Vestmannaeyjar

Sometimes dubbed the Pompei of the North, the Westman Islands offer a peak at the power of mother nature what it is like living next to an active volcano

 

The Westman Islands is a group of 15-18 islands. The biggest one is Heimaey which is the only one inhabited with a population of 4.400. The islanders have their own traditional culture, like bird hunting, egg collecting and cliff rappelling.

 

In January 1973 an eruption began in Heimaey and lasted until early July. The ash ruined and buried almost 400 buildings. Shortly after the eruption came to an end 2000 of the 5300 people, who had lived in Heimaey before the natural disaster, moved back. The remains of the eruption are among the island´s most fascinating historical locales. Celebrating that 30 years have passed since the eruption a project has been started which is called the Pompei of the North. It is about saving the remains of the eruption and make them more accessible; including digging up 7-10 houses which disappeared under ashes.

 

The hostel is located in the towns centre and all services are close by. The reception is located in Hotel Thorshamar (the house next door) and is open from 7am to 11pm.

 

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Opening times

Opening times (daily/weekly):    07:00 - 23:00
Opening times (over the year):    January 1st - December 31st

 

Nearest hostels:

Fljótsdalur 49 km (ca. 1 hour*) - Árnes 106 km (ca. 1 hour 30 min*) - Skógar 56 km (ca. 1 hour*) - Vík 88 km (ca. 1 hour 20 min*)

 

Distance from Reykjavík:

151 km (ca. 2 hours 10 min*)

 

* Waiting time for ferry not included

Family rooms available		Common room(s)		Individual traveller welcome
Disco		Laundry facilities		Luggage Store
Hostel open 24h		Internet access		Non smoking room/area
Sheets for hire		Credit card accepted		Basic store available at or near the hostel
TV room		Café/Bar		Garden
Self-catering kitchen		Meals available		Rates include local tax
Groups welcome		Currency exchange at or near hostel

Bed Capacity

Beds per room:					Total beds
Number of rooms:	3	2	1	1	25

Directions

Parking:	At or near the hostel.
Sea port:	4-5 daily ferries between Vestmannaeyjar and Landeyjahöfn harbours. For further information on ferry transport see here. Bus schedules from Reykjavík to Landeyjahöfn harbour can be found here.
Location:	The hostel is located in the villages centre - in a walking distance from the harbor.
Airport:	There are daily flights between Reykjavík and Vestmannaeyjar. There are also many flights every day between Bakki (on the south coast of Iceland) and Vestmannaeyjar. That flight takes only 10 min. For further information on flights see here.

Puffins

The Westman islands are known for their puffin colonies and one of the most favored activities by young islanders is to rescue baby puffins in the month of August.The baby puffins, who have been left behind by their parents, are attracted by the lights in town and go there instead of the sea where they are meant to be. The children save the puffins and release them back into their natural habitants.

Volcanic activities

The volcanic eruption in Vestmannaeyjar in 1973 is, without doubt, considered the largest natural disaster in Iceland in recent history. Quite a few homes were lost to the lava. "Pompei of the North" is the name given to the project to excavate some of these homes. Its objective is to give visitors the opportunity to see with their own eyes what actually happened in 1973.

Sports

In Westman Island you can find one of the most beautiful and extraordinary golf course in the world, if you like golf you can't let this one pass you by.

Guided tours

Tours are on offer all year round, both on ground and at sea. There are a few companies that offer them so everyone should find something after their own taste.