The main harbor, a large fishing port, can accommodate vessels up to 160mtr in length alongside.

Map of Heimaey.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) are located 10km off the south coast. The archipelago consists of 15 islands with several skerries. Heimaey is by far the largest and the only inhabited island.

On January 23, 1973 a volcano erupted on Heimaey and the inhabitants were forced to abandon their homes and flee to the main land. The eruption lasted for five months and when it finally grumbled to a halt the island had increased by 20% in size and a new mountain - Eldfell had formed in the field of lava.

A large part of the town including almost 400 homes and buildings had been covered by lava and ash. Pompeii of the North is the name given to the project to excavate some of these homes. Its objective is to give visitors the opportunity to see with their own eyes what actually happened in 1973. Here is a unique modern archaeology dig that cannot be compared to anything else. The plan, started in summer 2005, is to excavate 7-10 houses that were covered in ash. It is an ambitious task that is expected to last several years. The first house has been partially uncovered and the next step is to continue excavating down the street.

Close by is Surtsey, a protected area and one of the youngest islands in the world, formed by a sub oceanic eruption in 1963.

The shops in Iceland are of international standard, and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialities are woollen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.

The Icelandic monetary unit is the "króna." Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.

The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA. Cash can be obtained at every bank branch (over 170) as well as in all ATMs throughout the country.

Currency Converter

The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings, although modern Icelandic has undergone changes of pronunciation and, of course, of vocabulary!

Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 and 08:00-16:00 during June, July and August. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.

1 January, New Year's Day;
Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter Sunday);
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday);
Easter Monday (Monday following Easter Sunday);
First Day of Summer (a Thursday during the period 19 to 25 April);
1 May, Labour Day;
Ascension Day (Holy Thursday, six weeks after Maundy Thursday);
Whit Monday (Monday following Whit Sunday, seven weeks after Easter);
17 June, National Day (proclamation of the Republic in 1944, birthday of Jon Sigurdsson, 1811-1879);
Trademen's Day (first Monday in August);
24 December, Christmas Eve (afternoon only);
25 December, Christmas Day;
26 December, Boxing Day (second day of Christmas);
31 December, New Year's Eve (afternoon only).

Holiday dates falling on a Saturday or Sunday will not be taken on the following Monday.

Help us to keep this page up to date: Mail us your suggestions