Welcome to the Westman Islands!
Where brightly colored houses, puffins, mouthwatering local cuisine, and beautiful sights are waiting to be explored – all just a short detour off the iconic Ring Road.
This archipelago, also known as Vestmannaeyjar, is located off the south coast of Iceland and is close enough to take a day trip from Reykjavík but interesting enough to stay for the weekend!
Explore the little volcanic island of Heimaey, where everything is within walking distance and bringing a car is optional. Hike up to a volcanic mountain or discover local museums and breweries.
But before you go, a bit of planning is key.
This post covers everything you need to know to plan a smooth trip to the Westman Islands.
Want to know how to get there, where to stay, and what to do?
Let’s get into it!
Heimaey: Westman Islands Iceland
The only inhabited island of the Westman Islands is Heimaey. There are just over 4300 people that live here and it’s accessible year round.
The charming little fishing village of Vestmannaeyjarbær is found on Heimaey and you can find great dining spots and lots of activities. Everything is close by so you can easily walk to the various sights.
Heimaey is also the largest of the islands in the archipelago and is home to two volcanoes, Helgafell and Eldfell.
When we take a look at accommodation, dining options, and things to do here, it’ll all be on Heimaey Island, Iceland.
What is the Weather Like on the Westman Islands?
The climate in this region is particularly windy and rainy.
In the winter, between October and April, you can expect it to be cloudy, and windy with snowfall.
Summer is marked by rainy weather and even fog.
The weather is unpredictable so it’s important to come prepared with waterproof, windproof, and thermal gear, even if you are traveling here over the summer!
Average Temperatures
The yearly average temperatures range from 38.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.8 degrees Celsius) to 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (7.5 degrees Celsius).
The weather in Iceland can change really quickly, so I always suggest having a back-up plan.
Here are a few weather-related surprises you might run into, along with some ideas for making the most of your trip when you need to embrace plan B.
➡️ READ: Bad Weather in Iceland: How to Adjust Your Plans Without Stress
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit?
This area is accessible year-round, although summer tends to be the most popular time to visit.
In my opinion, May – October offers the perfect window to discover the Westman Islands.
The weather tends to be milder and the seas less stormy, making the ferry ride a much more pleasant experience!
If you’re still deciding when to plan your trip, I’ve put together a month-by-month comparison of Iceland’s seasons, including pros and cons of each. 👇
➡️ READ: Best Time to Visit Iceland: How to Pick the Perfect Month & Season for Your Trip
How Do You Get to the Westman Islands?
You have a couple of options to access Heimaey Iceland – by ferry or by plane. Let’s take a closer look.
The Westman Islands Ferry is the Most Popular Option
You can catch the Herjólfur ferry at Landeyjahöfn terminal which is roughly a 2-hour drive from Reykjavík.
Taking this Heimaey ferry is the most popular and cheapest option to get to the Westman Islands.
It’s suggested that you be there 20-30 minutes before departure to avoid rushing and get everyone boarded smoothly.
If you’re planning a self-drive trip around Iceland, this is one of those detours that becomes incredibly easy with a rental car.
I love having the flexibility to stop at sites like Seljalandsfoss (only a 15-minute drive from the terminal) or Skógafoss waterfall without being tied to bus schedules.
The most reliable car rental company I’ve found is Blue Car Rental.
They have an incredible selection of vehicles and they offer 24/7 roadside assistance. This is especially reassuring when you’re traveling in the more remote areas of the country!
Book with Blue Car Rental using this VIP LINK and get 5% off your rental price automatically applied at checkout.
Can I Take the Bus from Reykjavík to the Ferry Terminal?
Yes, there are buses running to and from Reykjavík and Landeyjahöfn terminal with tour operators like Magic Iceland Travel.
Can You Bring a Car or Camper Van on the Ferry?
Yep, one of the great things about the ferry is that you can bring your vehicle on board. Those without a vehicle will simply walk on board, but if you’re driving, you’ll need to park your car in designated lanes and wait for your tickets to be scanned.
While you can book a ticket when you get there, I highly recommend pre-booking online, especially if you’re bringing a vehicle, as they might not have enough space available on the ferry otherwise.
If you don’t want to bring your car along, free parking is available at the Landeyjahöfn terminal and it’s free if you’ve got a ferry ticket.
How Long Does the Ferry to Vestmannaeyjar Take?
In good weather, the ferry to Vestmannaeyjar usually takes about 35 minutes.
When we took a weekend trip to the Westman Islands, a storm rolled in and the ferry was canceled due to rough seas, so keep in mind that this is also a possibility. Keep your itinerary flexible over the time you’re visiting this area.
The ferry ended up having to take an alternate route which took three hours to get to the mainland and we were all seasick because the seas were so rough!
It wasn’t ideal, but in a climate as unpredictable as Iceland’s, you learn to roll with the punches!
The Westman Islands Ferry Schedule
The nice thing about taking the ferry is that there are seven scheduled spots to get to and from Heimaey Iceland.
How Much Are the Westman Island Ferry Tickets?
All children under the age of 11 travel for free, while teens from 12-15 and seniors aged 67+ pay 1250 ISK. Tickets for adults are 2400 ISK.
Access by Plane
If you don’t plan on taking a vehicle with you, the other option to get to Heimaey Island, Iceland, is to take a flight from Reykjavík to Vestmannaeyjar Airport.
It’ll take about 20 minutes and while this is the faster option, it’s also the most expensive!
For a full breakdown of the different ways to get around Iceland on your trip, take a look at this guide. 👇
➡️ READ: How To Get Around Iceland – 10 Transportation Options
Westman Island Hotels And Accommodation
Whether you’re looking for Westman Islands hotels, guesthouses, or hostels that are more budget-friendly, you’ll be able to find a variety of options that best suit your needs.
In the peak of summer, accommodations fill up early and the prices get pushed up, so I wouldn’t recommend waiting until the last minute to book.
If you want to avoid mistakes that’ll cost you money when booking a place to stay, then check out the video below👇
In Heimaey, Westman Islands, a couple of hotel options include the Hótel Vestmannaeyjar or the Westman Islands Inn for a slightly more affordable option.
However, if you want to experience nature at its best, there’s no beating camping!
Vestmannaeyjar Camping
The only campsite in Heimaey is called Herjólfsdalur and you’ll find it in the Herjólfsdalur Valley.
You can set up a tent at the camping grounds, but my favorite way to camp in Iceland is by going the campervan route.
It’s incredibly convenient because you can stop whenever necessary and prepare meals on the go.
This is especially helpful if, like us, you’re traveling with a toddler who may need snack and nap breaks often.
Toddlers are about as unpredictable as Iceland’s weather!
Happy Campers is my go-to for campervan rentals – we use them every chance we get!
💡Book a Happy Campers van and get a 10% discount with my code IWV10
Yay for discounts! 🙌
Dining at Vestmannaeyjar Restaurants
You’ll likely do a lot of exploring on foot, which is the perfect way to work up an appetite. Luckily Vestmannaeyjar has some pretty fantastic restaurants to choose from!
Slippurinn restaurant: Feeling hungry? In the heart of the Westman Islands is a true culinary gem called Slippurinn.
If the words ‘local’ and ‘sustainable’ are music to your ears, this restaurant will be your foodie paradise.
I must admit, when I saw a sea urchin on the menu, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was out of this world! It was sourced from a diver that morning and garnished with capers and horseradish.
For mains, we had cod with a cream sauce and apple fennel salad, as well as lamb topped with hazelnuts and au jus.
P.S. Their mashed potatoes were the best I’ve ever had in my life!
Of course, we had to wash it all down with some craft cocktails. 😉
The gimlet we ordered was delicious and they even had a booklet detailing the local herbs that each cocktail was infused with.
We couldn’t possibly leave without indulging in a bit of dessert. My favorite was the Skyr Granita with caramel and roasted oats.
Gott: The food is prepared using fresh and healthy ingredients. Their extensive menu includes wraps, burgers, pasta, nachos, delicious seafood, and cocktails.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available and in 2023 they were the recipient of Tripadvisor’s 2023 Traveler’s Choice Award.
What to Do in Vestmannaeyjar
Even though Heimaey Island is a small place, there’s actually a lot to do, so don’t worry about getting bored! You can visit many of these places yourself or take guided Westman Islands tours where you’ll stop at multiple sites.
There are quite a few hiking trails in the Westman Islands.
Heimaklettur: If you’re looking for a steep and challenging route, then Heimaklettur is a popular one to try out. The name literally translates to ‘home rock.’ You’ll get to experience some of Iceland’s wildlife on this trail, and once you reach the top there’s incredible views of the coastline and Eldfell volcano. It should take about one and a half hours to complete, but be careful because it is quite a sharp inclined trail.
Stórhöfði Loop: The trail starts at Klauf beach and forms a 2.2 miles (3.5km) loop through some incredibly beautiful scenery. If you want to extend your hike, you can continue on the 3-mile route from Herjólfsdalur to Stórhöfði. This is also an amazing area for wildlife spotting, especially puffins in the right season!
Pro tip: This area is considered the windiest place in Europe, so make sure you’re prepared for that and that you bring your wind and waterproof outer layers.
My Ultimate Iceland Packing Guide covers exactly this: how to layer properly, what gear to bring for each season, plus checklists for clothing, footwear, electronics, and even photography gear if you’re chasing those coastline views.
Download your FREE PDF below. 👇
Eldfell Mountain: There’s also a short hike to Eldfell Mountain, which translates to fire mountain that erupted in 1973.
We were able to do the hike with a toddler, so it’s definitely doable.
The hike to the top of Eldfell Crater takes about 30 minutes – but you can extend it by hiking around the crater as well. You can do this yourself or as part of a tour. Take a peek below. 👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Your Vestmannaeyjar, Puffin and Volcano Tour
💥 Make sure you read this post for my personal favorite hikes in Iceland.
Walk Around Vestmannaeyjabær and Visit the Local Pool
Take some time to wander around the town and keep an eye out for puffin statues dotted around Vestmannaeyjabær. We couldn’t resist a few photo opps with them!
Browse through the local shops and colorful houses along the way.
If you have extra time, another fun activity is to visit the local pool, especially if you’ve got kids.
Pool culture in Iceland is something you have to experience, and my kids loved the Vestmannaeyjar Swimming pool.
There are both indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, water slides, and even a climbing wall!
If you’re curious about visiting local pools in Iceland (not just the famous hot springs), this post talks more about Icelandic pool culture and some of my favorite pools in the capital. 👇
➡️ READ: Top 12 Pools in Reykjavík You Need to Visit
Experience the Local Concerts & Festivals
If there’s something that Icelander’s do well, it’s knowing how to celebrate!
Heimey is home to some notable concerts and events and if you happen to be there when one’s going on, it’s a wonderful way to experience local culture.
Hljómey: I don’t know about you, but I found this to be a very unique concept!
Hljómey is a home music festival that started up in 2023 and essentially what happens is that the residents of Heimaey open up their homes to musicians to perform. The festival takes place at a few different homes in town.
If you’re in the Westman Islands on the last Friday of April, keep an eye out for this one!
Þjóðhátíð -This is an outdoor music festival and the biggest festival in Iceland.
It spans over a weekend, and it’s estimated that around 12,000 people travel from the mainland to Heimaey Island. It’s one of the most anticipated events of the year!
Many choose to camp, and you can expect bonfires, music, an incredible atmosphere, and various events catering to all ages.
It usually takes place towards the end of July/beginning of August, but you will have to book your festival and ferry tickets as well as accommodation WELL in advance, as this is an incredibly popular event with locals.
It will take some planning to work it into your itinerary, but if you can swing it, it’s the experience of a lifetime!
Goslokahátíð Festival: This is known as the ‘end of the eruption’ festival, and it’s just that. The famous Eldfell eruption came to an end in 1973 and it’s celebrated in July. It’s a family-friendly event and you can expect the music, treasure hunts, food and more!
I think one of the most fascinating things about visiting a new country is experiencing how different cultures can be. I’ve put together a blog post about Icelandic people and a few things you can expect when you get here that might be WAY different to what you’re used to back home. Take a look. 👇
➡️ READ: Icelandic People and Culture: Things You Can Expect When You Visit
Visit the Eldheimar Volcano Museum
There’s a fantastic exhibition telling the story of the 1973 eruption where some 400 buildings and homes were destroyed.
When you exit the museum you can see one of the excavated houses that was overtaken from the lava from the eruption.
It’s a super educational look at this part of local history!
Want a list of the best museums in Iceland? Here it is. 👇
➡️ READ: The 16 Best Museums in Iceland You Need to Experience on Your Trip!
Westman Islands Puffins
The southern tip of Westman Islands is Stórhöfði and it’s known for being the windiest point in Europe, and the cliffs provide a good place to spot puffins nesting on the island.
The best time to spot them is from mid-April to mid-August.
It’s extremely rare to see puffins at the end of August but when we traveled here during that time we were incredibly lucky to see them!
Every year after nesting on the cliff sides of Iceland, the puffins will migrate back out to sea, where they will live for the rest of the year.
Sometimes baby puffins can get distracted and fly back to land, and get trapped in the streets and around the buildings because they can’t find their way back by themselves.
Icelanders rescue these little pufflings, put them in a box, and drive to the nearest cliff, then toss them off the cliff so that they can rejoin their colony.
Check out this day tour for a guided experience of the island that includes puffin watching and a delicious lunch.
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Private Volcanic Westman Islands Day Tour
Visit the Local Brewery
The Brother’s Brewery isn’t your average bar, it’s also a brewery that offers tours.
During the tour, you’ll learn about the brewing process – and enjoy a delicious beer tasting!
Sæheimar Aquarium
Visit the World’s first Beluga whale sanctuary. Their aim, among other things, is to enhance the well-being of Beluga whales in their care.
My little ones could have stayed here all day! If you’re travelling Iceland with kids, I think they’ll really enjoy this stop too.
You can also see the two Beluga whales called Little White and Little Grey, as well as a few resident puffins.
So cute! 🥰
➡️ GET TICKETS: Visitor Center General Admission
Elephant Rock and Small Islands Trip
Fifteen islands make up the Westman Islands.
Learn about the history of the area and even visit Elephant Rock. This is an impressive rock formation in Heimaey that looks like – you guessed it – an elephant!
Opt for the Two-Hour Ribsafari Adventure Trip sail to the most popular islands on the archipelago like Súlnasker with its impressive cliffs.
Or the One Hour Small Islands Trip for a slightly shorter trip to visit these smaller islands.
Keep your eyes peeled, you may even spot whales and seals on these tours if you’re lucky!
Have a Go at the Local Sport of Spranga
Spranga is a local Icelandic sport said to have originated in the Westman Islands, Iceland.
It’s usually practiced at the Skipahellar caves and it involves rappelling and swinging from cliffs.
It’s free to try out the rope swinging at Spranga, about 0.6 km from the Westman Islands Ferry.
Surtsey Island
Surtsey, the youngest island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was formed in 1963 from a volcanic eruption that took place in the ocean.
Located 21.7km from Heimaey island, visitors can take a tour to the island, but aren’t allowed on it because it’s been protected since its formation.
However, scientists conduct intriguing studies on Surtsey, observing how plants and animals colonize new land.
The Westman Islands make for an excellent detour off the Ring Road, here are a few other places you might want to explore while touring this route.
FAQs
Got questions about visiting the Westman Islands? Here are a few I get asked most.
How Much Time to Spend on the Westman Islands?
This trip can easily be done in one day, and with the ferry leaving roughly every two and a half hours, it’s quite a flexible schedule.
I like the idea of spending the weekend to really explore everything, but it’s nice to know that if you’ve got a tight itinerary, you can opt for a Westman Islands day trip.
If you’re looking for more day trips from Reykjavík, be sure to check out this blog post. 👇
➡️ READ: 10 Stunning Day Trips from Reykjavík to Add to Your Iceland Itinerary
Do You Need a Car on Westman Islands?
You don’t need a car because a lot of what you see is within walking distance. However, having a car gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility. And if the weather acts up, it’s nice to know you can still get around comfortably.
What Will it Cost to Bring Your Vehicle on the Herjólfur Ferry
A regular car you rent in Iceland will usually be under 5 meters in length and that’ll cost 3 750 ISK. A larger vehicle will be 5 000 ISK. If you plan on bringing a trailer that can range from 7 500-10 000 ISK.
How to Get to the Westman Islands From Reykjavík?
If you’ve rented a car for your holiday, you can drive to the ferry terminal. It’ll take about two hours. Alternatively, you can take a private tour or bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn.
Iceland Travel Guides
Westman Islands Map & Iceland Travel Guides
Are you feeling overwhelmed by planning a trip to Iceland?
Believe me, I know what that feels like…
Between figuring what’s worth seeing and how to fit it all in, the research alone can take weeks.
Wouldn’t it be great to have an ‘inside’ source to guide you through it all?
That’s exactly why I created my 👉 Iceland Travel Map & Guide, so you don’t have to piece it all together yourself.
The guide has over 200 pages full of insider tips and regional breakdowns.
Explore everything from volcanoes and glaciers to family-friendly spots and hidden gems with 1,500+ spots pinned on my digital Iceland map.
Need to locate toilets, souvenir shops, or the nearest health clinic? This guide covers all the practical details you need to know for an awesome trip.
It even includes planning worksheets to help you craft your dream itinerary without any effort.
Hundreds of travelers have already used it to plan their trips and saved countless hours of research in the process.
It’s everything I wish I’d had when I first started exploring Iceland.
I’ve built it from over a decade of experience and it’s updated regularly so the information is always fresh.
If you’re ready to add the Westman Islands to your itinerary, I hope to bump into you there!
Happy Planning!
Jeannie is the founder of Iceland with a View, an Iceland trip planning resource she launched in 2015 after moving to Iceland. Having lived in Iceland for nearly 11 years, she shares firsthand travel advice through in-depth articles, guidebooks, maps, itineraries, and a YouTube channel with over 110,000 subscribers. Her mission is to help travelers confidently plan unforgettable Iceland trips with practical, experience-based guidance.
