Eldheimar Volcano Museum
About Eldheimar Volcano Museum
Eldheimar is a volcano museum on Heimaey, the main island of Vestmannaeyjar off Iceland's south coast, built around a family home that was buried by the 1973 eruption. It sits at the foot of Eldfell, the volcano that broke open on the edge of town that January night. Of all the places on the island, this is the one that explains what happened here.
The eruption began in the early hours of January 23, 1973, and lasted about five months. Nearly the whole population of around 5,300 was evacuated to the mainland that first night, and lava and ash went on to destroy almost 400 homes and businesses, about a third of the town's buildings. By the end, a new 220-meter mountain stood over the harbor and the island had grown by about 2 square kilometers.
At the center of the museum is the house at Gerðisbraut 10, dug out of the ash after more than 40 years underground. A couple and their three young children lived there, and they left with little more than a bottle for the baby. You walk around the broken walls at close range while screens and recorded accounts tell the story of the evacuation and the rebuilding that followed.
A second exhibition covers Surtsey, the island that rose from the sea south of Heimaey in an eruption that ran from 1963 to 1967. Only scientists may land there, so this is about as close as most visitors get. Plan on one to two hours for both exhibitions.
From the ferry harbor, Eldheimar is about a 20-minute walk uphill through town, and the trail up Eldfell starts close by. The ferry from Landeyjahöfn takes about 35 to 45 minutes, so a day trip from the south coast is easy to arrange. Adult admission is ISK 3,550, children under 10 get in free, and winter hours are short, so check the current hours before you sail.
Good to know
What is Eldheimar museum about?
Eldheimar tells the story of the 1973 eruption on Heimaey, when the town was evacuated overnight and about a third of its buildings were lost. Its centerpiece is a house excavated from the ash, and a second exhibition covers the Surtsey eruption.
How much does Eldheimar cost?
Adult admission is ISK 3,550, seniors pay ISK 2,900, ages 10 to 18 pay ISK 1,900 and children under 10 get in free. A family ticket costs ISK 7,200.
What are Eldheimar's opening hours?
From September 23, 2026 to April 15, 2027 the museum is open daily from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. In summer it is open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and groups can book visits outside these hours.
How long do you need at Eldheimar?
Most visitors spend one to two hours there. Add time for the hike up Eldfell, which starts a short walk from the museum.
How do you get to Eldheimar from the ferry?
Walk about 20 minutes uphill from the Herjólfur ferry harbor through the town of Heimaey. The museum stands on the edge of the lava field below Eldfell, next to the start of the volcano trail.
Is Eldheimar worth visiting?
Yes, if you are on Heimaey for more than a couple of hours. Standing next to a real house pulled out of the ash makes the 1973 eruption far easier to grasp than the lava field alone.
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