Admission
2,500 ISK
Adults. Free for children under 17. Family tickets available
Eldheimar Museum: 1973 Vestmannaeyjar Eruption Exhibition
A museum built around a house buried by the 1973 Eldfell eruption on Heimaey, telling the story of the night an entire island was evacuated.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Location
Vestmannaeyjar
Westman Islands • Heimaey
Eldheimar (House of Fire) is a museum in Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) built around an excavated house that was buried during the devastating 1973 Eldfell eruption on Heimaey island. On the night of January 23, 1973, a volcanic fissure ripped open just 200 meters from the edge of town. Within hours, all 5,300 inhabitants were evacuated by fishing boats. Over the following months, lava and ash buried approximately 400 homes. The museum preserves the excavated house at Gerðisbraut 10 and tells the powerful story of the eruption, evacuation, and recovery through personal accounts, photographs, and multimedia displays.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly—always check official alerts and road conditions before you drive or hike.
Sources to check
Opening Hours
11:00–17:00
Daily May–September. Limited winter hours, check website
Visit Duration
1–1.5 hours
Excavated house, multimedia exhibits, and survivor stories
What to Expect
Excavated House
The preserved house at Gerðisbraut 10, buried under tephra in 1973 and carefully excavated starting in 2005
Eruption Timeline
A detailed chronological account of the eruption from the first fissure opening to the end of volcanic activity
Overnight Evacuation
The remarkable story of how 5,300 residents were evacuated by fishing boats in a single night
Personal Stories
Video testimonies and photographs from survivors recalling the eruption and its aftermath
Pumping the Lava
How Icelanders sprayed seawater onto the advancing lava flow to save the harbour—a world first
Eldfell Volcano Views
The museum sits near Eldfell volcano, which can be hiked for panoramic views of the island and lava field
Getting There
The Westman Islands are reached by the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn on the south coast (35 minutes) or by a short domestic flight from Reykjavík Airport. The ferry runs multiple times daily in summer and carries both passengers and vehicles. In rough weather, ferries depart from Þorlákshöfn with a longer crossing. Eldheimar is a short walk from the ferry terminal in the centre of Heimaey town.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June–August) offers the best weather and most frequent ferry service, plus the chance to see puffins nesting on the island. The museum has extended hours in summer. A day trip from the mainland is feasible, but staying overnight allows time to hike Eldfell volcano and explore the island's other attractions. Check ferry schedules in advance, especially outside peak season.
Planning help
Eldheimar FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.