The Little-Known Islands In Iceland Rick Steves Suggests For A Truly Unique Day Trip

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when Iceland was considered well off the beaten track for most travelers. Closer to Greenland than Europe, the island was sufficiently far-flung and outlandish enough to provide a backdrop for Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," and training grounds for NASA astronauts in the 1960s. By the 1980s, only around 130,000 people visited Iceland each year. 

The fortunes of Icelandic tourism have significantly improved over the past few decades, gaining greater interest due to music artists from the country like Björk, while appearances in high-profile films like "Interstellar" and "Prometheus" have made it a great vacation for sci-fi movie buffs. We have reached a point where visitors heading to Iceland strive to seek hidden-gem places at this formerly hidden-gem destination, which now welcomes over 2 million tourists annually. Rick Steves has one such suggestion for a unique day trip: the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar).

Iceland is the 18th-largest island in the world, although it is lesser known that it also has 30 smaller islands around its coast, only four of which are inhabited. Heimaey, the largest and most populous, is the biggest in the Westman Islands archipelago. Located off the south coast of Iceland, the chain is made up of 15 more uninhabited islands and a dramatic array of skerries and rock stacks. Although small in size, the Westman Islands hold plenty of interesting sights to make them well worth an excursion from the mainland.

There are semi-regular flights between Reykjavík and Vestmannaeyjar Airport, but the best way to arrive is by ferry. Seven trips a day leave from Landeyjahöfn, and the journey takes 45 minutes into the harbor at Vestmannaeyjabær, home to the majority of Heimaey's 4,600 residents. Iceland is one place in Europe that has active volcanoes, and one such spot is nearby Eldfell, which brought Heimaey to global attention when it erupted in 1973. The incident caused the evacuation of the entire population and threatened the total destruction of the town.

Vestmannaeyjabær is the natural starting point for a visit to the Westman Islands, and it has several modest hotels and guesthouses if you plan a longer stay. Dining options are limited, but the lack of choice is made up for in quality; Gott and Slippurinn restaurants both hold five-star ratings from hundreds of reviews on Tripadvisor. Rick Steves talks about a day trip (per his website), but there is enough to warrant checking in for a little longer if you have time. 

You can visit the Beluga Whale Sanctuary and the fascinating Eldheimar volcano museum, built around a home that was engulfed during the mighty eruption. Sports fans should check out ÍBV soccer club — its tiny stadium is regularly ranked as one of the best-looking in the world thanks to its incredible craggy backdrop. Golfers can also enjoy 18 holes in similarly spectacular surroundings at the nearby links.

The compact size of Heimaey makes it great for hiking and exploring, and one of the most popular trails takes you to the summit of the infamous Eldfell volcano. At 660 feet tall, it's not a demanding trek and has sweeping views of the island. A more difficult challenge is conquering Heimaklettur, the highest mountain in the archipelago (928 feet). It can be a little hairy for people afraid of heights, with ladders to help ascend the steep slopes. More spectacular panoramas await at the top. 

Any trip to the Westman Islands should include saying hello to the puffins. Rick Steves recommends a minibus tour taking in most of the highlights, including a visit to the islands' famous seabirds. Alternatively, you can take a 90-minute hike to Stórhöfði, the remote and windy southernmost point. There you will find a historic lighthouse, built in 1906, and viewpoints to observe the puffin colony. 

To get a glimpse of the archipelago's smaller islands, book a boat trip for extraordinary scenery and a chance to encounter some magnificent marine life. The cold waters are a great spot to see orcas in July and whales throughout the year. Ribsafari excursions provide an adrenaline rush as a powerful speedboat whisks you between towering rock formations and into mysterious sea caves. All in all, a detour to the Westman Islands will give you great memories to take back from your vacation to Iceland.