VESTMANNAEYJAR (WESTMAN ISLANDS)
The Westman Islands are a group of islands off the south coast of Iceland. They consist of 15 islands in addition to 30 cliffs and skerries that make up the archipelago. Heimaey is the only island inhabited all year long.
The first sources of the Westman Islands can be found in Landnáma, a medieval Icelandic written work that describes the settlement of Iceland. Landnáma tells the story of Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first settler. His foster brother, Hjörleifur Hróðmarsson, was killed by his slaves. The slaves fled to the islands but Ingólfur Arnarson hunted them down and killed them. These slaves, originated from Ireland, were known as the West Men, thus the name, the Westman Islands. Still today, many places in the Westman Islands bear names from the event.
The first settler of the island of Heimaey was Herjólfur Bárðarson, who lived in the valley Herjólfsdalur, approx. in the year 900.
Three times in the history of the Westman Islands, the population has taken considerable dives. First in the year 1627 during the events known as The Algerian Pirate Raid when 234 people were captured by pirates from Algeria. The islanders also suffered greatly in the early 18th century, when more than half of all newborns died from neonatal tetanus. Lastly, the population of the Westman Islands went from 5100 to 200, temporarily, during the 1973 volcanic eruption, as all the inhabitants fled to the mainland. Today around 4.300 people live in the Westman Islands.
There are two ways to get to Vestmannaeyjar, by ferry or by plane. The ferry Herjolfur sails up to five times a day from the harbor at Landeyjahöfn to Vestmannaeyjar and back again. The ferry ride takes approximately half an hour. Make sure to book in advance, especially if you intend to bring your car or motorcycle or caravan with you, as the ferry is very popular during summer when Icelanders are on holidays, too. The ferry Herjolfur can be found online and on Facebook if you want to plan your trip early, and there is a bus servicing travelers wanting to get to Landeyjahöfn or back to Reykjavík, as well. Vetsmannaeyjar is only 20 minutes away from Reykjavik by plane. Eagle Air Iceland flies two times a day to and from Vestmannaeyjar. For further information please turn to Eagle Air‘s website where you can get detailed information on flight schedules and prices as well as book online. It’s possible to fly with Atlatsflug from Bakki to Vestmannaeyjar. The tourist information in Vestmannaeyjar is also more than ready to assist you if you have any questions regarding your trip.
Visit Vestmannaeyjar invites you to explore our website and find out what the tourist industry has to offer for our visitors in Vestmannaeyjar. On our site, you will find general information about the members of the tourist industry, services, and upcoming events on the island. You can look for information on how to plan your journey, by ferry or by plane. Entertainment, boat trips, and museums, you will find it in visitvestmannaeyjar.is! If you plan to stay overnight, which we totally recommend, you can find information on accommodation and of course where to dine, restaurants, cafés or just at the typical Icelandic “sjoppa”, we have it all.
