Sometimes... you just want to get away from it all. No work, no neighbors, no traffic jams, no text messages. Just you, nature, and a view that leaves you speechless. Well, somewhere off the coast of Iceland lies such a place: Elliðaey Island. This rugged, green island in the Atlantic Ocean seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. And the most famous thing about this island? A lonely white house that has been stimulating the imagination of travelers from all over the world for years.
But… who lives there? And why on earth?
The story behind the loneliest house
Let's dispel a myth right away: Björk doesn't live here . That was once rumored, but alas. The cottage on Elliðaey is not a private villa of an eccentric singer, but a hunting lodge. It was built by a hunting club that hunted puffins on the island (that sounds a bit less idyllic).
People used to live here. Centuries ago, a small community lived on Elliðaey, but around 1930 the last inhabitants left the island in search of an easier life on the mainland. Understandably, because you can't just get a carton of milk from the supermarket here.
An island without worries (or shops, wifi and electricity)
When you look at Elliðaey, it seems like the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But before you pack your bags and make your dream of a cabin in the woods 2.0 come true: there is no running water, no electricity and no internet . The cottage does have a water tank for rainwater and a sauna (priorities!), but otherwise you are really on your own here.
Yet there is something magical about this place. The island is covered with intense green grasslands, dramatic cliffs and an endless view of the ocean. All you hear here is the sound of the wind, the cries of the birds and the bleating of the sheep that live there. Sounds like a dream, right?
Can you visit Elliðaey?
Yes, but it’s not easy. The island is located in the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), a rugged archipelago south of Iceland. You’ll need a boat and permission to get there, as the island is privately owned. But if you’re lucky enough to arrange a visit, you’ll be in for an experience you’ll never forget. Ryan Thrahan visited Elliðaey in 2021, see for yourself how it went here.
Dream away on a deserted island
One thing is for sure, Elliðaey appeals to the imagination. It is a place that reminds you how beautiful the world can be when you take a step back from the hustle and bustle. Are you looking for a less remote cottage and do you still want to get away from it all in nature? Then take a look at Nachtje(s) weg .
💬 What do you think, could you live here? Or is this just fun for a weekend detox from your phone addiction?
By the way, detoxing is a lot easier with the Happlify Digital Detox 😜
Photo: H0rdur.kristleifsson , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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