Vestmannaeyjar, Archipelago of 15 islands in Southern Region, Iceland
Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland that rises from underwater volcanoes and features steep cliffs and black sand beaches. The largest inhabited island, Heimaey, displays crater lakes, solidified lava caves, and bird colonies nesting on the rock faces.
The name comes from Irish slaves whom Norse settlers brought to Iceland in the 9th century and called Westmen. In the 17th century, Algerian pirates raided the islands and kidnapped residents to North Africa.
Residents maintain a strong connection to the sea, visible in the brightly painted wooden houses that cling to the hillsides. Each August, the community on Heimaey celebrates a multi-day festival that draws visitors from across Iceland.
The Herjólfur ferry runs several times daily from the mainland port of Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey and takes about half an hour for the crossing. Windy conditions can affect departure times, so checking current connections before traveling is worthwhile.
Puffins dig their nesting burrows into the grassy cliffs of Heimaey and return by the thousands each spring. Some coastal sections are so densely populated that walkers must watch their step to avoid treading on hidden entrances.
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