Heimaey

Heimaey is an Icelandic island and the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westmen) archipelago. Heimaey is 7.4km off the south coast of Iceland, which a Nordic country between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.

In 1973, lava flow from nearby Eldfell destroyed half the town and the island expanded in length. The vast majority of the islanders were evacuated that night, not returning until months later.
Many of those living on the eastern side came back to find their houses engulfed by lava, while other properties had been completely flattened or buried under mountains of ash. The majority rebuilt their houses closer to Vestmannaeyjarthe, the island’s only town.

South of the harbour, you can follow Kirkjuvegur, Heimagata and Helgafellsbraut below the two-storey-high, steeply sloping Kirkjubæjarhraun lava flow that swallowed up the eastern end of town. Steps from Heimagata take you up on top of the lava. Signs map out the original street plan while engraved headstones and collections of little stones painted with windows and doors mark where somebody’s home lies buried.

A new museum, which opened in 2014, Eldheimar, is where visitors can revisit 1973, see a snapshot of life on Heimaey and get an insight into the devastation wreaked by the volcano.

The Westman archipelago is home to a multitude of sea birds who are attracted to the steep cliffs and lush vegetation that ring the islands' coastlines.

Take an exhilarating rib safari to see puffins, seals and orca as well as sea-level views of cliffs, cave interiors and sheltered beaches.

Experience fantastic views over the islands, see the famous glacier Eyjafjallajokull which erupted few years ago and check out historic sites from the Pirate raid in 1627 on a horse riding tour with Lyngfell Stables.

Learn about the geology and local wildlife at Saeheimar Aquarium. This museum/Aquarium also serves as a bird rescue, raising abandoned baby birds and then releasing them back into the wild.

Just across from Skansinn, Stafkirkjan is a Viking-era-style wooden church with a steep, black shingle roof, consecrated in 2000 to celebrate a thousand years of Christianity in Iceland.

For the more adventurous visitor, book a jeep or ski-doo tour, which is a type of snowmobile.

The small centre is split by the south-running main street, Heiðarvegur, with most services, shops and attractions in the streets east of here between the harbour and Hásteinsvegur.

Good Icelandic buys include woollen goods such as jumpers and mittens, ceramics, silver jewellery and glassware.

Fresh fish and seafood are the highlights here, especially lobster, haddock, plaice, halibut, herring and shrimp. Pizza, pasta, hamburgers and meat dishes can also be found on menus.

Traditional breads include rúgbrauð, a dense, dark and moist rye bread and flatkaka, a soft brown rye flatbread. Bakeries may feature local favourites such as 'snúður', a type of cinnamon roll or 'skúffukaka', a single-layer chocolate cake covered with chocolate and ground coconut.

The main harbour is a large fishing port and can accommodate cruise ships up to 160m in length.

The centre of town is a short walk away.