Visiting the Westman Islands: Iceland’s Best-Kept Secret

Although I had been to Iceland four times before my most recent visit, I’d never thought about visiting the Westman Islands. But as I was flying over Iceland on a trip to New York City, this small archipelago made itself visible outside my window and sparked my curiosity. 

Five months later, on a week-long adventure in Iceland, my girlfriend and I added the Westman Islands to our itinerary. And to be honest, it was my favorite part of the trip. These islands feel quite different from the rest of Iceland, and their greenery reminded me a lot of the Faroe Islands. Whether it’s your first or 20th time in Iceland, I can’t recommend the Westman Islands enough. 

In this guide, I’ll reveal everything we did on our trip to the Westman Islands and some top food recommendations. You’ll also find out how to get here. 

Staying Overnight on the Westman Islands Is an Absolute Must 🗣️

Only one island on the Westman Islands is inhabited, and it’s pretty small; you can drive from one side to the other in around 10 minutes. Although a day trip is technically doable, I don’t recommend it because you’ll feel rushed. Plus, this is Iceland, so you might have your plans scuppered by bad weather anyway 🙂. 

Spending a night on the Westman Islands allowed us to go easy and really take in the beauty of this place. It also meant that we could hike at our own pace and stop for as many photos as we wanted (traveling with me means that every journey takes twice as long because I’ll take pictures of *everything*). 

I’d also recommend renting a car on the mainland and bringing it with you to the Westman Islands. As I said before, you can drive everywhere in little time. Walking around the island is probably possible, but you’ll see less and be at the mercy of (probably) interchangeable weather. 

We stayed at Guesthouse Hamar and really enjoyed our stay there. The rooms were spacious and clean, and it was very peaceful (though they were doing renovation work on the rest of the building at the time). There are very few tourists outside the peak season, but booking in advance is a good idea during the summer. 

There are, however, plenty of other accommodation options on the Westman Islands. Check out some of those here. 

What We Did in the Westman Islands 🥾

1. Hiking Eldfell 

Volcanoes have shaped much of Iceland, and nowhere is this more evident than on the Westman Islands. While we were here, we hiked Eldfell—the volcano that formed after suddenly erupting in January 1973.

Eldfell is 200 meters tall, and it’s one of my favorite day hikes in Iceland. The hike gets quite steep, and the ground is unstable in some places, but it’s doable for most people with reasonable fitness levels. I wouldn’t recommend doing the hike in windy or foggy conditions, and you should also bring proper hiking boots.

The hike took us around two hours to complete. At the top, you get a fantastic view over the Westman Islands. I wrote a full guide to hiking Eldfell if you want to learn more.

NOTE: 

Eldfell is considered an active volcano, but it hasn’t shown any signs of erupting in recent years. Nonetheless, the volcano is closely monitored. Make sure you do your research before hiking, and if in doubt, ask some of the locals for tips 🙂. 

2. The Lava Field Hike

The 1973 eruption transformed Heimaey—the island it’s on—forever. Around 400 buildings were destroyed or buried, and when hiking to Eldfell, you can walk across the now-solidified lava field. 

As you go along, you’ll see signs where important streets and buildings once were. In some places, you can also see parts of houses still buried under the lava. The hike eventually brings you to Eldfell. 

3. Eldheimar Museum

One of my favorite experiences on the Westman Islands was visiting the Eldheimar Museum, which tells the full story of the dramatic 1973 eruption on Heimaey. You see the full story of how the eruption unfolded, along with the evacuation process and the following months. 

Inside the museum, you’ll also see one of the houses that was destroyed in the eruption. It also speaks about the Surtsey eruption in 1963, which gave birth to a new island that is also part of the Westman Islands. You can buy tickets at the front desk. 

Address: Gerðisbraut 10, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær

Website: eldheimar.is

4. Vestmannaeyjavöllur

The area around the Vestmannaeyjavöllur golf course is, in my opinion, the most underrated place on the Westman Islands. Here is where you’ll see the elephant rock, and it offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean. It’s particularly interesting on a windy day when you’ll see the full power of nature. 

In this area, you can also do the Herjólfsdalur hike. We did not do this as it was very foggy and windy; the hike looked difficult, but you might want to do it on a sunny day if you have the appropriate experience and fitness levels. 

The area also has a campsite. It’s around 20 minutes’ walking distance from the main town and less than five minutes to drive. 

5. Skansinn

Skansinn dates back to the 16th century, and throughout the years, it has been an important protector of the Westman Islands. Now, however, it’s a popular recreational area and one that I recommend you check out. 

The area is close to the main harbor on the Westman Islands and, like many points along the waterfront, offers stunning views. You’ll also find a church and museum here. The 1973 eruption also increased the land mass around this part of the island, and you can see where the lava flowed into the sea. 

6. Stórhöfði

Stórhöfði is home to Europe’s windiest weather station, the area on the tip of Heimaey is also a great place for some hiking. You get a fantastic view back towards Vestmannaeybær and over the rest of the Westman Islands, and apparently, it’s a great place to watch puffins in the summer. 

Stórhöfði is on the opposite side of the island from the main town, and the drive should take 10-15 minutes. The final bit of the drive is very steep, so keep this in mind. 

Food on the Westman Islands 😋

We had some great food on the Westman Islands, and there was plenty more that we still need to try on a future trip. Here are my top recommendations for places to eat on your visit. 

1. Kráin

Kráin, close to the harbor, is a café-style restaurant with friendly staff and generous portions. My girlfriend had fish and chips, and as a Brit, I can say that I approved. Meanwhile, I went for one of the subs and really enjoyed it. 

Address: Bárustígur 1, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær

Social Media: Facebook

2. Vigtin Bakhús

Vigtin Bakhús was one of my favorite bakeries in Iceland, and we ate pretty well here. The cinnamon bun was very good, and we also had a couple of the sandwiches. It was a great spot for some brunch before our second day on the Westman Islands, and there’s also a decent amount of seating. 

Address: Strandvegur 30, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær

Social Media: Instagram | Facebook

3. Ísey Skyr Bar

I’ve been a big fan of Skyr since around 2017, and Ísey is by far my favorite brand; I’m quite sad that I haven’t seen it in Denmark so far. On the Westman Islands, you’ll find a Skyr bar and can get various toppings (e.g. bananas, peanut butter, and strawberries). Plenty of indoor seating is available; the bar is just off the main street. 

Address: Vesturvegur 5, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær

Website: https://www.iseyskyrbar.is/en-is

How to Get to the Westman Islands ⚓

While the Westman Islands feel pretty remote, getting to them from the mainland couldn’t be easier. You’ll need to drive to the port at Landeyjahöfn, which is around 1 hour and 50 minutes from Reykjavík. 

The ferry journey from Landeyjahöfn to Vestmanneyjabær took us around 45 minutes, and it’s very scenic if you’re lucky enough to have blue skies. As you approach the Westman Islands, this archipelago really starts to work its beauty and give you a taste of what’s in store. 

You should book ferry tickets in advance, especially during the summer. We booked tickets here; you’ll need to confirm whether you have a car, and if so, which size it is. 

Parking on the Westman Islands 🚗

We had no problems parking on the Westman Islands and left our car at the harbor when we didn’t need it. From what I can remember, we didn’t have to pay once for parking on the entire archipelago. Just make sure you stick to the designated parking zones. 

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