Population
~4,500
Heimaey is the only permanently inhabited island in the Westman Islands archipelago.
Heimaey: The Inhabited Westman Island
The largest and only inhabited Westman Island, where a fishing town coexists with a volcano that nearly buried it in 1973 and millions of nesting puffins.
Location
Westman Islands, South Iceland
One of Europe's largest puffin colonies nests here each summer.
Quick Answer
Heimaey is the only inhabited Westman Island, with about 4,500 people, the 1973 Eldfell eruption site, and large puffin colonies. The ferry journey requires advance planning around the return sailing.
Heimaey is a colourful harbour town set between two volcanoes, where fishing boats bob beside lava fields less than 55 years old. The 1973 Eldfell eruption buried part of the town in lava and ash, and the community rebuilt in the years that followed. In summer, Atlantic puffins nest on the cliffs, and the island is compact enough to explore on foot.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Eruption
1973
Eldfell erupted on January 23, 1973, burying 400 buildings and nearly closing the harbour.
Puffin Season
Apr–Aug
Millions of Atlantic puffins nest on the island's cliffs from mid-April through mid-August.
What to Expect
Eldfell Volcano Hike
A short hike up the 1973 eruption cone. The ground is still warm beneath your feet in places, and the summit looks out over the whole archipelago.
Eldheimar Museum
Walk through a house excavated from the 1973 ash and learn the story of the night 5,300 people were evacuated by fishing boats.
Puffin Watching at Stórhöfði
The southern headland is one of Europe's windiest spots and the island's best place to see puffins up close in summer.
Harbour & Town
A working fishing harbour surrounded by colourful buildings, with seafood restaurants and the Sagnheimar Folk Museum close by.
Sea Cave Boat Tours
Zodiac tours visit sea caves, elephant-shaped rock arches, and nesting bird cliffs around the archipelago.
Sprangan Cliff Swing
A local tradition where islanders swing on ropes from cliff faces to collect eggs and herbs, now also a tourist attraction.
Getting There
The Herjólfur ferry sails from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey in about 35 minutes, with multiple departures daily in summer. Landeyjahöfn is about 130 km east of Reykjavík. In winter or heavy seas, the ferry sails from Þorlákshöfn (about 3 hours). Check current transport options directly before booking. Cars can be brought on the ferry, but the island is small enough to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June to August) is the best time. Puffins are present from mid-April through mid-August, check the opening times of individual tours and restaurants, and the weather is mildest. The Þjóðhátíð festival on the first weekend of August fills the island with music and bonfires. Shoulder months (May and September) are quieter but pleasant. Winter visits are possible but tours are limited and ferry disruptions more frequent.
Build the day around check-in
Herjólfur asks passengers to check in at least 30 minutes before departure and closes boarding five minutes before sailing. Add that time to the crossing when deciding whether an Eldfell walk or museum visit fits your return sailing. Free passenger parking is available at Landeyjahöfn.
Check the actual harbour and departure status before driving. A changed sailing can affect both the mainland drive and the time available on the island.
Planning help
Heimaey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What happened during the 1973 Heimaey eruption?
On January 23, 1973, a volcanic fissure opened on Heimaey without warning. Eldfell volcano erupted for five months, burying over 400 buildings in lava and ash. The entire population of roughly 5,300 was evacuated overnight by fishing boats. Remarkably, only one person died (from toxic gas). Seawater was pumped onto advancing lava to slow its flow and save the harbour.
Can I hike Eldfell volcano on Heimaey?
Yes. Allow separately for the walk from town and the ascent of Eldfell. The loose volcanic slope and wind affect the effort. The trail ascends the red-and-black cinder cone to the 220m summit, where the ground is still warm in places. Views from the top span the entire archipelago and Iceland's south coast.
Where can I see puffins on Heimaey?
The best puffin viewing is at Stórhöfði headland on the southern tip of Heimaey, one of the windiest places in Europe. Puffins nest in burrows along the cliffs from mid-April to mid-August. Keep a respectful distance and stay on marked paths.
How long should I spend on Heimaey?
A full day is enough for the main highlights, but an overnight stay lets you enjoy the evening light, the quieter atmosphere after the last ferry departs, and early-morning puffin viewing. Two nights gives you time for boat tours without rushing.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.