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18 Reasons to Visit the Faroe Islands

By CNT Editors

If you haven't already heard of the Faroe Islands , you will soon. Tucked between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean (and politically part of Denmark), this self-governed group of 18 volcanic islands is fast becoming a favorite Nordic destination. Music lovers may already recognize the region for its festival scene —it typically hosts five live music festivals throughout the year—but adventurers are also starting to catch wind of the archipelago's steep cliffs, hiking trails, waterfalls, and rocky coastlines . And for Instagrammers, there are more than enough sites to keep you snapping photos (hello, puffins and grass-roofed houses). Here are 18 reasons to pack your coat and head to the Faroe islands.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

You don't have to worry about crowds (yet).

The 18 islands have a total population of around 50,000 —a drop in the bucket compared to Nordic neighbors Sweden and Norway or tourist-heavy Iceland. Faroe Islands tourism arrivals were around two million visitors in 2019, and American visitors alone already outnumber the locals .

In fact, sheep outnumber humans nearly 2:1.

Good news for people desperately seeking sweaters , or who simply find wind-blown hills filled with lambs to be pure magic. In 2016, the Faroese even turned to these trusty residents to serve as a four-legged tourism board, strapping cameras to some of the sheep to capture footage for Google Street View, calling it—naturally— Sheep View 360 .

Surprisingly cheap flights

You can now fly directly to Vágar Airport (the only airport in the Faroe Islands) from Edinburgh, Reykjavik, and Copenhagen on Atlantic Airways; or you can fly directly from Copenhagen on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). If you can find a good flight deal to one of those cities, the flight over to the Faroes will usually only set you back about $120.

The coziest capital city

The capital of Tórshavn (pop. 13,083) is also the largest city on the Faroe Islands, settled behind a busy harbor on the east coast of Streymoy Island. Within the 66.8-square-mile city are eighteenth-century churches , a handful of museums, a tiny Old Town, and rows of brightly painted houses .

Unrivaled natural beauty

The archipelago has the type of striking views typical of volcanic islands, like windswept mountains, crashing waves, and jagged coastlines like the rock formations of Drangarnir, (pictured) the name of two sea stacks between Tindhólmur and Vágar.

Pinterest-worthy waterfalls

Scan some Pinterest travel boards or do a quick "Faroe Islands" image search, and chances are you'll see more photos of Mulafossur Waterfall than any other site on the archipelago. The waterfall is like something from a fantasy novel, falling over the rocky cliffs of Vagar Island to the ocean below, with the the green hills of Gásadalur village as a backdrop.

Ease of travel

Despite their remote location and rugged terrain, it's easier to road trip and island hop around the archipelago than you might expect. Thanks to relatively new infrastructure, like sub-sea tunnels connecting islands and paved roads cutting through mountains, getting to all of the country's best attractions has been relatively easy since the early 2000s.

Incredibly friendly locals

The Faroese have a word, “heimablídni,” which translates to “home hospitality,” and you can find that hospitality all over the islands. In fact, the nation has a program in which tourists can have dinner in locals’ homes, eating traditional food and hearing stories about their particular village. (You can learn more and sign up here .)

Scenes pulled from Middle Earth

Aside from Mulafossur, perhaps the most iconic landscape in the country is the Shire-like village of Saksun on the northwestern coast of Streymoy. The hamlet and its mid-nineteenth-century church sit in a natural amphitheater above a lagoon, with views of mountains stretching in every direction.

Sustainability

The Faroe Islands made headlines in 2019 when they launched the “Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism” campaign , in which the Faroes completely closed to tourists—aside from 100 volunteers chosen to help preserve the nation’s lands. For the 2020 event (which was rescheduled for 2021), 5,886 people signed up to volunteer within the first 24 hours of registration, so the campaign is likely to continue on for years to come.

A literal puffin paradise

If you're dying to see the most laughably adorable bird on the planet, there's no place better than petite Mykines. While only 14 people live on the westernmost Faroe Island, its rugged terrain and precipitous cliffs draw thousands of breeding puffins during the summer months.

Epic hiking opportunities

Take Kalsoy, a long, slender island with verdant hills and vertical cliffs, is just one of many hiking options in the Faroes. The best way to enjoy this particular island is to hike to Kallur Lighthouse, which sits on a northern promontory and grants panoramic views of five other islands (on clear days).

Those charming, turf-roofed houses

Turf-roofed houses are something of a symbol of the islands, appearing everywhere from sporadic seaside villages to the capital city of Tórshavn (pictured). They are more than just Instagram fodder , however: The Faroese use the architectural style to protect dwellings from the rainy climate (300 rainy days per year is no joke).

Cliffs that rival Moher and Na Pali

One of the most popular excursions in the Faroes are boat trips to the Vestmanna bird cliffs—rock walls that rise nearly 2,000 feet above the Atlantic waters on Streymoy Island. Day-trippers can enjoy the impressive sight of moss-speckled sea stacks, dark grottoes, and thousands of birds that nest here during the summer. Another famous cliffside site is Trøllkonufingur (pictured); translating to “Trollwoman's Finger,” the 1,027-foot monolith juts off the southeast side of Sandavágur.

Events for music lovers

Europe’s major cities are known for their high-energy music festivals, and the Faroe Islands offer their own version of that tradition—albeit a way more low-key version. Each summer the three-day G! Festival draws crowds to the seaside village Gøta on Eysturoy with a lineup of electronica, folk, and pop performances. (The festival was canceled this year due to the pandemic, but it plans to return in 2022.)

An optical illusion come to life

Lake Sørvágsvatn, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, looks like it's perched hundreds of feet above the ocean and tilts outwards—but this is actual body of water an optical illusion. In actuality, the lake sits in a deep depression about 90 feet above sea level. The steep cliff in front of the water (and high camera angles) gives the body of water its seemingly impossible "floating" appearance.

Beautiful winters

Winters are surprisingly mild here, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. But when the islands and villages are graced with a dusting of snow, they somehow look even more magical than they do during the green summer months. Just be sure to get a peek during this season's narrow five-hour windows of daylight, which occur from November to January.

Prime Northern Lights viewing

The Faroe Islands are far enough north to see the Northern Lights in all their glory—weather permitting, of course. Some good viewing spots are the villages of Gjógv on the northern tip of Eysturoy, and Klaksvík on Borðoy (pictured). The best time frame for spotting them is from September to March or April.

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First-Timer’s Guide to the Faroe Islands (Travel Tips & FAQ)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 8, 2024

Planning your first trip to the Faroe Islands can be overwhelming. What kind of weather can you expect in the Faroe Islands? What are the best things to see and the best places to stay? How to get to the Faroe Islands and how to get around? How expensive is food on the Faroe Islands?…

We had so many questions before visiting the Faroe Islands , but never found all the answers in one place. Yet, Faroe Islands is not a typical travel destination where you can just show up and hope to make the best of it. So it’s really important to do some research so that you know what to expect. And – I can’t stress this enough – you really have to book your accommodations well in advance!

Based on our personal experience I created this practical guide to the Faroe Islands that should answer all your questions. Find out!

P.S. If you don’t find an answer to your question in this post, feel free to post a reply below and I’ll try to help.

Where are the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands is an archipelago of 18 islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean. If you look at the map , you’ll see that The Faroe are pretty much in the middle between Scotland, Norway, and Iceland.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

Faroe islands are closer than you think. The easiest way to get to the Faroe Islands is by plane . There are daily direct flights to Copenhagen in Denmark (2hrs), but also short flights from Edinburgh (UK), Bergen (Norway), and Reykjavik (Iceland).

If you prefer the excitement of seeing land for the first time after days spent at sea, you can opt to arrive in the style of the greatest discoverers. In that case, you can opt to go to the Faroe Islands by boat . Smyril Line ferry travels between Denmark and Iceland with a short stop in the Faroe Islands.

This passenger and car ferry looks like an attractive slow travel option and a great way to get to The Faroe, especially because you can bring your own car . However, consider the time that it takes and the costs associated with it (driving to Denmark, hotel accommodations, tickets for the ferry for you and your car, cabins to sleep in, food onboard). Also, there is always a possibility of getting seriously seasick on this multi-day journey…

We did the math and found that it made no financial sense whatsoever for our family of 5 to take this boat to the Faroe Islands. Not to mention the fact that it would add several days to the journey.

TIP: If you decide to arrive in the Faroe Islands by boat, make sure to book it in advance!

Do I need a visa/passport for the Faroe Islands?

Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen zone, so visitors from some countries might require a valid visa . I had a slight panic attack when, on the way to the airport, I checked a website of a Dutch travel agency that said that we Europeans also need a passport when traveling to the Faroe Islands. Our passports were safely left at home and we only had our Belgian ID cards with us…

After more research on more reputable websites, I found that citizens from most EU countries don’t need a passport in the Faroe Islands – ID card is sufficient (information is correct at the time of writing – 2018). The funny thing is that nobody ever checked even our ID cards. So all that stress was for nothing and reminded me that, sadly, not everything you read on the Internet is true.

You can find more information in regard to the required documents on the official tourism board website . Alternatively, check with the local Danish embassy in your country. Just remember, the Faroe Islands are not part of the EU and have different visa requirements than Denmark.

Book your Faroe Islands accommodation before you book anything else

My quick search for available accommodations on the Faroe Islands was very eye-opening. With just a handful of hotels, a few B&B’s, and several private rentals, Faroe Islands had a grand total of 74 properties for us to choose from. Then I filtered my search for accommodations for 5 people and had just 13 properties left. 13!!!

When I finally filled in our travel dates and got a warning that 98% of all accommodations for August were fully booked… What was left was a tent in the camping and a house on Sandur island that we weren’t even planning to visit…

At this point, I realized that planning a summer trip to the Faroe Islands four months in advance is clearly much too late . Yet, we were determined to go…

What followed was the craziest trip planning method I have ever used. I searched Booking.com for every available accommodation for every single night during the entire month of August. We even searched for Airbnb even though we never use them, but that didn’t help much… I then put it all in a spreadsheet and made a 10-day Faroe Islands itinerary based on available accommodations.

Only after I booked the hotels and made sure we had a roof above our heads for every single night, I finally booked the flights and reserved a rental car.

TIP: Check for the availability of accommodations before you book your trip to the Faroe Islands, especially if you are planning to visit in July or August.

If you are still not convinced, here is a story for you. We met two young people in our hotel in Torshavn who just arrived in the Faroe Islands without booking anything upfront. They quickly found out that there was nothing available on any island, for days in a row. They were going to every hotel in town begging for a place to stay, I really wonder if they found anything in the end…

Our hosts at another accommodation said that in July and August they get almost daily calls from people looking for last-minute places to stay, while everything is usually fully booked months in advance… So don’t be that person and book in advance.

Best places to stay on the Faroe Islands

One of the best places to stay on the Faroe Islands is the capital, Torshavn. The reason is quite simple – most hotels and accommodations are located in Torshavn.

Also, pretty much any place that can be reached by car is less than 1,5hrs drive from Torshavn. Therefore it’s definitely feasible to just base yourself in the city and take day trips. I think that Torshavn is a good place to stay if you only have a few days on the Faroe Islands and want to have complete flexibility.

However, we found that staying in Torshavn is not ideal for seeing all the places that we wanted to see. So we opted for a self-drive trip and rented accommodations at several different locations. The main reason is that driving up and down will often mean that you spend 2-4hrs in the car each day, passing many of the same places every time.

In addition, with just 100km/day mileage limit on your rental car, it’s inevitable that you’ll exceed this limit big way if you opt to drive up and down to Torshavn each day.

Also, we noticed that accommodation gets cheaper the further you go from Torshavn , and so does the food at the restaurants. Just, once again, there isn’t that much available outside the city…

TIP: If you want to see the best of the Faroe Islands, I recommend to make a road trip. Book several accommodations on different islands, and not base yourself in Torshavn the whole time.

Here are some of the best places to stay for a self-drive road trip on the Faroe Islands:

• Stay in Torshavn for exploring Streymoy island, taking a day trip to Nolsoy or even one of the further located islands, or popular boat excursions like Vestmanna cliffs or RIB62 tour to Hestur island.
• Stay in Gjogv for exploring Eysturoy island. We stayed at Gjaargardur Guesthouse in Gjogv – one of my favorite accommodations of this trip. The rooms here are quite simple, but the location is stunning and so is the food.
• Klaksvik is the best base for exploring the northern islands, including Kalsoy.
• Accommodation on Vagar island makes it easy to explore Vagar and take a day trip to Mykines. It’s also close to the airport, so perfect if you arrive late or have to catch an early flight on the day of your departure.
• We also stayed on Suduroy island , but I’d only add it to your itinerary if you are staying in the Faroe Islands for more than a week.

LEARN MORE: Best Hotels in the Faroe Islands (complete guide!)

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Torshavn . You can also zoom out and see availability in other places. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your trip. Check it out!

How long should you stay in the Faroe Islands

I think that you really need at least 4-5 days to see some of the main highlights of the Faroe Islands .

Ideally, you stay at least a week. This will give you the time to see all the best places, do some hiking, and maybe do a tour or two (boat trips, hiking, and horse riding are the most popular options).

Here you can find our Faroe Islands itinerary suggestions for any trip from 3 to 9 days.

How to get around on the Faroe Islands

Despite the fact that Faroe Islands consist of 18 different islands, you can easily see a lot in the Faroe Islands by car . Most bigger islands are connected by bridges or tunnels, and there are also (car) ferry connections to the other islands.

Car ferries in the Faroe cannot be booked in advance. You just arrive at the harbour and get your ticket on board. Also, you only have to pay for your trip once, the ticket always includes the return journey. Mykines ferry is for passengers only. It’s also the only ferry on the islands that requires advance reservations.

The Faroe Islands also have a good bus network, so it’s possible to travel between the islands without the car. However, many highlights are not located near big towns, so you’d probably not be able to see everything that you want.

It’s also possible to travel between the islands by helicopter . See more information below.

Here you can find all the practical information as well as ferry and bus timetables for the Faroe Islands .

Faroe Islands helicopter

Helicopter is a popular means of transport between the Faroe Islands. Traveling by helicopter is surprisingly cheap as it is subsidized by the government. The cheapest helicopter ride fares cost less than a short taxi ride in London.

However, to prevent tourists from taking too much advantage of this, helicopter rides can only be booked in one direction (no return) for the same day. So if you are considering taking a helicopter to get to one or the other island, keep in mind that you’ll either have to come back by boat, or stay on the island for a few days. Helicopters don’t run daily.

The most popular and easiest to do for tourists is the helicopter to Mykines island . It arrives in Mykines in the morning, allowing you to take a boat back in the evening. However, there are just 12 seats on the helicopter and since recently you can only book the tickets one week in advance. If you do want to book this ride in summer, you’ll probably have to try around midnight of the day when the bookings open.

Note that even if you secure a place on the helicopter, it’s very likely that the boat to come back will be fully booked for that day. So you’d almost have to book the boat tickets first and then hope you can get the helicopter.

Just to complicate things a bit more, the helicopter departs from Vagar airport. Whereas the boat comes back to Sørvágur Harbor, 2km away. So you’d have to figure out where to leave your car and how to get back to it in the evening.

As you can see, trying to get a helicopter to Mykines requires quite some advance planning and lots of flexibility on your side. At the same time, keep in mind, that the boats often get canceled due to stormy weather. And you don’t want to get stuck on Mykines without having arranged accommodation or food in advance. So, as much as it sounded appealing at first, we just decided to take a boat both ways.

If you really want to travel by helicopter in the Faroe Islands, consider flying to some other islands that are not as popular with tourists . All the other helicopter routes allow booking a month in advance. For example, you could take a ferry to Suduroy island, spend a night there, and then take a helicopter to get back to Torshavn the next day.

Here you can find all the timetables and booking information for the Faroe Islands helicopter .

Renting a car on the Faroe islands

If you want to explore the Faroe islands at your own pace, a self-drive trip by rental car is the best way to do it. You don’t need any special car or 4WD in the Faroe Islands (not in summer, anyway). Actually, small cars have advantages as the roads are narrow and some ferries quite small. Since we visited the Faroe Islands with three kids, we rented the biggest 2WD we could find.

There aren’t that many car rental companies available on the Faroe Islands, but we discovered that prices differ a lot. Here you can find the biggest selection of car rental options in the Faroe Islands .

I also recommend checking our favorite website which we use for car hire anywhere in the world. When we traveled, they had an option to rent a car with a big brand that wasn’t featured in the previously mentioned list. It was 30-60% cheaper than any other company offering the exact same car at that moment. This saved us more than 600 EUR.

Also, I kept looking at car rental prices as we got closer to our trip departure date and prices skyrocketed. So book your rental car as soon as you have your flight tickets!

One thing to keep in mind is that for some strange reason most car rental companies in the Faroe Islands seem to have a maximum mileage per day . It’s usually set at 100km/day and they charge extra fees for any additional kilometers. We rented a car for 10 days and drove 1,004km. We exceeded our mileage limit by just 4km(!) and yes, they charged us extra for that.

Driving in the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands have right-hand traffic (same as in the US and most of Europe, except the UK).

Driving on the Faroe Islands is not that difficult and the main roads are generally good. Most bigger roads are wide enough for two cars. However, there are quite a few roads and also dark narrow tunnels that are just wide enough for one car. In those cases, you are expected to pull over to the side that has wider places foreseen especially for this; it’s really self-explanatory actually.

The biggest danger on the roads in the Faroe Islands are probably the sheep. There are many of them and they cross unexpectedly, so I recommend to always slow down if you see any animals next to the road.

Traffic is somewhat busier around Torshavn and other bigger towns but is pretty quiet on the rest of the islands. We haven’t experienced any traffic jams and didn’t see any accidents.

Parking is usually free, but in Torshavn center, there is a time limit of how long you are allowed to stay. Every rental car is equipped with a small clock that you have to adjust to indicate your arrival time.

You should always have your lights on when driving in the Faroe Islands.

Toll roads on the Faroe Islands

There are several sub-sea toll tunnels on the Faroe Islands that cost 100 DKK (14EUR) for a return trip. You’ll have to pay when driving from Vágar through Vágatunnilin, and driving from Klaksvík through Norðoyatunnilin.

Also the newly opened Eysturoy Tunnel is a toll tunnel. It saves you such a long drive that the toll can be worth it.

In principle, the toll has to be paid at the nearest petrol station. However, most rental cars are equipped with a special transmitter, and this fee will be charged by your car rental company directly from your credit card. Just to be safe, best ask about this when you pick up the car, so that you don’t end up paying twice.

Buttercup routes of the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands have several particularly scenic routes , called ‘Buttercup routes’. They are indicated by a small green sign with a yellow flower on it. Faroe Islands tourist maps have all these routes indicated in green, so you really can’t miss them.

When is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands?

Arguably, every season has its charms, but most people visit the Faroe Islands between May and September . June, July, and August are the most popular months. The weather is at its best and it’s also the season when you can expect to see puffins.

If you visit the Faroe Islands outside the summer season, you’ll have the main landmarks all to yourself. Just keep in mind that facilities outside big towns are really minimal even in summer, so don’t expect much if you are traveling off-season.

Faroe Islands can be magical in winter as well, especially if it’s cold and dry. However, it can also be very wet. The good thing is that the temperatures remain quite mild. Average temperatures in the Faroe Islands in December, January, and February are between 2 and 6 °C (35 – 43°F).

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

What kind of weather can I expect in the Faroe Islands?

Faroe Islands have a relatively mild climate . It hardly ever gets really very cold, but it’s not warm either. In winter you’ll have temperatures around 2-6°C (36-43F) and in summer 6-12°C (43-54 F). The biggest difference is the rain – there are twice as many rainy days in December or January as in June. Summer might have the best weather for visiting the Faroe Islands, but keep in mind that a ‘heat wave’ with temperatures over 20°C (68F) is an extremely rare occurrence.

The weather here in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean can be really harsh, but it also changes frequently . It’s not unusual to have rain in one place, mist just a bit down the road, and sunshine another mile further.

We visited the Faroe Islands in August and had maximum temperatures of 12°C (54F) every single day. We experienced all kinds of Faroe weather with everything from blue skies and sunshine, to mist and the most miserable rain I’ve seen in my life, and everything in between…

Mostly we would get all kinds of weather in one day. Just a few days were completely dry and at times even sunny. And one day it was raining pretty much non-stop from early morning till late in the afternoon. Unfortunately, that was the day when we visited Mykines – a place where yo can hardly hide anywhere. We got soaking wet and freezing cold in no time. Rain pants would have been really handy here!

What to wear when visiting the Faroe Islands?

What to wear and what to pack on the Faroe Islands will depend a bit on the season when you travel. In general, you always need good sturdy waterproof footwear (if you plan to do any hiking, hiking boots are a must!). A waterproof jacket is a must in any season and waterproof pants are really nice to have too. Rain ponchos and umbrellas are pretty much useless due to high winds.

Even in summer, you should pack a warm hat, shawl/buff, and gloves . Make sure you have several layers of clothing as the weather changes all the time. We had days where we started out with 4 layers (t-shirt, two sweaters, and a rain jacket), and then went to 1, and back to 4 again.

Most tourists we met at the hotels wore jeans and casual sweaters, but remember that jeans are really the worst type of clothing to wear if it rains. We wore our hiking pants pretty much the entire vacation. They are light and dry quickly. Yet, we really regretted we didn’t take rain pants . When it rains, it pours down, and you get soaking wet in a matter of minutes.

I don’t think your packing list will differ much from summer to winter, just in winter, you’ll need a warmer jacket, warmer socks, and more layers (ideally wool). Thermal merino wool underwear is a must for destinations like the Faroe Islands (I wore mine in August).

What are the best places to see on the Faroe Islands

The best places to see on the Faroe Islands include Tinganes in Torshavn, Kirkjubøur, Saksun, and Tjornuvik villages, Gjogv, Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island, Múlafossur Waterfall near Gasadalur, the famous view from Trælanípa hike, the bird cliffs of Vestmanna or Hestur, and of course Mykines Island.

There are obviously many more stunning locations that are well worth a visit, but – in my opinion – the ones listed above are really not to be missed on any visit to the Faroe Islands.

TIP: If you don’t know where to start and don’t want to worry about roads, ferry schedules, or travel planning, consider booking organized day tours .

There are also multi-day packages that bring you to the best places of the Faroe Islands on organized day trips from Torshavn. So you stay in the same hotel every day and have a local guide pick you up for the day. The most popular option is this 6-day guided tour package – it covers all the musts!

An old-fashioned paper travel guide is also nice to have if you have more time to explore the islands or if you want to learn more about the places that you are visiting.

What are the most beautiful hikes of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have a lot of hiking possibilities. But not all hikes are worth your time equally.

In my opinion, the best hikes of the Faroe Islands are: Villingardalsfjall and Enniberg (Viðoy island), Kallur Lighthouse (Kalsoy island), Trælanípa – Bøsdalafossur (Vagar island), Mykinesholmur (Mykines Island), Saksun – út á Lónna (Streymoy island).

LEARN MORE: Hiking in the Faroe Islands

What kind of money do they use on the Faroe Islands and do you need cash?

Faroe Islands use the Danish krona (DKK). You can get some cash from an ATM at the airport or in bigger towns. We found that you don’t really need cash when traveling in the Faroe Islands – pretty much everything can be paid by credit card.

We took some cash because one of the accommodations required cash payment, but that was the only time we used it.

How expensive are the Faroe Islands

Despite its remote location, Faroe Islands are more affordable than I thought. I expected Faroe Islands to be as expensive as Iceland , but was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t the case.

Just like anywhere else in the world, there are big differences in what food costs at an upscale restaurant in the capital city or a pizzeria in a small town.

After the initial shock of seeing 50-70EUR dishes at some fancy restaurants in Torshavn downtown, somehow we managed to find affordable meals for our family during the whole 10-night stay on the Faroe Islands.

We had a 50 EUR/adult dinner buffet at our hotel in Torshavn, while the evening before we spent just 48 EUR for 5 meals. We paid 12 EUR fish&chips/person in Klaksvik, and a total of 60 EUR for pizza and drinks for the whole family at the best pizza place on the Faroe Islands – Joe Pizza in Hvalvik.

Smidjan restaurant on Vagar island (not far from the airport) also has simple food at normal prices. Kids’ menu costs just around 9 EUR, fish & chips – 12 EUR, the most expensive big pizza – 20EUR.

Fuel is much cheaper on the Faroe Islands than in Western Europe.

Hotel prices in the Faroe Islands are somewhat in line with those in other Scandinavian countries. We paid as much as 310 EUR/ night for a family room including breakfast in Torshavn and as little as 110 EUR/ night for a 3-bedroom house on Suduroy island. Most other accommodations cost us around 200 EUR/night. Note that we traveled with 5 people: 2 adults and 3 kids.

Car rental is quite expensive on the Faroe Islands, but not more than in Iceland or Norway (it’s also much more affordable if booked in advance). We rented a big SUV for 10 days and paid around 830 EUR, which is about the same as we paid in Norway for a somewhat smaller car. Check here for the best car rental prices .

Ferries and public transport are subsidized and therefore not expensive at all. Just to give you an idea, Mykines ferry was the most expensive route we took without a car, it cost 120 DKK (16 EUR)/adult return. Return fare on a ferry to Suduroy island was 225 DKK (30 EUR) for a car and a driver. A 7-day unlimited ferry & bus pass costs 700 DKK (95 EUR).

Buses within Torshavn are free of charge.

Guided tours in the Faroe Islands aren’t cheap, however, they usually include everything and allow you to see a lot in a short time. Here you can find the biggest selection of guided day trips and tours in the Faroe Islands .

Is it easy to find where to eat on the Faroe Islands?

All bigger towns on the Faroe Islands have restaurants and supermarkets . For example, in Torshavn, you’ll find a big shopping center and all types of restaurants: everything from Burger King, upscale restaurants, and everything in between. But it’s not the case outside Torshavn.

Most restaurants in smaller towns are only open in the evenings. There are also many small villages that have no restaurants or even cafés at all.

If you get the Faroe Islands tourist map at the airport, you’ll see that it shows all the facilities, including restaurants and petrol stations. But even then, it’s possible that some restaurants in remote villages are only open in high season, or just on certain days…

To be on the safe side, we always recommend packing a picnic for lunch . It gives you complete flexibility and is truly the best way to not have to worry about finding food along the way.

Where can I buy alcohol on the Faroe Islands?

Just like Iceland, the Faroe Islands have quite strict rules when it comes to buying alcohol . You won’t find alcoholic drinks over 2.8% vol at the supermarkets. All stronger alcoholic beverages are only sold by Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins, which has six shops on the islands.

You can get alcohol at the restaurants, but if you want to buy some, the easiest place to do so is the Duty-Free shop at the airport.

Do they speak English in the Faroe Islands?

The official language on the Faroe Islands is Faroese, but everyone we met on the Faroe spoke perfect English. So you should have no problem communicating with most locals.

Do EU roaming regulations count on the Faroe Islands?

EU roaming regulations do not count on the Faroe Islands (not for us coming from Belgium, in any case). This means that you’ll either have to get a local SIM card or pay roaming fees when using your mobile phone connection in the Faroe Islands.

The good news is that pretty much all accommodations and a few other places like some restaurants and even ferries offer free wi-fi .

Is it safe to travel to the Faroe Islands?

Yes, it’s absolutely safe to travel in the Faroe Islands. In fact, I think the Faroe has the lowest crime rate of any place we’ve ever visited. Probably the biggest danger in the Faroe Islands is going too close to the edge of the cliffs or driving in the mist.

Where can I see puffins in the Faroe Islands?

Before we talk about the best places to see puffins on the Faroe Islands, you should know that you can only see them in summer. Best time to see puffins on the Faroe Islands is from May till late August; if you’re lucky, they might be around from mid-April till mid-September.

Mykines island is without any doubt the best place to see puffins from close by on the Faroe Islands. Vestmanna or RIB62 boat tours go to bird cliffs and you’ll see a lot of puffins as well, however, from a much bigger distance.

There are also big puffin colonies on many other locations all over the Faroe Islands, but the chances to see them from close by are minimal. We spotted puffins in Gjogv, but they were really far.

Here you can book a guided tour to Mykines island with a local .

What kind of lenses to pack for photography on the Faroe Islands?

I used two lenses during our Faroe Islands trip: 70-200mm telephoto lens for puffins and a wide-angle 16-35mm lens for landscapes and all the rest. You really need a wide-angle lens for the Faroe Islands!

READ ALSO: Travel Photography Tips

What kind of electrical plugs do they use on the Faroe Islands?

Faroe Islands use European electricity plugs (220-230 volts AC (50 Hz)). If you are coming from outside continental Europe, you’ll need to use European adapter plugs .

Whaling on the Faroe Islands

Unfortunately, the Faroe Islands is one of the few places in the world that still allow whaling . If you travel in the Faroe Islands towards the end of the summer, the chances are high that you’ll be an involuntary witness of whale slaughter.

I don’t want to go into a discussion about whaling, the reasons behind it, and the century-old whaling traditions in the Faroe Islands. I just want to tell you this – if you don’t want to see it, do yourself a favor and don’t stop next to the bay where there are lots of cars parked by the road.

We saw boats in the water and all those smiling families with kids walking along the road to the bay and thought it was some kind of a local market or celebration. By the time we realized what was happening and why the sea was bright red, it was too late… We found ourselves standing on the beach surrounded by tens of dead pilot whales… So the next time we saw hundreds of cars parked by the road and tens of boats in the water, we quickly drove away…

It was a heartbreaking sight for us and I hope and strongly believe that increasing tourism and awareness will make an end to this centuries-old whaling tradition in the Faroe Islands. But in the meantime, as hard as it is to understand, try to remember that you’re just a guest here.

So, these are my tips and practical information for your visit to the Faroe Islands . Want to add anything or ask a question? You can do so by leaving a reply below.

If interested, you can also join our Facebook group for Scandinavia travel and ask your questions/ share experiences there.

Summary of the most popular FAQs

While every season has its charms, the best time to visit the Faroe Islands is between May and September. June, July, and August are the most popular months with the best weather.

While you can expect to see puffins in the Faroe Islands between mid-April to September, the best time to see puffins is between May and mid-August.

Yes, you can visit the Faroe Islands at any time of the year. However, some places on the more remote islands might not be easily accessible in the low season, and tourist facilities outside Torshavn are limited in winter.

Faroe Islands is not a cheap destination, but it’s cheaper than e.g. Iceland. With good planning and smart budgeting, you can make your trip quite affordable. For example, accommodation and restaurants outside of Torshavn are much cheaper than in the city and public transport is very cheap too.

Faroese is the official language on the Faroe Islands, but everyone we met in the Faroe Islands spoke perfect English.

Yes, you can easily visit the most popular places in the Faroe Islands by car. The main islands are connected with bridges and undersea tunnels and there are also car ferries to the other islands. Some islands like Mykines cannot be visited by car, but you can get there by boat or by helicopter.

Depending on where you are coming from, you can visit the Faroe Islands in your own car. There are car ferries between the Faroe Islands and Iceland and also between the Faroe Islands and Denmark.

Yes, the Faroe Islands is a very safe travel destination, probably one of the safest places in the world. The biggest danger is running into some sheep on the road.

More tips for visiting the Faroe Islands:

• Hiking: Best Hikes in the Faroe Islands
• Accommodation: Faroe Islands Hotels

READ ALSO our suggestions for the Faroe Islands itinerary (any duration)

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Thursday 18th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, Thank you for your valuable insight on the Faroe Islands. It looks lovely. We're looking at visiting the Faroe Islands summer of 2024. I'll be traveling with 3 children. I've heard about the Grindadrap. I understand it takes place anywhere between May - September (perhaps multiple times). I respect other cultures and their traditions but I'd rather not be there during this event with my children. From what I've read the time and where it occurs really depends upon when whales and dolphins are spotted. Anyone have any additional information that might be helpful regarding this? I reached out to the tourism office but haven't heard from them.

Friday 19th of January 2024

Hi Monica, I understand your concern, but if you ever want to visit the Faroe Islands, you just have to accept that whaling is still a thing there. Based on our personal experience, I can tell you that there is indeed a chance of running into such an event when traveling around. And no, there is no way to predict it. It can occur anywhere and at any time. We saw it twice during our visit. On one occasion, we saw red sea from far, before we even got closer. On another occasion, we saw boats behind whales still in the water. In most cases, even if you see something going on, you can just drive by without actually seeing much, but sometimes you can't avoid seeing certain things, especially if the road passes close to a harbor. However, it's just as likely that you won't witness any of this during your trip at all. So it's really up to you to decide. If you absolutely want to avoid even the smallest chance of seeing any of this, then you would have to research which season is 'safe' and travel at that time. Or go somewhere else. Iceland is a great alternative and very nice to do with kids. Our kids loved all the hot pools everywhere. Whatever you decide, for this summer, you have to book asap. Both - the Faroe Islands and Iceland have quite limited accommodation options outside the capital region so it quickly books up. We have tons of information about visiting Iceland on our blog, if you're interested.

Thursday 17th of August 2023

Just read that a weekly flight from New York is starting up. Hope they are ready for an explosion of tourism.

I'm not sure they are ready for a big influx of tourists even on the main islands, let alone the smaller ones... The future will tell, I suppose.

Monday 1st of May 2023

Hi Jurga, Do you know how much does each ferry ride cost (to Nolsoy and Kalsoy)? The website doesn't seem to indicate, and I am wondering if I should purchase the travel card if I am going each island once. Do I purchase the ticket at the port on the day I am taking the ferry?

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

Hi Jean, we just got all our tickets at the harbor. I don't remember the prices anymore, but it wasn't expensive at all. It's a local (and I think heavily subsidized) public transport, so the prices are very reasonable.

Glenda Hills

Sunday 23rd of April 2023

Your blog is FANTASTIC ... thank you. I'm seriously considering travelling to the Faroe Islands in September 2024 with a photography group and your information is ever so helpful.

Glad to hear that, Glenda. The Faroe Islands is a beautiful destination for a photo tour!

Saturday 25th of February 2023

Hi, do you know how likely are they to cancel ferries to Mykines Island? I have the visit to Mykines at the end of my trip and I am thinking if I should extend my stay for a day in case the plan falls through, so I can reschedule and try again. Any advice?

Sunday 26th of February 2023

Hi Jean, there is no way anyone can tell you in advance how likely it is that the ferry gets canceled. It really depends on the weather, and yes, it can happen. So yes, it can be a good idea to foresee some flexibility in your travel plans.

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Everything you need to know to visit the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands is one of the least visited most remote parts of Europe and also one of the most naturally stunning.  When you visit the Faroe Islands you’ll discover such incredible and breathtaking landscapes that you will hardly be able to compare them to anything else you’ve seen.

A trip to the Faroe Islands is like a journey to a parallel world of volcanic islands, cliffs jutting from the sea , surreal angles that seem to be playing a visual trick on your eyes…

Faroe Islands travel is an easy means to get away from it all for the islands have more sheep than people and you are never more than 5km away from the ocean.

Watch my video that captures the beauty of the islands here:

Where are the Faroe Islands – Maps and location

The Faroe Islands is a group of 18 independent and self-governing islands that are a territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark . They are located in the North Atlantic Ocean to the south of Iceland , the north of Scotland and West of Norway.

If you try to find the Faroe Islands on a map you may struggle because they are tiny. Here is a map of the Faroe Islands where you can see all the islands and the main roads and ferry routes connecting them.

The map above above is scanned from the one we used while on the ground to plot our Faroe Islands travel itinerary. They are available pretty much at every hotel and tourist spot and included in the small but handy brochure the Tourism Office issues.

The map shows that most of the islands in the Faroe are connected by underground tunnels, some of which take over five minutes to drive, short bridges or, in some occasions, ferries.

The long underground tunnels are really impressive. They dip down, cross the ocean and then the road climbs back up.

History of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are said to have first been inhabited by Irish monks in the 6th century who were looking for a peaceful retreat away from it all. It is obvious that they found that.

About 100 years later, the islands were colonized by Norwegian Vikings who made it a central part of their empire. Their Parliament can still be seen today, in Tinganes, in Torshavn.

The name was originally Faereyjar and first appeared in 1225 but was given by the Norwegian Vikings in the 9th century to refer to the “Sheep Islands”.

Aside from the cultural and human development on the islands, the natural development is worth a few paragraphs. From a geological standpoint, the Faroe Islands are made of volcanic basalt and give the appearance of being tilted from the west to the east, with sharp cliffs on the western side and rolling shores on the eastern.

The islands were created some 60 million years ago by the eruption of several volcanoes. Each eruption brought in a new basalt layer that sandwiched the layers of ashes from the previous eruption.

This volcanic land mass used to be covered by trees, but they disappeared when the first settlers cut them for wood and were never replanted. As a result, the Faroe Islands are devoid of any trees, giving the hills, cliffs and mountains covered in grass and moss, an even more dramatic look.

The rock formations and incredible landscapes have given way to an infinite number of legends where elves, witches and magical creatures play a central role. Every unique shape comes with its own tale, every inexplicable natural phenomenon has a magical explanation. The Faroe Islands are the playground of grown up tale tellers.

Since 1948, the Faroe Islands are a self-governing nation under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Despite being a part of Denmark, the Faroe Islands is not a part of the European Union, which explains its complex visa situation. Here is an article that explains further about how many countries there are in the world and if Faroe Islands and Greenland are included in this list. 

Tourism in the Faroe Islands

With less than 50,000 inhabitants and less than a dozen hotels, tourism in the Faroe Islands is minimal, especially in the winter when the weather is sub-zero and the mountains are covered in snow.

The tourism infrastructure is seasonal and well developed only in the summer months. Even then you will feel like you have discovered one of the least explored parts of Western Europe.

I wondered how many people visited the islands and if it would feature on the list of the Least Visited Countries in the world , so I did a little investigation.

The Faroe Islands only had 160,000 bed nights in 2016 according to the Tourism Office numbers, but this number has been increasing by about 35% . 

Of these bed nights, around 20% were taken by Faroese returning home. There are over 20,000 Faroese living abroad (mostly in mainland Denmark). Danish also made up 30% of the hotel nights. That means that less than half of the hotel nights were occupied by foreigners.

If one considers an average trip of five nights, that leaves only about 20,000 foreign visitors a year proving the point that the Faroe Islands is one of the least visited places in Europe.

However, don’t let this deter you. If anything, I hope this guide will make you want to visit it more after reading. The tourism authority actually closed the island to tourists in April 2019 to conduct some TLC and maintenance like new walkways, erecting viewpoints, and placing more signage in well-trodden paths to make a visit that much more convenient. 

To help you organise your time and activities while on the island, the Tourism Office of the Faroe Islands has offices in most of the large islands usually manned by friendly and useful folk. Even the small islands have an office that is ready to help. Or you can also book a Faroe Islands tour .

Here is the list of regional tourism offices:

Things to do and see in the Faroe Islands

The majority of the activities on any Faroe Islands travel itinerary happen outdoors because nature is the Faroe Islands’ best and most unique feature. The volcanic mountains, the waterfalls, the sharp cliffs, the rock formations. The Faroe Islands look stunning from every angle.

There are a lot of hiking trails, trekking opportunities and stunning viewpoints that need to be absorbed, enjoyed and experienced. No matter how many breathtaking photos I show you, the best Faroe Islands vacation is the one you will have on the ground.

So let me shortlist a few of the best activities and things to see when you visit the Faroe Islands, so you can start planning a trip. Bonus : check out these interesting facts about the Faroe Islands that will give you some really great insight into the area before you visit.

Day trip to Mykines

Mykines is perhaps the best known part on any visitors Faroe Islands travel itinerary. The funny-looking cute puffins draw tourists in hordes to Mykines where they can be found in large groups during the summer months nestled in burrows in the clifftops.

Apart from the rich bird life, the hike to the lighthouse is another favourite.

Getting to Mykines requires you to take a helicopter or a ferry , neither of which runs in the winter months because of rough seas and wind. Even in the summer, you can easily get stuck if the weather suddenly turns, as it often does on the islands.

Road tripping the Faroe Islands

One of the best things to do on the Faroe Islands is to just simply drive and enjoy the many viewpoints along the roads.

In five days, I drove almost 1,000 kilometers.

Bear in mind the speed limit is only 80km/hour outside of urban centers and the roads can be very narrow and windy so you won’t be driving very fast. Also, if you go in the winter, the roads may be covered in snow or ice.

The tourism office edits a map of the Faroe Islands that has all the scenic roads and viewpoints marked on it. These roads, which have a flower icon on them and are green in color, are the perfect easy way to enjoy the best routes and views. Check it out below.

Some of my recommended ones are the one that runs from the capital all the way north , it climbs up to higher altitudes and you can stop along the way for lovely views of the valley below on both sides. The windmills, dancing to the strong winds that grace the islands, are majestic to see.

There are other interesting rock formations and places to see that are nice to include in your itinerary. Here are a few of the interesting landmarks that you should check out during your roadtrip when you visit the Faroe islands.

• Trøllkonufingur translated as “troll-woman’s fingers” is a loose rock at the end of a finger-looking 313 meter tall rock. The name was given by the locals because they said that it was the hand of a troll woman coming out from the sea that was trying to grab the Faroe Islands and throw it to Iceland. Legend has it that the rock claimed the life of a climber who, after having made it to the top, climbed down, only to forget his glove. He climbed back up to retrieve the glove and fell to his death. The rock has successfully been climbed a few times.
• Risin & Kellingin , the witch and the giant, are two rocks off the coast of Eidi. Legend has it that an Icelandic king sent a giant and his witch wife to the Faroe Islands to steal them for Iceland. They tried to tie a rope around a rock but as they pulled it, it broke off. Busy as they were to work out how to steal the islands, they forgot that the morning was coming. As they are creatures of the night, the sun rays turned them into stone.

Explore Torshavn

The capital of the Faroe Islands takes its name from the Nordic God of War, Thor , but is a quaint and pretty looking city on the ocean shores spread over a semi-circular bay.

As the most developed part of the country, you can find everything here, but do not expect major modern developments. There are only three traffic lights here and the locals still wave good day to passers-by.

However, the old and the new coexist happily in Torshavn and you can see the typical grass turf roofed houses next to modern condominiums. It is a city that blends Nordic influences, with hip stores and locally produced items, and a certain Ikea feeling that is so recognizable to visitors from abroad.

Torshavn has a few landmarks worth half a day of exploration. Here is a list of the main sights in the Faroese capital.

Torshavn Harbour Vagsbotnur

The city’s harbour is a great place for a stroll . There are a number of cafes, pretty wooden fishing boats, produce for sale, stores selling the typical wool sweaters with patterns that are so well-known and colourful facades of many buildings. It’s very quaint here and you may feel like you are a bit in your own fairy tale.

From the harbour stroll to the most famous part of Torshavn: Tinganes, the place of the old Parliament and the new government buildings. The red buildings with grass roofs are pretty and the narrow alleys are characteristic of a time gone by.

Torshavn cathedral

The cathedral in Torshavn, known as Dómkirkjan , is a landmark of the city. Built in 1788, it belongs to the Evangelical -Lutheran National Church of the Faroe Islands and is the seat of the Faroese bishop.

The cathedral’s altarpiece is from 1647 and a simple example of Renaissance art .

Inside the cathedral, the designs are modern and unlike other European religious churches. Walk in to have a look.

Other landmarks in and around Torshavn

I have marked a few other places in the map of Torshavn that might be worth taking a look. Here is a list:

• Steinprent is a graphic workshop with works on display, but the buildings used to house the first Faroese factory, Ostroms which produced fish oil.
• National Museum , for a bit of history, changing exhibitions and a warm place to escape to if the weather is harsh!
• Nolsoy is an island in front of the capital. It can be accessed by a ferry that crosses the waters in 20min. There are a few every day. Once there, you can hike to the lighthouse, enjoy some local food at Maggie’s cafe, buy sweaters designed by the locals, or see the Storm Petrel birds, a nocturnal animal that can be visited by the hands of the local taxidermist Jens Kjeld Jensen who organises night excursions in the summer months. You will not be able to see the birds, but you can hear them.

Explore small and quaint towns

You’ll see when you visit the Faroe Islands that they are filled with quaint villages made of wooden houses, grass roofs and red window frames that look like they have been taken out of a perfect postcard picture or a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

Some of these houses, wrapped around the mist that is so commonplace in the Faroe Islands, looks like they may be inhabited by magical creatures.

If you include a road trip on your Faroe Islands travel plans, exploring the many villages is the best way to see the country, especially in the winter months when the options for water or air borne activities are non-existent.

I enjoyed stopping by at all the idyllic villages and exploring their wild rugged magic. Here is a list of the best villages in the Faroe Islands worth a trip.

Gásadalur  – Vagar Islands

Gásadalur, best known for Mulafossur waterfall , is one of the Faroe Islands’ most recognizable spots. The village is very picturesque and can only be reached via the relatively new one-way tunnel that was blasted through the mountains in 2004.

The village sits atop a plateau, in a valley, surrounded by towering 700-800m high mountains at either side. It is well known for the fact that, until the tunnel was built, the village was completely isolated and getting in or out required hiking across the mountains which the postman used to do every week.

The area can be extremely windy, as I discovered, and the path down to have the best view of the waterfall is muddy and slippery (especially when frozen) so be careful.

The fishermen living here have it very tough as the landing point is higher up and to get down to the beach they need to brave a steep staircase built by the British in 1940 during their occupation of the islands in WWII .

The area is said to be named after the geese that come here, or after legends of spirits and elfs. Because of its remoteness, Gásadalur is inhabited by around 20 people , so most of the quaint Faroese houses are uninhabited.

Sandavagur – Vagar Island

Continuing on your Faroe Islands travel route, on your drive from the airport to Torshavn you are likely to drive past Sandavagur. The village is recognizable thanks to its pretty red-roofed church that stands tall by the stream, the fourth church to be built in the same location. But there is more to this small village than just the church.

Sandavagur is an old settlement believed to have existed since Medieval times thanks to old stones with writings.

Although the village is not very big, there is a pleasant historical walking tour that has been put together by the local authorities and which tells of the history of the area. These are a few things to see in the village:

• Sandavagur Church is recent, built at the beginning of the 20th century and it is the forth that was erected in the same location. Aside from the Nordic facade, the red roof is recognizable from the road. The church is slightly elevated and surrounded by the cemetery as is tradition. Inside, you can see paintings and an altarpiece made by local artisans. The church is surrounded by a stone wall which protects it from sea erosion.
• Runic stone is proof that the village existed in 1200 AD as the writings date back to that time and are believed to be from the Torkils. The stone is found inside the church.
• Hammershaimb memorial was erected in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Hammershaimb is believed to be the father of the Faroese language and wrote a book on the orthography of the language when he realised that the oral tradition of the Faroese language was evolving into a multitude of dialects.

Slaettanes – Vagar island

This village is a good example of how Faroese used to live and will provide insight on the culture and history when you visit the Faroe Islands.

The village is abandoned today but you can still see how people lived for over a century when the village was inhabited.

The town was founded by Hendrik Thomassen , an experienced sheepherder who was sent to the area when the local sheep had to be tamed. He liked the area and settled there. With time, against the original reluctancy of the locals, more families moved in. Because the village was so isolated, the priest only came once a year and provisions had to be brought by boat, rowing from Vestmanna.

At its peak, Slaettanes had 75 inhabitants but its demise came when the electricity company advised them in 1964 that they would never bring electricity over. As a result, the residents all emigrated and the village became a ghost town.

Bøur – Vagar Island

Boeur (Bøur in Faroese) is another small village on the way to Gásadalur worth a stop. From here you have lovely views of the islet Tindhólmur. The village has 75 inhabitants, making it one of the largest in the Faroe Islands.

There are a lot of stories and legends around Boeur which explains why the land in this village is entirely owned by the Danish royal family, some of which talk about stolen fire or brotherly murders.

Nordradalur – Streymoy Islands

This very tiny village is not even on Google Maps , or rather it is marked in the wrong place, but I marked it correctly on my map in this article. So you should definitely save it for offline use when you visit the Faroe Islands.

I very much enjoyed stopping by. There were many curious sheep and a dog that came over to greet us, smell us and look at us as soon as we got out of the car and the views were stunning, even the snaking road down was impressive.

Kirkjubøur – Streymoy Islands

This village near Torshavn, the capital, is one of the most picturesque because of its genuine Faroese architecture and its position along the seashore. You can drive the 15mins to get there from the city, or walk for two hours across the mountain.

Kirkjubøur was the Medieval cultural and religious center of the Faroe Islands and this is obvious in the various remains.

The oldest church in the Faroe Islands, St Olav Church, and the Gothic St Magnus Cathedral nowadays called Muren and currently half in ruins half renovated are both located here.

The cathedral was built in the 14th century and many of its decorative features and elements are on display at the National Museum . The church, believed to be the only one from the Middle Ages is still in use.

The ruins of the cathedral are next to the oldest wooden house in Europe , dating from the 11th century and located in a dramatic seaside location. The house is called Roykstovan and was the King’s Farmhouse. It was built in Norway, dismantled and brought in pieces to the Faroe Islands. It is still inhabited by the Partusson family.

The oldest part of the house, Stokkastovan , is open to visitors. The door is always open, just push it in. There is a donation box to leave your contribution, and stepping inside is mystical .

I went to Kirkjubøur as the sun was rising and it was stunning, probably the most spectacular sight on my Faroe Islands travel itinerary.

Koltur – Streymoy Island

This small village has the only white sand beach in the country, but do not expect the fine sand beaches of Southeast Asia . There are rocks leading out to the sand. It is nonetheless an incredible sight in such a rough and volcanic place.

Reaching the island requires a private tour so you will need to check with the tourism office of Torshavn to see options available.

Saksun – Streymoy Island

Saksun is a tiny village of 14 inhabitants that follows Faroese architecture and sits on the shores of a tidal lagoon. It is as remote as it gets when you visit the Faroe Islands, over an hour’s drive from Torshavn, but it is worth a visit for its pretty location and its church, dating from 1858. An old farm, D úvugarðar, is today available for visits as a museum although it still is a functioning sheep farm.

Tjørnuvík – Streymoy Island

Arriving at Tjørnuvík feels like arriving at the end of the world.

The scenic, not for the faint of heart, winding one lane road ends here, so your only way out is retracing your steps.

The waves lap on the black sand and pebble beach in one of the few places where the shore is not rocky but made of sand.

If you’ve come to visit the Faroe Islands for surfing, this is the spot to be. The bay is relatively protected yet the waves can be high. If you stand at the parking lot at the entrance to the village and look out into the ocean, the view over the jotting rocks and cliffs is stunning.

Haldorsvik – Streymoy Island

Haldorsvik is known for its eight-face church that is quite unique . On your way to the village, you can pas by the tallest waterfall in the Faroe Islands, Fossa.

Gjógv – Eysturoy Island

Gjógv is a little idyllic village that is a recognizable image of the Faroe Islands because of the gorge running into the village and the perfect houses all with the turf roof and the wooden walls .

Because of its picture-perfect look and efforts in preserving and respecting the environment, the village was nominated by the Nordic Council for the Nature & Environmental Award in 2014.

If you are visiting the islands in the winter, like I did, you may struggle to reach Gjógv because of its truly isolated location and accessibility along a very narrow, frozen and unmaintained path.

The signs at the entrance of the mountain road indicate it is not being maintained and there is risk of rocks falling and slippery roads. After driving for 15 minutes into the mountains on a road covered in snow, I decided it was best to turn around as I was worried we might get stuck or slide off the mountain side and into the lake.

If you get there, there is a teahouse and a guesthouse called Gjaargardur with a restaurant in the high season where you can base yourself if you want to explore all the hiking trails in the area or the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands, Slættaratindur.

Funningur – Eysturoy Island

As opposed to other villages located on the side of the rocky shores, Funnigur is set on rolling hills by calm waters and has great views of the islands and hills around.

Hiking in the Faroe Islands – Best hiking trails

People come to the Faroe Islands for hiking and you should not leave the islands without at least a couple of hikes . There are a lot of very easy ones which simply follow flat grass paths, and others which are long and steep, requiring hikers to be fit and experienced.

Although most of the hiking when you visit the Faroe Islands can be done on your own, following relatively visible paths, you can also hire a guide. There is a very well known local resource called Hiking.fo that provides a lot of information about all the hiking routes. Free booklets with all the hikes are also available in all major tourist places like hotels or the tourism offices.

Below I will highlight the best known, the most beautiful and the most recommended hikes in the Faroe Islands. You can also read more about them in my article about the Best hikes in the Faroe Islands.

Hike from Boeur to Gásadalur (2.5h, Moderate to difficult)

In the previous section I told you all about both villages. What better way to feel like the old inhabitants of Gásadalur than by hiking from the nearest village along the path they had to take to reach the nearest facilities and services? You can read more about the legends around the hike here .

Hike to Slættaratindur

The hike to the island’s highest peak can be done in 4h from Gjogv or in around an hour from Eiðisskarð. As the highest mountain, topping 880m above sea level, the mountain is a symbol of the country and it is a tradition to climb it on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice on 21st June, where hikers can see the sun set and then rise in just a few hours.

Hike to Tindhólmur

The hike is moderate to difficult with rocky paths, waves, wind, etc. and there is no clear path . Unlike the rest of the hikes, this one is only for the bravest and most experienced and can take up to a day so make sure to attempt it in the summer months.  

You can also opt to see the formations from the sea on a group tour which you can book here .

Hike from Saksun to Tjørnuvík (3h, mostly easy with moderate to difficult parts)

Both quaint pretty villages, this walk takes in some of the most dramatic and unique places in the Faroe Islands along a grass pass. It is a great alternative to driving the winding road.

Hike Lake Sørvágsvatn / Leitisvatn (both names are used)

Lake Sørvágsvatn / Leitisvatn is the most well-known place in the Faroe Islands mostly because of the visual trick it plays on the eye from the ocean point of view where the lake looks like it is floating.

In winter, it looks like this, and as it was super windy, we could not fly the drone over the edge of the cliff to have the stunning view you see above. However, we did have it all to ourselves, not a rarity on our Faroe Islands travel journey, but pleasant nonetheless.

From the lake, a 35m waterfall cascades into the ocean but you may not be able to see it as you will be on top of it. Only the birds and maybe a drone have the opportunity to see it in its full glory.

You should definitely visit to have a real feel for the place, which the photos can never provide. The entire area is absolutely breathtaking, with waterfalls into the ocean, cliffs, birds and incredible viewpoints. Check this video out.

The hike is about 3h return but might take longer in the winter when many of the streams you need to cross are frozen and you need to walk on ice. If you have them, grampons will be extremely useful.

There is a small parking area in front of the tiny gate that leads onto the path. To get there, on your way from Torshavn, take the first left after the church and follow the signs. Leave the car and enter the path. It is pretty much a straight line to get to the edge where the cliff walls are. You can also return by hiking on the other side of the lake.

If you are not up for hiking or if you prefer a different view, there are lake boat tours on a boathouse departing from the village Vatnsoyrar.

Other sightseeing spots

Although it is hard to separate sightseeing from hiking or quaint villages, there are a few spots in the Faroe Islands that are worth seeing in themselves and which you should add to your Faroe Islands travel itinerary.

The town of Klaksvík, the country’s fishing center , is the second largest in the Faroe Islands after the capital and it has an important church that was inspired by old Nordic style.

From the outside, the architecture contrasts with the rest of the traditional churches that dot the country.

We did not go in because there was a funeral at the time, but the building is worth it even from the outside.

After exploring the many villages and remote parts of the islands, Klaksvik is refreshingly developed and urban, albeit for Faroese standards. The view from the road over the towering mountains coming up from the sea is spectacular.  

If you are into beer, one of the two breweries in the islands, Foroya Bjor , is located here.

Statue of the seal woman

The 3m statue of the seal woman can be found in the village of Mikladalur, on the island of Kalsoy, and it is a symbol of the Faroe Islands .

Legend has it that she is braving the wind and the rain to take one last look at her children which she left behind when she returned to the water after falling in love with a boy where she was forced to stay on land.

Other adventure spots in the Faroe Islands

When you visit the Faroe Islands, you’ll see that it has perfect roads and is a great destination for cycling lovers . However, beware that the winding roads and the steep hills are not suitable for beginners, and the harsh weather will require you to be prepared but if you are after an adventure of a lifetime, this is it.

Those into horse riding can do so on the island of Vagar. Short or longer rides are organised by Davidsen Haster .

For more adventurous souls, rappel down several cliff walls in many locations around the islands. The best way would be to contact the tourism office and find out the convenient tours while you are there.

Sailing to Enniberg

In the summer months, when the waters are calmer, you can sail out to Enniberg, the tallest cliff in the islands rising 750m from the ocean . This trip is a fantastic way to see the rich birdlife that inhabits the Faroe Islands and experience a different view of the dramatic cliffs.

Vestmanna bird cliffs

The Faroe Islands is well known for its  rich bird population in the summer months and the Vestmanna cliffs are the right place to see them in action.

To enjoy this, you will have to join a boat tour which crosses the narrow cliffs and grottoes. Tours depart from the Vestmanna Tourist Center. You can book them here .

Make sure to check out the Saga Museum which is by the Tourist Center.

What and where to eat in the Faroe Islands, best food and restaurants

There are not a lot of restaurants on the Faroe Islands. In fact, if you do a quick search you will realise that there are less than a dozen restaurants that pop up on Google. After a hard day’s work hiking and exploring the islands, you will probably want to relax and have a hearty meal.

You have earned it and, remember, in the cold climate, your body will use more energy to keep you warm, so you can go for that Faroese meal without remorse.

The Faroe Islands cuisine is relatively restrictive due to the weather and the harsh conditions for agriculture. Most restaurants are located in historical buildings and have the warm feeling of fluffy sheepskin placed on wooden chairs.

Although there are quite a few more casual bars/pubs and small food places, the best restaurants in the Faroe Islands are the ones that everyone will recommend to you. Consensus is there.

Here is the list of all the restaurants you should try when you visit the Faroe Islands. On an average 5 day trip to the Islands, you are bound to have enough time to try them all, even more than once.

This is the Faroe Islands only Michelin-starred restaurant and it started a real Faroese cuisine movement with lots of in-depth articles written about its uniqueness and the difficulties of sourcing entire menus from the meagre and poor lands of the Faroe Islands.

Koks used to be located in the Foroyar Hotel with fantastic views over the capital of Torshavn and the bay below but moved outside the city in a beautifully rustic location in Leynavatn.

The restaurant is led by a young chef in his 20s who has a team of “foragers, farmers and divers” quotes the Financial Times , to source the ingredients for its dishes.

The volcanic and poor soil of the islands are not conducive to growing much. There are more sheep than humans who feed on the ever growing grass, even in the winter months when the snow can cover it all. But little grows underneath.

The landscapes are bare, stunning in rock formations and shapes, but devoid of vegetation. There are no trees on the Faroe Islands, something that happened when all the trees which once existed were cut and new ones were never planted.

The ocean is rich in marine life, and the salmon in the Faroe Islands is absolutely divine, but young chef Ziska is trying to do something incredible by making sure that all of his ingredients are sourced locally . This is probably why the restaurant is closed in the winter months, from October to April when practically nothing grows.

If you are around when it is open, Koks is the best way into the Faroese food scene and traditions which are hard to savour anywhere else.

Gras took over the location that Koks left when it moved and it offers the most panoramic views over the city of Torshavn and the bay below.

The restaurant has a breakfast and dinner buffet with international and Faroese dishes, and an a la carte light lunch menu but the views are the definitive reason to come here.

This restaurant has very limited options with only a menu per sitting with two choices for starters (smoked salmon or lobster bisque) and two for mains (cod fish or lamb).

They a known for the lamb shoulder which you only get in the shorter menu (the longer one has lamb chops instead of lamb shoulder) and which has been cooked slowly for 12 hours. It is so soft that the meat comes off the bone without the need for a knife.

Aarstova is located in an old wooden Faroese house in the middle of Torshavn and it is well worth a visit for the atmosphere, dimly lit and looking like you are visiting old friends. Service is attentive and, if you go for the wine pairing option, the wine will keep coming, so you are going to get almost an unlimited amount.

The wine list is made of only six producers which they have personally vetoed and visited. They have a selection of wines from these six producers.

Etika is a sushi restaurant in the Faroe Islands (the only one) that makes a lot of sense since the islands get some of the best and freshest fish there is.

The restaurant is located near Aarstova and gives you the opportunity to people watch as it is located along a main road and made of glass windows.

The menu is extensive , with dozens of options that you can combine and pre-set menus for two with everything you can think off. The food was excellent and they are also a good option for take away because they have a smaller selection of pre-set sushi/sashimi boxes you can pop in and buy and are as good as anything you’d find when eating the best Japanese food .

We ate in and made an order for take away to take with us for the next day’s hiking excursion which was a great idea, especially since it is so cold in the Faroe Islands all year round that the sushi keeps well even in the car.

Raest specialises in fermented cuisine . This may sound strange but it is typically Faroese. Similar to much of the Korean food items , in the past, locals would conserve every part of an animal by keeping it dried or fermented. As winters are harsh and there is little food, fermentation helped preserve it all.

Fermented meat, especially lamb, is a very typical Faroese dish. Although it is not my cup of tea, it is not bad, just a bit salty. This is because Faroese fermentation, unlike wet fermentation used in, for example, kimchi, is done in the open air, by drying the food in the salty cold air of the Faroe Islands.

Katrina Christiansen

Located in a historical building home to the most famous Faroese writer, Katrina Christiansen is a tapas-style Faroese restaurant where you can sample local dishes in the small plate format. The restaurant opened in 2016 only and is a great choice for something a bit different.

If you feel like you want to have some lighter and more international cuisine, Toscana is the highest rated Italian restaurant in the Faroe Islands for your fix of Sicilian food .

Dine in the homes of Faroese locals

An evening at a Faroese home is one of the nicest and best ways to experience local Faroese food: Heimablidni.

Heimablidni is a supper club of sorts where a Faroese couple, Anna and Óli, will offer you the chance to have the most authentic experience with a 5-course meal that includes all the best that the land can offer: homemade bread with sausage (Anna’s grandmother’s recipe), homemade rhubarb juice and lamb raised on their own farm. You can book here .

Where to stay in the Faroe Island

I always found it quite interesting that, even in rooms with double beds, there are two duvets folded on top of the sheets, one for each of the guests. This is something that I also experienced in Iceland, other than the Bubble Hotel , so perhaps a Nordic tradition that escaped me.

There are only 11 accommodations classified as hotels , none of which is a 5 star hotel, and four hostels in the Faroe Islands. Additionally, there are also seven guesthouses. That means that your choice will be limited.

However, I have put together a list to help you choose the best ones to match your budget, itinerary and interests.

If you are planning to visit the Faroe Islands for longer than five days, it might make sense to include some other accommodation options beyond Torshavn, like the island of Vagar or Gjogv, but if you are only staying for five days, I would recommend you stay at the same hotel in Torshavn.

Why you should stay in Torshavn? Because it will be the most convenient.

Torshavn has most of the restaurants mentioned above, so you will have more dining alternatives. It is also more central than other towns like Vagar, so it will be easier to explore the islands. And Torshavn is worth a day exploring the harbour, the parliament area and the museums.

Foroyar Hotel

Located in the outskirts of the city, high atop a hill , Foroyar Hotel is the highest rated hotel in the Faroe Islands. Although they bill themselves as the country’s only four star hotel, I think it is more a 3,5 star mostly because the rooms are nothing special.

The hotel has full facilities, including a gym, and the restaurant with the best views in Torshavn. There is also a bar and meeting rooms. The reception is 24h and can help out with anything. There is a small fridge which sells snacks and sandwiches, as well a small selection of sushi from Etika.

When the rest of the country is closed off, aka during the Christmas holidays, Foroyar Hotel is the only place open so most foreigners congregate there.

All the rooms at Foroyar Hotel have the same views as the restaurant, and a stunning perspective over the bay and the city. The hotel’s turf rooftop is a welcome touch.

For more images, rates and availability check out   Agoda

Hotel Hafnia

A good hotel in the downtown area of Torshavn , within minutes to all the restaurants mentioned in the food section above, with warm hues, light wood and colorful decor. After Hotel Foroyar, this is the next best hotel in the Faroe Islands.

Hafnia is closed during the Christmas period.

For more images, rates and availability check out  Agoda

Hotel Torshavn

Another local favourite in town by the harbour this is a scenically located hotel with nice views over the fishing boats.

Its location by the ferry area is convenient for daily excursions during the summer months.

The hotel was renovated in 2007 from its 1923 former seamen hostel glory, and is now a modern 3 star hotel in burgundy, red and orange tones. The hotel is open all days of the year, there is a bar and brasserie available.

Hotel Vagar

Not in Torshavn, but if you need a night near the airport , Hotel Vagar is right by the terminal. It is a house in a rather industrial looking one-floor building but conveniently located and comfortable.

The hotel, and the island, might also be a good option to split the trip if you plan to stay longer in the Faroe Islands as the island of Vagar has a lot of hiking trails and sightseeing opportunities and is a good 45min drive from Torshavn. So by staying there you would be saving almost 2h drive (which is a long time in the short daylight winter months).

Guesthouse Gjaargardur in Gjogv

If you are planning to explore the area around Gjogv, especially the hike up to the highest mountain on the islands, a night in the guesthouse in Gjogv is a good idea.

This guesthouse is a cozy, family-run, warm place to stay . The rooms are comfortable, the family running it are well on top of things to make sure guests are happy and meals are local and hearty. It basically has everything you need for a great night and a side of views and local life.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

Although the Faroe Islands may seem remote and isolated, they are connected to mainland Europe, the UK and Iceland by plane and in the summer months, there are cruise ships that explore the North Atlantic Ocean which stop in Torshavn and other places .

The best flights to the Faroe Islands

The airport in the Faroe Islands is located on the island of Vagar, code FAE, and is the best way to get to the islands. The airport was built by the British Army during WWII when the country needed a base in the North Atlantic Ocean. After the war ended, the airport went into disuse until the 60s when an Icelandic airline started flying there.

The national Faroese airline, Atlantic Airways , started operations at the end of the 1980s when the only route connecting the Faroe Islands to the rest of the world was a passenger flight from Iceland to Denmark, making Faroe Islands travel pretty convenient.

Atlantic Airways connects Vagar with several cities in Europe including Edinburgh, Copenhagen (2.5h), Bergen (2h) and Reykjavik (1h and 20min) regularly. This means that you can combine Iceland and the Faroe Islands for the ultimate nature, landscapes and hiking trip.

The airline also provides summer escape opportunities to the Faroese by serving Lisbon, Barcelona, Mallorca, Malta and Gran Canaria seasonally once or twice weekly and is in charge of the two helicopters which connect the remote islands via a subsidized service.

Another option to get to the Faroe Islands is to fly Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) from Copenhagen on their daily flight. The flight started in 2017 as demand increased, and adds to Vagar Airport’s passenger capacity.

I flew Atlantic Airways from Iceland (codeshare with Icelandair but operated by Atlantic Airways) to the Faroe Islands and then on to Copenhagen to connect with my flight back to Barcelona on SAS. I found them both similar in service and since they are short flights, it did not really matter much.

Check in at the airport in Vagar opens 1.5h before the flight so there is no point in arriving earlier. Inside the airport there is a small cafe, offices of the car rental companies, an information store and toilets.

If you find yourself in the Faroe Islands in a marked public holiday when everything is closed (like the 1st of January) the airport cafe is likely to be the only food option in the entire archipelago.

Once you are through with your boarding pass, there is a relatively large duty free shop where you can buy the famous Faroese Aquavit and other liquors and enjoy a bite at the Mirror Cafe. There are only three boarding gates at the airport and it is unlikely that more than one will be in use at the same time.

Cruise ships docking at the Faroe Islands

There is a cruise between Denmark and the Faroe Islands from Smyril Line that covers the North Atlantic Ocean on a week-long trip with two stops in Torshavn and once in Iceland. The trip claims to offer a view of the islands as the Vikings saw it centuries ago. Although a lot of time is spent at sea, traveling to and from Denmark, this is a cruise that is mostly focused on these Viking lands.

A lot of the large well-known cruise ships also stop on the Faroe Islands but the call is more of a quickie than anything in-depth and will probably only give you a taste of what the Faroe Islands travel is really about.

If you have time and wish to explore the North Atlantic Ocean area and the Faroe Islands more in-depth from the water point of view, you can join one of the expedition cruises that explore that part of the world.

One of the most well known and established expedition cruise ships stopping at the Faroe Islands is Quark Expeditions . They have several itineraries stopping on the Faroe Islands in their expeditions to Greenland, Iceland and the Arctic areas would be much more suitable to those wanting to truly understand the Islands.

However, I would strongly suggest to spend some quality time in the Faroe Islands . This is not a place you can understand, enjoy or explore on a quick one or two day trip. The best way to really experience it is by spending some time trekking the paths, hiking the trails and enjoying the food. A cruise ship would be a shame unless it spends some quality time on the Islands.

Getting around – Road rules and car rentals in the Faroe Islands

One of the most convenient ways to explore the Faroe Islands is from the comfort of your own rented car.

There are public buses linking most of the towns but without a car, you will be very limited in your ability to explore the islands.

However, I was shocked to see the prices of some of the rental companies who were quoting me almost $1,000 for five day rentals. There are a few of these. The most affordable rental car company in the Faroe Islands is Avis, which is also the only international rental car available when you visit the Faroe Islands. Car rentals are picked up and dropped off at the airport.

Avis has a counter by the arrivals/departures area and the staff there are most unfriendly. But alas, we did not need much conversation with them. Getting the car was easy and the parking is right in front of the exit. If you go in the winter, the wheels will already be studded so you can easily drive on ice and snow.

You do not need to rent a 4×4 and, in fact, I did not see them available on their website or parking lot. I booked the smallest car available, a Kia Picanto, and it was just fine, if struggling a bit when going uphill over the many mountain passes.

On a practical note, many of the villages in the Faroe Islands have facilities for road trippers and visitors that are available throughout the country and are free. Clean toilets can be found in most relevant villages.

The doors are open and signs usually point at them from the main roads. You can also find out what facilities are available at each village on the Tourist Guide edited by Faroese Tourism and are available across the country.

Driving in the Faroe Islands

I found the roads to be in great condition, but driving in the Faroe Islands is different than in other places because of the unique geological conditions and the many tunnels. Some of these tunnels are only one way and some of the roads are so narrow that two cars cannot drive in parallel.

For this reason, there are a few things you need to know before driving in the Faroe Islands. Here are some useful driving tips:

• When the road is a single lane , even inside tunnels, there are openings on the road every 100 meters for one of the cars to wait for the oncoming traffic to pass. The car for whom the space is available is the one who should get in it and let the other car pass.
• If the one lane road is on an incline , the car going down is the one who needs to stop and give way to the car driving uphill.
• There are tolls on the most relevant tunnels which need to be paid at the petrol stations. However, if you have a rental car, the car company will pay it for you and send you a final bill.

The government of the Faroe Islands has prepared a video about driving on the islands to make sure everyone knows the driving rules.

Lastly, it is good to note that there are many petrol stations available most of which are marked on Google maps.

However, when you are trying to fill the tank on a public holiday, you will have to look out for the stations that have self-service credit card enabled machines. We struggled with this because the machines would only accept cards that had a PIN and our Singapore credit cards do not have them. We ended up having to use the debit card. Alternatively, we were ready to offer cash to a goodwill passer-by in exchange for using his card.

Weather in the Faroe Islands and best time to visit

The weather in the Faroe Islands is stable and similar all year round because of its location far north. That means that, on average, the islands are between 3 and 11 degrees celsius, all year round with only 10 degrees difference between winter and summer.

However, stable does not mean warm. The Tourism Board website claims that the islands once recorded 26 degrees Celsius.

Looking at the historical average temperatures and rainfall one can assume that winter clothes will always be required, even in the middle of the summer months when the maximum temperatures recorded are well below the average winter in Barcelona !

Check out my graph of the average temperatures and rainfall per month made using this data.

So, what is the weather like in the Faroe Islands? I would say it is wet, windy and cold all year round and you can be sure of that.

The best time to visit the Faroe Islands

The best time to visit the Faroe Islands is during the summer months. This is when the weather is at its best and when there is more activity and options to explore the islands. In case there are any doubts left, here’s why you should visit the Faroe Islands in the summer :

• Temperatures are above zero . Even if the recorded temperatures in the winter are also usually above freezing point, you need to account for the wind that always blows. That can easily bring the temperatures down by another 10 degrees. The wind chill factor is an issue to consider in the summer too, so bring adequate clothes.
• There are more hours of sunlight . In the winter months the sun can rise at 10am and set at 3,30pm around the winter solstice. That means that most of the day is in the darkness and given the many outdoor activities you can do in the Faroe Islands, you really want to be able to be outside and in the sunlight for as long as possible.
• There are more things open . In the winter, especially during the Christmas period, a lot of the restaurants and hotels are closed. The ferries don’t run. The helicopter service between islands is not operating. Many excursions are not possible and the tour guides are all on leave. That means you won’t be able to see or do a lot of the things that are otherwise available in the summer.
• There are several festivals . In June, there is a Culture Night in Torshavn and on 28th and 29th of July the national celebration to King Olav the Holy takes place. See the calendar below, edited by Visit Faroe Islands and included in their Visit Faroe Islands brochure. It pays to visit the islands during one of the festivals for an extra dose of culture and insights into local life and to interact with the Faroese.

The Faroe Islands in winter time

Despite summer time being the best time to have the full Faroese experience, I went in the winter and we had the whole place to ourselves.

We were one of the few tourists in the entire set of Islands for the duration of our trip. We did not see any other tourists on our Faroe Islands travel itinerary except for maybe a couple of them at our hotel and maybe one or two business travelers.

However, many of the restaurants and hotels in town were closed and there were so few options available that we ended up eating at the same place more than once and we even had lunch at a petrol station and at the airport for lack of other options available on the 1st of January.

If you are in the Faroe Islands over New Year’s Eve , like I was, you will be witness to one of the coolest celebration s . The entire city of Torshavn and the villages set the sky on fire with hundreds of thousands of fireworks from every house and street and the sky above the city was lit for hours non-stop.

I have never seen something like that and it gave celebrations like the one in Sydney a run for their money. It was spectacular to see the amateur and uncoordinated fireworks display from atop the roof of the Foroyar Hotel , located up in the hills above Torshavn.

If you happen to be there during Christmas, the Tourism Office has a section on their site about what to expect. But most of it will be over after Christmas. It is safe to say that the time between Christmas and New Year is the quietest and slowest time of the year.

Practicalities and other things to know for your vacation in the Faroe Islands

We have gone through a lot of information about the Faroe Islands but there is still a bit to cover in terms of practicalities to make a trip happen.

The Faroe Islands is part of Denmark and, as such, the currency in the Faroe Islands is the Danish Krone. You will not be able to use euros there but can easily exchange them. ATM machines are available throughout the country .

The Faroese language is not the same as the Danish but locals speak both. To a foreigner, it is hard to differentiate which language has been used as they both look and sound very unique.

Faroese comes from Old Norse and is related to Icelandic, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish. This is the reason why a lot of the locals can also understand other Nordic languages. Much like any speaker of a Latin language can understand another. English is widely spoken by everyone and you will not have any communication issues.

Visa for the Faroe Islands

For Europeans, the Faroe Islands is not part of the Schengen but can be visited with just a picture ID. However, visas for the Faroe Islands do not work like other Schengen visas or even visas for Denmark.

Even if you are allowed to visit Denmark in your visa, that does not mean that you can visit the Faroe Islands.

Here is a detailed list of the peculiar visa situation in the Faroe Islands.

• Nordic country citizens can enter freely with a picture ID.
• Citizens of the following EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania , Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland can enter with a picture ID. Other EU residents and citizens need a valid passport.
• Danish residents not included above need a visa for the Faroe Islands and vice versa. A visa to Denmark does not grant access to the Faroe Islands unless specified, and a visa to the Faroe Islands does not grant access to Denmark.
• To obtain a visa to the Faroe Islands one needs to follow a similar process to getting a visa for Denmark. For a list of the countries needing a visa, check here .

This would look great on any of your #travel or #adventure Pinterest boards

• Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa .
• Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing .
• I find all of my flights on KAYAK . Check their Deals section too.
• Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway .
• I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide , they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
• Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb .
• Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com .
• Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com

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Faroe Islands Travel Guide: the ultimate 10 recommendations

Welcome to the ultimate travel guide to the Faroe Islands, a destination of rugged beauty and unspoiled landscapes that beckon travelers seeking an extraordinary adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a remote and breathtakingly scenic destination, you’re in for a treat. My mission in this blog post is to equip you with the most practical and comprehensive information on how to plan your perfect Faroe Islands getaway. I’ll take you on a journey through the essential details, from understanding the unique geography and location of these North Atlantic gems to providing expert insights on booking the best trip.

In this travel guide, I aim to demystify the Faroe Islands, helping you navigate the logistics and create a memorable travel experience. You’ll discover the where, when, and how of visiting this remote archipelago, as well as invaluable tips on making the most of your time there. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or a photographer looking for the perfect shot, this post is your one-stop resource for everything Faroe Islands.

So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have all the practical information you need to book the best trip to the Faroe Islands and create memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s dive into this remote and captivating destination together, step by step.

Where are the Faroe Islands located?

The Faroe Islands are nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated approximately halfway between Iceland and Norway. Geographically, they are located about 320 kilometers (200 miles) northwest of Scotland. This remote and rugged destination, often described as a hidden gem of the North Atlantic, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Comprising 18 main islands and several smaller islets, the Faroe Islands offer a breathtaking landscape of dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and pristine fjords. Its unique location, characterized by the cool North Atlantic waters and the influence of the Gulf Stream, results in a mild maritime climate, making it an attractive destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and outdoor adventures. The Faroe Islands, with their distinctive location and captivating scenery, beckon explorers and nature enthusiasts to discover their remote charm and extraordinary landscapes, truly living up to the dream of an off-the-beaten-path travel destination.

Faroe Islands: how to get there?

Getting to the Faroe Islands is more convenient than ever, thanks to the new direct routes offered by Atlantic Airways, the national airline of the Faroe Islands. This company has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1987. Originally founded as a helicopter company, it quickly expanded to include fixed-wing aircraft, becoming a pivotal player in connecting these remote islands to the world.

If you’re traveling from Europe , you’re in for a real treat. Atlantic Airways has recently launched a direct route from Paris ( France ) to the Faroe Islands, making the journey smoother and more accessible than ever before.

This direct flight from Paris to Vágar Airport significantly cuts down travel time, allowing you to dive right into the Faroese experience. But that’s not all – Atlantic Airways also offers direct routes from other major European cities, including Copenhagen (Denmark), Reykjavik (Iceland) and Edinburgh (Scotland). With a well-connected network and these direct routes, reaching this remote paradise in the North Atlantic has never been easier. So wherever you’re flying from, Atlantic Airways has you covered, ensuring a convenient and comfortable journey to the Faroe Islands.

Travelers coming from North America or other international destinations may consider flying into one of these major European cities. So, whether you’re flying from Paris, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, or Edinburgh, Atlantic Airways, with its strong history and commitment to exceptional service, has you covered, ensuring a convenient and comfortable journey to the Faroe Islands.

Book your flight here!

If you prefer sea travel, you can explore the possibility of taking a ferry from Iceland, which offers a scenic maritime adventure with breathtaking views of the Faroese landscape. Regardless of your choice, these options ensure that your adventure to the Faroe Islands is not only accessible but also a memorable part of your overall travel experience.

Faroe Islands: travel tips

• Language: Faroese is the official language, but most Faroese people also speak Danish and often English. English is commonly used in the tourism industry.
• Weather Preparedness: Be ready for unpredictable weather. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy, waterproof footwear. Regardless of the season, rain is always a possibility.
• Transportation: Public transportation is limited, so consider renting a car to explore the islands independently. Roads are well-maintained but can be narrow and winding, so drive with caution. Rent a car here.
• Respect the Environment: The Faroe Islands’ natural beauty is pristine. Respect the environment by staying on marked paths, not disturbing wildlife, and properly disposing of your waste.
• Camping: Wild camping is not allowed, but campsites are available for a fee.
• Alcohol: The Faroe Islands have strict alcohol regulations. You can only buy alcohol at government-operated stores, and it can be quite expensive. Consider purchasing alcohol at duty-free shops in the airport upon arrival.
• Safety: The Faroe Islands are considered very safe. However, be cautious when hiking, as the terrain can be challenging and the weather unpredictable.
• Cultural Etiquette: While the Faroe Islands are fairly relaxed, it’s important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. Greet locals with a smile and a nod when passing on the street.
• Internet and Mobile Coverage: Internet and mobile coverage are generally good, but be aware that in very remote areas, you may experience limited connectivity.
• Photography: The Faroe Islands offer countless photo opportunities. However, always ask for permission before taking pictures of local residents, and respect any restricted areas or “no photography” signs. Drone photography is allowed in the Faroe Islands and offers unparalleled perspectives of the dramatic landscapes. While it’s a fantastic way to capture the rugged beauty, there are strict regulations. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the specific rules and limitations, including no-fly zones and privacy considerations.

Faroe Islands Currency

In the Faroe Islands, the official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK), and in addition to the DKK, the Faroese Króna (FKR) is also in circulation. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most places, it’s advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller purchases and in more remote areas where card facilities might be limited. You’ll find ATMs available in towns and larger villages, and both Danish Krone (DKK) and Faroese Króna (FKR) are widely accepted, making it convenient for travelers as you can use either currency for your transactions in most places across the Faroe Islands. Keep in mind that the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the currency used here includes both DKK and FKR, with the exchange rate being 1 DKK = 1 FKR.

Faroe Islands Weather

Understanding the Faroe Islands’ ever-changing weather is not just practical; it’s essential for planning a successful trip to this enchanting archipelago. The Faroe Islands’ climate is characterized by its maritime influences and dramatic seasonal shifts, each offering a unique atmosphere and set of experiences for travelers. In this section, I’ll take you on a journey through the seasons, delving into what you can expect in terms of weather and how it can impact your travel plans. From the vibrant awakening of spring to the tranquility of winter’s solitude, I’ll provide you with the insights you need to choose the perfect time to explore the Faroe Islands and pack accordingly. So, let’s dive into the ever-shifting skies and discover the captivating weather patterns that shape this remote and breathtaking destination.

Spring in the Faroe Islands

Spring in the Faroe Islands, which typically spans from March to May, is a season of awakening. The islands burst into life as the winter frost recedes, and nature reclaims its vibrancy. While temperatures remain on the cool side, ranging from 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F), the Faroes come alive with colorful flora and lush green landscapes. It’s an excellent time for birdwatching, with countless seabirds returning to their nesting grounds. Be prepared for frequent rain showers and ever-changing weather, so packing layers and waterproof gear is essential.

Summer in the Faroe Islands

Summer in the Faroe Islands, from June to August, is the most popular time to visit. With temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), this is the warmest season, and the days are long, often with nearly 24 hours of daylight. It’s an ideal time for hiking, wildlife exploration, and outdoor activities. The landscapes are at their most picturesque, with vibrant green valleys, wildflowers in bloom, and abundant birdlife. But don’t forget your raincoat, as the islands are still subject to frequent rainfall, even in summer.

Autumn in the Faroe Islands

Autumn, from September to November, ushers in a season of dramatic landscapes and fewer tourists. The temperatures start to drop, ranging from 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F). This season offers a unique blend of fading summer colors and the emergence of stunning fall foliage. It’s an excellent time for photography, as the changing light and weather patterns create captivating scenes. Be prepared for more unpredictable weather and shorter days as the Faroe Islands transition into winter.

Winter in the Faroe Islands

Winter in the Faroe Islands, from December to February, is a time of stark beauty and tranquility. Daylight hours are limited, with only a few hours of dim sunlight each day, and temperatures range from 3°C to 7°C (37°F to 45°F). While it’s the coldest and darkest season, it has its own charm. It’s the best time to witness the Northern Lights, and if you’re a fan of cozy atmospheres and solitude, this is the season for you. Be ready for wet and windy weather, as winter storms can be quite powerful.

Understanding the distinct characteristics of each season in the Faroe Islands is vital for planning the timing of your trip and packing appropriate clothing and gear. Whether you’re seeking the vibrant life of summer or the serene solitude of winter, the Faroes offer unique experiences throughout the year.

Faroe Islands Map: how to travel within the country

Navigating the Faroe Islands is an adventure in itself, offering diverse modes of transport for exploration. Renting a car is a popular choice, providing flexibility to traverse the islands at your own pace, taking in the scenic routes and stopping at various viewpoints. Ferries play a crucial role in connecting some of the more remote islands, offering a picturesque maritime journey between these stunning landscapes. During the high season, helicopter services further enhance accessibility, providing a unique and efficient way to hop between islands, granting awe-inspiring aerial views of the archipelago. Each mode of travel in the Faroe Islands contributes to the overall experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the unique beauty and varied landscapes of this remote destination.

Driving in the Faroe Islands offers an excellent way to explore the breathtaking landscapes, but it comes with its own set of considerations. The network of roads includes some incredible engineering feats like underwater tunnels, connecting various islands. Tolls are applicable for these tunnels, usually ranging from 100 to 250 DKK (Danish Krone) depending on the tunnel and vehicle size. As for road conditions, the Faroes’ serpentine routes can be narrow and winding, so drivers should exercise caution, especially in unpredictable weather.

Wildlife, such as sheep and birds, freely roam, so keeping an eye out for them is crucial to prevent accidents. Speed limits are typically around 50-60 km/h in towns and 80 km/h on rural roads. Renting a car from a reliable company can enhance your travel experience, providing well-maintained vehicles and local expertise. Rent your car here!

Ferries in the Faroe Islands form a vital link between several islands, facilitating exploration and travel. Routes typically connect Torshavn, the capital, with outlying islands like Nólsoy, Hestur, Koltur, and Sandoy. The pricing and schedules for these ferries can vary depending on the season, so it’s advisable to check the official website of the Strandfaraskip Landsins (SSL), the national ferry company, for up-to-date information. Generally, tickets for foot passengers are reasonably priced, while costs for bringing vehicles aboard differ based on size and destination. Schedules are usually accommodating, providing multiple daily trips, especially during the high season, but it’s recommended to plan ahead, considering that weather conditions can occasionally impact the ferry services. The SSL website typically provides comprehensive details on schedules, ticket prices, and any additional information necessary for a smooth ferry experience across the Faroe Islands.

Helicopter rides

Helicopter services in the Faroe Islands offer an exceptional and scenic mode of travel, particularly during the high season. Operated by Atlantic Airways, the helicopter routes typically function from May to August, catering to both locals and tourists. These services connect the islands of Torshavn, Vágar, Mykines, and other smaller isles. Prices for helicopter rides can vary based on the specific route and the season, with costs typically higher during the peak summer months. It’s recommended to book these flights in advance due to their popularity, and also to account for potential weather-related disruptions, as the Faroe Islands’ climate can influence flight schedules. These helicopter journeys not only provide a quick and efficient way to access more remote or smaller islands but also offer breathtaking aerial views of the rugged landscapes, making the travel experience an adventure in itself. For updated information on schedules, prices, and routes, it’s advisable to check the Atlantic Airways website or contact their customer service for any additional details necessary for planning helicopter rides within the Faroe Islands.

Faroe Islands: high season vs low season

The Faroe Islands experience distinct high and low seasons, each offering unique experiences for visitors. The high season typically spans from May to August, drawing in travelers eager to explore the islands during the milder, more accommodating weather. These months see longer days, making it perfect for outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the stunning landscapes. As for the low season, which begins in September and lasts through April, it introduces a different ambiance. With the changing weather, shorter days, and often inclement conditions, it’s a time when the islands adopt a quieter rhythm. Notably, from October 1st, many tourist facilities, including restaurants and some accommodations, start to wind down or even close for the season. While this might limit certain amenities, the low season offers the opportunity for a more serene and authentic experience, often appreciated by those seeking solitude and a closer connection with the Faroes’ raw beauty.

Where to stay in the Faroe Islands?

Strategic accommodation in the Faroe Islands often centers around Tórshavn, the capital, due to its central location and range of amenities. This puts visitors within reach of most of the archipelago’s attractions. The city offers various hotel options, from boutique stays to larger chains, catering to different preferences and budgets.

Some noteworthy hotels offering a comfortable and convenient base for exploration in Tórshavn include:

• Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands
• Hotel Føroyar
• Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
• Hotel Brandan
• Hotel Hafnia

For those seeking a more remote experience, options extend to the outer islands, offering a chance to immerse in the untouched landscapes and smaller communities. These remote stays might include guesthouses or smaller hotels in areas like Klaksvík, Gjógv, or even Mykines.

Staying with locals via platforms like Airbnb also provides an intimate experience, allowing visitors to embrace the local way of life, gain insider tips, and savor the unique Faroese hospitality in homes scattered across the islands.

One of my favorites is a farm located in Æðuvík . It is owned by Harriet, a female farmer who also sell her pictures. She takes gorgeous photographs of her animals and is currently really invested into saving the Faroese horses breed (there are only 89 left in the world at the time of writing)

Where to eat and drink in the Faroe Islands?

Here’s a list of some exceptional dining spots that offer a taste of the local flavors and global cuisines:

• Koks: Located in Kirkjubøur, this two Michelin stars restaurant is renowned for its innovative take on traditional Faroese dishes, providing an exquisite dining experience.
• Áarstova: Situated in Tórshavn, Áarstova serves up authentic Faroese cuisine, specializing in dishes like skerpikjøt (wind-dried mutton) and ræst kjøt (fermented mutton).
• Ræst: Another Michelin restaurant. Situated in Tórshavn, Ræst offers a unique dining experience where traditional Faroese ingredients are fermented and transformed into delectable dishes.
• Barbara Fish House: Located in Tórshavn, Barbara Fish House offers a casual and cozy atmosphere, with a focus on locally sourced and beautifully crafted seafood delicacies.
• Katrina Christiansen: In Tórshavn, Katrina Christiansen’s restaurant presents a fusion of local ingredients in tapas style dishes.
• Suppugarðurin : Found in Tórshavn, Suppugarðurin is a Japanese restaurant known for its authentic and meticulously prepared dishes, offering a taste of Japan in the heart of the Faroe Islands.

The best way to really experience a culture is to integrate with the locals. And in the Faroes, you can dine in the homes of Faroese people. This is called “ Heimablídni “, which translates directly as “home hospitality”. You can enjoy authentic and intimate dining experiences in people’s homes all across the islands. Find the list of places that offers Heimablídni here .

If you are craving a typical nordic cinnamon bun, or any pastry, check out Breyðvirkið Bakery. Located in Tórshavn, Breyðvirkið Bakery is known for its delightful array of baked goods, offering a variety of freshly made bread and pastries, adding a touch of local flavors to Tórshavn’s culinary scene.

The Faroe Islands also offer a range of spots to unwind and enjoy a drink. Here’s a list of places where you can savor your favorite beverage while soaking in the local ambiance:

• Sirkus Bar – Located in Tórshavn, this trendy bar offers a lively atmosphere and a wide selection of drinks, often hosting live music and events.
• Mikkeller Tórshavn – A craft beer bar situated in Tórshavn, offering an array of unique and flavorful beers, perfect for beer enthusiasts.
• Paname Café: In Tórshavn, Paname Café offers a cozy ambiance and a range of delicious pastries and light meals, providing a taste of French-inspired cuisine in the heart of the Faroe Islands.
• Fríða Kaffihús: Situated in Klaksvík, Fríða Kaffihús offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, known for its delightful selection of coffee and light bites, creating a charming spot for a relaxing break in Klaksvík.
• Kaffihúsið Tórshavn – A cozy café in Tórshavn serving various beverages, including coffee, tea, and a selection of wines and spirits.

Faroe Islands: Best things to do

The Faroe Islands offer a myriad of experiences for every traveler. From hiking the scenic trails that reveal breathtaking vistas to exploring charming villages steeped in history, there’s something for everyone. Nature enthusiasts can revel in birdwatching along the stunning cliffs, while photographers can capture the ethereal landscapes at every turn. Whether it’s savoring traditional Faroese cuisine, delving into the local culture, or embarking on exhilarating outdoor adventures, the Faroes promise an unforgettable journey. For a deeper dive into the best activities this captivating destination has to offer check out my dedicated blog post on the best things to do in the Faroe Islands .

You may also enjoy:

The 15 best things to do in the ….

Wild camping is actualy not allowed in the Faroe Islands. Tourist are generally expected to stay at camp sites. It is though possible to get permission from the farmers to set up a tent on their land, but that option is restricted due to sheeps and other farming considerations and is often not an option.

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve corrected the article 🙂

Great article about the lovely Faroe Islands, with loads of helpful information. I just have one correction regarding camping, it is NOT allowed to do wild camping, camping is exclusively allowed at camping sites. If you want to do wild camping, you need to contact the landowner in the area you want to camp and ask for permission, since all the land in the outfield is privately owned, and primarily for sheep to graze on. 🙂

Thank you for letting me know. I’ve corrected it!

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The 11 Best Attractions in the Faroe Islands

Are you planning a visit to the Faroe Islands? Are you wondering where to go and what to do while on holiday in the Faroe Islands? Here is the ultimate guide to 11 attractions in the Faroe Islands that will assist you when planning your journey.

• Find Vacation Packages in Faroe Islands
• See Faroe Island’s largest section of Guided Tours
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• See also: Best Hikes in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands boasts isolated villages and dramatic mountains. This out-of-the-way place in the frothing swells of the North Atlantic Ocean gives travellers solitude in unparalleled surroundings.

We have collected all the best attractions in the Faroe Islands in this article. So if you want to enjoy and tick off bucket list locations in the sparsely populated Faroe Islands, this is the perfect Faroe Islands travel guide for you.

This guide will make it easy for you to plan and prepare the sights you want to experience. In order to visit all 11 locations, you will need one week in the Faroe Islands .

Make sure to visit these untouched attractions in the Faroe Islands. These are the sights that most visitors to the Faroe Islands want to explore during their stay in the unspoiled North Atlantic archipelago.

• Múlafossur Waterfall
• Kallur Lighthouse
• Ásmundarstakkur
• Vestmanna Sea Cliffs

These places are remote, small, and quiet. We recommend them all when exploring the Faroe Islands. There could be added so many more attractions worth experiencing such as the island Mykines and the rock formation Dunnesdrangar .

Exploring the Faroe Islands is time well spent. More than anything, these isles are an outdoor paradise. So, without further ado, here are the 11 best attractions for the perfect Faroe Islands vacation.

1. Múlafossur Waterfall

​ Well hidden in a secluded valley lies the tiny village Gásadalur . It was until the year 2004 totally isolated from the rest of the world. Thanks to a nice tunnel, you can now easily access one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

The waterfall in Gásadalur empties 60m (200ft) directly from the cliff top into the ocean leaving visitors with an immense feeling of losing their breath. You will find Múlafossur Waterfall on Vagar island .

This top rated day tour in the Faroe Islands with a local guide will let you indulge in the isolated valley where the picture-perfect nature shower is located. Experiencing the scenery in Gásadalur is a transformative experience.

Location: Vágar island

2. Trælanípa

​ The floating lake on Vágar Island attracts travellers from around the world. They come to this overwhelmingly beautiful sight to soak in one of nature’s great wonders. This Guided Vágar Island Tour will get you to the best places on the island including that famous Trælanípa view of Lake Leitisvatn .

When you are at the cliff’s edge, the whole scenery turns into an optical illusion as the lake seems to be elevated much higher from the sea than it in fact is. A mesmerising feat of nature.

You will find Trælanípa also known as the Slave Cliff near the only airport in the Faroe Islands on the island Vagar. In order to get to Trælanípa, you will hike for one hour.

The walk is an easy one. There is almost no elevation along the route. You will get to a gentle slope just before reaching the destination.

​ Only a short walk from the stunning Trælanípa, you will find Geituskorardrangur – a towering sea stack. This iconic vertical sea wall rises 116 metres out of the ocean.

It makes perfect sense to walk the extra 5 minutes from Trælanípa in order to experience Geituskorardrangur. You will have a great view of the sea from this coastal attraction. As you move towards Geituskorardrangur, you will cross a stream that turns into Bøsdalafossur Waterfall .

Those looking for something extra can rent a kayak on Lake Sørvágsvatn and paddle all the way towards the seaside and hop on land. You will then be only minutes from these breathtaking attractions.

3. Drangarnir

Drangarnir sea arch is the perfect attraction for those yearning for an extraordinary experience at sea. This is one of the top attractions in the Faroe Islands and among the most iconic landmarks in the archipelago.

The best way to enjoy the famous sea-stack is by boat. Check out this popular Drangarnir boat tour . This all-time favourite is a must-do activity for all avid outdoor travellers.

You will sail all the way out of the pristine Sørvágsfjørður fjord and then all of a sudden it is there, the awe-inspiring Drangarnir with the spiky islet Tindhólmur in the background. This is when it gets exciting. Weather permitting, you might be one of very few people in the world to sail through the hole in the rock formation.

4. Viðareiði

​ In the most northern part of the archipelago, you will find a beautifully located village. Viðareiði is the northernmost settlement in the Faroe Islands.

Here you will have an amazing view of mountains and the wild coastline. The church in Viðareiði looks great on photos. Especially when you get one of the mountains Villingadalsfjall or Malinsfjall in the background. Viðareiði is the main village on Viðoy island . This guided Northern Island Tour will take you to Viðareiði and beyond.

You can ramp up the experience in Viðareiði by joining a guided hike to Villingadalsfjall . As long as the mountain is free of clouds, you will have the most beautiful panoramic view of Viðareiði and surrounding isles.

Location: Viðoy island

​ Just a one hour drive from the capital Tórshavn , you will be tucked between lush fields and soaring peaks in Saksun. The landscape in Saksun is extremely majestic. You will see turf-roofed houses , the iconic and beautiful old church, and the sandy lagoon.

Saksun is one of the most isolated settlements in the Faroe Islands. You will love the silence and the calmness of this spectacular place. This top rated Faroe Islands Highlights tour includes stopping in Saksun for the classic lagoon view and more!

Location: Streymoy island

6. Kallur Lighthouse

​ This is one of the Faroe Islands’ true wonders. Standing on the edge overlooking the sheer cliff is a must-see experience for all travellers. You will find Kallur Lighthouse on the island Kalsoy.

The scenery around Kallur Lighthouse is featured in the James Bond movie “No Time to Die”. This is the first time that scenes from the Faroe Islands are in a James Bond film .

It requires some planning to get to Kalsoy island. You need to take a 20 minutes ferry ride from the town Klaksvík in order to get to the island. Check out the ferry time table to Kalsoy island . You will disembark the ferry at the harbour in the village Syðradalur on Kalsoy island. You can avoid any hassle by join the popular Kalsoy Island tour .

Kallur Lighthouse is the absolute highlight on Kalsoy island. You will get the best view of both the lighthouse and the sheer cliff Borgarin when walking on the ridge along a grass path. This short walk from the lighthouse is not for the faint-hearted. There are 200 metres (656 feet) perpendicular rocky cliffs to both sides.

Location: Kalsoy island

7. Hvíthamar

​ This tremendous spot overlooking the Funningsfjørður fjord is only a 10 minutes’ walk uphill from the mountain pass Gjáarskarð . You will have a great aerial view of the fjord and the jagged mountain peaks. Hvíthamar is an easy to reach and enchanting experience.

The winter view from this place is something truly special as the snowy mountains will make your experience a magical one. Snow is never a guarantee as the weather is ever changeable . But if you visit between November to March the nearby mountain peaks will most likely be covered with snow.

You will also have a stunning view to the north when standing on Hvíthamar. Most of the time there will be a fresh wind here adding an extra layer of natural quality to this easy accessible viewpoint.

Hvíthamar gives you a deep sense of calmness. It is the perfect place to visit when you want to be out in nature without crowds.

Location: Eysturoy island

​ Only a short drive from Hvíthamar above Funningur you will find the remote higgledy-piggledy village Gjógv. The multi-coloured houses, the 200-metres gorge and the spectacular view to the north makes Gjógv a favourite destination among travellers.

Make sure to go for a stroll to the cleft in Gjógv where you will get amazing photos of the stunning scenery. It takes only five minutes to get to the end of the gorge. You will walk next to the edge but do not worry as there is a fence all the way to the end. The view is rewarding.

You can also take the concrete stairs and enter the gorge itself. During windy days in winter, you can experience rising waves and surf in the gorge.

Staying at the local Gjáargarður Guesthouse for a couple of days is a good choice. You will for sure relax in these remote settings.

9. Tjørnuvík

​ The isolated village Tjørnuvík is nestled in a steep valley. Make sure to walk between the tidy houses and go down to the small local beach and to enjoy the fantastic view of the sea stacks Risin og Kellingin , the Giant and his Wife. Tjørnuvík is on the island Streymoy .

If you walk for 15 minutes towards the hillside away from the village then you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the village. This is a really great place to just soak in the serenity and quietness that this village gives you. Tjørnuvík is easily one of the most secluded attractions in the Faroe Islands.

10. Ásmundarstakkur

​ Ásmundarstakkur sea stack is amazing. In order to experience Ásmundarstakkur, you will take the ferry Smyril from Tórshavn to the southernmost island Suðuroy . The ferry to Suðuroy takes two hours.

From the northernmost village on the island of Suðuroy, you will head west to discover this absolutely fantastic coastline and sea stack. If you dare, you can also cross a wooden bridge that hangs a few hundred meters above sea level to get out the Rituskor cleft.

When standing at Rituskor, you will have a great view of Ásmundarstakkur. The scenery on the west coast of Suðuroy is a much appreciated attraction by the locals.

There are so many other out-of-this-word views to enjoy on this most southerly island. Take a look at the Complete Suðuroy Island Guide for for inspiration when on the island.

Location: Suðuroy island

11. Vestmanna Sea Cliffs

​ If you want to see tens of thousands of birds flying above you, then a boat trip to Vestmanna Sea Cliffs is a must. You will sail north along the coastline, and when you reach the bird cliffs, you might sail through some of the gorges, weather permitting.

• See also: Book the classic Vestmanna Bird Cliffs Tour

The boat to the bird cliffs departs from the village Vestmanna on the island Streymoy regularly from April and until late September. There are tours made in the morning as well as in the afternoon.

When in Vestmanna, you can also swing by the local Faer Isles Distillery . They produce handcrafted whisky and gin just next to where boats to the sea cliffs depart. You can even join a guided distillery tour  to ramp up your time in Vestmanna.

All the many breathtakingly beautiful attractions in the Faroe Islands come with a true sense of serenity. There is an untouched quality to all the mesmerising nature sceneries.

Inspired to experience the Faroe Islands first-hand? Learn about how to get by plane to the Faroe Islands and take the next step.

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Spectacular 8 Hour Vágar Island Day Tour

Classic 7 Hour Northern Isles Tour

Relaxing 7 Hour Tour to Saksun & Eysturoy Island

Compelling 8 Hour Tour to Kirkjubøur & Strendur

Amazing 1.5 Hour Rib Boat Tour to Cape Enniberg

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Vibrant 4 Hour Viðoy Island Tour

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3 Waterfalls in 1 day | Múlafossur, Fossá & Saksun Waterfalls

Engaging 2.5 Hour Tórshavn in a Seashell Tour

Unforgettable 10 day self drive tour of faroe islands with top attractions.

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Refreshing 3 Hour Boat Tour including Fishing

Unique Puffin Safari Boat Tour

Spectacular 12 Hour Suðuroy Island Day Tour

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Panoramic 6 Hour Tour to Mount Slættaratindur

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The Classic 4 Hour Tour of Vágar Island

Mountainous 5 Hour Northern Islands Tour

Famous 1.5 Hour Kalsoy Island Rib-boat Tour

Captivating 12 Hour Tour to Suðuroy Island

Unique Boat Tour to Drangarnir

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Essential 7 Day Faroe Islands Self-Drive Package

Exciting 2 Hour Combined Boat Tour & Hike to Drangarnir Sea Arch

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Affordable 5 Hour Combined Boat Tour to Mykines & Vestmanna Sea Cliffs

Unbelievable 5 Day Summer Vacation Package of the Faroe Islands

Spectacular 10.5 Hour Northern Islands Day Tour

Unbelievable 6 Hour ‘Floating Lake’ Tour

Private 7 Hour Kallur Lighthouse Experience

Thrilling 4 Hour Ásmundarstakkur & Rituskor Tour

Spectacular 7.5 Hour Streymoy Island Day Tour

Private 4 Hour Sailboat Tour to Nólsoy Island

Popular 8 Hour Vestmanna Bird Cliffs & Múlafossur Waterfall Tour

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Thrilling 7 Hour TROM Sightseeing Tour

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Tranquil 4 Day Winter Trip of the Main Faroe Islands

Magical 2 Hour Peter Pan Boat Tour to Neverland

Epic 8 Day Summer Self Drive Tour of Faroe Islands

Captivating 2 Hour Nólsoy Island Sightseeing Boat Tour

Scenic 7 Hours Sandoy Island Day Tour

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12 Incredible Things to do in the Faroe Islands (2023 Guide)

From epic hikes to the edge of the world to eating locally sourced produce at a Michelin starred restaurant, spotting endangered puffins and kayaking the North Atlantic Ocean: these are the best things to do in the Faroe Islands.

It’s not often we’re blown away by a destination these days. As in proper “OMFGCantBelieveMyEyes” blown away.

But having spent a week exploring all of the best things to see and do in the Faroe Islands (check our complete Faroe Islands itinerary here ), it’s safe to say it’s a destination we’ll be talking about for some time.

The raw and rugged landscapes of the Faroe Islands, an 18-island archipelago in the North Atlantic, are unlike anywhere we’ve ever been.

Sheer, jagged cliffs rise straight from the ocean while windswept lands loom large all around. Colourful, grass-roofed villages dot the island's shores and mountains throughout, providing the most colourful, picturesque backdrop to an otherwise barren land.

Driving from village to village and island to island was itself one of our favourite pastimes on the island. At every bend in the road, we became like giddy kids visiting Disneyland for the first time, excitedly staring in awe at our surroundings. 

Surprisingly, for somewhere so barren, there’s a heap of awesome things to see and do. From epic hikes seemingly to the edge of the world to kayaking through the freezing North Atlantic waters, eating locally sourced produce at a Michelin-starred restaurant to spotting endangered puffins, the Faroe Islands will leave you in absolute awe at every turn. 

These are our favourite things to do on the Faroe Islands, a great mix of natural and cultural must-dos that will have you leaving the islands with a head full of memories.

FAROE ISLAND

WHERE | Faroe Island, Denmark

THINGS TO DO HIGHLIGHTS | Mykines Island, Kalsoy Island, Tórshavn, Lake Sørvagsvatn, Gásadalur and Múlafossur waterfall

WHERE TO STAY | In Tórshavn - Hotel Tórshavn , or 62N Guesthouse

HOW TO GET AROUND | We highly recommend car rental

THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE FAROE ISLANDS

#1 visit the island of mykines and its puffin colony.

In hindsight, our visit to the dramatic island of Mykines was probably the best experience we had on the Faroe Islands. Why? Puffins, and our incredibly knowledgeable guide, Heini.

The most westerly island in the Faroes archipelago, Mykines (pronounces Mitch-en-ez) is the breeding ground for a wide range of migratory seabirds, including the incredibly cute and clumsy Puffin. The westernmost section of the island is covered with Puffin burrows and seabird nests, transforming it into a hive of colour and sound in the summer months. 

The walk to the lighthouse at the tip of the island is an absolute must and will provide you with the most incredible views of the island. It’s a fairly easy, albeit very hilly, 3-4 hour return hike and you'll pass through the Puffin nesting burrows as you go - so make sure you stick to the path at all times. 

If you have time, explore the local village, which once had a full-time population of 180, and now sits at around eight (full time). One of those former residents was Heini, whose father was the last lighthouse keeper on the island, and whose knowledge and deep passion for the island he lived on as a child was infectious and inspiring, and really made our time on the island an absolute highlight of our entire trip. 

To get to Mykines, take a local ferry from Størvágur, which, weather permitting, travels two times a day. Be warned though, it’s a pretty rough journey! Or, take this exceptional and popular 7-hour day tour .

For all your essential Mykines travel information, read our guide here .

THE DETAILS

Where |  Mykines puffin colony, Mykines

How to get to Mykines | To get to Mykines, take the No. 36 ferry from Søvagúr, which departs at 10.20 and 16.20 daily (weather permitting)

Cost | The ferry costs around DKK 60 per person. Book here

BOOK |  We highly recommend taking this 7-hour day tour which you can book here . Alternatively, the return ferry ride can be booked in advance here PLAN | Our guide to Mykines island

NOTE | Important to know for the 2023 season. The path to the lighthouse on Mykines is closed due to a landslide. Fear not, you will still see lots of puffins up close when visiting Mykines

#2 ENJOY ONE OF THE BEST DINING EXPERIENCES EVER AT KOKS

It's not often that a fine dining experience starts with a bumpy Land Rover ride around a lakes edge and up to a quaint Faroese cabin, but KOKS isn't your regular fine dining experience. 

Helmed by young head chef/prodigy Poul Andrias Ziska, KOKS Restaurant is the Faroe Islands' first Michelin-starred restaurant. Located right in the heart of nature in a picturesque hidden valley (made even more beautiful on the day we visited by the thick fog rolling through the plains), the restaurant perfectly encapsulates what the Faroes are known for; isolation, natural beauty, and unique experiences. 

With a focus on locally sourced and foraged ingredients, the 18-course (yes, you read that number right!) meal with paired wines (paired juices available for non-drinkers) meal is a celebration of traditional Faroese food with a modern twist. Expect delicious seafood and vegetables along with some more uncommon, sometimes controversial, additions like whale blubber (we were running late and missed this course), and fermented lamb and fish. 

We don't generally consider ourselves 'foodies', though we absolutely adore a well-prepared and delicious meal (we have our upbringings in Melbourne to thanks for our slight snobbery when it comes to food!), and to be completely honest we originally hesitated on going ourselves as we weren't sure it was our 'thing'. Don't make that mistake! In a world where unique experiences are becoming harder and harder to find, our meal at KOKs was truly one of the most wonderful, authentic, and unique travel experiences we've had in a long, long time. In fact, keep an eye out for our dedicated KOKS post coming soon! 

Where |  Frammi við Gjónna, Leynavatn, Faroe Islands

Book | Book your place here (note: reservations need to be made well in advance). 

Tip | Take a cab to the restaurant (about 30min from Tórshavn); alcohol limits for driving in the Faroes are 0.

#3 HIKE TO THE INCREDIBLE LAKE OF SØRVÁGSVATN, VÁGAR

We'd seen the lake of Sørvágsvatn all over Instagram, but nothing prepared us for how beautiful this place is in real life.

So beautiful in fact, we went back twice (and almost a third, if not for the weather!). 

Located on the island of Vágar, Sørvágsvatn is the largest in the Faroe Islands, famous for its optical illusion where the lake seemingly hangs over the sea below. The walk to the famous viewpoint begins in Midvágur and takes about an hour to get to the main point of interest - the view back over the cliffs and lake. The weather can be very changeable (like the rest of the Faroes), so pack warm clothes and a rain jacket just in case. 

The area is also famous for Trælanípa, a rock wall 142m above the sea which is supposedly where at one point in time, Vikings pushed their slaves off the mountain. These days, photographers -including us! - prefer to use it as the perfect point to snap photos of the incredibly rugged coastline. 

Right on the edge of Sørvágsvatn is Bøsdalafossur waterfall which thunders straight into the sea below. If the North Atlantic is at its most ferocious, it's an absolutely incredible sight to see as huge waves pummel the cliffs and the waterfall blows back into the lake. 

The area is completely open, so can be very dangerous in foggy/abject weather. Please always put your own safety above wanting to stand on dangerous edges to "get the shot!".

It’s important to note that since we wrote this guide, the landowners have started charging a fee for the hike. It costs 200 DKK per person to enter, which equates to approximately $30 USD. In our opinion, this is extravagant, however, it is private land. Is it worth that much money? Probably.

Where |  Sørvágsvatn on the island of Vágar

Cost | 200 DKK per person

How far | 5km round hike

Tips | Pack warm, take water, and be safe around the cliffs - they can be unstable, especially in heavy weather

PLAN | Our complete guide to Lake Sørvágsvatn BOOK | This guided hike to Lake Sørvágsvatn

#4 GÁSADALUR AND THE FAMOUS MÚLAFOSSUR FALLS

"I can't believe we're here, seeing this in real life" uttered Mark, as we both stood opposite one of the prettiest sights we'd ever seen. 

Perhaps the most famous of all Faroese attractions is the stunning Múlafossur waterfall, located just south of Gasadalur village. Falling straight into the North Atlantic, the waterfall has become somewhat of an Instagram sensation in recent years and is one place we’re happy to admit is MUCH better in person. It’s utterly majestic. 

The village of Gásadalur sits in the middle of this beautiful scene of towering mountains and grass-covered fields, all of which are the perfect backdrop to the famous waterfall. The town itself is typically Faroese, with small, grass-covered homes and a distinctly remote feel. Until 2004, when a tunnel was built connecting the town to Søvágur, the town was only accessible via hike or helicopter.

If you're looking to make the most of your time here, do what we did and spend a night at the Gásadalsgarður , a newly built guesthouse with a truly iconic view. It also doubles as a restaurant serving traditional Faroese fare. 

To get to Gásadalur and Múlafossur waterfall, head east from Vagur airport, through the town of Bøur and the tunnel before arriving. Then, it's a short walk down to the Múlafossur falls viewpoint. 

Where |  Múlafossur waterfall, Gásadalur, Vágar

How to get to Gásadalur |  Head east from Vágar airport, through Søvagúr, passing through a tunnel before arriving. Then, it's a short walk down to the Múlafossur falls viewpoint. 

Stay | Check prices and availability for Gásadalsgarður here

#5 VISIT KALSOY AND HIKE TO THE FAMOUS KALLURIN LIGHTHOUSE

The long, thin island of Kalsoy is located in the northern part of the Faroe Islands archipelago and is famous for Kallurin lighthouse, positioned on what feels like the edge of the earth, perched atop dramatic cliffs which just straight out of the North Atlantic below.

The easy 1-hour hike to the lighthouse, and exploring a little of the island itself is a must-do on the Faroe Islands.

Starting in the remote village of Trøllanes, head through the red gate, before following the faint path along the base of the imposing mountain, slowly snaking your way towards the lighthouse.

We took a guided tour , and were definitely glad for his expert guidance on the steep and sometimes slippery path! Definitely best to wear a pair of sturdy hiking boots for this one. 

The views from the lighthouse are some of the most incredible on the Island; sheer cliffs surround you from almost all sides, while in the distance you can see the edge of the northern and southern islands. You can walk out to a ledge to get the iconic photo of the lighthouse and mountain, but be warned - it's very windy, and slightly precarious and once or twice we had to drop to the ground to avoid feeling like we might be blown over the edge! 

For James Bond fans (like Mark has every Bond on DVD), Kalsoy, and Trøllanes in particular, was one of the filming locations for the James Bond ‘No Time to Die’. In fact, this is where Bond died… so you kind of have to visit, right?

For buffs of all things shaken not stirred, you can actually join a tour of all of the key filming locations, visit some of the cottages and trails used, and hear stories from filming on the island.

We also recommend stopping in the town of Mikladalur to visit the Seal Woman statue, and to learn about the folktale of how she is believed to still curse the men of the Island. 

Where |  Kallurin lighthouse, Kalsoy

How far | Around 4kms or 2 hours hiking

How to get to Kalsoy | Take a ferry from Klaksvik village . If you're taking your car across it can get very busy, so try to arrive at least an hour prior to your departure. Otherwise, if you're taking the bus from the ferry port on Kalsoy, you can take a local bus to Trøllanes. 

Cost | The ferry costs 160 DKK for a car and driver, otherwise around 15 DKK per person

BOOK | Book your guided tour of Kalsoy & Kallur Lighthouse here . Alternatively, this incredible James Bond tour of the Island READ | Our ultimate guide to Kalsoy and the Kallur Lighthouse trail

#6 CHILL OUT ON NOLSOY

On a foggy, wet day during our time on the Faroe Islands, we caught the ferry from Tórshavn to Nólsoy to enjoy a thoroughly different, albeit enjoyable day out.

With our plans to hike to the Islands lighthouse thwarted by the incredibly thick fog, we decided to explore the town and its quirky, artsy, and liberal community. It was the perfect chill day to break up an otherwise pretty heavily outdoor based itinerary. 

We spent the majority of the day curled up inside the Nólsoy visitor's centre, a wooden cabin in the heart of the town, enjoying their delicious homemade food (the steamed cod and potatoes are amazing, and you simply must try the homemade waffles with rhubarb jam and cream), and enjoying being toasty warm while the fog danced over the sea outside. The centre also has a sauna which visitors are welcome to use.

Although there's not a huge amount to see and do in a town of 250 inhabitants, a visit to the church is worthwhile, while there are a number of photogenic homes and boat sheds, as well as a lot of artwork dotted throughout the community. The port, in particular, had a number of beautiful murals.  For those visiting on a clearer day than us, the hike to the Nólsoy lighthouse is highly recommended (14kms or 5 hours, starting in Nólsoy). 

The ferry to Nólsoy takes around 20 mins and leaves from Tórshavn harbour up to six times a day. 

Where |  Nólsoy

How to get to Nolsoy | Catch the 90 ferry from Tórshavn harbour. Depending on the day, the ferry runs up to 6 times.  Check out the departure times here . 

Cost |  Ferries start at DKK15 per person

know before you go: 22 essential faroe islands travel tips  

#7 visit the pretty town of gjogv.

The Faroe Islands are dotted with beautiful little towns, and in humble opinion, Gjogv is the most picturesque of them all. 

Located on the northern tip of Eysturoy about 1.5 hours from Tórshavn , Gjogv (pronounced Jegv) is a village full of charm and visual appeal.

Colourful timber-walled cottages dot the enclosed valley with a creek flowing straight through the middle of the town (in which the local kids were thoroughly enjoying swimming in during our visit!).

Gjogv is, however, most famous for its scenic 200m gorge, which is one of the best natural harbours in the Faroes and for centuries supplied the town's once-thriving fishing industry. For the best view, we recommend hiking out to the left of the gorge and enjoying the views back over this beautiful little town. 

It's also worth checking out the town's church, which dates back to 1929. 

Where |  Gjogv, Eysturoy

How to get to Gjogv |  Head towards Klaksvik and turn left at the exit to Funningur

BOOK | This incredible photography tour of Gjogv, Funningur and Tjørnuvik

#8 EXPERIENCE ÓLAVSØKA (ST OLAV’S DAY) FESTIVAL IN JULY

If you're after a true Faroese cultural experience, make sure you visit during July when the national day of Ólavsøka occurs.

Ólavsøka has origins in Norway and began as a memorial feast for the Norwegian King Olav the Holy, who was killed in the battle of Stiklestad, in Norway, on 29 July, 1030. It's believed his death contributed to the subsequent Christianisation of Norway, and also the Faroe Islands.

Each year, locals from all corners of the Faroe Islands descend on Tórshavn dressed in their colourful national Faroese costume for a weekend of festivities, including cultural, musical, and sporting activities, like the hotly contested national rowing race. 

Our visit to the Faroe Islands timed perfectly with the Ólavsøka and we're so glad it did.

We spent the weekend joining in the festivities, walking the streets of Tórshavn, eating local food, listening to traditional folk music, and enjoying a beer or two in the main square. It was wonderful to see the local traditions alive and well and that everyone  old and young was in the festive spirit.

The celebrations conclude at midnight on the Sunday, when crowds gather in the town square to sing traditional Faroese ballads and take part in the traditional Faroese chain dance (otherwise known as Midnight Song). It really is an incredible sight (watch this video for an idea ).

Where |  Ólavsøka, Tórshavn

When | Each year in July

Tip |   Accommodation for the festival books up months in advance, so if you're planning to visit at this time, keep this in mind!

#9 KAYAK IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC 

One of the highlights of our trip was seeing the Faroes from a completely different perspective, from the water on a half-day kayaking expedition .

Starting in Hoyvik, a small village just north of Tórshavn, we followed our trusty guide Hans as we hugged the coastline and made our way south towards Torshavn harbour.

We stopped off at various coves, including one with a small waterfall, and various kelp fields before slowly making our way back - stopping only to admire the incredible scenery on what was the best weather day we had in the Faroe Islands.

Our guide Hans was a wealth of information, giving us a wonderful overview of the local area and its sometimes turbulent history.

For those wanting to kayak, there are tours in various areas of the Faroe Islands including Tórshavn, Bøur, Klaksvik, Kalsoy, Sundalagið and Funningsfjørður. 

All necessary equipment is provided, including a kayak, dry bags, and drysuits able to withstand the cold waters of the North Atlantic (trust us, its cold!).

What | North Atlantic Xperience

Where | Various places on the Faroe Islands, including Tórshavn, Bøur, Klaksvik, Kalsoy, Sundalagið and Funningsfjørður 

Cost | DKK 400 per person

BOOK | This kayaking tour of Hoyvik

#10 WALK THROUGH TINGANES, THE OLD TOWN OF TÓRSHAVN

After a week spent hiking the outer reaches of the Faroe Islands, spending time exploring the cute capital of Tórshavn was a welcome change.

Tórshavn is located on the south-east coast of Streymoy, and home to around 15,000 inhabitants (yeah, it's pretty small!), and while it might not be the most buzzing capital in Europe, it's definitely worth spending at least a day in (read our full Tórshavn guide here ).  

At the heart of it is Tinganes, the historical old town which dates back to the 1400s. Stroll through the narrow, winding lanes and passageways filled with quintessential Faroese houses - charming grass-roofed, timber and stone buildings that are still used by locals today. 

Tinganes is also home to the oldest parliamentary meeting locations in the world (dating back to the 800s) and is still home to the Prime Minister’s office. 

A short walk from Parliament Point is Vestaravág, the colourful harbour area of Tórshavn, and home to a number of great restaurants, including Skeiva Pakkhus , which serves super modern Faroese cuisine in a tapas-like format. Make sure you try the smoked salmon, which in this part of the world, is absolutely incredible. 

It's also worth checking out Skansin, Tórshavn's old fort which dates back to 1580. Although not a lot remains today, it does provide a nice out to Nolsoy, and back towards Tinganes and the rest of Tórshavn.

For those looking for a more in-depth experience, there are guided walking tours of the old town, which provide a wonderful insight into the history and significance of the area. Book here .

Where |  Tinganes, Tórshavn

Read more | Our top things to see, do and eat in Tórshavn

BOOK | A walking tour of Tórshavn

#11 VISIT THE DRAMATIC AND ISOLATED TOWN OF SAKSUN

Located in an imposing natural amphitheatre and isolated Fjord is the isolated little village of Saksun. Home to 14 inhabitants, the village has become something of an Instagram sensation (much like the rest of the Faroes) in recent times.

In our opinion though, Saksun is so much more impressive than the little cottage that made it so famous and is probably the most beautiful location on the Faroe Islands. We literally spent our whole time in Saksun with our jaws to the floor. 

The Fjord is home to a large tidal lagoon, which when low, allows you to walk out to the headland. The walk is easy and very much worth it for some incredible views. The village itself is home to a church that was built in 1858, as well as a few grass-covered homes that are seriously photogenic. 

There are also a number of hiking paths that take you high above the village, providing incredible views of the Fjord and its surrounds. There are also a number of picturesque waterfalls within the village.

Unfortunately, in recent times many visitors have trespassed on private land to get 'the' shot of the insta-famous cottage. The farmer has become quite frustrated with photographers and tourists blatantly disregarding his property and this area is now out of bounds (we've even heard reports he shot a drone out of the air... you've been warned).

Please respect his wishes and hike out to the lagoon opposite for an equally beautiful photograph instead. 

What |  Saksun, Streymoy

Where | North-west Streymoy, about an hour north of Tórshavn

TOUR | If you’re looking to explore Saksun, this 8-hour day tour visits here, among other epic locations.

#12 FOSSÁ WATERFALL

We didn't originally plan on visiting Fossá waterfall as it was a little out of the way, however, after a heavy early morning rainfall, we made the decision to drop in on our way to Gjogv.

We're glad we did. 

Standing at 140m high, Fossa is the tallest of over 18,000 waterfalls on the Faroe Islands. After heavy rainfall, it becomes like any you'd see in Iceland - roaring over the multiple tiers showering the surrounding area with a heavy mist. There's a short path you can follow to the base of the falls, however, if the falls are raging, it's almost impossible to reach this far. 

Fossá waterfall is located about an hour north of Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy, and is a perfect stop off point for anyone visiting the northern islands

What | Fossá, Streymoy

Where | North-east Streymoy, about an hour north of Tórshavn

MAP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE FAROE ISLANDS

Where to stay on the faroe islands.

The biggest expense on the Faroe Islands is accommodation. We recommend staying in downtown Tórshavn and exploring the best things to do on the Faroe Islands from there. 

We based ourselves in Tørshavn on two separate locations:

HOTEL TORSHAVN | right in the centre of town - a clean, basic hotel and a good base for exploring. Book here

HAVGRIM SEASIDE HOTEL | - a beautiful little boutique hotel that's been around since 1948 but recently refurbished. It's just past the harbour, with some pretty epic sea views. And a deliciously tasty breakfast buffet (excuse us while we drool a little!). Book here

62N GUESTHOUSE | Located in downtown Tórshavn, this hostel is an affordable option for those on a budget. Book here

You can search alternative hotels and prices on Booking.com here .

We’ve written a comprehensive guide to Faroe Islands airbnbs , including our personal recommendations for where to stay and things to know, which you can read here.

Basically, Airbnbs are a great option if you’re looking to live in a traditional Faroese cottage while also cutting down on your overall travel budget in the Faroes.

For those keen on saving as much as possible, camping is your cheapest option - although not without its risks! With inclement weather being a regular visitor around here, you'll want to be adequately prepared for the wind and rain that it brings.

Note: wild camping is illegal here, but there are a stack of official camping sites around the islands. Find out more here .

FAROE ISLANDS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS | HOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT TRIP

How to get to the faroe islands.

While the Faroe Islands are remote, getting to them really isn't as difficult as you might think at first glance of your Google Maps. Here are some of the ways you can get to the Faroes yourself! 

These days, the Faroes national carrier,  Atlantic Airways , fly from Edinburgh (this is how we got there!), Copenhagen (Denmark), Bergen (Norway), Reykjavik (Iceland) to Vagar airport year-round, with a flight time between 1-2 hours for each. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) also fly a route from Copenhagen too.

We flew Atlantic Airways from Edinburgh, and our flight was just an hour -  insane when you consider the islands really are one of the world's most remote, wild destinations. Atlantic Airways flights also operate from Barcelona, Mallorca, Gran Canaria, and Malta on seasonal bases too. 

Prices are also pretty reasonable for the adventure of a lifetime; between £100-150 return from Edinburgh with Atlantic!

If you have the time, the taste for adventure, and love for slow travel, you can also take a ferry to the Faroe Islands.

The Smyril Line operates services between Denmark (Hirtshals), the Faroes, and Iceland twice a week in summer, and once during winter. Each trip takes about 37 hours and you can take your car on board too! 

HOW TO GET AROUND THE FAROE ISLANDS

Being made up of 18 separate islands, you'd expect it might be a tricky feat to get around the Faroe Islands, however, we found it very easy. 

We'd definitely recommend hiring a car , which can be picked up and dropped off at the airport. 

The roads on the Faroe Islands are well-maintained and easy to navigate, making it the perfect road trip destination . Almost all of the roads are paved and with only a few gravel exceptions. Roundabouts control the traffic in most cases (there are only 3 traffic lights in the entire country), and while a few of the roads are one-lane (with turnouts for passing), we never had any issues with heavy traffic.

Over the last few decades, the government has been heavily investing in inter-Faroe Islands transport infrastructure, with a number of tunnels (both mountain and deep sea) and bridges that connect whole islands to neighbours that were only accessible by ferry now becoming the norm.

Deep sea tunnels operate between Vágar and Streymoy, Eysturoy and Borðoy (where Klaksvík is), and there are two more in the works literally as we speak. 

Note: both tunnels charge a toll payment of DKK 100 (about £GBP11) for return trips, and you can pay at one of the petrol stations listed here.  Also, some tunnels are one-lane with pull-out zones, so always be careful and watch your speed!

It's also worth noting the speed limit is 80km/h on main roads, and 50km/h within urban areas. 

BOOK | Plan ahead and book your Faroe Islands car rental

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Faroe Islands have a super efficient bus system. You'll be able to get to most places by bus, although for spots a little further out of the way (Saksun, for example), you'll either need to rent a car or find some buddies to carpool with. 

All 6 of the bus routes within Tórshavn are free, including one that travels to the nearby historic town of Kirjubøur.

Obviously being an archipelago, ferries are a major way of travelling between islands and these are also subsidised by the government so they're super cheap (generally about DKK15 / GBP 1.80). They also run multiple trips a day to most places, and they generally have both warm seating areas inside and space on the decks to enjoy the trip outside too.

Check out bus and ferry timetables here . Note: the ferry to Mykines ( for the Puffins!) will often be cancelled in bad weather, so always keep an eye on this website to keep updated on cancellations.

Another unexpected, and surprisingly cheap method of transport here are actually Helicopters! These are sometimes the only way of accessing villages in the winter months, and they're subsidised by the government to allow citizens to travel between islands easily and cheaply. Tourists can book a place on one if they're free, however it's expected that you'll only take this one way (and ferry back!). More info can be found here

WHEN TO VISIT THE FAROE ISLANDS: FAROE ISLANDS WEATHER

We'd recommend visiting the Faroe Islands in Summer, between July and August , when the weather is slightly more stable and the days long, allowing for more exploration. If you're more intrepid, the winter can provide incredible scenery, but with two-four hours of sunlight a day, we just don't think it's worth it. 

The Faroe Islands’ weather patterns are wildly unpredictable. In fact, there's actually a saying in the Faroe Islands that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes - something we came to understand within the first few minutes of being there.

The reason for this huge weather variation is the Faroes position in the middle of the North Atlantic. Here, the warm waters of the Gulf Stream swirl around with the icy waters of the Arctic, creating the perfect melting pot for some pretty crazy weather concoctions.

Surprisingly, for somewhere so northerly and remote, the temperatures are reasonable. But despite their position in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands’ climate (at least temperature-wise) really is a pretty mild one. 

READ MORE | Everything to know before visiting the Faroe Islands

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We firmly believe that if you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the 2020/2021 pandemic has taught many; things can go wrong anywhere in the world and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.

In a place like the Faroes, where inclement weather and cancellations are aplenty, it’s even more vital.

For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out of pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here .

For digital nomads | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.

Car Insurance | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy

PLANNING TO VISIT THE FAROE ISLANDS SOON?

We have a heap of essential reading before visiting the Faroe Islands:

FAROE ISLANDS INSPIRATION | Our complete Faroe Islands itinerary and road trip guide , Our guide to the best things to see and do in the Faroe Islands , What to know about visiting the Faroe Islands ,

FAROESE ATTRACTIONS | Our guide to Lake Sørvágsvatn , A day trip guide to Mykines island , and the ultimate guide to Kalsoy and the Kallur Lighthouse , A guide to the Faroe Islands’ quirky capital city

ACCOMMODATION IN THE FAROES | Our guide to the best airbnbs in the Faroe Islands

FAROE ISLANDS PHOTOGRAPHY | The beauty of the Faroe Islands in photos

PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide , as well as our top travel photography tips !

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe

ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials

Let us know your favourite things to do on the Faroe Islands in the comments below! 

DISCOVER THE FAROE ISLANDS WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES

Our time on the Faroe Islands was made possible by the support of Visit Faroe Islands and their respective partners. That said, all opinions - both good and bad! - are, and will always be our own. 

Some of the links on this guide to the best things to do in the Faroe Islands are affiliate links.

If you choose to purchase using these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that by using these affiliate links, you're directly supporting The Common Wanderer to stay wandering, the running costs of the site, and our ability to provide you with free content to help you on your travels.

That, and you're officially a legend. 

• Destinations
• Åland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Winter Travel

Faroe Islands , Planning tips

31 things to know before you travel to the faroe islands.

There are many things you should know before you visit the Faroe Islands . After two trips to the Nordic islands, I understand and feel confident advising others on how to travel to the Faroe Islands successfully (and to take cute photos of sheep).

Below are some of the top tours, hotels, etc to help plan your Faroe Islands trip!

Getting around the Faroe Islands:

• Cheapest car rental options (and with most availability!)
• Vagar airport to Torshavn (a quick transfer service!)

Top Experiences and Tours in the Faroes:

• Outstanding Faroe Islands ʻSee it allʻ tour (7-hour bestseller!)
• 1.5 hour Vestmanna sea cliffs boat trip (great value)
• Mykines 6-hour tour (with puffin guarantee!)
• Kalsoy and Kallur lighthouse 8-hour guided tour (my favorite place!)
• Classic 4-hour tour of Vagar

Top Lodging and Hotels in the Faroes:

• The View (Vagar island near the airport)
• Hotel Hafnia (Torshavn)
• Hotel Føroyar (Torshavn)
• Panorama Boathouse (Klaksvik – perfect for visiting Kalsoy)

This is a guide of things to know before you go to the Faroe Islands .

I have included photos from both trips in this guide. If the grass is brown, it was taken in March. If it is green (and sunnyish), it was taken in August.

In this post...

Tips for Traveling to the Faroe Islands

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The Faroe Islands are one place that I just can’t stop raving about. It has been ten months since I traveled to these Northern Atlantic beauties, but I have so many untold stories, travel tips, and questions to answer about my travels there.

By the time I get everything posted about the Faroes, I will likely have made a return trip or two there ( spoiler- I have now been twice ).

Anyway, it is really difficult to know what to expect in the Faroes for someone who has not stepped foot on its lush, sheep-poo-filled soil. Once you’re there, everything is a bit easier to wrap your head around.

And once you leave, you will be longing to learn more about these secluded and wondrous islands.

These are 30 useful things to know before you travel to the Faroe Islands .  Some of them are facts and some are just my observations and experiences about Faroe Islands tourism, in general.

Please feel free to leave comments with some of your tips and suggestions if you’ve traveled to the Faroe Islands!

1. The Inhabitants are Diverse

There are over 77 nationalities living in the Faroe Islands. When I was there, I met people from all over residing in the Faroes… from Ukraine to Thailand to France.

While a lot of the diversity comes from students, seasonal workers, and bar staff, there is also a demand for women there as the islands have a shortage .

When I was in Torshavn, I discovered that Mikkeller Beer was opening a bar there right after we left and they posted applications publicly so that they could attract applicants from all over the world.

I later returned to the Faroe Islands and didn’t have a chance to stop in Mikkeller but I assume I will make it a priority on my third trip to the Faroe Islands one of these days!

2. Getting to the Faroe Islands is Easier (and Cheaper) than Expected

Long gone are the days when the Faroe Islands were inaccessible. Now, you can fly directly from Edinburgh, Reykjavik, or Copenhagen on Atlantic Airways straight to Vagar Airport. 

You can also fly directly from Copenhagen with SAS to Vagar Airport. There are talks of New York flights soon, as well.

These flights to the Faroe Islands are year-round and I think I paid a little over $100 for my round-trip ticket from Copenhagen to the Faroe Islands. I was so shocked at how affordable the prices were.

3. You Can Take a Ferry to the Faroe Islands from Denmark (and Iceland)

From Hirtshals, Denmark, you can take a ferry to the Faroe Islands from the European mainland. While this isn’t my cup of tea, it still is a nice alternative for those who are perhaps afraid of flying or want to try something a little different.

You can also take your car on the ferry, so it is a viable option for those who don’t want to rent a car in the Faroe Islands (FYI- rentals are cheaper than you’d expect there if you book ahead).

During the Faroe Island summer months, travelers will find two options a week and it decreases to one option a week during the winter months.

These will be on the Norröna ship and the journey takes about 37 hours.

This journey also continues on to Iceland.  And you can also get it back from Iceland to the Faroe Islands. To find out more and see updated schedules, fares, and information, check out Smyril Line’s website .

4. Wild Camping in the Faroe Islands is Illegal

Scandinavia and the Nordics have a reputation for allowing wild camping or setting up to sleep wherever you please. 

This is not the case in the Faroe Islands (and rightfully so, in my opinion, as the weather can be really harsh in certain places and you’re never more than 5 kilometers from the sea).

While there are various reasons for this rule, it must be mentioned that there are several designated places to go camping in the Faroe Islands .

It is also not permitted to sleep in a car or campervan randomly in parking lots, on land, or somewhere on the roads. This has been a bit of an issue for tourists who don’t do their research beforehand.

It is not fair to the locals and travelers should come prepared to follow the rules of the Islands as they have been put in place for a reason.

To see all updates, follow Camping.fo for additional information.

Also, do note that if you are camping during winter in the Faroe Islands, you must call and make arrangements ahead of time.

Not a fan of camping? Stay in a hotel in the Faroe Islands instead!

5. Mullafossur Waterfall in Gasadalur is Temperamental

When most people think of the Faroe Islands, they have the same three images in their mind: the Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy in Trøllanes, the optical illusion at Lake Sørvágsvatn on Vagar, and the Mullafossur Waterfall flowing beautifully and calmly into the Atlantic in Gasadalur.

That waterfall doesn’t really always look like the photos you see of it. Sometimes it blows into the sky. But, wait around for the wind to die out and you’ll get a good photo.

Like they say in the Faroes, just wait five minutes and the weather changes. With a little patience and a good eye, you’ll be able to probably catch a good shot of the waterfall as you visit it.

Just expect it to often defy gravity and blow up into the sky instead of softly down into the sea. While you wait for that perfect photo, you can actually see Mykines in the distance from where you’ll stand which is pretty cool.

Visiting Mulafossur is the perfect thing to do when you’re en route from the Vagar Airport to Torshavn .

6. The Faroe Islands are not Schengen

This affects such a small minority of us.  But this was really cool for me when visiting as I was able to go there for a week and not lose my Schengen days. But yes, the Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen zone and I am super thankful for it.

7. You Likely Won’t See Puffins in the Faroe Islands

Obviously, this is dependent on when and where you go. If you arrive in the Faroes in March , the likelihood that you’ll see them is basically non-existent.

If you arrive at the Faroe Islands in June, you have a great chance to see them if you make the effort to do so. There are puffins living all over the islands, but their colonies may not always be accessible to us humans.

For example, on Kalsoy, there are 40,000 pairs of puffins, but they are located on the northern and western coasts, which are rugged and not conveniently located for humans. You can find puffins from Kunoy to Suduroy and beyond.

While many people go to the Faroes just to see the puffins, I think it is important to respect their habitat and give them their peace. There are many reasons to visit the Faroes and puffins are just one of the thousands.

If you’re wanting to see puffins in the Faroes, do your research. Obviously, Mykines is prime territory for puffin sightings during the summer months, but you can also sometimes see them on Skuvoy and Streymoy at Vestmanna and other islands.

To find out more about puffin watching and birdwatching in the Faroe Islands, click here. There is even a downloadable birdwatching booklet.

You can also look at Faroe Islands tours that go to Mykines and a lot of the dirty work is already done for you!

8. You Now Need to Pay to go to Mykines (and the Optical Illusion Lake)

Speaking of puffins on Mykines, you must now pay a fee to go to the island to see the puffins. Congratulations to human beings for being unable to respect the animals and their habitat.

I saw a video of a traveler on Mykines one time running after them while she video’ed the entire thing for her Instagram Stories.

I wanted to vomit when I watched it. Anyway, the fee isn’t substantial, but things are always subject to change in the future.

I am happy to see the Faroe Islands doing their best to protect the birds on this island. You can find plenty of tours in the Faroe Islands if you research well.

To avoid all of the new rules and regulations regarding Mykines, I recommend taking a tour there. Click here to see the rates and availability for a day tour to Mykines from Sorvagur.

As of 2019, the famous ‘Optical Illusion Lake’ hike is no longer free.  I have had the chance to go two times without payment so it is, unfortunately, but maintaining land is no easy or cheap feat… so I totally understand the new fees implemented. You have a few options for hiking there.

• You can organize a hike ahead of time with a local guide.  Click here to check rates and availability .
• You can show up at one of the slotted times (9am, 12pm, and 3pm) and join one of the tours with a local guide. This price is 450DKK per person (children are 100DKK).
• You can pay 200DKK and hike independently. To be honest, it is an extremely easy hike and requires little to no effort if the weather cooperates. I would go this route if you’re on a budget and feel comfortable walking on your own.

9. Buses in Torshavn are Free

That’s right. There are multiple lines that operate in the Torshavn municipality and the bus lines are free to users. I wish other places around the world used tax money for public transportation, to be honest.

I think this is brilliant and I’d be more inclined to take public transport everywhere if I didn’t have to constantly purchase tickets for it.

In addition, these buses also will transport passengers out to the historic city of Kirkjubøur , a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the Faroe Islands and the people that inhabit them.

10. The Seawater is Extremely Colorful

Obviously, this is an observation. But it is true! The water in the Faroe Islands is really blueish-green and is so beautiful. I expected it to be a murky blackish color before arriving and I was completely stunned when I saw how vivid it really was.

There are so many photos out there that showcase how green it is, and I truthfully thought it was all photoshopped to enhance the long exposures people had taken with their cameras.

I found the water beautiful and bright almost everywhere, but it really stood out on Sandoy to me , where it appeared to be a bright blue color with a teal tint to it.

Is there seriously anywhere in these islands that aren’t absolutely stunning?!

11. Beer Prices in Torshavn are Mostly the Same

When I arrived in Torshavn, I was pretty shocked to discover that despite the bar I went into for a local beer, the beers were all the same price (according to which beer I ordered). 

The hotel bars had the local beer priced at the exact same price as a dive bar. My favorite bar, Sirkus, had their beer priced the same, too.

Of course, craft beers and imports are slightly more expensive and I am not sure if they are priced the same throughout the city (there aren’t too many bars, to begin with), but I loved this as a traveler because I could choose my favorite bar based on atmosphere and its scene instead of whether or not I could afford it.

There are two breweries in the Faroe Islands: Okkara and  Føroya Bjór . Both have a range of beers and Føroya Bjór also makes some soft drinks that you can easily find in the grocery shops.

You will find both beers ubiquitously at bars and restaurants, alcohol license permitting, in Torshavn and the other cities and towns.

12. You Can’t Buy Alcohol Over 2.8% at a Grocery Store

In order to purchase alcohol that is over 2.8% ABV, you must travel to the nearest Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins, or state monopoly for alcoholic beverages.

The opening hours are worse than banking hours, so you must really make an effort to get there if you’re looking for some local beverages while in the islands.

I was really impressed at how vast of a variety they carried in the shop. There are only six Rúsdrekkasølas throughout the islands, so you need to ensure you are within a close distance of one and that it is open.

They are located in the following places: Klaksvík, Miðvágur, Saltangará, Skálavík, Torshavn, and Drelnes.

The one in Torshavn is not located down by the sea, in fact, and requires a little effort, or a car, to get to. You can find out more about the Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins here .

You can also purchase alcohol at duty-free at the airport upon arrival.

13. Fish from the Fishmonger is Affordable (and Insanely Delicious!)

If you’re staying at a hotel, you likely won’t be able to cook while in the Faroes. I stayed at an apartment while there and one day we decided to hit up a fishmonger down by the harbor to see what he brought in that day and how we could incorporate it into our dinner.

We bought some freshly caught cod from him and the rest is history. It was super affordable and so delicious that I am still salivating at the thought of it.

We bought some local potatoes and root vegetables and created a nice fish casserole with it all – it was easily my favorite meal we had in the Faroes, and we cooked it in our own kitchen there.

It was also really exciting to see how big of a role fishing plays in a local’s life given that fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry for the Faroe Islands.

14. You’re Unlikely to See the Northern Lights in the Faroe Islands

Unfortunately, the Faroes are a bit too south and have a bit too moody of weather to make the destination a prime spot for Northern Lights spotting.

That doesn’t mean it is impossible, as many photos will indicate, but don’t plan a trip there for northern lights hunting or you may end up disappointed.

With that said, plan that out-of-season trip anyway, and just keep your fingers crossed. The lack of tourists and unique landscapes of the Faroe Islands during the cooler months is well worth it! Click here for my Faroe Islands photography guide.

15. The Road to Saksun May Take Forever in High-Season

Set out early! I was there in March and there was no one on the road. However, we kept commenting on how horrible of an experience it would be if it had been high-season. The road is small, often one-lane, and windy.

It also doesn’t help that the landscape of the Faroe Islands is a permanent postcard that just makes you feel compelled to stop every five minutes and take pictures in awe of its beauty.

It took us ages to get out to Saksun and mostly because of the frequent stops to admire the beauty.

I can’t imagine doing this with larger vehicles on the road or just more cars in general.

16. Find A Cheap Faroese Sweater in a Second-Hand Shop

The famed, woolen Faroe Islands sweater is extremely sought after by tourists and Faroe Islands enthusiasts. Unfortunately, if you’re on a budget, they ‘don’t come cheap’.

One of my dreams years ago was to own a  Guðrun & Guðrun knit from the Faroes, but it definitely wasn’t in my price range while I was visiting the Islands.

There is obviously no guarantee that second-hand shops will have any sweaters in, but it is worth a shot as you may score a hand-knitted gem for a meager amount.

When you’re in Torshavn, ask where the thrift stores are.  We found various ones and some seemed to be closed most of the time.  The only one that stayed open while we were there was a Salvation Army down by the harbor area.

There is also rumored to be a second-hand shop in Klaksvik that sells Faroese wool, but I don’t have any definitive information on it. The islands are so small and the people are so extraordinarily friendly that they will most certainly do their best to guide you there.

If you do purchase brand new, don’t forget to ask for tax-free as you’ll be refunded 15% once you leave the islands! Bringing your own clothes to the Faroes?  Click here to check out my Faroe Islands packing list .

17. Leave the House in Saksun Alone!

There is a house in Saksun that belongs to a farmer that is the image that comes to mind when people envision Saksun. Yes, the one that stands all alone with the grass roof. 

I am not even going to put a photo of it here as it is kind of contradicts what I am about to say.

The guy who resides there doesn’t like it when you trample across his land.  He doesn’t like it when you peer in his windows. He also probably doesn’t like your Instagram photoshoot that you’re about to do beside or in front of it. Leave it alone.

There are plenty of spots to photograph in Saksun, so long as you do it respectfully.

Update 2020: Congratulations travelers- there is now a fee to enter Saksun down into the black sand lagoon. The fee is 75DKK and you can pay as you enter Saksun.

18. Don’t Switch off Your Rental Car’s Automatic Lights

I am pretty sure this isn’t permitted anyway, but we switched the automatic lights off temporarily when waiting for a ferry. The only problem?  We forgot to switch them back on.

Once we hopped off of that ferry, we immediately entered a one-lane tunnel to go up to Muli and we wrecked in the tunnel instantly. Yep, we wrecked our car in the Faroes.

I was unsure about what happened and thought it was a failure on behalf of the car itself and that those lights ended up turned off as a fault. Turns out we had turned them off and never flipped them back on. That was a pretty expensive mistake to make.

Our car rental in the Faroe Islands was really easy to work with despite our wrecking of the vehicle. If you’re looking to hire a rental, click here for rates and availability .

19. Invest in a Wide Angle Lens for Photography in the Faroe Islands

The landscape is outrageously grandiose and you will feel so humbled and small- but to morph that feeling into photos, you really do need a wide-angle lens.

I used an affordable Canon 10-18mm which worked perfectly for the landscape as I’m not a professional photographer and didn’t need anything more than that lens and my other standards.

I was very happy with the results and can definitely recommend the lens to those with a cropped sensor camera.

You can check out the lens and its cost here .

Here is a photo that was taken with the wide-angle lens in the Faroes:

If you’re into bird photography, I also suggest bringing a zoom lens that fits your camera. You can see a recommendation of mine at the end of this post.

Zoom lenses in the Faroes are also good for stalking the other islands as you can almost always see other islands from where you’re standing!

20. Ferries Sometimes Have to Be Ordered During Low-Season

If you’re looking to go to Skuvoy or another lesser-visited island during the low-season, you are best off giving a call to order that ferry.

The fare isn’t extra, but they simply don’t need to run it otherwise. Be sure to get familiar with SSL’s website to figure these things out far ahead of time.

Trust me, you could end up stuck on Sandoy waiting on a ferry to Skuvoy and you may have a panic attack when it doesn’t read your mind to show up and haul you over to the island.

While that probably worked out in our best interest as a massive storm rolled in, it could have been easily avoided.

For more information, including ferry schedules (where this information will be stated below each schedule), head to Strandfaraskip Landsins website where everything is noted.

21. Get to the Kalsoy Ferry in Klaksvik Early

This is a small ferry. I am not sure if they bring in a larger one during summer season or high-season, but our ferry was very small and only fit a handful of cars.

Quite frankly, Kalsoy doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle many cars and people… so don’t think they will make an exception for you and run a ferry over just because you couldn’t get on it.

As Faroe Islands tourism increases, so will the demand to get to Kalsoy for the famed lighthouse hike and photograph. If this is seriously on your list, arrive early at the ferry and wait. Kalsoy is worth it, after all.

22. The Faroe Islands has Its Own Currency

The Islands have their own currency and it has pictures of very Faroese things on it! I have a bill with Tindhólmur on it that I saved from my trip to the Faroes.

You are able to use Faroese Krónur or Danish Kroner when on the islands and you obviously need to get rid of any of the Faroese money before leaving the Islands as you’re unable to exchange it elsewhere. But, save some. It is kind of cool to keep a bill or two!

You can get Faroese Krónur from an ATM or see if someone will give you change when shopping there in Krónur. The rate is on par with Danish Kroner, so you don’t have to convert it to something else.

23. That Photo of the Illusion Lake in the Faroe Islands Isn’t an Easy Feat to Score

Okay, it kind of is. Pending you have the right weather and are pretty fearless. I had okay weather when I made it up there, but the wind began picking up and I decided to not risk myself getting any closer than I did. I am afraid of heights, too, which doesn’t help things in the Faroes.

Now that I know how to do it properly, I will make sure I have the weather on my side and try to get it next time. 

On the other hand, I kind of find some of the other views to be a bit more dramatic and mind-blowing. Many people also forget to keep walking toward the ocean away from the road where you can score an even cooler view.

Update 2020:  I never did get that desired shot. My second trip to this lake ended up in the fog. It was fun and beautiful, but definitely no great photo!

24. Faroe Islands Waterfalls Need Rain to Be Powerful

Duh? I mean, I know this, but I never really consider the effect of rain on waterfalls. The Faroes don’t get an overabundance of snow, but they do get plenty of rain, and it keeps those waterfalls gushing for our delight most of the year. But not always.

One thing I was really looking forward to in the Faroe Islands was checking out Fossurin í Fossá, one of the largest waterfalls in the Islands. It is situated on north Streymoy in Sunda Kommune and is a major attraction.

We were driving back from Tjornuvik to Gjogv when we tried finding this waterfall. I knew it had two cascades and was hard to miss as it is large and powerful.  We scoped out the drive and couldn’t find it.

We eventually gave up. Once we got to the other side of the water, on Eysturoy (where Gjogv is), we spotted it across the sea.

It was hardly a waterfall and it became really evident that this natural wonder needed a little fuel behind it to put on a show. Oh well. We got a photo, but it’s poor quality and rather a shame we didn’t catch it from close by!

25. Gas in the Faroe Islands is Cheap(ish)

Gas is cheaper in the Faroe Islands than it is in many other northern and western European countries, including Denmark.

And, as distances are closer than meets the eye, you may not need to get gas often. We were in the Faroe Islands for about a week and filled up once at the end. That was it- and we saw more than most people do during their trip.

I was traveling with people from England and they made remarks about how much cheaper the petrol prices in the Faroe Islands were compared to where they live outside of London. So, there’s that.

If you’re American and traveling to Europe – do know that gas prices vary widely in different destinations… the Faroes is no exception!

26. Buttercup Routes Make for One of the Best Road Trips in the World

If you grab a map in the Faroe Islands, you’ll notice little flowers dotting the map along certain roads. These are called “Buttercup Routes” and will guarantee spectacular views and scenery.

I had done no planning for my Faroes trip before I actually arrived in the Islands and I was glad I hadn’t as I didn’t know these routes existed. The map basically planned it all out for us.

Roadtripping in the Faroes is fairly easy anyway as not many roads connect places, but to have a map indicating which roads would offer the best scenery was particularly useful.

You can pick up a map with the Buttercup Routes at the tourism office or at the airport upon arrival. Don’t forget to do so!

27. Helicopter Rides in the Faroe Islands are Government Subsidized

Therefore, rides are cheap.  BUT- these helicopter routes were created for the residents of the islands, first and foremost. You’re not even able to book a roundtrip ticket on them. You also can not reserve a spot on one more than two months in advance.

A helicopter is a viable way to visit some of the more remote islands and the ones that present more difficulties to visit, but be respectful and don’t use them as your primary means of getting around the islands.

To see the current helicopter schedule with Atlantic Airways, click here .

28. Harvesting and Eating Fulmar Eggs is a Thing

I actually don’t know how many locals consume fulmar eggs on a regular basis, but I have seen many programs that have talked about this on television, and it left me pretty intrigued.

While I am an avid egg lover, I tend not to do well with eggs that don’t come from a chicken or quail. So, I’m not sure if I’d be up for trying this, but I have heard that people have made curries from these eggs… perhaps I’d give that a go.

They also have a history of harvesting seabird eggs on Suduroy .

29. Sirkus Bar is the Epicenter of Life and Culture in Torshavn

My favorite bar in Torshavn was Sirkus. The bar is located at Vágsbotnur in the heart of Torshavn by the harbor. I went there every night that I was in Torshavn for a drink and some music.

The bar celebrates all things art, music, and culture. The owner is named Sunneva and she used to work at a place of the same name in Reykjavik.

Once that place closed down, she realized the need for a place that accepts everyone with an open mind in Torshavn, and the rest is history!

I found comfort here as I smelled Indian food (they cook vegan and veggie Indian food in the kitchen), could enjoy local beers, listen to live music, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves there.

One thing to note about Sirkus is that it was opened as a safe haven for people to be who they want to be. While the Faroe Islands can be progressive and accepting in some manners, there is still some resentment toward the LGBTQI community there and Sirkus offers a refuge to those people.

For this reason, photography is not encouraged inside the bar.  I think Sunneva is brilliant.

In addition to the tasty beers and the carefree atmosphere inside, on the first floor is Bjórkovin, or the beer cove.

This is the first bar in the Faroe Islands to specialize in craft beer and they offer an array of beers from Iceland in-house. I had a blast there enjoying some Icelandic brews by the friendly Frenchman who worked behind the bar.

To learn more about Sirkus Bar and how integral its role in the community is, check out their Facebook page .

30. Watch Out for Sheep on the Roads

It’s your fault if you hit them. If you do, contact the police in Torshavn immediately at 351448. As cute as these little animals are, they will inevitably strive to block your drive at some point or another.

Be patient and take a photo of them instead of honking or trying to get them to move. They will eventually get bored with you and move elsewhere.

31. If a Grocery Store is Conveniently Located, it is Probably Expensive

This isn’t always true of course, but if you are staying in Torshavn near the water and you get your groceries or snacks close by as it is ‘convenient’, you’re probably paying a bit extra.

We stumbled upon Mylnan and immediately started doing all of our shopping there. We found it really expensive, but it was high-quality food, so we never thought to seek out an alternative.

Eventually, after walking around Torshavn more, we found another shop and it was a drastic difference in price. We also shopped at a few Bonus grocery stores on the road and they were pretty affordable too.

In the end, we kept going back to Mylnan because the bakery is awesome (that is their specialty) and the fresh orange juice is to die for.

In addition, coffee is so expensive in the Faroe Islands. If you’re an avid drinker like me, I recommend you bring a coffee kit with you or ask your hotel if they have it for free or for an affordable price.

But if you’re really keen on supporting a local cafe (you should!), I highly recommend Brell Cafe which roasts its own beans and serves tasty coffee to locals and visitors!  You can learn more about Brell Cafe here .

We absolutely recommend travel insurance for the Faroe Islands.  Whether you’re hiking, driving, or just taking in and admiring the dramatic landscapes, you want to ensure that you’re always covered. 

Our recommended travel insurer is SafetyWing , an Oslo-based company that offers widespread coverage at an extremely affordable rate.  They will keep you covered while you’re cruising around one of the Earth’s most beautiful spots!

>> Click here for a Faroe Islands travel insurance quote

The Faroe Islands are magical and best seen by renting a car. Trust us, you will want to be able to stop at any given time and take in the scenery and photograph its beauty. 

It is magnificent! Please do read up on road rules for the Faroes as the driving is not for the lighthearted. 

>> Click here to check rental car rates for the Faroe Islands

Getting to the Faroe Islands is becoming easier and easier. More routes are opening up with Europe and the first direct route with the United States just opened beginning this fall (New York City).

I have found the cheapest option is to get to Copenhagen and fly with Atlantic Airways to the Faroes.

Most people go to the Faroe Islands to take a road trip around the eighteen gorgeous islands. You can actually visit without a car and join a couple of affordable tours instead!

You can see my full list of recommended Faroe Islands tours here… or you can see the four most popular ones that people are booking on my site below:

The Faroe Islands offer some of the best accommodation simply because of the scenery at your doorstep. If you want to see more about where to stay in the Faroe Islands , check out our entire guide dedicated to finding the right accommodation (and broken down by island). 

But, we want to give you some recommendations here by our favorite places on the top four islands:

1. Hotel Djurhuus (Streymoy)

Hotel Djurhuus is located on Streymoy Island in the city of Torshavn. The hotel is pretty basic but has a lot of personality, a tasty breakfast, and views of the sea. 

It is within a really short walking distance from the city center and offers parking. I stayed at this hotel on my second trip to the Faroes and the rooms are super comfortable and clean.  Click here for rates and availability.

2. Gjaargardur (Eysturoy)

If you’re looking for a place with epic scenery and charm to stay on Eysturoy, you will want to check out Gjaargardur Guesthouse in Gjogv. 

The guesthouse is located right in the heart of the village and you will get to experience Faroese hospitality at its finest. This is definitely a place to stay for at least one night while in the Faroes as you will inevitably fall in love with Gjogv.  Click here for rates and availability.

3. Hotel Klaskvik

If you’re planning to travel to the Faroe Islands, particularly the northern isles including beautiful Kalsoy, you will want to crash in Klaksvik for a night (trust me… it is such a cool second city!). 

Our recommended place to stay is Hotel Klaksvik. They have a good breakfast, slightly outdated but comfortable rooms, and really wonderful hospitality. There are restaurants and pubs nearby.  Click here to check rates and availability.

4. The View (Vagar)

This home on the picturesque island of Vagar offers exactly its name… A VIEW.  And a killer one at that. You can see Tindhólmur islet from Bøur, the village that the home is nestled in (see above). 

If you’re spending a day on Vagar seeing the sights, you may want to splurge and stay here so you can at least once say that you woke up to one of the most beautiful views in the world.  Click here to see rates and availability.

We hope that this guide helps you plan your Faroe Islands visit .  If you have any questions about traveling to the Faroe Islands or the best places to visit in the Faroe Islands, do reach out!  We are stoked to help!

• How to visit Kalsoy
• How to visit Kunoy
• Best Faroe Islands hotels
• Best Faroe Islands tours
• How to visit Sandoy
• How to visit Suduroy
• Gjogv travel guide
• Kirkjubour travel guide
• Tjoruvik travel guide
• Camping in the Faroe Islands
• Faroe Islands packing list
• Places to visit in the Faroe Islands
• Airbnbs in the Faroe Islands
• Vagar Airport to Torshavn

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.

21 thoughts on “ 31 Things to Know Before You Travel to the Faroe Islands ”

I am going to Nolsoy, Any thoughts?

Hearing you can hop over fairly easily from Iceland makes this sound so much more accessible and tempting! I can get to Iceland very cheaply via WOW Air at BWI…now I’m moving this up my list.

When I was in the Faroes some locals were complaining about fewer and fewer waterfalls coming down – a lot of the rainfall actually gets diverted into hydroelectric power plants now and the waterfalls are reportedly noticeably weaker than before. Interesting that you noted the fact, too! Can’t blame anyone though as the Faroes are not interconnected with anywhere else and have to be self-sufficient for electricity.

I love this post and really want to go visit Faroe now :) By the way, you can also fly there directly from Bergen :) In summer anyway… One question: do you need cash or do they take cards everywhere as well?

yessss go to the faroes! yea i only listed year-round flights to faroes in there (but the link should specify seasonal or how to get there from other destinations. i think there are like 4 or 5 seasonal routes that exist and get renewed yearly (i know the BGO route was open back when i first moved to norway eons ago!) i hope you can make it there soon- such a special place and i absolutely fell in love with the islands!! <3

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How the Faroe Islands Turned a Voluntourism Project Into a Dream Vacation

Each spring, the faroe islands closes major sites, giving access only to select volunteers doing maintenance projects. with thousands applying to participate, the program has become harder to get into than harvard..

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The Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism program draws people from around the world who want to take part in making travel more sustainable in the Nordic archipelago.

Photo by Emily Madinsky

The green hills of Suðuroy roll in a dramatic slant into the endless North Atlantic far below. On this early May afternoon in the Faroe Islands, the sun shines as bright as the matching yellow beanies my new Swedish friend Patricia and I wear as we slather crimson red paint on the sign to Ryskivatn, a nearby lake. As we chat and gussy up the wind-worn sign to make it easier to spot when the weather inevitably turns foggy, three nosey locals bound over to stare at our progress through thick curly black hair. They’re some of the 70,000 sheep that call the Faroe Islands home.

The Faroe Islands famously has more sheep than people . But in 2023, approximately 130,000 foreign tourists visited the remote Nordic archipelago of 18 volcanic islands located halfway between Iceland and Scotland, outnumbering the roughly 54,000 full-time Faroese. So it’s no surprise that the self-governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark is more concerned about the growing population of tourists than sheep.

Like Venice and Amsterdam before it, the Faroe Islands will begin charging tourist taxes in October 2025 that will be used to finance a Nature Preservation Fund for the maintenance of hiking paths as well as other local tourism initiatives and nature protection schemes.

But unlike other destinations, the Faroese government has taken another, more unorthodox approach to preventing overtourism by immersing visitors in the maintenance of the islands’ fragile natural environment and creation of a more sustainable infrastructure. Each spring, the Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism program shuts down some of the country’s most popular sites for a few days. In exchange for free room and board, several dozen international volunteers are invited to participate in various infrastructure projects across the islands, including constructing pathways to preserve the islands’ natural beauty as well as installing wayfinding signs on trails and roads to keep both visitors and locals safe.

Since the pilot Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism program launched in 2019 , 409 volunteers from 40 countries have completed roughly 50 projects across 10 islands. With more than 23,800 applicants over the past five years, the program has an acceptance rate of approximately 1.7 percent—making this volunteer project harder to get into than Harvard .

This past May, I got to be one of those lucky few. During the four days I spent with my fellow volunteers on the island of Suðuroy, I learned that this isn’t merely a PR gimmick but also a valuable way to teach travelers about our effect on such a remote and beautiful place. Plus, I came away with a whole new group of like-minded friends from around the world.

Here’s what it’s like to take part in the Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism project.

Building a footbridge over a badly worn section of a hiking path in the town of Vágur, Suðuroy

The selection process

This past January, 5,945 aspiring volunteers from 96 countries applied for the 80 available spots in the 2024 project on the Visit Faroe Islands website . About 70 percent of the volunteers were chosen randomly, while the other spots were hand-selected for relevant experience that matched up with specific projects. (In general, volunteers must be at least 18 years old and need no special skills other than being able to walk on uneven terrain and use tools like hammers, wheelbarrows, and shovels during the projects.)

Once the lucky 80 were selected and notified, we all had 48 hours to book a flight to the Faroe Islands. (While room and board is covered for the four-night trip, volunteers must pay for their own flights to the Faroe Islands. Currently the Faroes’ own Atlantic Airways flies primarily via Copenhagen, with other more seasonal European routes and a new seasonal New York flight . SAS offers flights from Copenhagen, and Icelandair flies from Reykjavík.)

In addition to the international volunteers, 30 local volunteers also joined the eight different group projects throughout the islands with about a 50/50 foreigners to locals ratio on most maintenance crews. In my group, I was joined by three other women traveling solo from Canada, Sweden, and Denmark, plus a couple from Poland. A majority of applicants come from Europe, but other groups had volunteers from as far away as South Africa and Bolivia.

Though there’s no official word on how to get selected, it seems like persistence or a previous visit to the Faroe Islands helps. A few in my group applied before and finally got in on their third try, while others got in on their first try after waxing poetic about how they fell in love with the country on a previous trip in the short essay section of the application.

In addition to us six foreigners, five Faroese men from the capital of Tórshavn who do this annually as a group of friends rounded out our group, which was led by Majken Sandá, from the local Suðuroy tourism board. We were also joined by two local landscapers who brought all the tools and guided us in our hiking trail maintenance project on Suðuroy.

Part of the project involved clearing this trailhead of moss to make it safer to walk on.

Photo by Lyndsey Matthews

The projects

This year’s Closed for Maintenance program started on Wednesday, May 1. After a short orientation lunch in the town of Bøur near the country’s sole airport, volunteers were split up into eight groups defined by the color of the wool beanies we were given upon arrival. While the team with the petrol blue caps were off to the village of Tjørnuvík to make a path to its famous black sand beach more accessible, and the army green beanie team began work on a sheep fence just outside the capital to protect a nearby wetland, the other members of the yellow beanie crew and I boarded a two-hour ferry to Suðuroy for a hiking trail maintenance project. As the southernmost island in the Faroes, Suðuroy isn’t as visited as places closer to the capital, but the local tourism board wants to make sure their infrastructure is ready as visitor numbers grow.

Once we settled into the town of Vágur, located in a bay on the eastern side of the island, we got to work on Thursday, May 2, repairing and adding clear signage to the hiking trail that leads up to the top of Gjógvaráfjall, an 1,100-foot mountain overlooking the town. Since the existing path would have easily confused tourists (and even locals) as private farmland due to a lack of signage, most of the work involved adding blue trail markers and replacing rotten posts along the trail.

Back at the trailhead in town, my new Canadian friend Emily and I were in charge of cleaning the staircase at the start of the hike. While we scraped and scrubbed and power washed moss and grass off the concrete steps, several neighbors from nearby houses came out to chat with us while one of their puppies tried her best to wrestle our focus from the volunteer project to play ball with her. (She won, at least for a few minutes.)

Making friends with the neighbors

The second full work day on Friday, May 3, involved adding more blue trailer markers to the top of the trail and a seating area to enjoy the view. Though it’s windy up there, the view is worth the hike to see the entire town, the fjord that carves out the bay, and the ocean below. And now that the path is marked clearly, it should only take about an hour to make it from town to the mountaintop along the 1.5-mile trail if you move at a steady Faroese clip.

Over the course of the two full-work days, in addition to clearing and marking the hiking trail up Gjógvaráfjall, our team also repainted those road signs to Ryskivatn lake and other sites beyond Vágur, cleared the town’s beach of debris that had washed up, and managed to build a footbridge over a badly worn section of a path on the other side of the mountain.

Room and board

In exchange for our work on various maintenance projects, we volunteers received free local accommodation and food from when the project began on Wednesday afternoon through breakfast on Sunday—though aspiring volunteers shouldn’t expect to stay at any of the nicer hotels or eat at buzzy restaurants like Ræst in the capital. For example, my group stayed at a local scout’s hut in Vágur where accommodations were basic—think twin-size beds and two shared bathrooms among the dozen of us—but clean and charming. The scout’s hand-painted banners with puffins and gulls decorated the bedrooms and common hall downstairs. It added a certain Wes Anderson–style charm to an experience that felt like an adult sleepaway camp.

Accidentally Wes Anderson accommodations in Vágur

Photos by Lyndsey Matthews

Meals included simple dishes like fish soup and hearty burgers and meat and potatoes at restaurants in town. On our final night in Vágur, Nina, the local landscaper who helped lead our project, cooked a feast for us at the local dance hall with prime rib, shrimp mousse, and halibut in a mango curry sauce. (She called the meal “Faroese with a major ass kick in the French direction.”) Afterwards, a local dance troupe taught us how to do the Faroese chain dance—a simple two steps left and one step right while all holding hands as a leader sings traditional verses. We swapped stories, aquavit shots, and bits of language lessons late into the night. (I now know how to say “fart” in Faroese, Swedish, Polish, and Danish. Other groups discussed loftier subjects like EU economic policies at dinner, I heard.)

The final night

With our volunteer work wrapped up on Friday, Saturday we packed up our bags and left the scout’s hut behind to do a bit of sightseeing around the rest of Suðuroy before catching a helicopter back to Tórshavn. The 20-minute ride courtesy of Atlantic Airways offered priceless views of the islands and also was significantly faster than the two-hour ferry to the island. After we arrived in style back in the capital, we all checked into the Hilton Garden Inn (compliments of the program) before heading to Oy Brewery down the street for the farewell dinner. There we met up with the seven other volunteer groups and listened to each team give a short presentation—complete with PowerPoints—about their project. After the presentations, a family-style barbecue dinner was served while local bands, including Páll Finnur Páll, performed and a DJ took over and played until 1 a.m. The party didn’t stop there though. When I woke up to catch my flight the next morning, I heard of others staying out at bars in town until 5 a.m.

The author (center) with a few of her new friends.

As I watched the dramatic cliffs of the Faroe Island recede as my flight took off on Sunday, my only regrets were that the program wasn’t longer—and that most of us will never beat the odds to participate again. With only two days of volunteer work and four full days together as a group, it felt like we were just coming together as a team and getting to know each other when the trip ended. Overall, though, it was a valuable experience that I cannot recommend highly enough to travelers whose ideal vacation is getting their hands dirty alongside a group of like-minded people. It’s one thing to be aware of how overtourism affects a growing tourism destination. It’s another thing to immerse yourself in the prevention of it.

Even if you don’t make it into the highly selective program, you should still visit this rugged North Atlantic archipelago—and enjoy some of the hard work we put in on hiking trails in other destinations like Nólsoy , Sandoy , and more. Or take in the spectacular scenery at maintenance projects completed in previous years in places like Slættaratindur , the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands, the “hanging lake” at Trælanípa , and the island of Mykines , where it’s possible to visit puffin colonies.

To find out when registration opens for the 2025 “Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism” program, sign up for the Visit Faroe Islands newsletter .

The best time to visit the Faroe Islands

Mar 4, 2024 • 5 min read

Read on for key puffin-watching months, seasonal treats and major annual events © Oleh_Slobodeniuk / Getty Images

The Faroe Islands offer superlative hiking, bird-watching and awe-filled experiences, with shard-like moss-covered mountains and roads snaking around fjords that will take your breath away.  A trip to this relatively off-the-beaten-track archipelago takes you under the sea – via the world’s first subsea roundabout – over it, on a range of ferries and boat trips, and around it, seeking seabird-filled cliffs, wild beaches and idyllic hiking trails. 

Plan the perfect time for your Faroe Islands trip with this guide to the country’s key events and what to expect from the seasons.

Key things to know about the seasons before you book

It's important to note that experiences on the Faroe Islands are highly seasonal and extremely weather dependent. It’s a cliché but it’s true: you could experience all four seasons in one day – or even within five minutes of each other – on these windswept islands at almost any time of year. 

Many of its stellar experiences, from puffin spotting to Northern Lights watching, are not available year round. Some are only available on the days when the weather plays ball. Sometimes ferries are canceled due to high winds, or pelting rain puts an end to a long hike. It is highly likely that you’ll see snow in winter; it is not completely out of the question that you’ll also see it in May.

As a visitor, you’re in thrall to the whims of nature, and it’s all part of the experience.

June to August is the best time to visit for weather and activities  

Nobody comes to the Faroe Islands expecting to catch a suntan. With temperatures typically hovering between 7 and 13℃ (44℉ and 55℉), you’ll still want to pack your merino wool undies for a summer trip. 

Arriving on the islands in summer between June and August is going to give you the best options overall for whatever you want to do for a number of reasons. The first is that it’s peak season, so all the attractions and routes are open – expect reduced schedules out of season. 

Secondly, it’s peak season for migratory birds too. If you want to spot puffins, you’ll need to arrive between April and September. Take note: the daily boats to Mykines, the puffins’ favorite island, are often booked up in advance – so book ahead. 

It’s also the peak season for hiking. The northerly location means that there’s a lot of variation in daylight across the seasons, and in the height of summer around the solstice, the Faroes experiences around 20 hours of sun. It’s great for long hikes and making the most of your time on the islands. Traditional whale hunts can take place year-round on the Faroe Islands, but are most common in the summer. 

Summer is also the best time for festivals and events. In July, the legendary G Festival takes place, drawing international musicians and music fans to the little town of Gøta. It’s also the month of Ólavsøka Festival, a two-day celebration of the Faroese National Day starting on 28 July. Summer is a time for concerts, food festivals, regattas and Gay Pride too.

With all these events and activities going on, it’s also the priciest season to visit. It’s important that you book everything from tours to accommodation, ferries and car hire ahead.

September to December and March to June are the best times for travelers on a budget

Come September, and some attractions and transport options switch to an off-peak, less regular service. The weather in September can be very like August, giving you the chance to enjoy the islands and their nature without so many other visitors – and at lower prices. 

While the Faroe Islands are rarely crowded, they are emptier at this time of year, and accommodation options are more widely available. For the best prices and the best conditions, late spring and early autumn are a good bet.

The light starts to change through autumn; towards the end of the season, the days feel shorter and darker and it might be possible to see the Northern Lights on a clear night. The same can be said for spring: mornings get lighter but nights could still be dark enough for a light show. Towards the end of spring, when the wildflowers start to show their faces and the migratory birds return, the islands have a particular kind of fresh excitement to them. 

Note that September is the traditional month for the Faroese sheep slaughter, a traditional time of sheep gathering, shearing and slaughtering, and for one weekend in spring (typically late April or early May) the islands are “ Closed for Maintenance ”. 

December to March is the best time for the Northern Lights

To see the Northern Lights, you need luck on your side, a dark night and a cloudless sky. At least one of those things is on offer to you in winter on the Faroe Islands; winters are dark, and on the winter solstice in December, there’s only five hours of daylight to interrupt your aurora chasing. As for the clouds, you never know, they may well blow away. The best advice is to get outside – Tórshavn to an area with no light pollution – and look to the north.

Winter is a season for hardy, intrepid travelers. Temperatures hover around 1 to 6℃ (33℉ to 42℉) and with limited daylight, hiking is only really advisable on short trails and/or with a guide. 

Travelers should check Landsverk.fo regularly for updates to road conditions; snow is likely and roads can be closed. Many attractions and transport options will be closed, but those that are open are warm and charming, including small concerts and cultural attractions. 

For the most dramatic take on the Faroe Islands, winter doesn’t hold back: we’re talking frozen harbors, wild seas, ice swimming, sledging down vertiginous slopes, and visits to Tjornuvík, a village that experiences a full 24 hours of darkness every year. Pack your warmest clothes and call yourself an adventurer: the Faroe Islands in winter has plenty to offer if you have an appetite for extremes.

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The Most Remote Destinations on Earth That You Can Actually Visit

Posted: June 27, 2024 | Last updated: June 27, 2024

If you’re tired of dealing with crowds at popular vacation hotspots , perhaps you should seek adventure in some of the most remote destinations on Earth. You won’t find a direct flight to these places—but they promise a retreat into untouched landscapes that will leave you completely satisfied. Whether you want to unplug from work or reconnect with a loved one, these remote destinations each offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you refreshed.

From the frozen expanses of Antarctica, where icebergs reign supreme, to the isolated beauty of the Galapagos Islands, each remote destination holds a unique allure. This wide range of remote exploration offers not only a break from the ordinary but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new place and culture.

Antarctica stands as one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth, offering a unique and challenging destination for adventurous travelers. Located at the southernmost tip of the planet, its extreme conditions—characterized by frigid temperatures, fierce winds, and vast ice sheets—make it an isolated and pristine environment. Antarctica has no permanent residents, infrastructure is minimal, and access is primarily limited to scientific researchers and expedition groups.

For those craving adventure with all of the luxury accommodations of a five-star hotel, Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot is a top-notch cruising option. As the only passenger ship able to navigate through ice-covered waters, you'll be able to explore unexplored (and otherwise inaccessible) landscapes. Whether you're taking in the beauty of cathedral-sized icebergs or spotting unique wildlife, immersing yourself in the polar world has never been more fabulous.

Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands, located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity and isolation, making them one of the most fascinating destinations on the planet. This archipelago consists of volcanic islands and its unique geological features and diverse ecosystems have given rise to a multitude of species found nowhere else in the world. The remote location and strict conservation measures contribute to the islands' beautiful environment.

Although there are hotels on some of the islands, the best way to experience the Galapagos is by boat. Ecoventura is an Ecuadorian luxury yacht expedition company where guests will travel for a week with a local guide. The small group won't exceed 20 guests and will get to see sea lions, turtles, tortoises, and the joyfully bizarre blue footed booby birds. The yacht will travel to remote islands to give their travelers the most authentic experience.

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands , a North Atlantic archipelago situated between Iceland and Norway, are renowned for dramatic cliffs and remote charm. Made of 18 rugged islands, the Faroes are characterized by steep mountains, green valleys, and picturesque fjords. The archipelago's remote, ocean-surrounded location contributes to its unique atmosphere and sense of isolation.

Visiting the Faroe Islands requires a journey across the North Atlantic, often involving flights or ferry rides from neighboring countries. The Faroes' small population and traditional way of life add to their allure. Travelers are drawn to the Faroes for their raw natural beauty, including iconic sights like the Mulafossur Waterfall and the towering sea stacks of Drangarnir. The unpredictable weather, with frequent fog, rain, and wind, adds an element of adventure, making it a sought-after destination for those seeking untouched landscapes.

If you want to stay on the island, we recommend booking a room or cottage at Hotel Hafnia . For a more rugged experience, set up camp in the great outdoors (you can look into different sites here ).

Wrangell-St Elias National Park, Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska is the largest National Park in the United States and one of the most remote and awe-inspiring destinations. Encompassing over 13 million acres of rugged wilderness, the park is a vast expanse of towering mountains, massive glaciers, and pristine valleys.

Visiting Wrangell-St. Elias is an adventure into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, with limited road access and vast expanses that are often accessible only by bush plane or on foot. The park is home to some of the highest peaks in North America, including Mount St. Elias, and features diverse ecosystems supporting a variety of wildlife.

Visitors can explore ancient glaciers, hike through alpine meadows, and witness the rugged beauty of the Wrangell and Chugach mountain ranges. Even though it’s no easy feat to get there, the views are worth it! Stay at the Ultima Thule Lodge , which offers fly-out adventure experiences daily as well as farm-to-table cuisine (including locally caught salmon, fresh vegetables, and wild game).

It’s no surprise that the fan-favorite competition show Survivor is filmed on a remote island in Fiji . With over 300 islands, this country is renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal clear water. This screensaver photo-worthy destination tops many bucket lists—and rightfully so.

It’s not uncommon to stay on a private island such as Kokomo Private Island Resort . Many SCUBA divers enjoy visiting Kokomo, as it’s close to the Great Astrolabe Reef. While Kokomo is known for its luxury, it also has one of the best dive centers in Fiji. Visiting requires taking a sea plane which has some of the best aerial views of the turquoise waters.

Iceland is known for its otherworldly landscapes, geothermal wonders, and little to no crowds. The island nation, often referred to as the "Land of Fire and Ice," builds for an adventurous itinerary, including hiking and visiting glaciers, hot springs, volcanoes, and even vast lava fields. Iceland's unique geological formations and its position near the Arctic Circle contribute to its captivating environment that you won't forget any time soon.

Visitors to Iceland can experience the country's remote beauty by exploring its various regions, from the iconic Golden Circle with landmarks like Geysir and Gullfoss Falls to the rugged landscapes of the East Fjords and the volcanic wonders of the Southern Coast.

Hotel Rangá , located in Hella, is the ideal home base for days of exploring. The family-owned hotel has hosted notable celebrities from Justin Bieber to Kim Kardashian. During the winter months, the concierge coordinates wake-up calls for the most optimal viewing of the Northern Lights.

The Kimberley, Western Australia

Encompassing an ancient expanse that spans hundreds of thousands of square miles, the Kimberley, Australia stands as one of the world's most precious and unspoiled wilderness regions. Covering an area three times larger than England yet inhabited by less than 40,000 people, the Kimberley, situated in Australia's entire north-western corner, remains one of the last frontiers of untouched wilderness globally. This region boasts abundant wildlife, majestic canyons, and hosts one of Australia's most spectacular 4WD road trips.

Another marvel not to be missed is the beehive-like domes of the 360-million-year-old Bungle Bungles . Despite its remote location, the Kimberley surprises with excellent culinary offerings, luxurious accommodations, welcoming locals, and the presence of one of the most romantic beach towns on the planet. Former cattle station turned luxury lodge El Questro features hot springs, freshwater pools fed by pounding waterfalls, and soaring escarpments.

Umphang, Thailand

Umphang, located within the verdant jungles of western Thailand is one of the nation's most secluded and enchanting destinations. Situated discreetly in the province of Tak, Umphang offers travelers a chance to embark off the beaten path while surrounded by surreal natural beauty and a wealth of cultural heritage.

The trek to Umphang is an adventure in itself, with serpentine mountain roads guiding explorers to the heart of the jungle. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with panoramic views of tumbling waterfalls, verdant forests, and rugged landscapes. Many make the pilgrimage to Umphang to witness the grandeur of Thi Lo Su Waterfall, Thailand's largest and most spectacular waterfall.

Beyond its natural wonders, Umphang provides opportunities for cultural immersion, inviting guests to explore local Karen Hill tribe villages and gain insights into their traditional customs and way of life. Since hotels are quite limited in this area, we recommend taking a day trip to Umphang or looking into Airbnb for overnight stays.

Southwest National Park, Tasmania

As Tasmania's largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage area, the Southwest National Park is a sanctuary of remote and untouched wilderness. Encompassing nearly 10 percent of the state, this region boasts untarnished landscapes, rugged mountain ranges, button grass moorlands, and ancient rainforests.

Some of Tasmania’s most dramatic and challenging mountains are here, but there are just as many accessible pockets that offer a glimpse of the great outdoors. Camping options are plentiful throughout the park, or you could opt for Pedder Wilderness Lodge which sits on Lake Pedder. The lodge caters to the adventurous backpacker with all the modern amenities of a luxurious, private getaway. Live music, Australian fare, local Tasmanian wine and spirits, and guided tours for bushwalking, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and more abound.

Boundary Waters, Minnesota

Found in Minnesota's northernmost reaches, the Boundary Waters area boasts 1,300 lakes and over 1 million acres of wilderness. Accessible via the 55-mile Gunflint Trail, entry is primarily by canoe and there is no cell phone service available. Boundary Waters is a true paddler's paradise, featuring expansive bodies of water that allow hours of canoeing without ever setting foot on land. Sea Gull Lake, for instance, conceals a hidden waterfall on its southern shore. Adventurous travelers can also partake in the ritual of portaging—carrying their boat from one waterway to another for a change of scenery.

With a lack of hotels, the Boundary Waters wilderness has over 2,000 designated campsites. Tall pine trees, rocky shorelines, an abundance of glassy lakes, and crystal-clear streams ensure that each campsite has an unbelievable view to wake up to.

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The ‘new Iceland’ that is just two hours from UK and costs less than £100 to visit

There are also a load of exciting activities on offer.

For years, Brits have loved travelling to Iceland (the country, not the supermarket chain) for the Northern Lights and stunning views - but the country is notoriously expensive.

If you want to book a trip there, you might be looking at dropping a fair few quid on hotels and flights in the process. Not to mention £7 pints.

Iceland received a record-breaking 2.2 million visitors in 2023 and it could set you back nearly £200 each way on flights in the busy months, according to Expedia.

Meanwhile, a potentially much cheaper alternative is a place with 18 volcanic islands, between Iceland, Norway and Scotland.

The ‘new Iceland’

The Faroe Islands have been dubbed the 'new Iceland', and are only a two hour and 10 minute flight from London.

Amid the top ten things to do in the Faroe Islands is visiting the wonderful Mulafossur Waterfall, or to take a historic walking tour in Tinganes.

You can also go on boat tours to visit the wild Vestmanna bird cliffs of northwestern Streymoy, as well as plenty of cathedrals, castles and lighthouses on offer - a nice addition to your Instagram highlights.

And for the first time, Atlantic Airways are running direct services from Gatwick on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 June to 31 August.

Depending on when you book, you're looking at flights upwards of £96, which is a lot cheaper than flying to Iceland, as reported by the Metro.

What do visitors think of the Faroe Islands?

Visitors have largely been raving about the destination, with one person commenting: "We visited Iceland before Faroe.

"IMO, Faroe landscapes took my breath away…more than they did in Iceland…[they were like] something out of the wildest story book.

"If you want calm and quiet then the Faroe Islands will have that in spades, even more so than Iceland," penned a second.

Although they warned: "Just be prepared/cautious when hiking alone though, even though it’s a small place you can end up isolated pretty damn quickly, and there’s no shelter from the elements once you’re out there."

"Having just returned from four wonderful days on the Faroe Islands I can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to truly get away from it all," someone else said.

"An important word of warning however, you may get away from more than you bargained for.

"The Faroe Islands are not as well connected to the outside world as you may expect."

Topics:  Travel , Holiday

Anish is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2024 finalist. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

@ Anish_Vij

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GETTING TO THE FAROE ISLANDS

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Even though the Faroe Islands is remotely located in the North Atlantic Ocean, reaching the islands is much easier than most people think. The Faroe Islands is only a short flight from mainland Europe!

Flying to the faroe islands.

You can fly non-stop to the Faroe Islands from a variety of destinations, such as Copenhagen (Denmark), Paris (France), Reykjavik (Iceland), London (United Kingdom), Edinburgh (Scotland), Oslo (Norway), Bergen (Norway) and from various destinations around North America and Canada via Iceland. There are also seasonal flights from places like Barcelona, the Gran Canary Islands, and Mallorca. 

Four airlines fly to the Faroe Islands. These are Atlantic Airways , Icelandair , Scandinavian Airlines, and Widerøe AS .

A SHORT COFFEE BREAK AWAY

Flights from Reykjavik, Edinburgh, and Oslo to the Faroe Islands with Atlantic Airways are only one hour long, and flights from Copenhagen with either Atlantic Airways or Scandinavian Airlines last only two hours. Direct flights from Bergen to Widerøe are less than two hours long. Direct flights from Paris to the Faroe Islands with Atlantic Airways last two hours and 45 minutes. There are between two to four direct flights from Copenhagen to the Faroe Islands each day, depending on the season.

SAILING TO THE FAROE ISLANDS

The Faroe Islands can also be reached by ferry from Iceland and Denmark. Slow travel at its best! This service is operated by a Faroese company, Smyril Line .

HOW TO GET TO THE FAROE ISLANDS BY AIR FROM

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