Stykkishólmur

A genuine delight to explore, Stykkishólmur is the largest settlement on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and a focal point of its history and culture.

All of the greatest attractions around the "Snow Mountain Peninsula" are within a 90-minute drive from Stykkishólmur, making it an excellent base for exploring this region.

One of Iceland's most attractive villages, you'll find colorful wooden houses lining the busy harbor and the town center, along with some splendid restaurants and fascinating museums.

Even if you're not staying overnight, it's well worth a side trip to visit this lovely little fishing town, which is also a ferry port for the journey across Breiðafjörður to the Westfjords.

The town was originally named after a small island just offshore called Stykkið, which means "the piece."

Its sheltered position made it ideal for a harbor, and a trading post was established in 1550. During more challenging times in Iceland, 500 people emigrated to North America from here between 1870 and 1914.

The harbor at Stykkishólmur is protected by the basalt column island of Súgandisey, which offers visitors fabulous views of Breiðafjörður.

The lighthouse here used to stand at Grótta in Seltjarnarnes, close to the capital.

From here, the ferry Baldur makes daily trips across the vast bay of Breiðafjörður between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords, carrying vehicles and foot passengers.

En route, the ferry stops at the little island of Flatey, which has only a handful of permanent residents.

Stykkishólmur is about 175 kilometers from Reykjavík and is easily accessible by 2WD vehicles on fully paved roads in good weather.

If you're visiting in winter, it's advisable to rent a 4WD vehicle in case the roads are snowy or icy. The extra power and grip will make the journey more comfortable in those conditions.

You'll soon feel the slower pace of life here with a wander around the town's historic heart by the harbor, where you can take a puffin-watching tour in the summer months.

Many more seabirds swoop around the town, including Arctic terns, fulmars, geese, and ducks.

Easily spotted while exploring the town, futuristic Stykkishólmskirkja catches the eye, recognized as one of the most impressive churches in Iceland.

Some say the distinctive design resembles a whale skeleton or a ship's hull. See it for yourself!

This black timber building close to the harbor was the first two-storey residential house ever built in Iceland, constructed from wood imported from Norway in 1832.

The Norwegian House is now home to the Museum of Snæfellinga and Hnappdæla, which focuses on local history, arts, and culture.

High on a hill overlooking the town, Vatnasafn (The Library of Water) houses an intriguing display of 24 glass cylinders filled with meltwater from each of Iceland's glaciers.

Each sample is unique in color, and some come from glaciers that no longer exist.

Iceland's Eider ducks produce about 75% of the world's supply of Eiderdown, the insulating material that keeps astronauts warm in space and the rest of us warm in our beds.

Nearly a million Common Eider ducks live in Iceland throughout the year. They nest and lay their eggs in May, and the down is gathered from the nests in June.

Eiderdown duvets are prized heirlooms in Iceland - making them takes a lot of effort! Breiðafjörður is considered the largest Eider Duck area in the world.

You can learn more about Iceland's Eiderdown traditions and browse handcrafted quilts, pillows, and artworks at The Icelandic Eider Center, close to the harbor.

Once a seafood packaging house, Sjávarpakkhúsið is now a restaurant serving the "best of the bay," including blue mussels and fresh scallops.

The blues and grays of Sjávarpakkhúsið's interiors echo its seafaring origins. With just 30 seats in a low-ceilinged setting, it offers an intimate vibe and a simple menu.

One of the oldest houses in Stykkishólmur, Narfeyrarstofa, is also located in the harbor area. Now a popular restaurant, you can sample the best of the daily fresh fish, mussels, and scallop catches from Breiðafjörður.

Lamb, vegan, and vegetarian dishes are also on the menu. Reservations are recommended!

A little shack on the main road into Stykkishólmur houses an excellent diner-style gastropub, serving up straightforward burgers, fish and chips, salads, and great cocktails in a comfortable setting.

The town's bakery is the local choice for morning chats over a coffee, perfect pastries and cinnamon rolls. There are spacious seating areas where you can relax and join in the conversation.

The peak time to visit is between May and September, when longer daylight hours and warmer weather will make it easier to explore its historic heart on foot.

If you're keen on seeing the Northern Lights here, visit between October and March. There's relatively little light pollution around here, so that makes aurora spotting easier!

Make some time for a little tour around Súgandisey, the barrier island that guards the harbor.

Once you've walked up the short path above the basalt columns, you can enjoy panoramic views over the town and across the bay.

Around the harbor, there are some areas where you will need to pay for parking.

Zone P1 (short-term) is 500 ISK per hour for the first two hours and 200 ISK per hour for each additional hour, payable via the Parka app or via a QR code.

Zone P2 (long-term) is 1,500 ISK per day for the first 7 days, and 1,000 ISK per day thereafter. Short visits or drives through these zones are not chargeable.

These charges will apply between May 1st and September 30th each year.

As you leave Stykkishólmur on Route 58, you'll pass a small mountain called Helgafell (Holy Mountain) on the left.

A temple dedicated to Thor, the Norse god of thunder, once stood here, built by the first settler, Þórólfr Mostrarskegg, who declared that no one should look at the mountain while unwashed!

It's also the burial place of Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir, a much-married 11th-century woman famed for her beauty and wisdom, and a key character in the Laxdæla Saga.

Helgafell's sacred status continues to this day, and it's said that anyone who climbs the 73-meter peak in silence and without looking back will be granted three wishes.

Kirkjufell and Grundarfjörður are most likely to be high on your list of places to visit when you're touring Snæfellsnes on Route 54.

Both are within 40 kilometers of Stykkishólmur when you head west along the peninsula's northern coast.

On the way there, you'll pass some more spectacular spots.

The "Berserker's Lava Field" is said to be the burial place of two Norse warriors who lived and died here in the 10th century.

The lava field is about 3,000 years old, decorated by fascinating rock formations covered in colorful mosses, with several paths cutting through the area.

The remainder of the road around Snæfellsnes before the junction with Route 56 (heading south) will undoubtedly encourage a few photo stops along the way.

10:00-16:00 (closed November-December)

A paved coastal road (Route 577) leads to the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, where you can learn about hakarl, the pungent fermented shark "delicacy" that often appears on Icelandic menus. You can't come to Iceland without trying it once!

From Stykkishólmur, you can also return to Borgarnes on Routes 54 and 56, and then back to the capital on Route 1.

Route 56 ascends Vatnaleið, a gently rising mountain pass with some splendid viewpoints facing along the peninsula.

One is a parking area to access Selvallafoss (Sheep's Waterfall).

Hidden from sight from the road, this is a lesser-known but gorgeous waterfall, and it's possible to walk around the back of its three-tier, 19-meter cascade.

On the other hand, if you want to continue on a clockwise circuit of the Ring Road, heading east from Stykkishólmur on Route 54 allows you to pick up Route 59 from Búðardalur to Borðeyri.

You can also strike north into the Westfjords from Búðardalur on Route 60.

Route 54 heading east from Stykkishólmur to Búðardalur

Keep in mind that heading east from Stykkishólmur on Route 54 includes sections of unpaved gravel roads.

Route 59 between Búðardalur and Borðeyri

It's not an all-year option - you need to check Umferdin.is and Vedur.is to make sure that it's passable before you head that way.

Perfectly positioned on the peninsula's northern shore, Stykkishólmur is an ideal base for exploring Snæfellsnes, and it's a picturesque place to enjoy on foot, lined with brightly painted wooden buildings and filled with history and heritage.

And if you've watched Ben Stiller in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", you might recognize Stykkishólmur, as it was used to depict Nuuk in Greenland!