Herjólfsdalur
A green valley ringed by an ancient volcanic crater, traditionally regarded as the earliest settlement on Heimaey, which hosts Iceland's largest open-air music festival, the Þjóðhátíð, every August.
Herjólfsdalur lies on the west side of the town. It is a horseshoe-shaped valley formed by an ancient crater, with steep grassy slopes and inside it a reconstructed Viking-age longhouse, the Herjólfsdalur Farm, a lake, a campsite and a golf course. Every year on the first weekend of August, the Merchants' Holiday long weekend, the Þjóðhátíð (National Festival) has been held here since 1874. More than 10,000 people travel from the main island, and on Sunday late at night there is a mass singalong and bonfire. Ferries and accommodation must be booked months in advance. On ordinary days, you can climb along the Dalur mountain trail at the valley's edge for views over the whole island and the puffin cliffs.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Sprangan
- Landakirkja
- Sagnheimar Folk Museum
- Vestmannaeyjar Boat Tour
- Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary
- Heimaklettur
- Skansinn & Stave Church
- Eldheimar Volcano Museum