Have you ever heard of an island called ice and fire? Interesting right? The land of ice and fire, Iceland is seen nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, Iceland, the so-called volcanic and rugged nation is not just one big island. There are several islands in Iceland worth discovering for instance, Grimsey and Viðey. People have a lot to discover on the islands by spending an entire afternoon, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. So, what you waiting for? Plan a trip to Iceland soon and have the best time of your life.
Top Islands in Iceland- The Untouched Beauties To Explore
Iceland is more than just one big island as it home to several small islands, rocks and skerries. Some of these islands are inhabited, most tourists can explore and most they say are better left alone as they are home to several kinds of birds. Every Iceland island has a story waiting to be told, so go ahead and listen to the unheard stories.
1. Viðey island
The biggest island in Kollafjorour, Viðey is seen on the northern shore of Reykjavik. People can see all kinds of birds during the summers and visit the beach. One can travel by bike or simply walk around the island. Some of the island attractions are pretty unique. Yoko Ono, an artist, back in 2007, had launched the Peace Tower (her perception of the tower). The words “image peace” is written in several language at the base of the white stone monument.
Art, history and nature defines the island, nestled beyond the city shore. Videy island is special for its stunning views, historical ruins and contemporary art pieces. However, you travel to the island, you can enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding mainland and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Best Time To Visit: April- September
How To Reach: People can take a ferry and each the island. The other way to get to the island is to hire a car on rent.
Famous For: Stunning views, historical ruins and contemporary art pieces.
Things To Do: Bird Watching
Best Places To Stay: Kex Hostel Reykjavik, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica and Grand Hotel Reykajavik.
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2. Heimaey Island
The largest inhabited island of the Westland Islands, Heimaey is a happy colorful island that attracts people from all over the world. Tourists can see 6 large islands with their hunting cabins from Heimaey. Known for its volcanic landscape, moss covered cliffs to small houses and vibrant roofs, Heimaey’s view is absolutely breathtaking.
In 1973, when the last volcanic eruption took place, Heimaey island, one of the top islands in Iceland, was born a mile away from the town. During May and September, people may get a chance to whales and dolphins. In August and September, they say one can see puffins. Very often, the town lights confuse the pufflings and think of it as an ocean. Kids are known to find them and put them back in the sea. Tourists can walk along the cliff for the ideal view of the Great cap.
Best Time To Visit: December - February
How To Reach: The best way to reach the island is to take a ferry.
Famous For: Steep cliffs crowded with seabirds
Things To Do: Swimming, hiking, golfing, sailing, horseback riding and bird and whale watching
Best Places To Stay: Hotel Vestmannaeyjar, Guesthouse holl, Gistiheimilio Arny Guesthouse
3. Grimsey Island
Grimsey, one of the best islands in Iceland, offers people are heavenly feeling while walking around. Picture looking on to the Atlantic Ocean or turn your head south and see the shoreline mountain tops of North Iceland. It is always easy to picture yourself alone in the universe, even though there are several people. One of the most delightful sounds to hear is bird’s chirping and see puffins sticking their head out of their nest and sheep eating the green grass.
Reaching the island is quite an adventure as one can either fly and reach the island or take a ferry which will take about 3 hours. Most tourists stay on the island for a couple of hours and most stay on for days, looking to get away from the busy life, look for their connection to nature and destress themselves. There is a convenience store, a café and restaurant close to the island, people can explore. The puffin is one of the major attractions on the island, seen nesting on cliffs in April.
Best Time To Visit: April - August
How To Reach: Tourists can take the Saefari Ferry which takes about 3 days to reach. On the other, one can fly by air with Air Iceland from Akureyri.
Famous For: Birds and Puffins
Things To Do: Visit the convenience store, a café and restaurant.
Best Places To Stay: Guesthouse Gullsol, Guesthouse Basar
Suggested Read: Best Beaches In Europe Every Traveler Should Know About
4. Flat Island
Nestled in Breiðafjörður Bay on the northwestern part of Iceland, Flat or Flatey is the only island that is inhabited. The island attracts tourists from around the world during the summers. Two kms long and 1 km wide, the island as the name suggests is flat. One can take a ferry to Flatey, from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and at Brjánslækur in the Westfjords.
Once upon a time in 1602, the island used to an important fishing and trading center. Flat was given its trading rights in 1777 and then till the mid 20th century, it become the main trading place for Breiðarfjörður. Cars are not allowed on the island as there is only 1 gravel road that takes people to the old village. The island is known for its flowers and birds like puffin, kittiwake, fulmar, black guillemot, cormorant, oyster catcher, arctic tern, snipe, red-necked phalarope, ringed plover, snow bunting and the eider. It is one of the best places to visit in Iceland for its birds and flowers. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to having the best time of their lives?
Best Time To Visit: June - August
How To Reach: One can take a ferry to Flatey, from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and at Brjánslækur in the Westfjords.
Famous For: Flowers and Birds
Things To Do: Explore the island for the birds
Best Places To Stay: The retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland, Siglo Hotel, Hotel Ork, Hotel Keflavik
5. Vigur Island
Small islands always have a charm about them, and Vigur Island is no exception to the rule. The birds and breathtaking landscapes of the island often leave tourists awe struck. The peace, harmony and tranquility is something tourists often look forward too when planning their vacation to Iceland. The island has earned its reputation of being one of the places to visit in Europe.
People can see of the birds living in their natural habitat like eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins & black guillemot. Some of these birds fly home for the winters and then come back for the summers. Back in the days, people who lived on the island, lived in cow houses. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city life?
Best Time To Visit: April - October
How To Reach: The best way to reach the island is by boat, which is a 45-minute ride.
Famous For: Birds like eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins & black guillemot
Things To Do: Discover the birds
Best Places To Stay: Sudavik Tours and Guesthouse, Managisting Guesthouse, Hotel Horn, Hotel Isafjorour
6. Malmey Island
The uninhabited island off the northern coast of Iceland, Malmey is one the islands in Skagafjörður bay, along with Drangey and Lundey. Surrounded by cliffs on all sides, the island is narrow, about 4 kms long and 1 km wide. It is at a 156 m elevation above the sea level and is known for its lighthouse, built in 1937. Till 1950, the island was deserted as it was destroyed in a fire.
Did you know this island is the same place where Gumundur Arason, a bishop who fled to escape certain men who threatened to kill him. It was one of the most interesting stories people have heard over the years. One of the many things to do in Europe is to visit the island for its lighthouse. So, when you are planning a vacation to Iceland, think of Malmey Island.
Best Time To Visit: July- August
How To Reach: The ideal way to reach the island is by ferry.
Famous For: The lighthouse
Things To Do: Explore the island for its beauty
Best Places To Stay: Guesthouse Gimbur, Lonkot Rural Resort, Litla Brekka Guesthouse, Fagrihvoli Guesthouse
7. Westman Islands
Also known to the world as Vestmannaeyjar, the island is stunning archipelago made up of 15 Islands. The island was made up of volcanic eruptions under the sea. It is one of the biggest islands in Iceland known for its rich history. Back in 1973, after the Eldfell volcano erupted, several people fled their homes in the middle of the night. Most homes were destroyed by the lava and ashes. One can read up about how the people fled and homes were destroyed at the museum of Eldheimar on the island.
Apart from this island, one of the other minor islands in Iceland, Surtsey, was born in 1963 after the volcano erupted. In 2008, the island was listed as the ideal UNESCO world heritage site. When it comes to visiting the island, one can take a boat and see all kinds of birds up close like puffins and kittiwakes. One can even get a glimpse of the beluga whales while on vacation in Iceland at the whale sanctuary in Vestmannaeyjar Harbour.
Best Time To Visit: June - August
How To Reach: One can reach the island by taking a ferry.
Famous For: Birds like puffins and kittiwakes
Things To Do: Visit the whale sanctuary
Best Places To Stay: Guesthouse Gimbur, Lonkot Rural Resort, Litla Brekka Guesthouse, Fagrihvoli Guesthouse
8. Hrísey
Known as the Pearl of Eyjafjorour, Hrisey is the second biggest Iceland island, nested off the Dalvik coast. With a population of only 151, the island has an interesting history to narrate along with its culture, rich birdlife and stunning view, which makes it a one stop holiday destination for tourists from around the world.
Ever since the inhabited settlement, Hrisey has been talked about in Landnamabok and the saga of viga- glums. The island was known for its fishing and trade, since it was bread and butter for people back in the day. In the 19th century, in order to offer more work, the Norwegians and Swedes set up a herring salting factory. Between 1930 and 1950, the locals gave birth to their own herring industry that reached great heights.
Best Time To Visit: July - August
How To Reach: One can reach the island by boat or ferry in about 15 minutes.
Famous For: Birds and stunning view
Things To Do: Hiking
Best Places To Stay: Hotel Dalvik, Ytri Vik Cottages, Dalvik Vegamot Cottages, Sela Retreat.
Suggested Read: Honeymoon Destinations In Europe Which Will Spark Off Your Married Life
9. Drangey Island
Nestled in the middle of Skagafjorour, North Iceland, Drangey is a breathtaking island, that was given a name by the saga of Grettir. Story has it that the hero defeated his enemies with strength and vit, back in medieval Iceland, he was known to be rebellious and deadly. It was said that Grettir lived with brother and a few sheep. He survived several attacks and since then, there has only been one way to reach the island. The island has a steep and slippery slope which needs steady footing. It would make the ideal place for trekking.
Drangey Island has become the one stop holiday destination for all kinds of exciting adventurous activities. People can get a glimpse of the North Atlantic Puffin, seen nestled on the island during the summers. Hunters are known to go camping on the island during the winters. It is one of the most stunning Iceland islands.
Best Time To Visit: July- August
How To Reach: The island can be reached by boat from Reykir, north of Saudarkrokur village.
Famous For: Adventure Activities
Things To Do: Trekking
Best Places To Stay: Steinn Guesthouse, Litla Brekka Guesthouse Hofoastrond, Lonkot Rural Resort and Fagrihvoli Guesthouse
10. Jolnir
The once volcanic island of South Iceland, was also a vent of Surtsey, Syrtlingur and Surtla. Between 1965- 1966, the ocean gave birth to the island which resulted in several active plate tectonics. The erosion of the ocean wore the new lava down and the island sank below the surface multiple times. The island was named after a Norse God, Jolnir. The birth the island was linked to Surtsey, the neighboring volcanic island that was born in 1963. Surrounded by water, the land was said to explode and several other islands washed away. All kinds of mafic tephra cones developed in 1966, after Jolnir borke the surface. It is a safe place to travel in the world.
Best Time To Visit: October
How To Reach: One can reach the island by ferry.
Famous For: Mafic Tephra Cones
Things To Do: Discover the volcanic island
Best Places To Stay: Guesthouse Gimbur, Lonkot Rural Resort, Litla Brekka Guesthouse, Fagrihvoli Guesthouse
Iceland is one of the most breathtaking places to visit as it has some of the most breathtaking attractions in the world, people should not miss. Some of the most stunning attractions people should visit are the islands in Iceland. It will be a holiday like no other and so, pack those bags and book your flight to Iceland.
FAQs
There are about 30 minor islands that include Grimsey and Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.
Westman Islands are one of the most breathtaking archipelagos off Iceland’s south coast. To the world, the island is known as the Pompeii of the north.
October is said to the best time to visit Vigur Island.
Hotel Vestmannaeyjar, Guesthouse holl, Gistiheimilio Arny Guesthouse are some of the places to stay near the island.
The island is famous for Birds like eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins & black guillemot.
Grimsey Island is known for birds and puffins.
The retreat at Blue Lagoon, Iceland, Siglo Hotel, Hotel Ork, Hotel Keflavik are some of the places to stay near Flat Island.
Hotel Dalvik, Ytri Vik Cottages, Dalvik Vegamot Cottages, Sela Retreat are some of the places tourists can stay at.
