photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Vestmannaeyjar Westman Heimaey 2025 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Vestmannaeyjar Westman Heimaey 2025

Our last stop before returning to Reykjavik was Heimaey Island, the only inhabited one in the Westman Islands (south). In January 1973 a volcano erupted, continued 6 months, and destroyed a third of the town. Most residents were immediately evacuated, while a small number stayed to help out where they could. A third of the residents never returned.

There was too much to see and do there in one day, especially since the ship arrival time was relatively late (10 AM). Therefore, I decided to focus on climbing a small bit of the volcano site, taking Viking's short bus tour around the city, and (new to me) visiting the summer puffin colony in the south of the island. I used Hop On Vestmannaeyjar to get to the colony (bus & colony both recommended). I forgot to walk down to the nearby lighthouse, but the puffin viewing was tremendous. There were no close up opportunities, but a long lens helped me out. Vestmannaeyjar certainly did not disappoint. And with its turbulent (fairly recent) history, excellent museum, incredible landscapes, and summer puffins, it's a very popular place. A ferry from the mainland comes in & flips around in about a second, which is amazing to watch. There are tours, hikes, bicycle & scooter rentals, and of course restaurants, including an inexpensive one in a gas station.

To see all photos, push "All." To enlarge a photo, double click it.

Next gallery has photos from a short Reykjavik & Reykjanes Peninsula tour we took on the way to the airport.
previous pagepages 1 2 3 ALL next page
Mars pulled into a sheltered spot & dropped anchor.
Mars pulled into a sheltered spot & dropped anchor.		 The balcony views were fun -- tourist boats coming in & leaving, plus lots of seabirds, and a fish farm in the water.
The balcony views were fun -- tourist boats coming in & leaving, plus lots of seabirds, and a fish farm in the water.		 We wondered if anyone still lived here, or used this, way up on the cliff.
We wondered if anyone still lived here, or used this, way up on the cliff. 		Tried the blueberry donut for breakfast. It was SO fresh & good!
Tried the blueberry donut for breakfast. It was SO fresh & good!		 One elevator on Viking Mars has people (elves?) in the trees.
One elevator on Viking Mars has people (elves?) in the trees. 		Tour buses on Heimaey show two well-known sights. We saw sprangen, golf course, and more, ending at Museum.
Tour buses on Heimaey show two well-known sights. We saw "sprangen," golf course, and more, ending at Museum.
Eldheimer Museum is excellent.
Eldheimer Museum is excellent. 		A house still stands ruined outside the Eldheimer Museum
A house still stands ruined outside the Eldheimer Museum		 I took the path at back of museum which eventually led to the start of the Eldfell hike. Here's early view from hike.
I took the path at back of museum which eventually led to the start of the Eldfell hike. Here's early view from hike.		 View of Eldfell lava path, houses & another island on the way toward the top of Eldfell
View of Eldfell lava path, houses & another island on the way toward the top of Eldfell		 Eldfell steep hill at fork (go left for peak or stay level for lower views).
Eldfell steep hill at fork (go left for peak or stay level for lower views). 		Eldfell steps I took down to town (not ones closest to marina, but I easily found my way there).)
Eldfell steps I took down to town (not ones closest to marina, but I easily found my way there).)
Eldfell rainbow steps with stroller. Iceland loves it rainbow streets & steps!
Eldfell rainbow steps with stroller. Iceland loves it rainbow streets & steps!		 Took the Hop On bus from the ferry dock to the puffin colony. The cliffs that the puffins had adopted had tons of birds.
Took the Hop On bus from the ferry dock to the puffin colony. The cliffs that the puffins had adopted had tons of birds. 		Just hanging around
Just hanging around		 Puffins - one drying wings & one possibly on a nest.
Puffins - one drying wings & one possibly on a nest. 		When a helicopter flew overhead, ALL birds left. But in 5 or 10 minutes they came back, covering the hillside.
When a helicopter flew overhead, ALL birds left. But in 5 or 10 minutes they came back, covering the hillside.		 Looking back
Looking back
Puffin trio with one taking a peek in burrow.
Puffin trio with one taking a peek in burrow.		 Drying wings
Drying wings		 Another puffin drying wings (or landing?)
Another puffin drying wings (or landing?) 		Puffin trio
Puffin trio 		I just love them - so cute.
I just love them - so cute. 		delete
delete
Old settlement near golf course
Old settlement near golf course 		Heimaey's highly rated golf course. I had no idea it was not just another golf course.
Heimaey's highly rated golf course. I had no idea it was not just another golf course.		 Such beautiful, expansive views in Iceland!
Such beautiful, expansive views in Iceland!		 Elephant Rock from the golf course
Elephant Rock from the golf course 		The little white house is Blatinder House - a house almost buried in lava.
The little white house is Blatinder House - a house almost buried in lava. 		I debated whether to count this lighthouse outside Heimaey due to size. But Faxasker is legit, so it became my 629th LH seen!
I debated whether to count this lighthouse outside Heimaey due to size. But Faxasker is legit, so it became my 629th LH seen!
previous pagepages 1 2 3 ALL next page

comment | share
click on thumbnails for full image