Hólar Cathedral is the oldest stone church in Iceland, constructed in 1763. The church is built with red sandstone from the mountain Hólabyrða. A number of historically important items are on display at the church.
Shortcuts
This is one of Iceland's most famous historical sites and was, for centuries, an Episcopal see. There has been a church at Hólar from the 11th century, the present one dating from 1763. It was built from red sandstone quarried from the mountain Hólabyrða, and is the oldest stone church in Iceland.
The student population at Hólar University College has risen dramatically over the past few years and the number of halls of residence has also increased to meet the demand. During the winter months, over 200 people reside at Hólar.
Archaeological digs have taken place over the past few years and more than 40,000 items have been found. A selection of these finds can be seen in the old schoolhouse. A walk through the winding paths of the wooded area will lead you into the wonderland of natural beauty surrounding this ancient place; a site filled with echoes from Iceland's history.
During Hólar Festival, which is generally held in the middle of August, there are many ecclesiastical and cultural events on offer, e.g. Pilgrims´ Walks, church services and other activities.
The Laufskálaréttir horse round-up pens at Hjaltadalur are among the most popular in the country, and each year up to 3,000 visitors congregate there to be part of the proceedings. In fact some say that the Laufskálaréttir pens are the crème de la crème of all round-up stations.

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Highlights in Hólar í Hjaltadal
Travel directory for Hólar í Hjaltadal
The official travel index of Iceland
Exhibitions
The Icelandic Emigration Center
Swimming Pools
Hofsós Swimming Pool
Exhibitions
Puffin and Friends
Winter adventure
Sauðárkrókur-Tindastóll Ski Area
Exhibitions
1238: The Battle of Iceland
Museums
Skagafjörður Transportation Museum
Hotels
Hótel Tindastóll - Arctichotels
Museums
The Icelandic Horse History Centre
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Mikligarður - Arctichotels
Camping
Hofsós Camping Ground
Guesthouses
Reykir Reykjastrond Guesthouse
Swimming Pools
Sauðárkrókur Swimming Pool
Farm Holidays
Icelandhorsetours - Helluland
Hiking Tours - Hiking
Lambagras Cultura
Hotels
Hotel Mikligarður - Arctichotels
Hotels
Hofsstaðir Hotel
Museums
Víðimýri Church
Museums
Glaumbær in Skagafjörður
Day Tours
Langhus Horse Farm
Day Tours
Drangey Tours
Golf Courses
Skagafjörður Golf Club
Others
- Faxatorg
- 550 Sauðárkrókur
- 453-6640
- Hólar
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- -
- Reykir
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 841-7313
- Hjaltadalur
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 455-6333
- Reykjarhóll
- 570 Fljót
- 8993183
- Brúnastaðir, Fljót
- 570 Fljót
- 8691024
- Suðurbraut
- 565 Hofsós
- 530-2200, 453-7935
- Hegranesi
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 846-8185
- Lynghóll
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 868-7224
- Skagafjörður
- 566 Hofsós
- 453-8373
- Sólgarðar
- 570 Fljót
- 867-3164
- Hofsstaðir
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 453-6555, 898-6665, 849-6655
Camping
Sauðárkrókur Camping Ground
Guesthouses
Guesthouses
Sóti Travel - Sóti Lodge
Camping
Lónkot Rural Resort
Camping
Hofsós Camping Ground
Guesthouses
Grand-Inn Bar and Bed
Hotels
Hótel Tindastóll - Arctichotels
Guesthouses
Reykir Reykjastrond Guesthouse
Farm Holidays
Icelandhorsetours - Helluland
Guesthouses
Camping
Holar Camping site
Hotels
Hofsstaðir Hotel
Hotels
Hotel Mikligarður - Arctichotels
Guesthouses
Puffin Palace Guesthouse
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Mikligarður - Arctichotels
Others
- Hofsstaðir
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 453-6555, 898-6665, 849-6655
- Reykjarhóll
- 570 Fljót
- 8993183
- Tröð
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 453-5225, 860-4100
- Kolkuós
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 861-3474
- Reykir
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 841-7313
- Sólgarðar
- 570 Fljót
- 867-3164
- Félagsheimilið Hegranes
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 899-3231
- Steini
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 853-5928
- Skagafjörður
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 892-5530, 453-5530
- Hegranesi
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 846-8185
- Brúnastaðir, Fljótum
- 570 Fljót
- 467-1020, 869-1024
- Brúnastaðir, Fljót
- 570 Fljót
- 8691024
- Litla Gröf
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 6181917
- Hjaltadalur
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 455-6333
- Kirkjutorg 5
- 550 Sauðárkrókur
- 8923375
- Deplar
- 570 Fljót
- 349-7761
Guesthouses
Reykir Reykjastrond Guesthouse
Restaurants
Grána Bistro
Camping
Lónkot Rural Resort
Hotels
Hofsstaðir Hotel
Guesthouses
Grand-Inn Bar and Bed
Restaurants
Hotels
Hótel Tindastóll - Arctichotels
Others
- Skagfirðingabraut 29
- 550 Sauðárkrókur
- 453 6666, 860 2088
- Varmahlíð
- 560 Varmahlíð
- 478-1036
- Aðalgata 5
- 550 Sauðárkrókur
- 455-5000
- Hjaltadalur
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 455-6333
- Suðurbraut 9
- 565 Hofsós
- 455-4692
- Sólvík
- 565 Hofsós
- 861-3463, 453-7930
- Aðalgata 8
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 770-6368
- Sólgarðar
- 570 Fljót
- 867-3164
- Ártorg 4
- 550 Sauðárkrókur
- 455-7070
- Reykir
- 551 Sauðárkrókur
- 841-7313
- Fljót
- 570 Fljót
- 467-1000
Hot Natural Pools
Grettislaug
The historic Grettislaug geo-thermal pool, named after Grettir the Strong, gives you an opportunity to
relax while surrounded by the ocean and a black sand beach. In Húsavík, you can
unwind in hot seawater at GeoSea geothermal sea baths. While the warm sea
works its miracles, you can enjoy the view of the mountain range to the west and
Skjálfandi Bay beneath the cliffs, in close proximity to the Arctic Circle.
History and Culture
Hólar Cathedral
Hólar Cathedral is the oldest stone church in Iceland, constructed in 1763. The church is built with red sandstone from the mountain Hólabyrða. A number of historically important items are on display at the church.
The church tower is 27m long and stands beside the church. It was constructed on the 400-year anniversary of the death of the last Catholic Bishop of Iceland, Jón Arason.
Nature
Staðarbjargarvík
Not to be missed on the coast just below Hofsós are the amazing basalt formations at Staðarbjargavík. It is said to have been the capital of the Skagafjörður elf population. Good access to the area is from just below The Hofsós Swimming Pool.
Nature
Drangey
The rocky island Drangey in the middle of Skagafjordur is a flat topped mass of tuff, rising almost 200 meters out of the ocean. The cliffs serve as nesting sites for around million sea birds and have been used throughout Iceland´s history for egg collection and bird netting.
Grettis Saga recounts that both Grettir and his brother Illugi lived on Drangey, for three years and were slain there. The island can only be ascended at one spot.
Over the summer months, 20.May - 20.August, we offer daily trips to Drangey from Sauðárkrókur at 10:00 am.
There are no scheduled tours during the winter months, but tours can be arranged on request.
Nature
Reykjafoss
Reykjafoss waterfall is one of Skagafjörður's hidden treasures. It is the most beautiful waterfalls in Skagafjörður, located about 7 km from Varmahlíð at Vindheimamelar, along road 752.
Directions to Reykjafoss:
Reykjafoss is located about 7 kilometers south east of Varmahlíð. Off road nr. 1 turn to road nr. 752 and then turn to road nr. 753. Cross the bridge, then turn right and reach a small parking lot. Reykjafoss is about 5-minute walk from the parking lot.