Stykkishólmur is the largest town, the commercial centre and the transit hub of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The village gets its name from the small island called Stykkið (meaning ‘the piece’) that is connected to the port by a narrow causeway. The town has an easily accessible and naturally sheltered harbour, and in 1550 a trading post was founded there. Nowadays, the people of Stykkishólmur make their living from fishing – especially for shellfish – and from tourism.
If you arrive by ferry, you’ll see the harbour’s beautiful rock formations and a hill right at the port with a bright red and yellow old lighthouse on top. This is, in fact, an islet in its own right called Súgandísey. It’s an easy walk to the top and a great place to get a view of some of the town’s colourful houses, as well as out to sea and across Breiðafjörður to the Westfjords.
Culture
The building with big bay windows high up on the hill towering over the town is Vatnasafn, the Library of Water. This unique museum exhibits melted glaciers from the island’s five largest ice-caps.
Iceland’s oldest meteorological station is in Stykkishólmur . It was first manned in 1845 by Árni Thorlacius, who in 1832 built the Norwegian House (Norska Húsið), an elegant timber building that has been lovingly renovated and now houses the local folk museum. The timber was imported from Norway, hence the name, and locals considered the building as elegant as a palace in its time. Exhibits recount town history, assemble artifacts, and re-create the ambiance of the 19th century. The Norwegian House’s gift shop reflects this ambiance and emphasizes truly Icelandic ware.
In addition to the Norwegian House, many of Stykkishólmur’s buildings are well preserved and painted in bright colours, adding to the charm of the place.
The futuristic Stykkishólmur Church is an eye-catching landmark whether you view it from land or from sea.
What to do in Stykkishólmur?
Bird watching and sea angling trips out onto the fjord are a highlight for many visitors to the town. When dining in the area restaurants, both locals and visitors often enjoy a taste of the freshly caught scallops or mussels.
