The town of Stykkishólmur was named for the little island in front of its harbor called Stykkið, or the piece, in English. On the northern side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it is one of the biggest settlements in the area…but that isn’t saying too much, it only has a population of 1,200. Charming and timeless, dotted with little shops and restaurants, there is a surprising amount to do here. Whether you are interested in a whale watching tour, volcano museum, or just a look around, this picturesque place is worth a stop. Wherever your interests lie, head towards the distinctly shaped sheer basalt columns of Súgandisey Island. Since 1989 it has been is connected to the main town by a narrow causeway, always protecting the harbor from weather and waves.
Leave the fishing town and head up the stairs to experience a lovely little set of trails.
If you want to see the whole island quickly, a walk around it won’t take much more then ten or fifteen minutes. However, this is the kind of place to stroll and take in the scenery. First you’ll notice a hoist that was used to bring gas kegs up to the lighthouse, before it was converted to electricity. Climb a bit higher and admire the view of the village, on a clear day, the mountains even further out.
At the top of the hill standing guard is a tiny cheerful lighthouse.
Walking back down there are wonderful ocean views, you might even be able to see the Westfjords in the distance.
In this town, you can take the ferry called Baldur to get there. The meandering trail leads you beside the sea and if you turn around, you’ll see the lighthouse crowning the view.
After coming down we were not yet ready to give up the peacefulness of this place, so we sat upon the jetty.
A local came by for a chat and told us that Snæfellsnes Peninsula was his favorite part of the country. We looked for whales together in the harbor, he had seen a few just the day before. As we got to know one another a bit better, we all had a chuckle that he had been to our hometown and played there while touring with his band. Icelanders are such friendly people.
From there, don’t miss a detour to appreciate the unique sci-fi-esque architecture of Stykkishólmskirkja.
The local church was designed by the Icelandic architect Jón Haraldsson and opened in 1990.
Can you believe the view right behind this church? It’s divine.
If you plan on staying in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, this would be a wonderful choice of a town to do so.