Sauðárkrókur, with a population of around 2600, provides a diversity of services, accommodation, restaurants, shopping, exhibitions, museums, camping facility, night spots, swimming pool, health centre and workshops to name a few. The new sports arena in the middle of the town, south of the swimming pool also doubles as a full sized football field. The exhibition centre at Aðalgata hosts an exhibit of the old workshops from times gone by.
The hills above the town were previously the foreshore of the fjord. Above the town near the cemetery is a viewing platform that provides wonderful views of the old town, the countryside and out to the fjord. There you will also find allotments used by the towns' people for their sheep, if you are here during spring time you can see the young lambs and foals. The golf course (9 holes) is considered one of the best in Iceland. The name of the town draws its name from the river Sauðá (Sheep river) krókur (hook) i.e. Sheepriverhook. In the valley of Sauðá (sheep river) is Litli Skógur (little forest), which has wonderful little walkways through birch and beech trees and is a lovely place to have a picnic.
The store Verslun Haraldur Júlíussonar is on Aðalgata (Main Street) and has been in business since 1919. When you enter the store you feel as if you are entering another era... the longs lost time of the general store.
To the east of Sauðárkrókur are the town sands (Borgarsandur), a four kilometre long stretch of beach where you can spend your time building sand castles, take long walks and play with the children. A little further south, near Áshildarholtsvatn, at the right time of year, you will find an abundance of divergent birdlife. The area has signage to inform of the species and varieties to be found there. From Sauðárkrókur it takes about half an hour to get to Varmahlíð, Hólar in Hjaltadalur, Hofsós or Grettislaug, and for winter guests the ski area at Tindastóll is only 15 minutes away.
