Stykkisholmur , Iceland

In the 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Stykkishólmur was one of the places Ben Stiller’s character was desperately trying to reach. On this late‑April afternoon, it happened to be our destination as well. After a 3.5‑hour drive from Keflavík Airport in relentless rain, we finally rolled into Stykkishólmur — just as the sun made a tentative appearance, as if welcoming us to this beautiful, remote Icelandic town on the northern edge of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

From the moment we drove into the town, we knew we were in for a wonderful time in this beautiful harbour community. The old wooden houses look much as they did a century ago, giving the town a timeless charm. Everything revolves around the harbour, sheltered by Sugandisey Island, which adds to the peaceful, postcard‑perfect setting. Stykkishólmur was also the first community in Europe to receive the EarthCheck Environmental Certification, and it shows — the town is impeccably clean and clearly proud of its commitment to sustainability.

The village is a thriving community where you can watch the daily rhythm of life unfold — including the fishing boats returning each evening to unload their catch at the harbour. Stykkishólmur also offers plenty to explore, with three distinctive museums scattered around the town.
One of them is the Volcano Museum, showcasing the private collection of Haraldur Sigurdsson, a world‑renowned volcanologist whose work has taken him across the globe. Then there’s the intriguing Library of Water, an art installation featuring 24 glass columns filled with melted ice collected from glaciers around Iceland — a quiet, contemplative space unlike anything else in the country.

The third museum, the Norwegian House, was built in 1832 from imported Norwegian timber and has been beautifully restored. Today, it serves as the regional museum for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, offering a glimpse into the area’s cultural and architectural history.

On our first evening, we set out for a walk around the town. The first thing you notice is just how spotless the streets are — everything feels cared for and quietly pristine. The houses surrounding the harbour are especially beautiful, each one proudly displaying the year it was built. Most of the dates we spotted went back to the early 1900s, giving the whole village a charming, time‑capsule feel.

Stykkishólmur is a lively town, thanks in large part to its harbour, where the Ferry Baldur departs daily across Breiðafjörður Bay. The route connects Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with Brjánslækur in the Westfjords, making it an important link between the regions. During the holiday season, the ferry also stops at Flatey Island, a small, picturesque gem in the middle of the bay that’s known for its colourful houses, birdlife, and peaceful atmosphere.

Stykkishólmur really feels like two towns in one: the “old part,” centred around the harbour, and the “new part,” which spreads out around the striking modern church and the open‑air swimming pool. The latter was a huge hit with the boys, who wanted to go swimming almost every day — thanks to the large outdoor pool and its slides. And don’t worry: even with snow still clinging to the mountains in April, the geothermal water keeps the pool wonderfully warm.

After each swim, their favourite ritual was grabbing a hot dog from Meistarinn, a fantastic little stand on the edge of town.
Stykkishólmur also offers a good range of accommodation and restaurants, so staying overnight is easy. What can be tricky, however, is getting a table. With only a handful of restaurants — and even April being surprisingly busy — booking ahead is definitely essential.

We really enjoyed wandering around the town, especially watching the fishing boats return to the pier with their catch of the day. It was fascinating to see how quickly the fresh fish was unloaded and whisked away — a smooth, well‑rehearsed routine that’s clearly part of daily life in Stykkishólmur.​

Another favourite was the walk to the lighthouse on Sugandisey Island — once accessible only by boat, but now connected to the town by a short road. From the car park, a stairway leads you up onto the island, where you’re rewarded with sweeping views and some of the most beautiful sunsets you can imagine.

It’s also a great spot for a bit of birdwatching, with many species nesting among the island’s rugged rock formations. Moments like these are why we’ll definitely return to Stykkishólmur, one of Iceland’s most charming and picturesque towns.

So if you’re planning a trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, we can wholeheartedly recommend staying in Stykkishólmur — a perfect base for exploring this remarkable corner of Iceland.