Things to do in Stykkishólmur, West Iceland

Located on the northern shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Stykkishólmur is often hailed as one of the country’s prettiest fishing villages. Its landscape of candy-colored timber houses overlooks the thousands of islands and skerries that fill Breiðafjörður Bay. This cinematic charm even caught the eye of Hollywood. Stykkishólmur was famously the stand-in for Greenland in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

While its beauty is undeniable, it’s the diverse things to do in Stykkishólmur that make it a traveler’s favorite. From climbing Súgandisey Island to rowing through the calm bay, the experience is superb. And beyond its aesthetics, the community is a pioneer in sustainability. Stykkishólmur is widely recognized for its environmental leadership and has received international sustainability certifications such as EarthCheck.

The town is filled with delightful stops, from its vibrant harbor and historic streets to the wildlife-rich waters of the bay. Truly, there is a surprising depth to the activities found within this coastal hub.

Best Things to Do in Stykkishólmur

Stroll Through the Colorful Old Town

As a former Danish trading post, Stykkishólmur is renowned for its well-preserved 19th-century timber houses. Walking through the streets near the harbor, you’ll find bright rows of buildings in deep ochre, sky blue, and crimson. From the harbor, look up toward the hill at the iconic Stykkishólmskirkja. Its striking, white silhouette is an architectural wonder, designed to evoke the shapes of a glacier or a whale’s vertebrae.

Discover the Town’s Museums

Stykkishólmur has transformed into a cultural destination, attracting world-class artists and researchers. As you’re wandering the streets, make sure you pop in some of the town’s creative museums.

• Norwegian House (Norska Húsið): Built in 1832 from imported wood, it was the first two-story timber residence in the country. Today, it houses a regional museum with rotating art exhibitions and a souvenir shop selling local crafts.
• Library of Water (Vatnasafn): Perched on a cliff overlooking the town, this installation by artist Roni Horn is a meditative space. It features 24 glass columns, each containing water melted from a different Icelandic glacier.
• The Eiderdown Museum: This museum celebrates the unique, symbiotic relationship between the local farmers and the eider duck. You’ll learn how the down is hand-collected from nests without ever disturbing the birds, a tradition that’s been around for generations.

Hike to Súgandisey Island Lighthouse

For the most iconic panoramic view in town, cross the causeway to the small island of Súgandisey. A well-maintained staircase leads you up the basalt cliffs to a sturdy, bright red lighthouse. From here, you can look south at the town’s colorful roofs or north across the vast Breiðafjörður Bay. On a clear day, the Westfjords appear as a faint purple smudge on the horizon.

Hit the Nature Trails of Stykkishólmur

Outdoor exploration is one of the best things to do in Stykkishólmur. The Stykkishólmur walking trail is a nearly 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) loop that connects the harbor to the rugged coastline. The path winds through the local forestry and continues along the shore at Hjallatangi. Don't miss Maðkavík, a small cove known to photographers as the “boat graveyard” for its atmospheric, weathered shipwrecks.

Boat Tours and Kayaking in Breiðafjörður Bay

The harbor is the heart of the town of Stykkishólmur, and getting out on the water is essential. Boat tours are the most popular way to see the bay’s birdlife, including puffins, Arctic terns, and the rare white-tailed eagle. For those who want a quieter experience, kayaking tours allow you to navigate the narrow channels between the skerries.

Soak in the Mineral-Rich Stykkishólmur Swimming Pool

No list of things to do in Stykkishólmur is complete without a soak in the local swimming pool. Besides, the facility in Stykkishólmur is special, with water sourced from a borehole in nearby Hofstaðir. Its mineral-rich waters are famed for their skin-healing properties. After a day of hiking, there is nothing better than relaxing in the therapeutic hot tubs.

Best Day Trips From Stykkishólmur

While the town itself is captivating, it also serves as the perfect springboard for exploring the broader West Iceland. These easy excursions offer a deeper look at the region’s wild soul. It’s no surprise that travelers often fall in love with the variety of things to do in Stykkishólmur and its surroundings.

Flatey Island

A highlight of any trip to the west is a visit to Flatey Island. Accessible via the Ferry Baldur, this car-free island feels like a time capsule. With only a handful of year-round residents, it is a place of total silence, vibrant birdlife, and beautifully restored 19th-century houses.

Helgafell (The Holy Mountain)

Just a five-minute drive from town, this small hill is steeped in folklore. Legend says that if it is your first time climbing Helgafell, and you hike to the chapel ruins at the top in total silence without looking back, you will be granted three wishes. The catch? The wishes must be for "good," you must face East while making them, and you can never reveal them to anyone.

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

Located about 20 minutes away, Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum is the premier place to learn about hákarl (fermented shark). You can tour the drying sheds and, if you’re brave enough, sample a piece of this traditional Icelandic delicacy.

The Snæfellsnes Loop

Use Stykkishólmur as your base to circumnavigate the peninsula. You are just a short drive from the iconic, arrow-shaped Kirkjufell mountain. Continue west to Snæfellsjökull National Park. Here, the ice-capped volcano famously served as the entrance to the underworld in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Finish your loop with a walk along the scenic Arnarstapi cliffs and a photo at the lone black church of Búðir.

View a short video from Stykkishólmur here below.