Fishing town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with a natural harbour and ferry links across Breiðafjörður.
Stykkishólmur is a small fishing town on the northern shore of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with brightly painted houses clustered around a natural harbour. It is the main settlement on the peninsula and the departure point for the Baldur ferry across Breiðafjörður to the Westfjords.
The town has a pleasantly end-of-the-road feel. The harbour area is the heart of it — fresh seafood, a handful of cafes, and views across the island-dotted bay. The Library of Water, an art installation by Roni Horn in the old library building on the hill, is worth the short walk up. The Norwegian House, Iceland's oldest timber-framed building, sits at the waterfront and houses a local history museum. Just south of town, Helgafell — "holy mountain" — is a 73-metre hill that appears in Eyrbyggja saga and offers views across the bay from a short climb. Stykkishólmur makes a good base for exploring Snæfellsnes, with the glacier, lava fields, and dramatic coastline all within an hour's drive.
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Getting There
Stykkishólmur is about 175 kilometres from Reykjavík by road — roughly two hours' drive via Route 54. There is no direct public bus service from Reykjavík; Sterna operates a seasonal service with connections to the Westfjords ferry, but it requires booking ahead. Most visitors come by rental car.
Stykkishólmur Airport has a small airstrip serving Reykjavík Domestic Airport on scheduled services (IATA: SYK), but flights are infrequent and mainly used by locals and those connecting to the Westfjords. The ferry Baldur connects Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords twice daily in summer (mid-May to mid-September) and once daily in winter, via Flatey.
Guide
When to Go
Summer (June to August) is the easiest time to visit: the days are long, the ferry runs twice daily, and the Snæfellsnes peninsula is at its most accessible. The Baldur ferry operates a reduced winter schedule, but Stykkishólmur is a year-round community and accessible in all seasons by car.
Winter has its own appeal — the northern lights are visible on dark, clear nights, and the town sees far fewer visitors. The Glacier National Park at Snæfellsnes is dramatic in winter but requires more care on the roads. The main thing to check is the ferry schedule if you're crossing to the Westfjords.
