The most isolated house in the world is usually said to be the white hunting lodge on Elliðaey, a 0.45 square kilometre island in Iceland’s Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). It is the island’s only lodge, built in 1953 by the Elliðaey Hunting Association, and nobody lives there. It is not for sale, it does not belong to Björk, and you cannot book it like a rental.
Elliðaey at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Westman Islands, off Iceland’s south coast, about 11 km from the mainland |
| Island size | About 0.45 km2 (110 acres), third largest in the archipelago |
| The house | Hunting lodge built in 1953 by the Elliðaey Hunting Association |
| Residents | None. The last permanent residents left by about 1930 |
| Access | By boat only, in calm weather, mostly in summer |
| Wildlife | Large Atlantic puffin colony |
Who built the lodge and why?
The island supported a small farming and bird-hunting community for roughly three centuries, with about five families at its peak in the 18th century. Life there was hard to sustain and the last permanent residents had gone by around 1930.
Hunters kept returning for the puffins, so the Elliðaey Hunting Association built the lodge in 1953. It is a hunting base for association members, not a private home. A smaller storage hut and workshop are cut into the hill nearby.
Does Björk own the island?
No. The rumor traces back to a 2000 speech in which Iceland’s prime minister said he would let Björk live for free on an island in Breiðafjörður that also happens to be called Elliðaey. She never took it up, and she has no connection to the Westman Islands Elliðaey. Our earlier version repeated the government-gift story. It is a myth, so we have removed it.
What is new in 2026?
In October 2026 it was reported that the hunting association had fitted the lodge with its first solar panels and a 5 kWh battery, installed by a UK firm. The system runs a stove, kettle, lighting and communications gear, and replaces fuel and propane that crews used to haul up the cliffs from boats. A fridge-freezer is planned to cut down on supply trips. Equipment went up the rock face by the island’s winch.
Can you visit or stay there?
There is no scheduled transport and no proper harbor. Visitors need a private boat charter from Heimaey, about a 45-minute trip, and landing means climbing onto rocky ledges. Weather cancels many trips. We found no public rental or booking for the lodge, so treat any offer to stay there with caution and ask the hunting association first.
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FAQ
Where is the world’s most isolated house?
On Elliðaey, a small uninhabited island in Iceland’s Westman Islands, about 11 km off the south coast.
Who owns the house on Elliðaey?
The Elliðaey Hunting Association owns the lodge. It was not given to Björk or bought by a billionaire, despite online claims.
Does anyone live on Elliðaey?
No. The island has had no permanent residents since around 1930. The lodge is used seasonally by association members, and researchers monitor the puffins.
When was the house built?
In 1953, by the Elliðaey Hunting Association, as a base for puffin hunters. Puffin hunting is legal in Iceland from July 1 to August 15 each year.
Can you rent or visit the lodge?
Not through any public rental we could find. Visits need a private boat charter from Heimaey and calm seas, and cancellations are common.
Last updated: October 2026.
