Towns · North coast
Stykkishólmur
The harbour town on the north side of the peninsula, sheltered by a basalt island, and the gateway to the islands of Breiðafjörður.
What to see
Súgandisey
The basalt island that shelters the harbour is now joined to the town by the road built with the ferry pier. A short climb leads up to its small red lighthouse, which stood at Grótta near Reykjavik before it was moved here in 1942, and to the best view of the town and the islands.
Helgafell
A 73 m hill just outside the town, with a view dial on top. Climb it without looking back or speaking, face east, and you are granted three wishes, provided they are good and kept secret. Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir, the heroine of Laxdæla saga, lived and is buried here.
The Norwegian House and the Library of Water
Norska húsið, built in 1832 from Norwegian timber and the first two-storey house in Iceland, is the regional museum. In autumn 2026 it opens Tuesday to Friday 13:00–16:00 and Saturday 12:00–15:00; adults ISK 1,800, under-18s free. It also sells tickets for Roni Horn’s Library of Water in the old library building: 24 glass columns of water from Iceland’s glaciers (summer 11:00–17:00 daily, from 1 September 13:00–16:00).
On the water
Viking Sushi, run by Sæferðir from the harbour, is a 1 h 30 min trip among the islands of Breiðafjörður, with shellfish brought up from the seabed to taste on board. Adults ISK 12,900, seniors ISK 11,610, children 16 and under free with family (2026 prices; listed as May–October).
The Baldur ferry
Baldur crosses Breiðafjörður to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords, stopping at Flatey, an island of old wooden houses. Winter fares: ISK 6,300 per adult one way to Brjánslækur, ISK 6,300 for a car up to 5 m, ISK 4,320 to Flatey. From October 2026 the ship is in dry dock for an expected four to six weeks; meanwhile a passenger boat sails to Flatey on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays only.
Getting there
By car, 172 km from Reykjavik via road 56 over Vatnaleið. From Grundarfjörður and Kirkjufell it is 39 km east on road 54, passing the Berserkjahraun lava field, a 4,000-year-old flow named after the berserkers of Eyrbyggja saga. Buses: route 58 to Borgarnes and route 82 along the north coast, not on Tuesdays or Thursdays; ISK 5,400 single from Reykjavik.
Questions people ask
How far is Stykkishólmur from Reykjavik?
172 km, all paved, via Borgarnes and road 54 over Vatnaleið: about 2 h 35 min without stops. The bus takes about 3 h 15 min with a change in Borgarnes (no buses on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
What is there to do in Stykkishólmur?
Walk up Súgandisey to the lighthouse, climb Helgafell for the view and the three wishes, visit the Norwegian House museum and Roni Horn’s Library of Water, and in summer take a Breiðafjörður boat trip.
Is the Viking Sushi tour worth it?
If you want to see Breiðafjörður’s islands from the water: it lasts 1 h 30 min and costs ISK 12,900 for adults in 2026, free for children 16 and under with family. The operator lists it as a May–October trip.
Is the Baldur ferry running?
Not to Brjánslækur in late October 2026: Baldur is in dry dock for an expected four to six weeks, and a small passenger boat sails to Flatey on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Check ferja.is.