Islands in Iceland

Heimaey, the largest Iceland island in the Westman archipelago, is a fascinating place to explore in Iceland. Known for its dramatic landscapes, the island is surrounded by steep cliffs where thousands of puffins nest during summer. The town itself carries a powerful history, as the eruption of Eldfell volcano in 1973 reshaped parts of the island and left behind lava fields that can still be explored today. Visitors can enjoy hiking up the volcano, walking along black sand beaches, and taking boat tours around sea caves filled with birdlife. Heimaey blends natural beauty, wildlife, and living history, making it one of Iceland’s most captivating islands to visit.

Surtsey is one of the most extraordinary Iceland islands, born from a volcanic eruption beneath the sea in 1963. Rising dramatically from the North Atlantic, it remains untouched by human settlement and has been strictly protected since its creation. This unique isolation makes Surtsey a natural laboratory where scientists study how life colonizes new land, from the first arrival of mosses and plants to seabirds nesting along its shores. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers rare insight into the evolution of ecosystems in real time. While visitors cannot set foot on the island to preserve its fragile environment, seeing it from a distance still carries a sense of wonder at how new worlds can form out of fire and ocean.

Grímsey is a small but fascinating island in Iceland off the northern coast, best known for being the only part of the country that crosses the Arctic Circle. Visitors often come here to stand on the line that divides two hemispheres, making it a unique travel experience. The island is also a paradise for bird lovers, with puffins, kittiwakes, and Arctic terns filling the cliffs and skies during summer. Its quiet landscapes, grassy fields, and dramatic sea views create a peaceful setting far removed from the mainland’s busier spots. Life on Grímsey feels simple and authentic, with a small community that thrives alongside the beauty of nature. For travelers, it is both an adventure and a chance to enjoy Iceland’s northernmost charm.
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Flatey is one of the most charming Iceland islands, sitting quietly in Breiðafjörður Bay. Known for its colorful old houses and peaceful atmosphere, the island feels like stepping back in time. During summer, visitors can stroll along narrow paths, spot a wide variety of birdlife, and enjoy the island’s natural beauty. Flatey is also home to a historic church and a library that once held some of Iceland’s treasured manuscripts. Cars are not allowed, which adds to its calm and unhurried pace. With only a handful of permanent residents, Flatey is a place where life moves slowly, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking quiet moments, natural charm, and a glimpse into traditional Icelandic island life.
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Viðey is a peaceful island in Iceland located just off the coast of Reykjavík and is one of the country’s hidden treasures. It combines history, art, and nature in a setting that feels both calm and inspiring. The island is home to the Viðey House, one of Iceland’s oldest stone buildings, and also hosts impressive outdoor artworks like Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower and Richard Serra’s sculptural installation. Visitors can enjoy easy walking and cycling paths that pass by bird nesting areas, open fields, and scenic coastal views. With its quiet charm, cultural landmarks, and close distance to the capital, Viðey is a perfect day trip for those who want to explore an island that blends Icelandic heritage with natural beauty.
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Hrísey is the second-largest Iceland island and is often called the “pearl of Eyjafjörður” for its calm beauty and rich birdlife. Located in northern Iceland, it is known for being home to around 40 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. The island has peaceful walking trails where visitors can enjoy views of the fjord, meadows, and colorful houses that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Hrísey has no predators like foxes, which allows the bird population to thrive. With its small community, a local heritage museum, and opportunities to relax in pure natural surroundings, Hrísey offers travelers a quiet and authentic Icelandic island experience that feels close to nature and far from the bustle of everyday life.
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Elliðaey is one of the most fascinating islands in Iceland, part of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago just off the southern coast. Known for its remote beauty, the island is uninhabited and covered in green slopes that rise dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean. Its most famous feature is a small white lodge perched alone on the cliffs, often photographed against the wild backdrop of sea and sky. Though no permanent residents live here, the lodge is used by a local hunting association during puffin hunting season. The island is also rich in birdlife, making it a haven for seabirds nesting along its steep cliffs. Elliðaey’s dramatic isolation and untouched charm give it an almost mythical appeal, making it a true wonder among Iceland’s islands.

Papey is a small but fascinating Iceland island off the east coast, best known for its rich birdlife and tranquil atmosphere. It is home to thousands of puffins during the summer months, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers. The island also has historic charm, with a wooden church and a farmhouse that reflect Iceland’s rural past. Visitors can enjoy boat trips to Papey, where the quiet surroundings and dramatic sea views create a peaceful escape from the mainland. Seals are often spotted on the shores, adding to the island’s natural beauty. Though uninhabited today, Papey holds a unique blend of history, wildlife, and scenic charm that makes it one of Iceland’s memorable island destinations.
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Lundey, often called “Puffin Island,” is one of the charming small Iceland islands and a paradise for bird lovers. Located just off the coast near Reykjavík, it is especially famous for its thriving puffin colonies during the summer months. Thousands of seabirds nest here, creating a lively atmosphere that fascinates visitors arriving on boat tours. The island itself is uninhabited and has a rugged, natural beauty that feels untouched by time. Watching puffins dive into the sea or perch on the grassy cliffs is a delightful experience, making Lundey a favorite stop for families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Its close proximity to the capital also makes it one of the easiest and most rewarding islands to explore in Iceland.
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Drangey is a dramatic island rising steeply from the waters of Skagafjörður in northern Iceland. Known for its towering cliffs and striking shape, it is often called a natural fortress. The island is famous for its rich birdlife, especially puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, which nest along the rocky ledges. Drangey also carries a legendary connection to the outlaw Grettir the Strong, who is said to have made it his final refuge. Today, visitors can join guided boat tours to explore the island and hike up to its grassy plateau, where stunning panoramic views reward the climb. Drangey combines history, folklore, and breathtaking scenery, making it one of Iceland’s most captivating islands to visit.
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Bjarnarey is one of the smaller Iceland islands in the Westman archipelago off the southern coast. Though uninhabited, it is striking in appearance, with steep cliffs rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a sanctuary for seabirds, especially puffins, which nest in large numbers along its grassy slopes during summer. Its rugged beauty makes it a popular sight for boat tours around the archipelago, where travelers can admire the contrast of black volcanic rock against the deep blue sea. While visitors cannot stay on the island itself, its presence adds to the wild, untamed character of the Westman Islands. For those exploring the region, Bjarnarey offers a glimpse of Iceland’s raw natural landscapes and thriving birdlife.

Kolbeinsey is a tiny, uninhabited island off the northern coast of Iceland, known as the country’s northernmost point. This small basalt rock rises from the Arctic waters and has long been a point of interest for geographers and sailors. Constantly battered by strong waves and harsh weather, the island has been shrinking over the years due to erosion, making it a fragile piece of Iceland’s landscape. Despite its size, Kolbeinsey holds symbolic importance as it once extended Iceland’s territorial waters further into the Arctic. Today, it is more of a geographical marker than a place to visit, yet its stark isolation and connection to the power of nature make it one of Iceland’s most intriguing and extreme islands.

Hellisey is a small yet fascinating island in Iceland in the Westman archipelago off the southern coast of the country. Known for its steep cliffs and rich birdlife, it is a haven for puffins, guillemots, and other seabirds that thrive in its untouched landscapes. The island rises dramatically from the Atlantic, giving it a striking and rugged profile. Though uninhabited, Hellisey carries cultural significance as it was once used for seasonal bird hunting and egg collecting by locals. Its natural beauty and isolation make it a place of quiet wonder, where nature’s power and simplicity come together. For visitors exploring the Westman Islands, Hellisey stands as a reminder of Iceland’s wild, volcanic origins and its deep bond with the sea.

Litlidrangur is a striking sea stack off the coast of Iceland that captures the imagination with its dramatic presence. Rising sharply from the ocean near the Westman Islands, this rocky formation is not a typical island you can explore on foot but a natural wonder admired from afar. It is often mentioned with its neighboring sea stacks, creating a rugged and picturesque seascape that fascinates visitors. Fishermen and locals have long viewed it as a symbol of Iceland’s powerful coastline shaped by volcanic activity and the restless Atlantic. While small in size, Litlidrangur adds to the mystique of Iceland’s island landscapes, standing as a reminder of the raw and untamed forces that continue to define the country’s geography.

Eldey is a small volcanic island in Iceland off the southwest coast, best known for its dramatic cliffs and thriving birdlife. Though uninhabited, it plays an important role in Iceland’s natural heritage as one of the largest gannet colonies in the world, with tens of thousands nesting on its steep rock faces. The island is also historically significant as the last known home of the great auk, a flightless bird that went extinct in the 19th century. Rising about 77 meters above the Atlantic, Eldey is striking to see from the sea, with its rugged shape contrasting against the open waters. While access is restricted to protect wildlife, Eldey remains a fascinating symbol of Iceland’s volcanic past and unique biodiversity.