Region
Northwest Iceland
Hjaltadalur valley, Skagafjörður
Hólar in Hjaltadalur
Iceland's historic northern bishop's seat, a center of faith and learning for nearly 700 years.
Population
~100
Northwest Iceland • Historic site
Quick Answer
Hólar in Hjaltadalur was northern Iceland's bishop's seat from 1106 to 1798. The 1763 cathedral, Nyibaer turf house and University of Iceland at Holar share this historic setting.
Hólar in Hjaltadalur valley was the episcopal seat of northern Iceland from 1106 until 1798. The small settlement has an eighteenth-century cathedral and a university institution, and Iceland's first printing press was set up here in 1530.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Hólar remains an educational center and cultural heritage site.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~100
University and heritage site
Known for
Bishop's Seat
1106-1798 religious center
Top Attractions at Hólar
Hólar Cathedral
1763 church with older historic furnishings
University of Iceland at Hólar
Equine and aquaculture studies
Historic Grounds
Site of first Icelandic printing press (1530)
Hjaltadalur Valley
Valley enclosed by mountains
Horse Breeding Center
University equine science facilities
Nyibaer Turf House
1860 turf house at Holar
How to Get to Hólar
From Akureyri: 1 hour 20 minutes via Route 1 west and Route 76 north. From Varmahlíð: About 30 minutes via Route 76. A rental car is recommended as public transport is limited.
Best Time to Visit Hólar
Summer (June-August) offers the best access and weather. The cathedral is open for visits during summer months. Winter visits may be limited by road conditions.
Look beyond the cathedral to Nyibaer
The cathedral building dates from 1763, but some of its furnishings are older. The Church of Iceland’s description identifies the 1674 carved stone baptismal font and an alabaster altarpiece thought to have been made in Nottingham around 1470. These are better things to look for than the medieval bell previously described here: the church explicitly calls its present bells modern.
Nyibaer adds domestic history to the religious site. The National Museum’s house page dates this turf home to 1860 and lists daily access from 08:00 to 18:00, checked September 10, 2026. Look at the front-facing gables and the rooms arranged across the passage. The site-specific hours belong to Nyibaer; the Reykjavik museum ticket prices and cafe hours elsewhere on that website do not establish a Nyibaer admission charge.
The university name has also changed. Since July 1, 2026, the University of Iceland at Holar has been an affiliated institution within the University of Iceland system, retaining its own identity and academic autonomy. This remains a place of study and research, as well as a heritage stop.
Planning help
Hólar FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hólar?
Hólar has approximately 100 residents, mostly associated with the university and surrounding farms.
Why was Hólar important historically?
Hólar was the bishop's seat for northern Iceland from 1106 to 1798 and was one of Iceland's most important religious and cultural centers for nearly 700 years.
What is University of Iceland at Hólar?
The University of Iceland at Hólar is an affiliated institution in the university system established on July 1, 2026. Hólar retains its own identity and academic autonomy.
What is special about Hólar Cathedral?
The cathedral dates from 1763. Its historic furnishings include a carved baptismal font from 1674 and an alabaster altarpiece thought to date to around 1470. The church describes its present bells as modern.
How far is Hólar from Akureyri?
Hólar is about 100 km from Akureyri, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car via Route 1 and Route 76.
What can visitors do at Hólar?
Visitors can see the cathedral and historic grounds and visit Nyibaer turf house. University teaching and research facilities should not be treated as public exhibits without an arranged visit.
Is there accommodation at Hólar?
Yes, Hólar offers guesthouse accommodation in the summer months, often in student housing when school is not in session.
What is Hólar's connection to printing?
Iceland's first printing press was established at Hólar in 1530, producing the first books printed in Iceland.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.