Real adventures can’t readily be reined in and at the Faroe Islands you get to embark on daily expeditions that are ever changing with the weather.
It offers remarkable hiking, birding and photography. It is nearly impossible not to do one of three whenever you step out of your hotel, cabin or car.
Running, cycling, surfing and horse riding experiences are also notable with the volcanic mountains and Atlantic Ocean as constant backdrop.
A real bonus is that it isn’t overly touristic (yet) but the sound infrastructure makes self-navigating a breeze. Note that there are only four traffic lights in the archipelago of 18 mountainous islands…and we even had mobile signal in tunnels!
Located halfway between Scotland and Iceland, this overlooked gem can still be explored as an affordable weekend or holiday destination.
Despite potential logistical challenges, we found the Faroe Islands a magnificent place to visit. It feels like a rugged adventure rather than a tourist attraction.
If you love adventuring in the great outdoors, read on to hear about our top recommendations for visiting the Faroe Islands…
Top recommendations
- Drive and car ferry to Trøllanes, Mikladalur and Kalsoy to see the Seal Woman statue and also the James Bond memorial
- Drive to Mulafossur Waterfall and lunch or afternoon tea and cake at the café
- Hike to Lake Sorvagsvatn/Lake Leitisvatn (lake floating above the ocean)
- Boat ride to see the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
- Walk at Saksun Village and its surrounding black sandy beach
- Drive to view Fossa Waterfall
- Walk at Gjogv
- Hike in Tjørnuvik
- Helicopter ride to Mykines to see the puffins
- Dinner at Tórshavn
What you should know before you go?
- It is not uncommon to experience four seasons in a day at the Farrow Islands. Nicknamed as “the land of maybe” because of its changeable weather, it is a place where plans can oft go astray. Make a flexible itinerary that can be adapted as you go along.
- Torshavn is the capital and largest town. If you need or like access to bigger or more established hotels, as well as regular visits to restaurants, cafes, bookstores and other shops, we recommend you make the capital your base for your stay.
- The main place to rent a car is at the Torshavn Airport. If you take a rental car and wish to stay at one of the other islands not connected by road to the capital, double check if/how you can get to your hotel or rented lodging by car ferry.
- We found it easier to rent a car and drive to our planned destinations rather than book guided tours: this allows for flexibility dependant on the weather and is also much more affordable (see Geared to Travel tips (below) for more details).
- Helicopter flights and ferry rides booked well in advance can be cancelled last minute due to extreme weather conditions: this could mean staying at one of the 18 islands for a day or more until the wind, rain, snow, or storm calms for safe passage or not being able to make it to desired islands during your planned visit.
- You can only book a helicopter ride one way to any of the islands that offer the service: there is no return flight on the same day. You will need to ensure that there is a ferry that can take you in the other direction or a bus service.
- Locals get priority to board car ferries. Most ferries have a maximum capacity and limited travel times. Arrive early to be among the first in the queue and avoid disappointment.
- There are just under 50,000 residents in total. There isn’t much of a demand for Starbucks or McDonald’s or any other fast food or chain stores. Be prepared to arrive at venues without access to restaurants, shops and other typical tourist entertainment centres. Even if these are supposedly available, national holidays or seasonal hours could mean they are closed. Bring pre-packed meals, snacks and drinks to ensure you have what you need to get going with your day.
- Petrol/gas stations are the main hub in most villages. They will always have a shop inside to purchase provisions, food like hot dogs and hot/cold beverages. Not all villages or islands will have petrol/gas stations.
Geared to Travel tips
- We spent six days, five nights at Faroe Islands and felt like it was ample time to see most of the top sites. We plan to go back at different times of the year for shorter durations to truly experience the magic of the different islands at their prime season.
- If you visit off season, you will sadly miss the puffins but pay less and also avoid peak visitor traffic. If you read what you should know before you go (above), you will see why this is important to factor for access to ferries and helicopters. We first visited in April just before Easter holidays and it was a wonderful time to explore. We saw the change in season from Winter to Spring: the mountains transformed from white-capped-snow-peaks to reveal their grand volcanic shapes with cascading waterfalls.
- Faroe Islands is located on the Gulf Stream: this means mild winters and cool summers. In the Spring and Summer, you need to be prepared for cold, warm (-ish), rainy, sunny conditions: wearing layers is our best way to describe how to dress for the day. Read Geared to Travel packing list (below) for what to bring.
