Guide de Voyage : Saudarkrokur

Sauðárkrókur (a.k.a. 'Krókurinn'), is the largest urban area in Skagafjörður in north Iceland and the second-largest town of the north. Its population is roughly 2600. It is the centre for commerce, services, and food production for the area. It has a secondary school that serves the northwestern part of Iceland, as well as a primary school and a health centre.

Explore this area while on a self drive tour in Iceland.

Economy

Sauðárkrókur's economy is fairly diverse. Along with services and tourism, the economy is focused on fishing, dairy products, light industry and broad-based services.

Sports & Activities

Sauðárkrókur is known as a sports town and has a horse riding hall, a sports house, a swimming pool and a great skiing area at Tindastóll. The town offers all general services, such as banks, restaurants, hotel and guesthouse lodgings and restaurants.

An attraction where history and recreation can be said to meet is the Grettislaug pool, which may be reached from Sauðárkrókur, though it may take some time to reach it due to road accessibility. Outlaw Grettir of Grettis Saga fame is said to have warmed himself in a geothermal pool after his swim of about 7.5 kilometres from Drangey island. The pool was reconstructed in 1992 and another one was added in 2006. Both pools are built with natural stones and have bathing water temperature. Please note that there are no changing facilities around springtime. 

Culture & History

Sauðárkrókur features a good drama society and a music school. The regional archives of Skagafjörður district, one of the best archives in the country, are kept in the town. This is also a popular sanctuary for scholars seeking peace and quiet for their work.

The Minjahús in Sauðárkrókur focuses on workshops from 1925-1985 and is worth a visit. You may also see an iron workshop in the town, operated from 1925 to 1926.

The Minjahús is part of Byggðasafn Skagfirðinga i.e. The Regional Museum of Skagafjörður, which also includes Glaumbær. Glaumbær is a turf farmhouse, with buildings ranging in age from the 18th century to the 19th, renovated in 1947. It forms the backdrop of exhibitions that focus on the farm life of 18th and 19th century Iceland and also has two more 19th century-buildings, Gilsstofa and Áshús. The latter has exhibitions and a nice coffee shop. Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir is said to have lived at Glaumbær in the saga age, the first European mother on American ground.

At around 30 km drive from Sauðárkrókur you can see the ancient bishop seat at Hólar in Hjaltadalur valley. Hólar also features an agricultural university.

The origin of Sæluvika Skagfirðinga (the Skagafjörður Pleasantry Week') dates back to the 19th century and this festival is celebrated yearly at Sauðárkrókur, at the beginning of May. It features drama, singing, banquets dancing, art shows and more.