Heimaey
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The Westman Islands Are A Taste Of The Old Iceland
That tourism has changed Icelandic culture is a truism — but it’s harder to say how. It’s subtle. You might notice it in the quality of an interaction, the weight of a glance, or the vibe in a room. Sometimes, you’ll feel…
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Brotherly Beer: New Brews Crackin’ Open In The Westman Islands
Jóhann Guðmundsson on inadvertently turning passion into a job you love while bettering his home, the island of Heimaey “Now I can have as much free beer as I want,” says Jóhann Guðmundsson beaming with pride. It seems like he has already…
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Islands Of Wonder: Winning The Weather Lottery In Vestmannaeyjar
No matter what the gods have thrown at the Westman Islands (known locally as Vestmannaeyjar)—eruptions, turbulent history, harsh living conditions—it seems only to have strengthened its inhabitants, creating a resilient population that lives with endearing optimism and a complete and utter lack…
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Islands In The Steam: A Trip To Vestmannaeyjar
For most people, Iceland, with its population of only 360,000, fulfils the desire for rural island experiences. But if you’re hankering after another level of remoteness, Vestmannaeyjar has got your back. At least, that’s what I found when I hoped over the…
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Museums in Strange Places #19: A Visit to Eldheimar
Hey there. I’m Hannah. I’m an American museum professional and Fulbright Fellow living in Reykjavík, and I’m the host of a podcast dedicated to exploring Iceland’s museums. Why? Because Iceland has a staggering 165 museums (that’s way more museums per person than…
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Growing Food Shortages In Isolated Westman Islands
With shipping to and from Heimaey seriously disrupted, the island chain’s only populated island, supermarkets have started to look deserted, reports MBL. “I just came from the store where people were hoarding milk,” local man Valur Smári Heimisson told MBL. “Very few…
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Heimaey Town Guide: Fine Dining And A Living Landscape
Vestmannaeyjar—or the Westman Islands—are one of Iceland’s most dramatic spots. Accessible daily by plane or ferry, this tiny volcanic archipelago of eleven islands—and some smaller islets—is home to just one town, located on the main island of Heimaey. The twin volcanoes of…
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The Westman Islands Are Alive (Even In The Wintertime)
Hrefna and I stumble onto Strætó’s 53 bus at precisely 5:43 in the morning. Behind us, the Mjódd bus station looks as if it belongs in a ‘CSI’ murder scene. The bus driver breaks the morning silence with a booming exclamation: “Where…
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Ongoing Now: ‘Where The Land Rises’ By Peter Holliday
The ground in the Reykjavík Museum of Photography is generally pretty steady, but don’t be surprised if it shakes a bit in the coming months. It’s probably just Scottish photographer Peter Holliday’s ‘Where the Land Rises’ exhibit, which explores the landscapes and…
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Exploring A Small Volcanic Island Off The Coast Of A Slightly Larger Volcanic Island
As the ferry Herjólfur enters the narrow opening into the harbour of Heimaey at night, the sight of Ystiklettur and Heimaklettur cliffs leave you awe-struck. They were formed by volcanic eruptions during the last ice age, around ten to twelve thousand years…
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Westman Islands: More Like ‘Best Man Islands’
Three weeks ago on the Westman Islands there was one day when Eyjafjallajökull’s ash fell so thick that everything outdoors was covered. Everything. But the Grapevine arrived in Heimaey on a sunny morning that belied the long stretch of ash fall the…
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Book Review: The Travels Of Reverend Ólafur Egilsson
On a summer day in 1627, pirates landed on Heimaey, the largest of the Westmann Islands. They swarmed over the island’s farms and houses, killed thirty-four of its residents and forced 242 men, women, and children onto their ships. They sailed with…