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Eldfell volcano shaped the history and geography of the Westman Islands, an archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. Where the chain of islands and rocks are the pearls, this volcano is the explosive diamond - the center of attention.
Eldfell is just one of the volcanoes that dot the Westman Islands archipelago, but it is the most prominent one. Decades ago, it was a destructive force, flowing lava and all. Today, the impact of the Eldfell eruption on tourism can’t be overlooked.
If you’re up for a day of exploration - we’re here to help. You’ll find out everything this cultural heritage of Heimaey has to offer. You’ll learn about the famous Vestmannaeyjar eruption. Our guide covers every aspect of the volcano, from its formation to ecological recovery and the best hiking trails.
To enrich your volcano trip, we have also compiled a list of other sights you might want to visit. If you plan to stay on the main island of Heimaey, we have also created a list of the best places to stay and eat.
Eldfell is located on the eastern side of the main island of Heimaey, home to around 4500 inhabitants.
Here are some nearby locations you can visit on foot.
Heimaey Harbor is 2.48 mi (4 km) away from the volcano.
Vestmannaeyjabær is 1.55 mi (2.5 km) away from the volcano.
Helgafell is 0.93 mi (1.5 km) away from the volcano.
Urðaviti Lighthouse is 1.36 mi (2.2 km) away from the volcano.
The Westman Islands were calm for around 5000 years. Volcanic events were few and rare. However, when it happened, media worldwide turned their camera to the south coast archipelago.
Before the eruption rocked the island, Heimaey was just a dot on the south coast of Iceland. Around 5000 inhabitants lived and survived on the island. The natural Heimaey Harbor allowed the island's fishing industry to thrive.
It all changed in 1973 when the Heimaey eruption occurred. The first sign of the eruption appeared on January 21st through tremors. A bit of context: an earthquake or tremors is followed by an eruption. In this case, a seismic station on mainland Iceland noticed seismic activity.
The situation started to change the next day, on the 22nd. Tremors reduced, and it seemed like the situation passed. In the latter half of the day, stations detected shallow earthquakes deep from the earth. Funnily enough, no one thought the eruption would occur on Heimaey, as the island wasn’t on active tectonic plates.
In 1973, on the morning of January 23rd, an eruption occurred on the outskirts of the main island. In the volcano’s opening hours, the eruption grew exponentially from 964 ft (300 m) to an astonishing 1.2 mi (2 km) in just a few hours. The response was quick, and people were evacuated from the island.
No one died directly from the eruption. However, the surrounding area was damaged. For five months, lava flowed, destroyed houses and crops, and, worst of all, was on the path to fill in the natural Heimaey harbor - the island's lifeline. Thanks to the Icelandic-US partnership, it was stopped. The disaster was averted by pumping tons of water onto the lava, cooling it down.
Yes, it’s still considered an active volcano. However, it's not an immediate danger to surrounding lands, and the 1973 eruption is unlikely to repeat itself. Today, Eldfell is considered to be a tourist attraction.
Eldfell is a cone-shaped volcano. At one point, it was as high as 721 ft (220 m) tall. However, the mountain became 65 ft (20 m) smaller through water erosion. Still, it is so large that it is hard to miss. The volcano enlarged the island on one side, increasing its area by 0.86 sq. mi. (2.24 sq. km). However, it also devastated the opposite side.
Like Iceland's volcanic activity, the Haimaey Island eruption ravaged nearby lands. Volcanic rock covers the ground, making it unsuitable for house building. People started to plant grass around the volcano to help it ecologically recover faster.
Today, the effects of the restoration efforts and years of geological processes are visible. First, the volcano looks like a mountain waiting to be explored by adventurous spirits. It’s green, and the volcanic landscape has been completely transformed. Second, years of erosion were slowed down.
The Eldfell “Mountain of Fire” hike is the perfect way to experience the volcano’s beauty. Along the way, you can visit the Eldheimar Museum (more on that later). To help you make the most of your hike, we created a “guide” that might work for you.
Some things to consider:
If you’re going by car, park near the Eldheimar Museum. Go further up the main road and find yourself at a crossroads. From this point, you can choose between two hiking trails:
We’ll focus on the more fun and most traveled hike trail, walking between the two volcanoes. Either way, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete the trail.
The first part of the hike, which takes around 20 minutes, takes up the volcano's cone shape. The first plateau provides an excellent view of Heimaey Island. However, there is still a way to go to the top.
You'll have to climb for the best photography opportunities until you reach the scenic viewpoints. There, stunning views pop into your eyes - a reward for your long volcano journey. You’ll see the houses in the town, the blue ocean, and the island's shores. It is possible to walk around the volcanic crater.
Now comes the more tedious part - getting down the volcano. It takes around 30 minutes, but climbing down at your own pace is essential. Don’t rush it, and keep it safe.
If you’re going by foot, your journey will take another 10 to 20 minutes. The nature factor makes the extra hiking time worth it.
Eldfell has many exciting sites around it. Some of them can educate you more about the situation that happened in 1973. Others, however, try to rival the beauty of the volcano. Either way, all, or at least most, are worth visiting.
If you want to learn more about the Westman Islands' aquatic life, visit the Sæheimar Aquarium and Museum. During the 1973 eruption, the flowing lava damaged part of the museum, cutting off the power. Luckily, today, everything is working well.
It’s the complete opposite of a volcano. Where the volcano was a force of destruction, Stórhöfði is a place of life. It’s one of the best nearby attractions, where you can see colonies of puffins living and raising their chicks. An expedition to this location is worth it if you want to see the Icelandic national bird in all its beauty.
Volcanoes can also create beautiful sights. As volcanic eruptions occur, unique and exciting rock formations have a chance to form. Elephant Rock is one of them. As the name suggests, it’s a rock that looks like an elephant. While the design seems simple, it became one of the most iconic sightseeing places in the Westman Islands.
Almost destroyed by the Verstmannaeyjar eruption, the harbor is now a spot of life. If you ever visit the Westman Islands, you’ll probably visit the Heimaey Harbor. After all, how else will you reach Eldfell? Today, tourists can see the whole harbor from a distance and see beluga whales swimming in a nearby sanctuary.
Surtsey Island is an eroding cultural heritage site. It was formed during the 1963 eruption and grew to 1 square mile (2.58 square kilometers) in the next few years. However, due to erosion, the island has become smaller. It is a UNESCO site where plants and animals can live undisturbed. Tourists are prohibited from setting feet on it to ensure that the vegetation isn’t disturbed by human presence.
Many adventure tours stop at the Eldheimar Museum - the spot for everything you need to know about the volcanism of Iceland. It focuses on one of the biggest natural disasters in the Westman Islands' history - the 1973 eruption.
If you’re a history buff and want to learn more about the eruption, from the volcano's opening hours to its aftermath, visit the Eldheimar Museum. It’s an attraction that outshines everything else.
Through exhibitions and audio guides, the museum gives a glimpse at the aftermath of the eruption and life before that. The museum also touches on the Surtsey eruption. Its cultural significance to the island is huge, so you might as well discover what it offers.
Tourists usually visit the remnants of a house once covered by volcanic ash deposits. The house is in the middle of the museum, and people can see its exterior by walking around it. Thanks to remotely controlled cameras, the interior can also be seen. Overall, it’s a nice reminder of how nature is as destructive as it is beautiful.
If you’re looking for guidance, audio guides are here to help. Instead of taking a tour, you can learn about the history of the eruption. These guides cover every aspect, from the ecological impact to how the Eldfell geological formation came about. You can go through the museum at your own pace without rushing it all.
The museum also talks about Surtsey, the eroding island. No matter how big your wanderlust is, tourists aren’t allowed to enter it. Prohibition exists to allow plants and animals to colonize it naturally, without human interference. The museum's exhibition does its best to cover as much information about the island as possible.
Eldheimar Museum is open every day of the week. However, the time it opens and closes depends on the season. For example:
From May 1st, 2024, to September 30th of the same year, the museum's opening hours are from 11 AM to 5 PM. In winter, the museum works in reduced hours.
First, you should get to the main island of Heimaey. The easiest way to do so is with a ferry. In summer, you should go to the Landeyjarhöfn ferry terminal. In winter, you should hitch a ferry from Þorlákshöfn. It should take from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to get to the island.
As you arrive at the Heimaey harbor, you should head south towards the volcano. Eldheimar is located at Gerðisbraut 10, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær, 1 mi (1.6 km) away from the harbor. It should take around 30 minutes to reach the museum on foot. With a car, around 4 minutes.
You don’t have to rush back to Iceland. There are a lot of hotels and restaurants that you can visit on your way back from the volcano.
If you’re looking for a place to rest, visit these places:
There are some great restaurants close to the volcano:
For fish lovers, Slippurinn is the spot to visit. The menu is heavily based on fish; you’ll swim in a sea of flavors right from the start.
If you’re up for a full experience, visit it in the summer. The weather is perfect for a hike, and you can explore other Westman Islands locations at the same time. During this season, you can spot an Atlantic puffin living its life. Also, the vegetation and biodiversity start to bloom. However, you should plan everything beforehand to avoid crowds.
However, if you feel a little bit like a daredevil, you can also visit it during the winter season. While cold, the calm and darker nights provide some rare, wonderful views. For example, due to low light pollution (practically zero) and the elevation, you might get the chance to see the Northern lights at Eldfell Summit.
Eldfell is the most important and famous Westman Islands volcano. Volcanic tourism has grown in the past few decades. Unlike the older Helgafell volcano, this is a mix of volcanic rocks and some nice growing greenery, making it perfect for a tour destination.
If you want to explore a variety of volcanic landforms, we offer a 3-day tour that explores the major areas on Iceland’s south coast. From visiting Eldfell to Þjórsárdalur Valley, it’s perfect for those who want to disconnect from the urban lifestyle. Of course, be prepared to move quickly and take as many photos as possible.
We also offer a Westman Islands tour. Organized from May to August, you can visit the islands and hike up to the volcano. Along the way, you’ll also visit the Eldheimar Museum. The tour takes just a day - enough time to see and experience most of the islands' offerings.
Yes, to a certain point. If you visit by car, you can park near the Eldheimar Museum. However, you’ll have to hike the rest of the way up.
Authorities cooled down the flowing lava by pumping gallons of seawater onto it. After six months of effort, around 7.4 million cubic meters of seawater were pumped onto the flowing lava.
Westman Islands sits on the divergent plate between the Eurasian and North American plates. This means that the tectonic plates move from one another, causing friction on the Earth’s crust, leading to increased volcanic activity in Heimaey.
It is an active volcano, although a dormant one. There are no signs that it will erupt in the near future.
It is is 660 ft (200 m) tall. However, it is not a mountain but a volcano.
It last erupted in 1973. The eruption lasted for around five months. It ended in July of the same year. During it, a new coast line formed and the town nearby was engulfed in ash and, some parts, in lava.
