Vestmannaeyjar (The Westman Islands) lie 10 kilometers off Iceland’s south coast, consisting of 15 islands and several sand rock pillars. Heimaey is the largest island and the only one with a permanent population.

Vestmannaeyjar nearly became uninhabited in 1973 when a volcanic eruption forced the residents of Heimaey to evacuate to the mainland. The eruption destroyed houses and reshaped the entire island. However, the quick-thinking locals managed to divert the lava flow using cold water, preserving their crucial harbor. This brave action not only saved their lifeline to the sea but also improved the harbor. After five months of volcanic activity, the island’s population was able to return.

Today, Heimaey is home to over 4,000 residents. Visitors can still feel the warmth of the lava beneath the ground in certain areas, and a fascinating project, ‘Pompeii of the North,’ is underway to excavate some of the 400 houses buried under ash and rock. This project aims to help visitors understand the scale of the volcanic event from both a natural and human perspective. Additionally, the island of Surtsey emerged from the sea a decade earlier during a previous eruption.

Surtsey remains the world’s youngest island and is closely monitored by a select group of scientists. Its formation has provided a unique opportunity to study the colonization of new land by life, yielding important and surprising results.

The Westman Islands archipelago is rich with birdlife, offering guaranteed puffin sightings during the summer. Besides birds and volcanoes, Heimaey hosts various cultural events, including the Volcano Golf Open and a major outdoor festival at the beginning of August.

Vestmannaeyjar also features the unique volcanic and geological museum ELDHEIMAR, known as the Pompeii of the North.