Stykkisholmur town is often called the capital of Snaefellsnes. The township has put great effort into renovating old landmarks and houses and the ones owned by Danish traders and merchants at the close of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th have been restored to their original form. The Norwegian House has been restored in the same manner and is now the local folk museum. The new church in Stykkisholmur is of rather unique architecture and beauty, reminds of modern sculptures, and attracts many visitors annually.

The locals are the country’s pioneer shell fishermen and the related industry is important to the town's livelihood. In the year 1936 the Sisters of St. Francis built a catholic church and a convent in Stykkisholmur and later they built a hospital, a truly eminent effort, which today is considered to be one of the country’s best.

The tourist trade has grown rapidly in Stykkisholmur and there are many tourist attractions in the region. There are nearly 2700 small islands in the bay north of Stykkisholmur and popular cruises are operated where one can take in unusual rock formations and enjoy a bird life paradise, enjoy scallop tasting, whale watching, and spectacular tidal currents. Good hotels are in town, as well as guest houses and a camping site, and good restaurants offer international cuisine.

Lakes and rivers that offer good trout and salmon fishing are in the vicinity.  The distance from Reykjavik is 173 km by the Whale Bay tunnel.