Eldheimar
4.5
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The exhibition focuses on the 1973 volcanic eruption in Vestmannaeyjar, without a doubt one of Iceland's biggest natural disaster. Visitors get a glimpse into peoples lives on Heimaey before the eruption that would change their lives forever. The people of Heimaey had to leave their homes in the middle of the night and evacuate the island, many of them never saw their homes or any of their belongings ever again.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
417 reviews
Excellent
300
Very good
99
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Unnur G
Doha, Qatar8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
I can highly reccommend this museum. You really get the feeling how it was, and the stories behind it, the people that left and those who stayed. Do not miss out on the documentary video they have. They give you a headset and dictaphone, so when you move around, the storyteller tells you about each section of the museum.
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Owen Thesaints
Kent653 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We headed to Eldheimar Volcano museum, which described in a very innovative way how the 1973 volcanic eruption had such a devastating effect on the island. The centre piece of the museum was an excavated house, having been buried under 50 feet of pumice. It was very poignant to see some of the day to day items which had been retrieved in situ - a stark reminder of the effects of the powerful eruption. We followed an audio tour of a number of exhibits detailing more of the consequences of the eruption, including the evacuation of the population and the subsequent rebuilding. It was a very worthwhile visit, the exhibits vividly portraying the effects of the eruption.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stefanie H
Lincoln, NE1,465 contributions
Jul 2021
This museum focuses on the Eldfell eruption that caused the entire island to be evacuated in 1973. You receive an audio guide and are led through the exhibits, with the main exhibit being the story of the demolished house in the middle of the museum. The special effects on the first floor are really good, and you can walk outside and see the half-buried house. This was a great stop to learn more about the history of the island!
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Don
11 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We are not museum people, but this attraction is NOT to be missed! Amazing technology. Modern design. Powerful images and video. The entire museum, videos, exhibits can be viewed in 1 to 1.5 hours. An entire excavated home is within the museum. Worth the trip to Vestmannaeyjar are all by itself!
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Abbot71
Reno, NV548 contributions
Dec 2019
This museum is a MUST for any Iceland visitor. This magnificent museum captures the fierce, terrifying, dynamic forces that accompanied the island's 1973 volcanic eruption with vivid video, audio, and real life exhibits. We were lucky enough to be accompanied by a local native who actually experienced it and was evacuated by boat on an unforgettable day in history. If you get to Vestmannaeyjar you MUST visit this museum!
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Humphiedoodle
Baltimore, MD55 contributions
Jun 2022
Excellent way to learn about the volcanic eruption in 1973. it was a nice break to listen to the information instead of reading it and while listening you can soak in all the photos and images on the walls and get a good idea of what happened. I especially liked the movie at the end that interviewed the people who experienced the eruption first hand. the ruins of the house are impressive. the upstairs exhibit is interesting too. learned a lot about volcanos in a place where it was real. totally worth it.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tissa.travels
Rotterdam, The Netherlands2,265 contributions
Sep 2019
This museum tells the story about the 1973 volcanic eruption on Heimaey Island. It's built around one of the dug out houses, very well laid out and very informative.
Written April 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jake23
New Jersey6,507 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
This museum was built around a house which was buried by volcano ash. You getting a guided walking tour when you pay your fee to enter the museum. While small the museum was still worth a stop. We basically had the place to ourselves. He top floor of the museum was dedicated to Surtsey, an island that was created by a volcanic eruption. While you can not visit Surtsey you can ale a boat tour around it and see it from the main land. A nice well kept museum in an interesting. Check it out.
Written April 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ihl69666
Reykjavik, Iceland78 contributions
Nov 2018
More than just the story of the volcanic eruption of Eldfell in 1973, this museum highlight a great deal of the Vestmannaeyjar life and its people's spirit. The scenography is unusual and fascinating and everyone will find his niche!
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
grcopley
Washington DC, DC22 contributions
Jun 2019
Eldheimar museum, sitting just above the edge of the old town on Heimey Island, in the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, south of, and part of Iceland, is just where it should be. It was built on the volcanic rock which destroyed much of the town in 1973 when part of the island erupted. The 5,000 residents were all evacuated safely, and later returned to reclaim their "Pompei of the North". The exquisite island (with its vast population of puffins) is easily accessible from Reyjavik, the Icelandic capital, and is a true highlight of a visit to Iceland. But the Eldheimar museum is world class in its interactive approach, and its comprehensive and visually/intellectually stimulating exhibits. It was compelling, and all we wished for was more time to learn.
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eldheimar (Vestmannaeyjar) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Eldheimar
- Eldheimar is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking Eldheimar tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Eldheimar tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Eldheimar:
- (0.48 mi) Hotel Vestmannaeyjar
- (0.23 mi) Gabriel Guesthouse
- (0.52 mi) Aska Hostel
- (0.56 mi) Hotel Eyjar
- (0.65 mi) Guesthouse Hamar
- Restaurants near Eldheimar:
- (0.47 mi) Einsi Kaldi
- (0.52 mi) Gott
- (0.74 mi) Slippurinn
- (0.45 mi) 900 Grillhús
- (0.45 mi) Lundinn