Vestmannaeyjar, Westman Islands, Iceland (with Map & Photos)

A trip to the Westman Islands - the "northern Pompeii" of the Atlantic.

Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) is a small archipelago south of Iceland. "Vestmannaeyjar" translated from Icelandic means "the islands of the Western people" - a unique place, one of the wonders of nature. Vestmannaeyjar is called the "Capri of the North".

Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands
Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands

The islands were formed as a result of underwater volcanic eruptions about 14-12 thousand years ago, with the exception of the small island of Surtsey, which rose above the ocean waves in 1964.

Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands
Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands

The archipelago consists of fourteen islets, 13 of which are practically uninhabited. On some islands there are huts on the coast, but the settlement is considered to be the main island - Heimaey. When the volcano erupted in 1973, Heimaey was buried under a layer of lava and ash and is considered to be the modern "Scandinavian Pompeii".

Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands
Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands

The excursion involves a trip by car and sea ferry or by air. Vestmannaeyjar is a unique place, one of the wonders of nature. The archipelago is located in the ocean, 12 km from mainland Iceland, and this gives the islands a special unique aura of solitude, complete fusion with nature, adventure and even magic, which is especially attractive for the modern traveler living in constant stress and crowded cities. The rocky little islands have many bizarre caves and statues created by nature over thousands of years of continuous struggle between wind and ocean against rocky cliffs. Millions of seabirds fly to the islands to breed their offspring here.

Vestmannaeyjar Map