Sagnheimar is a complex of museums scattered around town, including a folk museum and natural history museum. Inside the folk museum there is a pier where visitors can listen to stories of sea accidents, search and rescue, sailor songs, and observe a bait shed and a bird hunters’ hut.

The museum gives a good insight into the unique history of the Westman Islands: fishing, pirate invasion, volcanic eruption of Heimaey, Þjóðhátíð festival, travels of Icelandic mormons to Utah and many more.

Ten ideas for recreation in Westman Islands and nearby in South Iceland (mainland):

1. Hike the hills and mountains of Heimaey with a splendid view of the mainland and smaller islands, including Heimaklettur, Helgafell and Eldfell, created in the eruption in 1973 (the ground is still warm in places!).
2. Go on a sailing tour from Heimaey and see the famous “elephant rock” , a striking rock formation that looks like an elephant with its trunk in the sea, puffins and other sea birds .
3. Visit Eldheimar, a volcano museum of remembrance , that traces the story of the 1973 eruption with a powerful and moving interactive exhibition.
4. „Sprangan“ (the swing rope) is the ,,national” sport of Westman Islands. It´s where people trained to get stronger before going out to the smaller islands. Try it out!
5. The islands are perfect for kayaking, cycling, golf, swimming from cliffs… you name it!
6. For food lovers, rest assured that your taste buds will be satisfied after your visit to Westman Islands. The islands have excellent restaurants – and a local brewery.
7. Back on the mainland, “collect” the waterfalls in South Iceland, including Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Hjálparfoss, Háifoss og Gullfoss.
8. Join a guided glacier hiking tour on Sólheimajökull and a snowmobile tour on Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
9. Visit the famous Black Beach (Reynisfjara), it´s stunning panoramas and beautiful basalt stacks. But take care, the Atlantic waves can be very dangerous!
10. Discover all the geological gems in the realm of Katla Geopark and visit the Katla exhibition in Vík.

For more information and travel tips, go to www.visitvestmannaeyjar.is and www.south.is