This calm fishing port on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula houses a water museum in a 1902 library building and the oldest weather station in the country.
Stykkishólmur, a coastal town of 1,100 people in western Iceland, sits on the northern edge of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Walk among 24 glass columns filled with glacier water at the Library of Water, sail through Breiðafjörður Bay's thousands of islands, or climb Helgafell mountain while making three wishes. The town's red, yellow, and blue wooden buildings line streets that lead to an active harbor, where fishing boats unload their daily catch. From here, you can drive 20 minutes to Kirkjufell mountain or take day trips to Snæfellsjökull National Park.
Getting to Stykkishólmur
Drive 172 kilometers north from Reykjavík along Route 1 and then Route 54 to reach Stykkishólmur in about 2.5 hours. The ferry Baldur connects the town to Brjánslaekur in the Westfjords, making a 3-hour journey across Breiðafjörður Bay. The ferry also stops at Flatey island during summer months.
Exploring the Harbor Area
Watch fishing boats arrive with their catch throughout the day at the harbor. Join a boat tour through Breiðafjörður Bay to see some of its 3,000 islands, where you can spot puffins, eider ducks, and seals. Walk to the white Súgandisey lighthouse on its basalt island connected to the harbor by a path - from here you can see across the bay and back over the town's colorful rooftops.
Museums and Cultural Sites
Walk through 19th-century rooms in the Norwegian House, built in 1828, where merchants once lived and worked. The building now displays household items, trading goods, and photographs from the town's past. At the Library of Water, 24 glass columns contain melted ice from Iceland's major glaciers. The columns catch and reflect light while audio recordings play weather-related stories from local residents.
Local Activities
Swim in the geothermal pool, which maintains a temperature of 30-32°C year-round, or relax in the 38-42°C hot tubs. From September to March, you might see the northern lights dancing above town. During the Danish Days festival each August, the streets fill with Danish food stalls, music performances, and craft demonstrations.
Environmental Leadership
The town has banned plastic bags and runs recycling programs for most materials. You'll find free Wi-Fi throughout the streets, and the local weather station has recorded daily conditions since 1845 - the longest continuous weather monitoring in Iceland.
Nearby Natural Attractions
Walk up Helgafell, a 73-meter hill near town. Local tradition says if you climb it silently while facing east and think of your wishes at the top, three of them will come true. Drive 20 minutes to Kirkjufell, a 463-meter mountain rising from the coastline in a distinctive peak shape. A walking path circles the mountain, taking about 1.5 hours to complete.
