What are the opening hours?

Opening hours vary seasonally. Most museums have longer hours in summer (June-August) and reduced hours in winter.

Is the museum suitable for children?

Most Icelandic museums welcome families. Many have interactive exhibits and special programs for children.

Are guided tours available?

Many museums offer guided tours, audio guides, or informational materials in multiple languages.

Iceland/south-iceland

Eldheimar Museum

Museum preserving house buried in 1973 eruption

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At a Glance

Visit time

1-2 hours

Best season

Year-round; check seasonal opening hours

Access

Located in towns with easy access. Most are wheelchair accessible.

GPS

63.4307, -20.2736

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About

About Eldheimar Museum

Museum preserving house buried in 1973 eruption

Learn about Westman Islands volcanic evacuation

Background

History & Background

Eldheimar Museum has been a significant site in Iceland's landscape. Throughout the years, this location has played an important role in Icelandic culture and natural history.

Eldheimar is built around a house buried by volcanic ash during the 1973 eruption. The museum tells the dramatic story of the disaster and the island's evacuation. It is one of the most powerful historical experiences in Iceland.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Eldheimar opened in 2014 — exactly 40 years after the catastrophic 1973 eruption that buried a third of the town of Vestmannaeyjar under ash and lava. The museum's centrepiece is a real excavated house, frozen in time exactly as it was when the inhabitants fled. Ordinary objects — a child's shoe, a dinner plate, a bicycle — protrude from the ash layers, making the disaster tangible in a way statistics never could. The eruption lasted five months; miraculously, the entire population was evacuated the first night. Their return and hard work to save what remained of their town is one of Iceland's most remarkable stories.

💡 Did You Know?

5,300 residents evacuated in one night by fishing boats

Local Legend

Legends of Eldheimar Museum

Eldheimar Museum has been part of Icelandic folklore for generations. Local tales speak of hidden people (huldufólk) and other supernatural beings who inhabit the area. According to tradition, this place deserves respect and visitors should be mindful of the ancient spirits who call it home.

Experiences