your accommodation; you’ll find all the trails there.

Puffins

It’s not just the nature that’s truly eye-catching on this island. Another reason to visit Heimaey is certainly the fact that during the season, it’s home to the largest puffin colony in the country. There are several good spots to observe these cute birds. Unfortunately, we were a few weeks too late and couldn’t spot any puffins in the wild. You can see them in the very south on the peninsula or up on Heimaklettur. But you’ll often find them on cliffs by the sea. That’s where they feel most at home.

Every year between May and August

Every year these small birds migrate thousands of kilometers. In winter they live on the open sea to find food. You can even find them in Newfoundland. Crazy, isn’t it? So you can’t spot puffins all year round. You have the best chance between May and August. That’s when they come to breed on the cliffs of Iceland. Sometimes you can see them as early as April or even September. We didn’t have any luck at the beginning of September. To protect the birds, breeding areas are also closed between May and June.

If you want to learn more about these amazing birds, take a trip to the city aquarium. Here you can also learn all about the underwater world and the inhabitants of the island. And of course, a large part of the exhibition is dedicated to the puffins. Here, injured puffins and the young ones, which are attracted by the city lights from June to September, are cared for.

During this time, you will often see locals walking through the streets with flashlights and cardboard boxes. The city is far too dangerous for the little ones, so they are brought back to the sea. It’s almost like a national sport on this island. Simply brilliant. We even saw a real puffin in the aquarium, which lives here at the Rescue Center. The little one’s oil gland malfunctioned from the start, which is why its fur isn’t waterproof. The bird wouldn’t survive outdoors.

Tours and Whale Watching

The island is not only famous for its puffin colony but also for whale watching. And we’re not just talking about humpback whales, but orcas. They can be found especially in July off the island’s coast. You can spot other whales around the island almost year-round. Boat tours are offered by several different companies. On the Guide to Iceland* website, you can find the following tour: 1 hour by boat including caving, whale watching, bird watching, and sightseeing.

Other Highlights on Heimaey

The island has quite an interesting history. If you want to learn more about the 1973 volcanic eruption, you should stop by the Eldheimar Museum. At the exhibition, you’ll learn how 5,000 residents were able to escape the volcano’s lava flow at the last minute on January 23, 2973. You’ll see what became of a city burned to the ground and covered in ash. The unpredictable forces of nature are portrayed here in an interesting and moving way. Admission costs 2,300 ISK for adults. The museum is open every day between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

And can you believe that a huge festival takes place on the island every year? “The National Festival” takes place every year on the weekend before the first Monday in August. Then more than 17,000 people flock to the small island. With music, dancing, drinks, and good cheer, the party really takes off. More information here: Þjóðhátíð.

We highly recommend a trip to the local swimming pool. There you can end the evening in the super warm outdoor pool. Such pools are a meeting place for young and old in Iceland anyway. Outside there are three hot tubs (up to 42 degrees Celsius), water slides, and much more. You can also take a shower there in peace. Entrance costs 900 ISK per person (around €7).

Food and Drink

On the island you will find, among other things, a Bónus supermarket and a Krónan supermarket. We did most of our shopping at Bonus, as the prices there are simply unbeatable (by Icelandic standards). You’ll also find several restaurants and cafés. Gott and Tanginn are very popular.

There’s also Pizza 67, 900 Grillhus, Slippurinn, Fiskibarinn, and Einsi Kaldi Restaurant. You’ll also find cafés on the island. Stofans Bakhus is highly recommended. We paid the equivalent of around €14 for two cappuccinos and cake. In Heimaey, you’ll also find Café Varmó.

Conclusion: Trip to the Westman Islands

We made this trip very spontaneously during our tour of Iceland. In the end, we can say that this detour to the Westman Islands was really worth it. Since we still had plenty of time, we were able to fit in this trip. However, if you’re only on the island for 7 or 10 days, we would advise against it. There’s certainly enough to see on the “main island” of Iceland. We particularly enjoyed the accommodation and the various hikes.

It was very quiet, so we didn’t have to share any of the spots with other vacationers. The evening at the pool was also very cool, as was the trip to the Puffin Rescue Center. And during puffin season, a trip is even more worthwhile. Then you have the opportunity to see thousands of puffins here. Amazing! In the end, we spent around €150 for these 2 days. After almost two weeks in a tent, this was a very welcome change. You can read our complete expenses for the tour here: Costs of Iceland Tour.