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Stykkishólmur is a town in West Iceland, on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is often called "the gateway to the islands" of Breiðafjörður. The population is a little over 1,200.

Understand

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Get in

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Driving is the easiest way to get to Stykkishólmur. The town is not on the ring road, but it should be simple to follow signs. If approaching from Reykjavík or South Iceland, take Route 54 out of Borgarnes and then cross the peninsula on Route 56. From North Iceland take Route 59 over Laxárdalsheiði. Stykkishólmur is about two hours from Reykjavík by car, and four hours from Akureyri.

Scheduled buses should leave at least once a day from BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík.

Seatours (Saeferdir ehf) passenger ferry, Baldur, leaving the ferry dock at Brjánslækur, Westfjords Iceland on the evening return trip to Stykkisholmúr,

It is also possible to go to Stykkishólmur via car-ferry from the West Fjords. The ferry, Baldur, sails from Brjánslækur on the south coast of the Westfjords with a stop in Flatey, operated by Sæferðir (Seatours).

Get around

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Stykkishólmur is very small, and easily covered by foot.

See

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Walk around the centre of Stykkishólmur. It has some remarkably well-preserved Danish trading houses, which offer a glimpse into how most Icelandic "towns" would have looked in the 18th and 19th centuries (when most of them were little more than a few houses).

Do

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  • Danish days (Danskir dagar) is the name of Stykkishólmur's town festival, held in August each year and celebrating its heritage as a Danish trading post.
  • Island tours are available from the harbour in Stykkishólmur. These sail around the many small islands of Breiðafjörður and sometimes include fishing for shellfish or other sea creatures.

Buy

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Eat and drink

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Look out for the locally-produced Jökull beer.

  • 1 Narfeyrarstofa, Aðalgata 3, +354 438 1119. A cozy new restaurant and bar in a beautifully renovated old timber house. 3000-4000 kr..
  • Meistarinn, by Aðalgata. There's more to this small hot dog stand than meets the eye. It's famous for innovating on the traditional Icelandic fast food of a hot dog in a bun, and the menu includes porridge.

Sleep

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Connect

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Mobile phone coverage is good in Stykkishólmur and across Breiðafjörður. The town library at Hafnargata 7 offers internet access for the public, but it's closed during weekends.

Go next

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Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park, at the end of the peninsula, or take the ferry to Flatey. Hiking can be a good option in the many mountains of Snæfellsnes. A trip to the southern coast of the West Fjords on the other side of Breiðafjörður wouldn't be out of the way either.

This city travel guide to Stykkishólmur is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.