Eldfell

About Eldfell

Eldfell volcano is a cone on Heimaey, the main island of the Westman Islands off Iceland's south coast, that rose from open ground at the edge of town in January 1973. Its name means Fire Mountain, and before that winter there was no hill there at all.

The Eldfell eruption of 1973 began when a fissure opened on the night of January 23, and by morning nearly the whole population of the islands, around 5,000 people, had been taken to the mainland by boat. It lasted over five months and buried around 400 houses under lava and ash. Crews pumped seawater onto the advancing lava to keep it from sealing the harbor, and the new lava now shelters the entrance instead.

For about 15 years afterward, heat from the cooling flow warmed homes in town. Eldfell has not erupted since 1973, though it belongs to the active Vestmannaeyjar volcanic system.

The Eldfell volcano hike is short but steep. Paths lead up from town across the newer lava, and the last stretch climbs loose volcanic gravel to the crater rim, where you look down over the harbor, the lava field and the rest of the island. Wear boots with good grip and pick a calm day, since wind on Heimaey can be fierce.

Back in town, Eldheimar is a museum built around a house dug out of the ash, and adult admission was ISK 3,550 in 2026. Allow half a day on Heimaey for the climb and the museum together.

Herjólfur ferries sail to Heimaey several times a day from Landeyjahöfn, about two hours' drive from Reykjavík. In rough weather or winter some sailings move to Þorlákshöfn, a much longer crossing, so check the ferry schedule before you set out.