Stykkishólmur

Information´s from www.stykkisholmur.is

For centuries, Stykkishómur has been a centre of trade, service and transport for the Breiðafjörður area. The village is still an ideal destination for those who are visiting the Breiðafjörður area, the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Dalir valleys and the Borgarfjörður district.

The road distance from Reykjavík to Stykkishólmur is 172 km.

Regular coaches serve the villages on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The car ferry Baldur sails across Breiðafjörður Bay to Brjánslækur twice a day during the summer months, stopping at the island of Flatey on the way, offering travellers the opportunity of a half-day's visit to this historical site.

The Eyjaferðir boats offer a wide range of sight-seeing cruises around the southernmost islands of the Bay, as well as cruises from Öndverðarnes to Látrabjarg. All general services are available in Stykkishólmur, and historical sites and places of interest are within easy reach. Among the services offered in the vicinity, we could mention horse rentals, farm holidays and a shark-curing plant, which is well worth a visit.

There are excellent sports facilities in Stykkishólmur. The swimming pool is open every day all year. Opening hours (summer) are between 07:00-22:00 and on weekends between 9:00-19:00. Entrance fee is kr.280 for adults and kr. 120 for children and pensioners. There are soccer and athletics grounds, as well as an asphalt basketball court by the school. These are open to the public. There is an excellent nine-hole golf course near Hótel Stykkishólmur.

The village features picturesque old houses, the oldest of which, the Norwegian House, is a folk museum, where exhibitions are frequently held. Local handcraft can be admired and bought in Gallery Lára. Galleri Lundi is open during the summer. The new church at Borg is worth a visit. Concerts are given there every fortnight during summer.

The Danish Days' festival is held in August every year, a celebration of dancing, singing and artistic events.

The Snæfellsnes peninsula and Breiðafjörður bay are renowned for their natural beauty and remarkable wildlife. There are several pleasant hikes to be made within the Stykkishólmur area. A walk along Súgandisey by the harbour will reveal a unique panoramic view.

The nearby mountains of Helgafell, Drápuhlíðarfjall and Kerlingarfjall are also worth the hike and are easily accessible. The visitor sailing among the islands of Breiðafjörður will see the varied birdlife at close quarters and might even spot a sea eagle. The sea is also teeming with creatures big and small, and the ebb and tide in the narrow straits between islands is a spectacular sight.

There are various choices of accommodation available in Stykkishólmur. Hótel Stykkishólmur, Hótel Breiðafjörður and the youth hostel Sjónarhóll are open all year round.

Some of the inhabitants offer bed-and-breakfast, and there are holiday farms in the vicinity, as well as a pleasant camping site. For food and drink, the visitor can go to Restaurant Fimm fiskar, Narfeyrarstofa or Hótel Stykkishólmur (fully licensed) for a meal à la carte. For coffee and snacks, there is the gas station and the bakery. There is a grocery store in the Bónus building.