
Things to Do In and Around Stykkishólmur
What to do in and around Stykkishólmur town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula? Here Kay gives you tips and tricks on how to enjoy your time in and around the beautiful town of Stykkishólmur.
Looking for new holiday adventures? Forget overcrowded cities with thick smog and long lines to the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. Step off the touristy tracks and enjoy the old-world charm of Iceland’s small towns.
Looking for new holiday adventures? Forget overcrowded cities with thick smog and long lines to the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. Step off the touristy tracks and enjoy the old-world charm of Iceland’s small towns.
Small town travel gives a behind the scenes look into local culture and customs. Spend your vacation in a cozy Icelandic town and experience the thrill of discovery. Villages in Iceland are charming, authentic, and unspoiled, unique in their own right, all waiting to be explored.
Vik is a seafront village settled in the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, and the largest settlement in South Iceland. Small but cozy, Vik is the only village for at least 50 kilometers (30 mi) in each direction.
Beautiful town of Vik i Myrdal in Iceland
Close proximity to active volcanoes not only made Vik the only settlement in the area, but also shaped its unique landscape. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Reynisdrangar Rocks are among the most famous attractions and perfect destinations for outdoor adventures around Vik.
Around 300 people live in Vik. The town has coffee shops, family-run restaurants, and an outdoor swimming pool (almost every town in Iceland has one!).
Where is Vik? Vik is located in South Iceland, right off the famous Ring Road. Vik is around 190 km (118 mi) away from Reykjavik, and it’s easy to access during all seasons.
Things to do in Vik:
Located on the banks of Ölfusá River, the town is the cultural hub of the region. The annual Summer in Selfoss (Sumar á Selfossi) Festival attracts music fans from all over Iceland.
The largest residential town in South Iceland
Selfoss has nearly 7,000 residents all living within 2 km² (less than 1 mi²), meaning that all the cafés, restaurants, and bars are within arm’s reach!
Where is Selfoss? Selfoss is just under 60 km (37 mi) south of Reykjavik on Route 1.
Things to do in Selfoss:
Relatively young, Dalvik only became a village a century ago. Rich in herring, the waters around Dalvik attracted many fishermen who settled in town. A fast-growing village soon became one of the largest herring ports in the country.
Dalvik in the North of Iceland
Every year, locals and visitors come together for The Great Fish Day, a festival that celebrates Dalvik’s golden days.
Dalvik is one of the best places for whale watching in Iceland. This route is lesser-known to tourists, though here you have the best chance to encounter the great humpback whale! If you’re lucky, you might even see a blue whale.
A ferry operates from Dalvik to Grimsey and the Hrísey Islands, sparsely populated regions with tons of unspoiled natural beauty.
Where is Dalvík? The town is located on Tröllaskagi Peninsula in North Iceland, 410 km (255 mi) from Reykjavik and 45 km (28 mi) from Akureyri.
Things to do in Dalvik:
Isafjordur has around 2,600 residents and is the largest town on the Westfjords Peninsula. Originally a fishing village, in the past years Isafjordur has grown in the tourism industry.
Ísafjörður town in the Westfjords region
The town offers many outdoor activities from horse riding to kayaking and hiking. During summer months, catch a ferry to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a refuge for local bird species and arctic foxes.
Isafjordur has a well-preserved, historic downtown that reflects the charming history of the 19th century. Full of stories and legends, Isafjordur is sure to intrigue and surprise visitors.
Where is Isafjordur? The town is 454 km (282 mi) from Reykjavik in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Things to do in Isafjordur:
Hofn is surrounded by water on almost all sides. The town overlooks Iceland’s newest addition to UNESCO World Heritage List, Vatnajokull National Park.
Hofn town
Rich in culture and history, Hofn is often a stop to tourists visiting attractions along the Ring Road. Some of the most famous nearby sights include Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Diamond Beach.
Hofn is home to around 2,000 people and one of the town’s main industries is fishing. The hamlet is famous for serving the best lobster in Iceland, and hosts an annual Lobster Festival every July!
Where is Hofn? Located in the southeastern part of Iceland near Hornafjörður Fjord, Hofn lies right by Vatnajokull National Park. The town is accessible through Route 1, and it’s 450 km (280 mi) away from Reykjavik.
Things to do in Hofn:
Most famous for its neighboring mountain, Kirkjufell, Grundarfjordur has a lot to offer on its own. This charming town has a busy harbor with many cruise ships stopping for a visit.
Grundarfjordur town
The town with around 1,000 residents has a number of restaurants, cafés, and unique shops. Guests can choose from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and the Grundarfjordur camping site near a swimming pool.
Grundarfjordur is a short drive away from Snæfellsnes National Park that offers great sightseeing and hiking opportunities.
Where is Grundarfjordur? The town is situated in the north of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. The town lies right at the bottom of Iceland’s famous mountain Kirkjufell, 180 km (110 mi) from Reykjavik.
Things to do in Grundarfjordur:
Seydisfjordur is a mountain town surrounded by Mt. Bjólfur (1,085 m / 3,560 ft) to the west and Mt. Strandartindur (1,010 m / 3,314 ft) to the east.
Beautiful quaint artist town of Seydisfjordur
With around 700 inhabitants, Seydisfjordur has a vibrant cultural scene. The annual LungA Art Festival in mid-July has been running since 2000.
The town has several waterfalls and the start of a popular hiking route, Tvísöngur Loop, is located in the center of downtown. In the wintertime, Seydisfjordur welcomes visitors at the nearby Stafdalur Ski Area that features trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Where is Seydisfjordur? Seydisfjordur is located in East Iceland and can be reached by car via the Fjarðarheiði Mountain Pass. The town is 27 km (17 mi) off the Ring Road and 660 km (410 mi) from Reykjavik.
Things to do in Seydisfjordur:
Each of the small towns in Iceland has its own character (and its own swimming pool). Whichever town you choose to visit, just remember to treat it with respect and the warm-hearted locals will make sure that you feel at home.
If you can’t wait to visit charming Icelandic towns, check out our award-winning, 6-day Ring Road adventure, the ultimate tour in Iceland!