• Hálsaból, Hlíðarvegur 15, summer house, tel. 864-0366. • Setberg, tel. 438-6817. • Suður-Bár, tel. 438-6815. • Snoppa Apartments, Grundargata 18, tel. 868-5167. • Grund Guesthouse, Grund, tel. 840-6100/438-1400. • Bjarg Apartments, Grundartanga 8, tel. 438-1700. • Hamrahlíð 9 Guesthouse, Hamrahlíð 9, tel. 867-9449. Campsites: • By the swimming pool, tel. 430-8564. • Setberg, tel. 438-6817. Eating out: • Bjargarsteinn, Sólvellir 15, tel. 438-6770. • Hótel Framnes, Nesvegur 6-8, tel. 438-6893. • 59 Bistro Bar, Grundargata 59, tel. 438-6446. • Meistarinn, hot-dog stand, by Grundargata. • Kaffi Emil, at the Information Centre, Grundargata 35, tel. 897-0124. • Láki Hafnarkaffi, café, Nesvegur 5, tel. 546-6808. Shopping: • Samkaup, Grundargata 38, tel. 438-6700. • Blossi, Grundargata 61, tel. 438-6500. Sport and leisure: • Swimming pool with hot tubs, Borgarbraut, tel. 430-8564. • 9-hole golf course, Bárarvöllur, tel. 438-6815. • Vikings at the viking centre. Horse rentals: • Kverná, tel. 898-9359. • Berg, tel. 438-6875/ 891-6875. For motorists: • Filling stations, garage, tire repair. • N1, Grundargata 38, tel. 438-6700. • Orkan, Suðurgarður 1, tel. 578-8800. • Bifreiðaþjónusta Snæfellsnes ehf., Sólvellir 5, tel. 438-6933/616-9090. Local handicrafts: • Krums, Eyrarvegur 20, tel. 842-1307. • Láki Hafnarkaffi, Nesvegur 5, tel. 546-6808. • Snæþvottur, Grundargata 61, tel. 438-6500. Museums/exhibitions:Saga Centre, Grundargata, 35, internet access, open daily May 15 - Sept. 15, 9 - 18, tel. 438-1881. Laundromat: • Snæþvottur, laundry, 24-hour laundry, self service available all day, Grundargata 61, tel. 438-6500. Places of interest: • Setbergskirkja, tel. 438-6821. • Klakkur, Eyrarfjall, Mt. Kirkjufell. Excursions: • Láki Tours, Nesvegur 5, bird watching tours, whale watching tours, sea fishing, night sailing, tel. 546-6808. 66
• Snæfellsnes Excursions, Ölkelduvegur 5, tel. 616-9090, www.sfn.is. • Ferðafélag Snæfellsness, www.ffsn.is. • Many beautiful trails in Grundarfjörður. Transportation: Strætó bs, tel. 540-2700, scheduled coach service to and from Reykjavík. For more information, please visit: www.straeto.is. Events: • June 9-11: Seamen’s Day in Grundarfjörður. • July 28 - 30: On a good day in Grundarfjörður, family festival with various festivities. • July 1: Jökulmílan cycling competition • Rökkurdagar, Dark days, culture festival, www.west.is.
STYKKISHÓLMUR Stykkishólmur, sometimes called “the town of a thousand islands,” is situated on Þórnes headland looking out over the many islands of the Breiðafjörður bay. The village has a history of trading that dates back over 400 years. It has an excellent natural harbour, sheltered by Súgandiseyja island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The oldest meteorological station in Iceland - and some say the world - is located in Stykkishólmur and was first manned by Árni Thorlacius in 1845. In 1832 he built the “Norwegian House” with Norwegian timber which is the oldest two-storey house in Iceland. It has been renovated recently and now serves as the local folk museum. Many of the old houses in town have been repaired and they give the town an historic feeling. Stykkishólmskirkja church hosts regular concerts during the summer. There is a swimming pool, and there are also art galleries and restaurants. Birdlife is varied in and around the town and in recent years tourism and commerce have blossomed. The inhabitants of Flatey island get their supplies from Stykkishólmur. On January 1, 2018, the population was 1,173. Eiderdown can be collected in great quantities on the islands in Breiðafjörður bay, and this has given rise to a new and productive local industry. Sailing to these islands is popular as well, and birdwatching tours are among the most popular activities in the area. The Sisters of St. Francis, nuns that arrived in the village in 1935, did much to shape the face of the village with the construction of a Catholic cloister as well as a hospital, which still bears the name of the order. Mt. Helgafell 73 metres high) is a low basalt mountain on Þórsnes, just outside Stykkishólmur, with a gentle western slope, but which is sheer on its northern and eastern sides. It appears repeatedly in Icelandic history and folklore. Many famous Icelanders have lived here, such as Snorri Goði and Laxdæla Saga heroine Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir. Her grave can be found north of the church. Medieval chronicler Ari Fróði (10671148) lived there until he was seven years old. An Augustine’s Monastery was moved there from Flatey in 1184, and remnants of a wall on Mt. Helgafell are said to be from its chapel. The