I’m sharing my favorites in this Faroe Islands travel guide complete with where to stay, what to do, and where to eat! Also answering all your questions as a first time visitor to the Faroe Islands!
Where do I even begin telling you about the amazing Faroe Islands? It is a magical place with unparalleled natural beauty. It’s truly otherworldly and hard to believe a place like this exists. Pictures simply do not capture the beauty and sheer size of the massive cliffs – but I tried.
There are waterfalls at every turn and they seem to come from nowhere, always flowing down the side of the mountain into the sea. There are more sheep than people who inhabit the islands. The coastline is dramatic and jaw dropping. The buildings feature grass roofs. It’s home to the adorable Atlantic Puffins during their nesting season. Everywhere you look in the Faroe Islands has an unbelievable view.
Table of Contents
- Where are and What are the Faroe Islands?
- How to Get to the Faroe Islands
- Weather in Faroe Islands
- Where to Stay in the Faroe Islands
- What to Do in the Faroe Islands
- Where to Eat in the Faroe Islands
- How to Get Around the Faroe Islands
- What to Wear in the Faroe Islands
- Faroe Islands Travel Tips & Fun Facts
- Faroe Islands Travel FAQ
- Faroe Islands on a Map
Where are the Faroe Islands? What are the Faroe Islands?
The Faroe Islands are located near Iceland between the North Atlantic Ocean and Norwegian Sea. The volcanic islands are made up of 18 different islands mostly connected by an impressive tunnel system or a ferry.
The Faroe Islands were first settled by Irish monks in the 6th century, then by the Vikings from Norway. Today, the islands are considered a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Faroese have long been a sea-faring nation and today, the main industry in the Faroe Islands is fishing. You’ll see sustainable salmon “farms” in the waters throughout the islands when you visit. They export to every continent, but be sure to try some fresh Faroese salmon while you are there.
As a mostly unexplored and certainly undeveloped nation, the Faroe Islands are an increasingly popular tourist destination for the unspoiled landscape and remote nature.
How to Get to the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are super remote, but easily accessible from many places via their main airport, Vagar Airport (FAE). It is right next to Iceland so many US flights will connect via Reykjavik. If you are traveling from Europe, there are ample direct flights from Denmark, Norway, UK, and Paris.
As of August 22, 2023 there is a brand new nonstop flight connecting North America and the Faroe Islands! It will fly weekly from New York Stewart International Airport departing on Wednesday and returning on Tuesday making it perfect for a 6 night trip! It is scheduled to run through October 4 for the season. Book via Atlantic Airways.
When I traveled, we were visiting Denmark already so flew with Atlantic Airways from Copenhagen to Vagar Airport.
Vagar Airport is small, but very nice. There is a cafe with sandwiches, snacks, and coffee (served in real mugs☺️).
Weather in Faroe Islands & Best Time to Visit Faroe Islands
The weather in the Faroe Islands is quite cold year round. The summer months (May-August) are the warmest and the only time you would probably want to visit.
It stays daylight very late throughout the summer so that helps to keep things warmer and the weather stable. They experience about 20 hours of daylight in the summer months due to their location in the northern hemisphere.
We visited in early August and had amazing weather. It was about 50F during the day and mostly sunny. If you are hiking, you will warm up fast so this was the perfect temperature for me.
It can be windy and rains a lot so you will want to pack for anything. I took a raincoat and was extremely lucky to never need it.
Where to Stay in the Faroe Islands
There are a couple main islands that you will likely visit throughout your stay. Everything can be quite spread out and you’ll likely do a lot of driving from one village to the next. Here is a quick overview so you can get a lay of the land and be sure to see my Google Map.
- Vagar is where the airport is located along with a couple popular hikes (Lake Above the Ocean) and the Mulafossur waterfall.
- Streymoy is where the main town of Torshavn is located and many popular sites like Fossa Waterfall, Saksun, Tjornuvik, Vestmanna, and all the best restaurants.
- Eysturoy is the next island over where the popular village of Gjogv will be found. It’s named for the 200 meter long gorge that runs from the sea to the village.
- Kalsoy is where the amazing hike to the Kallur Lighthouse is located (only accessible by ferry).
- Next, Bordoy is where the second largest town of Klaksvik is located. You’ll find amazing views and Viking era ruins.
- Lastly, Mykines is the island known for being the nesting site of the adorable Atlantic Puffins. It is only accessible by ferry (and it’s often canceled due to inclement weather).
While there are many islands you can stay on, I recommend basing in the main town of Torshavn. You will have easy access to all the things to see and do, but be walking distance to restaurants in the evenings. There are nicer hotel options and plenty of house rentals.
The second largest town is Klaksvik and would also be a nice option. However, I would plan on choosing an airbnb and cooking meals at home as there won’t be much nearby.
Best Hotels in the Faroe Islands
There are several hotels on the islands, although very limited options. Most are located in the capital of Torshavn. Below, I am sharing the two nicest hotels on the island and why we picked the one we did!
Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands
We stayed at the new Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands. If you read my blog, I typically opt for a trendy boutique hotel or something more local. Quite frankly, there aren’t many hotel options and this is the only franchise on the islands. However, I felt like this was the nicest option in walking distance to restaurants (20 min walk). We did not want to have to drive everywhere especially after enjoying dinner and drinks.
The Hilton Garden Inn is super stylish with authentic Scandinavian design elements. It’s super sleek throughout the lobby and bar area and even has a grass roof!
The rooms are very efficient, have windows so you can feel the fresh air, and feature Smeg appliances – refrigerator and tea pot! The rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable – two major factors for me.
We loved having coffee in the market – they have a Jura coffee maker – if you know you know! They were also super kind to pack us a picnic lunch so we could take it on one of our hikes. I’m pretty sure we were not charged for it either.
Hotel Foroyar
The Hotel Foroyar is perched on a hillside overlooking Torshavn. They recently opened an annex building with all new rooms and suites. They are also opening a spa in 2023 so definitely look at checking out Hotel Foroyar next year!
We considered staying here, but was not the best location for the few days we had planned. It is not walkable to Torshavn, but is a great option if walking to restaurants is not important to you! We were there for the food 😁
Note that it is considered a 4 star hotel, but keep in mind it’s one of the only hotels on the island. I would not expect a luxury hotel so don’t let that ranking inflate your expectations. Always read reviews on TripAdvisor 🙂
Best AirBNB for Faroe Islands Travel
I really wanted to stay in an Airbnb in the Faroe Islands, which is not the norm for me. I think it would make for a really authentic experience to stay in a home with a grass roof. Many of these are completely isolated so would be a very unique experience where you could really disconnect! Unfortunately, they book fast and were not available for my stay so be sure to book early. Here are a few I looked at:
I mean how cute is this one?? And in the perfect location!
And this is a great option in Klaksvik!
So isolated and the views here will be unbelievable!
A classic home with grass roof is the most authentic way to get a taste of the Faroese lifestyle.
Best Things to do in the Faroe Islands
There are so many amazing things to do during your Faroe Islands travels. It is very much a nature oriented vacation so plan to spend all of your time outdoors exploring the islands! You’ll definitely want to bring your camera – or upgrade to the latest iphone camera – it’s a photographers DREAM! 😍
Chase Waterfalls
There are waterfalls at every corner on the Faroe Islands. They are all so majestic. A few notable ones are Saksun, Fossa Waterfall, and Mulafossur Waterfall.
Mulafossur Waterfall
You have to stop at the lookout point for this amazing waterfall. I am still not over the spectacular views of the water dropping off the cliff into the sea. You can walk a short distance to the viewing point (takes only a few minutes) or do the longer hike too!
Hiking in the Faroe Islands
If you like to hike, then you have found the right place. There are plenty of amazing hikes in the Faroe Islands. Many are short and pretty moderate in terms of difficulty. My favorites are Kallur Lighthouse and the Lake Above the Ocean which both take about 2 hours. Read on for more in depth details.
Kallur Lighthouse
Visit the island of Kalsoy and hike to Kallur Lighthouse from the remote village of Trollanes. It is one of the most incredible views and the hike is relatively easy. Being out there feels like you have reached the end of the world. The first part is uphill and then it’s all downhill on the way back. It takes about two hours to complete, but of course longer because you will want to take photos and admire the sheep. 🐏
This is where they filmed the death of James Bond in “No Time to Die” and the clever Faroese people put up a tombstone to mark the site. You will be able to see this on the hike.
Important Notes:
We booked a guided tour because of the ferry situation and were very thankful for that. There is one ferry (named Sam) that runs from Klaskvik to Kalsoy. It takes 12 cars maximum and can take plenty of foot passengers. You either need to arrive at the ferry port super early or plan to wait to make sure your car fits. It will be the same on the way back – in fact, when we headed back there was a huge line of cars waiting and not many made it on since there was also a tractor crossing over. The ferry schedule is here, but they will keep running until all cars get off the island (but that could take all night 🙃).
Once on the island you will need a car or rely on public buses to reach the hike for Kallur Lighthouse. Most of the driving is through tiny, one-way tunnels so we were glad to not be driving. I think the public buses would have been fine, but having a guided tour with transportation made it really easy.
Lake Above the Ocean Hike
This was the first hike we did and I fell in love with the Faroe Islands here! It is a fabulous stroll along the lake while you admire the sheep and waterfalls. Once at the top you will be treated to an amazing optical illusion which makes it look like the lake is floating above the ocean.
You’ll begin at the trailhead where there is a small cafe with picnic tables, snacks, and beverages. This is where you pay the hiking fee – it may be pricey, but this is a small island that relies on tourism. I was happy to contribute to help them maintain the trail and provide the convenient little store with restrooms.
It was pretty muddy at parts so I do suggest hiking boots or waterproof shoes for this hike. It was a very easy hike with only a few minutes with a steep incline. Very kid friendly.
See the Puffins at Mykines
You might be convinced to visit the Faroe Islands solely for the chance to get up close with the puffins. I certainly was! You will find the puffins on Mykines (pronounced me-chin-ness, not like Mykonos) which is their nesting area during the summer months. It can only be reached via ferry and only a few people live on the island.
There is a hike to the lighthouse of Mykines which has incredibly stunning views. It was closed when we visited due to a landslide from the prior year – sounds like this happens often. There are other hikes though so you will have enough to do. You will need to pay the hiking fee at hiking.fo.
A note about the ferry:
It runs round trip once per day so you need to book in advance. It is often canceled due to inclement weather (rough seas) so everyone recommends to book this for one of your first days so that you have a chance to reschedule. Also, they will not run the ferry in the morning if they think there is even the slightest chance that they would be unable to pick you up. Nobody wants you to be stuck there!
We chose to book the speed boat instead of the main ferry because I liked the timing better. I felt like the main ferry kept you there all day and the speed boat allowed for a half day trip.
Unfortunately our Mykines trip was canceled and we had a guided hike booked the next day so I did not get to visit Mykines personally. I knew the risk and all of the advice, but honestly was not that disappointed. We did see a few puffins at Mulafossur waterfall and wouldn’t be able to hike anyways due to the landslide. There is so much more to the islands than the puffins and I was so happy there already it did not matter to me! Just don’t get your hopes up 🙂
Visit the Village of Saksun
The drive to Saksun is spectacular. You drive on a one-way road along a river that runs between two mountains. It feels like you are driving to nowhere, but once you get there it’s totally worth it.
Once you reach the village of Saksun, there is a hike (walk) down to the beach or up to the waterfall. We walked out toward the church and up to the waterfall for a great view.
There is also a hike that goes above the waterfall and over the mountain to the villages on the coast – it takes about 3 hours and looks somewhat difficult on the way up the mountain.
Faroe Islands Road Trip
Driving around the islands is half the fun so be sure to add it to your Faroe Islands travel itinerary! It is so beautiful and there are so many breathtaking views. We spent a half day driving from one village to the next. Here is our route – Torshavn to Vestmanna to Saksun to Fossa Waterfall to Tjornuvik and back to Torshavn for lunch! I would say that Vestmanna did not have much to see, but the drive there was really beautiful. You could skip this unless you wanted to do a tour to the sea stacks from Vestmanna.
Seal Woman Statue in Mikladalur
This was a part of our hiking tour for Kallur Lighthouse otherwise I would not have gone out of my way to see this. It was a very beautiful view from the statue looking back toward the cliff with the waterfalls. It’s really incredible to see how people lived in this tiny town. There is a cute cafe here if you need breakfast or lunch!
Where to Eat in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands have quite the foodie scene for being such a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. Thanks to KOKS and their two Michelin stars for putting the Faroe Islands on the map! Here are a few must try places for your trip!
Barbara Fish House
Barbara Fish House was definitely my favorite of the trip! It’s in a super historic building with stone walls and wood floors. There are only a few tables making it super intimate. There is a set menu and you can choose 3 or 4 courses or you can select the vegan menu (very impressive). We picked the 3 course menu with smoked salmon and a scallop ceviche, fish soup, and monkfish. There are also desert options a la carte so you aren’t tied to having it. They also have an extensive wine menu with plenty of choices.
KOKS
KOKS is a two Michelin star restaurant that really helped put the islands on the map from a tourism standpoint. It’s why we decided to visit! Unfortunately the restaurant was having a pop up in Greenland for the summer we spent in Faroe, but they are returning in 2024 so be sure to book early!
ROKS
ROKS is the sister restaurant to KOKS so we were super excited to try it! You will want to book well in advance and expect to prepay the menu. You can choose from two menu options – “nearly ashore” or “totally on the rocks” which are both fully seafood. One is a bigger experience, but we picked the smaller menu and were very happy.
Some of the things are a little unique so you definitely have to like to try different things! The highlight was the white fish en croute (baked in a pastry) and definitely the dessert which was a bun filled with warm cinnamon served with vanilla ice cream.
They have tons of wines by the glass and encourage you to try different ones to pair with your meal. They even have a wine loft upstairs where you can have a glass of wine and snacks.
The Tarv Grill House
The Tarv was a great spot for dinner one night. It’s a large space right in the heart of Torshavn in one of the colorful buildings. There is outdoor seating if the weather is nice, but we liked the charming interior. It is very rustic and old with modern touches in the decor. The menu was extensive, but you have to try the Faroese salmon! They give you a HUGE serving – two filets so maybe plan to split one main and add extra sides if you are traveling as a couple. Also, try a gin & tonic with the local gin here.
Irish Pub Torshavn
We had a great lunch at the Irish Pub. Of course, we had to order the fish and chips and they were so good with a beer!
Bitin
Bitin is known for the classically Danish open faced sandwiches. They also have other healthy options like buddha bowls so it’s a great choice if you are vegan or vegetarian.
Raest
Lastly, is the second sister restaurant to KOKS, Raest. They are known for their fermented foods and authentic Faroese style of cooking – like wind drying their meats. Expect a menu with lots of unique items like whale and meats like lamb. It was a little too meat heavy for me so we did not try it, but if you like meat I am sure it’s incredible!
Mikkeller Tavern
In the drinking category is Mikkeller Tavern – a popular brand of craft beer in Denmark. It’s a great little bar with good beers, wine, and cocktails. I liked #5 the Belgian wheat beer. They also have games and cards so you can stay for a while to relax.
How to Get Around the Faroe Islands
Car Rental Faroe Islands
The best way to get around the Faroe Islands is via rental car. The center is right next to the airport so it is very convenient to pick up and return. Ours came with a wifi device that we were able to carry in my purse anywhere we went. Cellular is not the most reliable so I recommend getting one of these to help power your google maps directions on your phone. I booked on the main Enterprise website, but they also have Avis, Budget, and more.
Public Transportation
There are public buses that you can use to reach the airport, your hotels, and other towns. You can purchase a 4 or 7 day tourist pass at the airport which is the most economical way if you plan to utilize public bus and ferry.
Taxi/Uber
They do not have Uber or Lyft in the Faroe Islands. In addition, taxis are scarce and seemed like something you need to arrange in advance. This is why we had a rental car and tried to stay in walking distance to restaurants.
Tunnels and Ferry
The Faroe Islands have an impressive tunnel system connecting the 18 islands including an underwater tunnel. Your rental car will automatically charge you the toll fee for using the tunnels (about $5-$10 USD each time).
Several islands are only accessible by ferry so you do need to plan ahead for that.
What to Wear in the Faroe Islands
Finally, let’s make sure you are prepared for the environment in the Faroe Islands. Everything is super casual due to the cold nature and frequent rain storms. I was not quite sure what I needed, but am glad to report I was always comfortable. Thankfully, we experienced perfect weather with everyday being mostly sunny! However, that is not the norm from what I am told.
Here is what I wore as a female for light hikes, exploring, and dinners. It’s pretty much the same as I packed for Patagonia, Chile and I wrote a whole post about that here. Many people were dressed in serious technical gear and it seemed a little overkill for the Faroe Islands.
Faroe Island Packing List
Hikes:
- Leggings (and fleece lined leggings)
- Long sleeve athletic top
- Flannel Shirt
- Puffer Jacket (took it on and off while hiking when I would get hot)
- Wool Socks
- Hiking Boots (a must as the trails get muddy!)
- Beanie (only wore for a little while)
- Raincoat (never needed it, but always carried in the backpack)
- Fleece Sweatshirt as a second layer (never wore it, but would have needed for the Mykines boat ride or any other water activity)
- Gloves (never wore it, but same as above for a boat tour)
For dinners, I wore jeans and a sweater or long sleeve blouse each night. We walked everywhere so I wore casual white sneakers with my outfits and my puffer coat to keep warm. Everyone else was dressed this way at each restaurant we visited so don’t feel a need to dress up.
You never know what the weather might be like so it is best to be over prepared. I would definitely pack enough layers and warm clothes with the expectation that it may be cold and rainy the whole time.
Faroe Islands Travel Tips and Facts
- Google does not translate Faroese so the locals created this great website so you can learn a few words. I appreciate their humor!
- The Mykines ferry to see the puffins is often canceled. Plan this activity at the beginning of your trip so you have another opportunity to go. Don’t make seeing the puffins your sole reason for visiting otherwise you may be disappointed.
- Pay your Mykines hiking fee online here. I would not do it until the day of since the ferry could be canceled with extremely short notice. We found out once we arrived at the ferry port.
- Make dinner reservations in advance. It’s a small island with only a few nice restaurants.
- There are public restrooms in basically every village for your convenience when out road tripping or hiking.
- You can use a drone almost anywhere in the Faroe Islands. We have this one and got some incredible footage. The Faroe Islands are really an amazing place for photography.
Faroe Island FAQ
Answering all of your questions about the Faroe Islands. As always, please ask any questions in the comment form below, via the contact page, or DM me @lindseycalhoun_ on instagram – I love to help!
While you can spend ample days on the islands at a leisurely pace, I feel that three full days (stayed 3 nights) is enough for a short trip to see the highlights. There are some amazing villages and hikes, but there really is not THAT much to do. At most, I would plan to spend 5 nights on the islands. You could spend a whole week if you really want to visit every single island and make it more of a camping trip.
The Faroe Islands are a self governing country under the Kingdom of Denmark.
The best time to visit the Faroe Islands are the summer months from May to August. The days are long and the weather is much more stable. This is also when the puffins are nesting so you’ll be able to see these cute birds during these months.
If you are vegan, the Faroe Islands won’t be the easiest place for you. They are in the middle of the sea with limited options and a cold climate – they have lots of seafood and lamb. However, I was surprised by the number of veggie options. Your best options are Bitin (get the buddha bowl), Barbara Fish House (get the vegan menu), The Tarv (order a bunch of veggie sides), or Etika Sushi bar (veggie rolls).
While Denmark belongs to the European Union, the Faroes do not. Depending on your country, you will need to take your passport. For the most up to date information, check here.
Plan to take your European adapters as they will work in the Faroe Islands. The voltage is 220v.
The official currency in the Faroe Islands is DKK so it may depend on the exchange rate for your country. Overall, I felt that the Faroe Islands were reasonable. The biggest expenses were of course accommodations and rental car (~$100/day + toll fees). However, it depends on your choice of accommodations – hotels are pricier, but airbnb is very affordable. You will also pay hiking fees and ferry costs in some areas.
The official language is Faroese, but everyone speaks English and Danish.
Yes! You can see the northern lights in the Faroe Islands as they are far enough North. Our hiking guide has lived there his whole life and said he’s seen them so many times that he forgets they are there. 😮 The best time to see them of course is winter when it’s very dark outside. Plan to visit in September – March for the best chance of viewing this phenomenon. The best places to see them are in the northern parts of the island like Gjogv or Klaksvik.
The best time to see the North Atlantic puffins is in the summer from June – August. You will want to head to the island of Mykines which is their nesting grounds. You will see hundreds of them!
Lastly, I feel like I should mention this. If you’ve done some googling about the Faroe Islands, you may have come across some disturbing images of whales and dolphins. That’s exactly how I found out that this occurs. While it’s unspeakable, I do think the beauty of tourism is that is sheds light on practices like this and pressures from the media can help end it.
Google Map for Faroe Islands Travel
I always create one of these maps for my trips. Use this to see the Faroe Islands on a map including all the best things to see, do, eat, and stay!
Safe Travels!
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