Stykkishólmur is a town in West Iceland, on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is often called "the gateway to the islands" of Breiðafjörður. The population is a little over 1,200.
Walk around the centre of Stykkishólmur. It has some remarkably well-preserved Danish trading houses, which offer a glimpse into how most Icelandic "towns" would have looked in the 18th and 19th centuries (when most of them were little more than a few houses).
- Library of Water, Bókhlöðustígur 17, +354 857 2551. 1PM-6PM June–August, 1PM-5PM September. The old town library houses a permanent art exhibition on water and weather by Roni Horn.
- Norwegian House, +354 438 1640. 11AM-5PM May 31-September 7. The local folk museum.
Library of Water, Bókhlöðustígur 17, +354 857 2551. 1PM-6PM June–August, 1PM-5PM September. The old town library houses a permanent art exhibition on water and weather by Roni Horn.
Norwegian House, +354 438 1640. 11AM-5PM May 31-September 7. The local folk museum.
- Danish days (Danskir dagar) is the name of Stykkishólmur's town festival, held in August each year and celebrating its heritage as a Danish trading post.
- Island tours are available from the harbour in Stykkishólmur. These sail around the many small islands of Breiðafjörður and sometimes include fishing for shellfish or other sea creatures.
Danish days (Danskir dagar) is the name of Stykkishólmur's town festival, held in August each year and celebrating its heritage as a Danish trading post.
Island tours are available from the harbour in Stykkishólmur. These sail around the many small islands of Breiðafjörður and sometimes include fishing for shellfish or other sea creatures.
Look out for the locally-produced Jökull beer.
- Narfeyrarstofa, Aðalgata 3, +354 438 1119. A cozy new restaurant and bar in a beautifully renovated old timber house. 3000-4000 kr..
- Meistarinn, by Aðalgata. There's more to this small hot dog stand than meets the eye. It's famous for innovating on the traditional Icelandic fast food of a hot dog in a bun, and the menu includes porridge.
Narfeyrarstofa, Aðalgata 3, +354 438 1119. A cozy new restaurant and bar in a beautifully renovated old timber house. 3000-4000 kr..
Meistarinn, by Aðalgata. There's more to this small hot dog stand than meets the eye. It's famous for innovating on the traditional Icelandic fast food of a hot dog in a bun, and the menu includes porridge.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Stykkishólmur and across Breiðafjörður. The town library at Hafnargata 7 offers internet access for the public, but it's closed during weekends.
Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park, at the end of the peninsula, or take the ferry to Flatey. Hiking can be a good option in the many mountains of Snæfellsnes. A trip to the southern coast of the West Fjords on the other side of Breiðafjörður wouldn't be out of the way either.