Highlights of the Faroe Islands

Ideas to experiencing the Faroe Islands

In the middle of the North Atlantic only a day and a half by boat from Europe’s mainland, the Faroe Islands are encircled by 1,289 km of coastline. Nowhere is further than 5 km from the sea.

We warmly recommend the grandiose land and seascapes of the Faroe Islands. The archipelago is known for its mild winters and cool summers, but regardless of the season, you will be immersed in spectacular panoramas as soon as you sail into its fjords.

Nature is of unfathomable significance here, and its influence on local culture can hardly be overestimated. The natural surroundings are firmly embedded in the inhabitants’ character and way of thinking.

The population of over 54,000 is spread across the 17 inhabited islands, which are interlinked by a superb network of roads, tunnels and ferries.

The Faroese are a warm, generous, friendly and hospitable people. They are familyoriented, down-to-earth and have great respect for tradition. A salient characteristic of the Faroese is how open they are to tourists. The Faroese are proud of their country and culture and they are eager to show visitors the finest the Faroe Islands have to offer.

Tórshavn

With only around 20,000 inhabitants, Tórshavn is not just one of the world’s smallest capitals, but also one of the most charming ones with an exciting mix of old and new. Explore the city on foot and see old protected buildings side-by-side with modern architectural design. We especially recommend a stroll around the little Tinganes promontory, which is the seat of government, and to the adjacent traditional neighbourhood Reyn with its quaint idyll. The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands as well as the Nordic House also merit a visit. In addition, the Faroe Islands offer exciting shopping opportunities. Local design wares can be found for example at Østrøm and Guðrun & Guðrun. You can also savour Nordic cuisine at several of the little capital’s exciting and enticing restaurants.

Tip: Look out for Summartónar, Faroe Islands Festival of Classical and Contemporary Music. The festival arranges a wealth of concerts around the country and several are free!

Nólsoy

Nólsoy is the beautiful green island you see just facing Tórshavn. The island is only ten square kilometres, but that is more than enough room for the 817 sheep, the few hundred thousand birds and the 225 people who live in Nólsoy. Nólsoy is the island for anyone who wants to experience both nature and village charm at once. It offers scenic nature walks, for example along the old cairn path across the mountain Eggjarklettur out to the lighthouse on Borðan. The walk takes around four hours. There are several cafés in Nólsoy’s only village, which carries the same name as the island. Live music is regularly on the programme at Maggies. Here you can also get a bite to eat.

You can read more about tours and experiences in Nólsoy and how to get to Nólsoy by following this link: nolsoy.fo.

Kirkjubøur

The historic village Kirkjubøur is a 10-minute drive from Tórshavn. Kirkjubøur was the bishop’s seat and thus the spiritual and cultural hub of the Faroe Islands. St. Olav’s Church (11th century), Magnus Cathedral (12th century) and the Kirkjubøargarður farm, which is now home to the 17th generation of the Patursson family, are all monuments that bear witness to a long history. Why not take a gentle hike from Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur along the old path? The trip is 7-km-long and relatively easy. The views are superb.gt.

Vestmanna Seacliffs

The Vestmanna Cliffs and Sea Stacks are one of the major tourist attractions in the Faroe Islands. We recommend a boat trip to the Vestmanna Seacliffs where you get the chance to come up close to bird life, majestic grottos and imposing cliffs. Book your boat trip on puffin.fo.

Saksun & Tjörnuvík

Picturesque Saksun is a popular excursion in northwestern Streymoy. At low tide you can walk the 3 km to the Atlantic shore. The old farm Dúvugarðar dates from the 17th century and is open during the summer as a museum and café. A little further north in Streymoy you will find Tjørnuvík overlooking the bay with its vistas of the famous sea stacks The Giant and The Hag.

We recommend a photo stop on the way to or from Tjørnuvík at the stunning waterfall Fossá.

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Gjógv

Charming Gjógv is on the north coast of Eysturoy. The village is known for its natural harbour in a ravine formed by the sea. It was the village’s main artery until the road came in 1960. Gjógv is a Faroese word for ravine. The old shop from 1883 serves as both a shop and café in summer. In addition, the Guesthouse Gjáargarður has a restaurant.

There are excellent hiking opportunities in the area. Near Gjógv you will find the tallest mountain in the Faroe Islands, Slættaratindur. Hike up the 880-m-tall mountain, put up your feet and enjoy the magnificent panorama.

Mykines

Mykines is the westernmost island in the archipelgo. Take a calming walk through the charming village, Mykines with a population of only 15 people or hike to the highest peak of the island called Knúkur, for a panoramic view. This place is known as ‘bird paradise’ describing its rich, bustling bird life, including hundreds of cute puffins, which build their burrows here in summer. In order to book your ferry place and/or pay for access to walk through the puffin colony out to Mykineshólmur visit mykines.fo. Please note that this excursion is weather dependent.

Trælanípan & Gásadalur

Trælanípa is among the most photographed locations in the Faroe Islands. From the edge of this premonitory you will stare down a 142 m vertical drop into the sea, and at the same time you see lake Sørvágsvatn, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. From this vantage point you can also marvel at the southern tip of Streymoy as well as Hestur, Koltur, Sandoy, Skúvoy and Suðuroy. To the other side you can take in the bird cliffs Sørvágsbjørg, Mykines and Mykineshólmur.

In the village Gásadalur you will find the most famous waterfall in the Faroe Islands, Múlafossur, which tumbles straight into the Atlantic Ocean. Among the characteristic grass-thatched houses lies Gásadalsgarður, now a guesthouse with a café. Here you can take in the village idyll and savour homemade Faroese specialities. On the way to and from Gásadalur you will pass the village Sandavágur, where the cozy café Fiskastykkið is located. Here you can have both lunch or coffee and cake.

Klaksvík

Klaksvík is the second largest town in the Faroe Islands. It is nestled in a northfacing bay, which makes a superb harbour. The city is guarded by towering mountains, including Klakkur, which the town is named after.

We recommend a hike (1,5 h) to Klakkur. In fair weather you will have magnificent views. Klaksvík also offers culture, shopping in lovely little boutiques, as well as charming cafés.

Suðuroy

Try taking the morning ferry from Tórshavn and drive to the southern tip of the island, where you can experiance the breathtaking view of Akraberg Lighthouse, that was built in 1909. We also recommend a drive up the narrow road that leads to Eggjarnar. Eggjarnar is a 350 m high mountain that offers a fantastic panoramic view.

Fámjin is the only settlement located on the west side of Suðuroy. In the old church in the village hangs the very first Faroese flag, Merkið, which was designed and sewn by Faroese students in Copenhagen in 1919.

For those who love hiking, take walk to Hvannhagi close to Tvøroyri, which is considered to be one of the most unique nature experiences in the Faroe Islands. Enjoy a light lunch or a cup of coffee, at Café Mormor and Glasstovan in Tvøroyri and at Hotel Bakkin in Vágur. Please see the sailing schedule for the ferry Smyril to Suðuroy, route 7, on ssl.fo.

Kalsoy

Only a 20-minute ferry ride away from Klaksvík is the unique island of Kalsoy, you can drive by car or bus through the four narrow tunnels that connect the four villages and explore all that this gorgeous island has to offer.

Take a hike to the famous Kallur Lighthouse in the northern most part of the island or experience the place where the legendary James Bond drew his final breath in the film No Time to Die. Don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of the Seal Woman in Mikladalur and learn about this old Faroese legend. Please note that a hiking fee applies when visiting Kallur.

See ssl.fo en route 56 for the schedule for the ferry from Klaksvík to Syðradalur. For information about Kalsoy please see visitkalsoy.fo.