waterfall
Seljalandsfoss
A uniquely accessible Icelandic waterfall where visitors can walk behind the 60-meter curtain of cascading water.
24 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeIcelandSouth
Vestmannaeyjar
South, Iceland · Europe
About Vestmannaeyjar
Vestmannaeyjar is worth a stop: 40 minutes from Hvolsvöllur, 47km from Þórsmörk (Thorsmork).
Vestmannaeyjar is in South, Iceland, with about 4,200 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Hvolsvöllur, about 34 km away.
Vestmannaeyjar (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈvɛstˌmanːaˌeiːjar̥] , sometimes anglicised as Westman Islands) is a municipality and archipelago off the south coast of Iceland.
The largest island, Heimaey, has a population of 4,414, most of whom live in the archipelago's main town, Vestmannaeyjabær. The other islands areRead more
uninhabited, although six have single hunting cabins. Vestmannaeyjar came to international attention in 1973 with the eruption of the Eldfell volcano, which destroyed many buildings and forced a month-long evacuation of the entire population to mainland Iceland. Approximately one-fifth of the town was destroyed before the lava flow was halted by the application of 6.8 billion litres (1.8 billion US gallons) of cold seawater.
Where to Stay in Vestmannaeyjar
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Vestmannaeyjar.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Vestmannaeyjar.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Vestmannaeyjar?
Within an hour or so of Vestmannaeyjar: Seljalandsfoss (24 km), Gljúfrabúi (24 km), Skógafoss (39 km), Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck (45 km).
Are there any good drives near Vestmannaeyjar?
The nearest famous roads are F208 Fjallabak Route to Landmannalaugar, Golden Circle Route and Golden Circle, Iceland.
Where is Vestmannaeyjar?
Vestmannaeyjar is in South, Iceland, about 34 km from Hvolsvöllur.
Road trip
Drive to Vestmannaeyjar
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Vestmannaeyjar. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 4,219
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Iceland
- Region
- South
- Timezone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
- Coordinates
- 63.4427, -20.2734
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Iceland
F-roads (mountain roads) require 4x4 and are closed much of the year. Safetravel.is for conditions.
Full driving guide for IcelandTags
Worth the detour from Vestmannaeyjar
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Gljúfrabúi
Waterfall hidden inside a mossy slot canyon 600 m north of Seljalandsfoss: wade the ankle-deep stream through the cleft and the 40 m fall thunders into a light-shafted chamber. Most visitors at its famous neighbour never notice it.
24 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
Skógafoss
One of Iceland's biggest and most beautiful waterfalls, dropping 60 meters with frequent rainbows in its mist.
39 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
The eerie wreckage of a 1973 US Navy DC-3 sitting on a vast black sand plain, one of Iceland's most hauntingly photogenic sites.
45 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
Þórsmörk (Thorsmork)
A lush mountain valley named after Thor, sheltered between three glaciers and accessible only by river-crossing 4x4 or the Laugavegur hiking trail.
47 km · about 55 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Dyrhólaey
A dramatic promontory and natural stone arch rising 120 metres above the sea, offering panoramic views and puffin nesting colonies in summer.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Vestmannaeyjar
3 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 57 kmDyrhólaeyA dramatic promontory and natural stone arch rising 120 metres above the sea, offering panoramic views and puffin nesting colonies in summer.
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Vestmannaeyjar.
Plan a trip around Vestmannaeyjar
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Vestmannaeyjar.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.