Stykkisholmur, Iceland

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

The distance from Reykjavík to Stykkishólmur is 165 km by the Hvalfjörður tunnel. 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 Flatey on the way, offering travellers the opportunity of a half-day visit to this historical site. The Eyjaferðir boats offer a wide range of sightseeing cruises around the southernmost islands of the Bay, as well as cruises from Öndverðanes to Látrarbjarg.

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 during the summer, and a new pool is being built near the sports center. 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 Hotel Stykkishólmur.

The village features picturesque old houses, the oldest of which is the Norwegian House, a folk museum, where exhibitions are frequently held. Local handcraft can be admired and bought in Gallery Lára, as well as the shop Setta in Egilshús. 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 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 bird life at close quarters and might even spot a sea eagle. The sea is also teeming with creatures big and small and ebb and tide in narrow straits between the islands is a spectacular sight.

There are various choices of accommodation available in Stykkishólmur, Hotel Stykkisholmur, Eyjaferðir 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 Knudsen or Hotel Stykkishólmur for a meal a la carte. For coffee and snacks, there is the gas station, the shop Setta in Egilshús and the bakery. There is a grocery store among the shops in the Hólmkjör building, open Saturdays during summer.

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