Growing up in the islands of Batanes in the Philippines, I am no stranger to natural terrains and formations that can easily take anyoneās breath away. In fact, Iām quite hard to please when it comes to such things; but of course, this does NOT mean that I do not appreciate nor acknowledge the beautiful sights that I see in my travels ā because I do! Howeverā¦ in order for me to be in utter awe and wonder, the landscapes must be far incredible. To date, there have only been a few places that has made me felt this way and on top of that list would have to be the far-flung yet stunning Faroe Islands.
Right from the moment that I landed there, I have felt as if I was sucked into a grand fairy tale ā every where I looked, there would be something that will draw my breath in awe, as I constantly question myself if I was still on Earth!
Yes, it wasĀ thatĀ majestic and surreal.
It might still be an understatement to say that the Faroe Islands are a natural masterpiece; but either way, it is my hope that you will see the outstanding beauty of this place in the flesh!
I bet that you have this now on your travel bucket list and surely, it would be my pleasure to help make your travel planning easierā¦ and so, with this post, I give you the ultimate travel guide for the Faroe Islands ā complete with infos, tips, resources, and itinerary that youāre free to customize depending on the length of your stay or the style of traveling that you will do! Enjoy!
.title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, .title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, h2{ border-color: }
Faroe Islands : 5-Day Itinerary
But before we go on, let me give you some quick and basic facts about the Faroe Islandsā¦
Itās a self-governing small group of islands under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. TheĀ Faroe Islands or FĆøroyar are quite far from Denmark; truth be told, its 18 rocky and volcanic islands are closer to Iceland, Norway and Scotland. But one important thing to mention is that though Denmark is part of the European Union, the Faroe Islands are not.
TRIVIA: One of the inhabited islands,Ā Koltur, has only one resident! (ā¦Or two, because I keep seeing conflicting info online; but some of the locals said that thereās only one left there. Maybe they were talking about 1 family which are these 2 residents.)
TRIVIA: TheĀ Faroese language is said to be one of the North Germanic languages and it is closely related to Icelandic and the now extinct Old Norse Language. Anyhow, English is widely spoken especially by the younger ones.
TRIVIA: The name of the islands first appeared asĀ FaereyjarĀ (in 1225) which means āSheep Islandsā that was given by the Viking age settlers from Norway in the 9th century.
When is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands?
Weather here can be quite unpredictable. Itās common to somewhat experience all 4 seasons in just one day! But yes, generally, sunny days here are rare because the islands are mostly windy, cloudy and chilly.Ā For starters, expect cool summers (with an average temperature of 13Ā°C) and mild winters (with an average temperature of 3Ā°C). I went here in the summer around end of June and the days can really have long hours of sunlight with the sun setting after 11PM or even later! (The longest day will be in June 21 spanning at almost 20 hours). As for winter, it can be as short as 5 hours ā imagine thatā¦
With all that said, itās best to visit the archipelago around June to September to enjoy the green scenery. Donāt forget to pack your jacket! ;)
How to get to the Faroe Islands?
By air.Ā There are currently 2 airlines that fly to the Faroe Islands. First isĀ Atlantic Airways that has 2 flights per day from Copenhagen, Billund, Aalborg, Bergen and Reykjavik. Flighs cannotĀ be booked through travel websites so youāll have to book directly on Atlantic Airways websiteĀ here. The other one is Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) that just started having daily flights to the Faroes.
By sea.Ā Smyril Lineās ferry,Ā M/S Norrƶna, sails to the Faroe Islands from Hirtshals in the north of Denmark and from SeyĆ°isfjĆørĆ°ur in Iceland. It doesnāt sail as frequent though so make sure to check by its website for the scheduled departures.
What kind of clothes should I pack?
If youāre coming around May to September to the the Faroe Islands, you should pack for chilly weather so your bare essentials should be a sweater, a raincoat, and a set of good comfortable (hiking) shoes. If youāre like me who can get cold quite fast, go and pack a warm hat or even some gloves just in case!
Of course if you visit around winter or the colder months, your clothing essentials will be different. Ā The same goes for when youāre coming here mainly to camp or hike.
Where to best stay (for accommodations)?
The central city of TĆ³rshavn is where you will find most of the accommodations and itās a strategic place to base yourself in for all your adventures around the islands. (Of course it can get cheaper if you get places outside of Ā Torshavn, but for the best capital picks, they would be the following).
Luxury:Ā Hotel ForoyarĀ /Ā Mid-Range:Ā Hotel HafniaĀ orĀ AirBnBĀ /Ā Budget:Ā KristjanshavnĀ orĀ AirBnB
How can I go around the islands?
By car.Ā Driving your own car is highly recommended (to make the most of your time!) andĀ you can arrange a rental online before your arrival on the islands. Rest assured, you can rent a car (from small cars to SUVs) on-the-spot when you landĀ at the airport since there areĀ stalls there by Sixt, AVIS, HERTZ, and Unicar. Once you start driving around the Faroe Islands, be mindful of the driving conditions and rules because for instance, there are one-way tunnels in the islands and you have to make way for incoming vehicles (you can find all the details in here).
By bus.Ā The mainĀ inter-town bus that they have is called BygdaleiĆ°ir (theyāre easy to spot since theyāre big and in the color of dark blue). To see the complete timetable of the buses, goĀ here.Ā It helps to note, however, that public transportation is expensive in the Faroe Islands, so itās best to buy a travel (multiple-ride) cardĀ beforehand with Strandfaraskip Landsins (the mother company of BygdaleiĆ°ir) at the airport or at the main bus terminal in Torshavn. ThisĀ travel card already covers busses and ferries around the islands (except to Mykines Island) and can cost 500 DKK ($70~ / Php 3,500~) for 4-days or 700 DKK ($100 / Php 4,900~) for 7 days.
By ferry or by helicopter. Since this place is made up of islands, some are not connected by roads so youāll sometimes need to hop on a ferry. The schedules for this can be found on Strandfaraskip Landsins.Ā Ā Now if a helicopter ride seemingly sounds expensive to you, donāt worry! Here in the islands, the service is subsidized by the government so itās quite cheap and it is serviced by Atlantic Airways (see timetableĀ here, and remember, booking in advance is mandatory). With these affordable helicopter rides, I say take advantage of it!
By bike.Ā Some districts like the capital, TĆ³rshavn, can be explored on city or sports bikes. You can rent these fromĀ Visit TĆ³rshavn that is located in SteinatĆŗn in the city centre. The cost for a day can start at DKK 150~. To book, just send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (+298) 302425.
What tour operators can I contact?
In case you donāt like to DIY your trip and want to have someone take care of everything for you, I suggest that you book through local operators in order to help support the local economy. Some of them are as follows:
Should I get a visa to visit the Faroe Islands?
Even if the Faroe Islands are connected to the Danish immigration policies, like Iāve already mentioned above, there are some differing factors to take note of. Soā¦
If you come from a Nordic country:Ā showing off your document of identification with photo is enough to enter the islands.
If you come from an EU (European Union) or Schengen country: if youāre an EU citizen, you may enter with just your ID card with photo. However, EU residents are not part of such scheme because you must be a citizen (so for instance, it follows that if you have a Danish residence permit, you still need a visa to the Faroes). If you have a Schengen visa or Danish visa, it isĀ NOT applicable for entry to the Faroe Islands ā you still need to apply for a separate visa that is specific to the islands (the requirements will be similar to obtaining a Danish visit visa).
If you are of any other nationality:Ā naturally, you need to apply for a Faroe Islands visa (remember: NOT a Schengen visa) at the Danish embassy in your country of residence ā unless your nationality is exempted from getting a Danish visa then you can enter the Faroe Islands.
Helpful FaroeseĀ phrases
the official language of the faroe islands is faroese which is a Germanic language that descended from Old Norse. Since they are within the Kingdom of Denmark, the locals also speak Danish. Rest assured, most of the people can speak English (sometimes even German and Norwegian). All in all, it doesnāt hurt to learn a few of the local phrases.
Hello: HallĆ³Ā (hahloh)
Thank you: Takk fyriĀ (Takk fi-reh)Ā or Takk (Takk)
Yes: JaĀ (Ya)
No: NeiĀ (Ney)
Goodbye: FarvƦlĀ (Far-vyel)
Iām sorry:Ā OrsakiĆ° megĀ (Or-sha-kee mey)
Excuse me (getting attention):Ā OrsakaĀ (Or-sha-ka)
Excuse me (begging pardon): UmskyldaĀ (Um-shil-da)
How muchĀ does that cost?:Ā Hvat kostar taĆ°?Ā (Kvat kost-ar tay?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dugir nakar her eingilskt?Ā (Du-cheer nak-ar her ain-gilsk?)
Help!: HjĆ”lp!Ā (Yolp!)
Cheers!: SkĆ”l!Ā (Is-kol!)
Now, before I begin with the itinerary guide, if in case youāre more of a visual person, you can already watch my video below to get a ā brief peekā into what the islands can offer.
Explore parts ofĀ VĆ”gar and Streymoy Islands
After you land and pick up your rental car at the airport, I highly advise that you donāt go straight toĀ TĆ³rshavn yet (which is likely where your accommodation will be) because there are some nearby spots around the airport that are worth looking into!
You might be thinking, āI can visit those later!ā ā sure you can, but the thing isā¦ theyāre quite far and to save time, I think itās best that you visit them ASAP while youāre in the vicinity. (Otherwise, you can visit them on your last day on your way to the airport, depending on your scheduled flight back.)
If you want to see one of natureās mind-blowingĀ āoptical illusionsā, make sure that you drop by Lake SĆørvĆ”gsvatn (also called as Leitisvatn).Ā It is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands and it has been dubbed as the ālake over the oceanā ā this is because if you go up a certain angle, it will appear as though the lake is floating directly above the ocean! The lake is just 40 meters above sea level with a magnificent waterfall at the end of it thatās called asĀ BĆøsdalafossur.
To get here, set your GPS and near the location orĀ by the church in MiĆ°vĆ”gur, you will find signs to āTrƦlanĆpa/BĆøsdalafossurā. Follow these signs until you find a parking spot. You will then find a gate and you must start walking from here to the south towards the ocean by following the gravel path. The hike takes about an hour (one way) and in order to get to the spot that shows the iconic āillusionā, you must go to the southern tip (not on the southwest end of the lake). You will know if youāre in the right place when you see 3 small sticks sticking up or if you see a steep hill. (Doesnāt matter if you end up at the wrong vantage point because every angle is stunning here! But if you really want some more specific instructions, go to this page and scroll to page 36 to 37.)
This is yet another iconic landscape in the Faroe Islands which is just an 18-min ride away fromĀ Vagar Airport. As you will see from the photo above, the Mulafossur Waterfall is a grand sight! It is nestled within this small village of Gasadalur and there are 2 ways to see it: with minimal effort and with some effort. What do I mean by this?Ā You can see this glorious spot by car as you do some short walking from the main road; or if youāre a dedicated hiker, you can do a hiking trailĀ that the villagers used to take before the car tunnel was built.
TRIVIA: Gasadalur used to be one of the most isolated places in the islands. Residents had to hike through 700-meter mountains just to get in and out of the village! After the car tunnel was built, access to the town got a lot better, but to date, the residents here still number at only 18!
Since I didnāt have much time (and a bit tired from my flight), I opted to just drop by here with my car as I enjoyed the waterfall and do a bit of strolling in the village itself. If you want some more detailed tips for this place, like how to find the trail that leads to this vantage point and how to do the longer hiking trail itself, check out my guide found here:Ā Gasadalur & its Mulafossur Waterfall
The central city of TĆ³rshavn is where you will find most of the islandsā accommodations and itās a strategic place to base yourself in for all your adventures around the islands. But of course it can get cheaper if you get places outside of Ā Torshavn, but for the best capital picks, they would be the following.
Luxury:Ā Hotel ForoyarĀ /Ā Mid-Range:Ā Hotel HafniaĀ orĀ AirBnBĀ /Ā Budget:Ā KristjanshavnĀ orĀ AirBnB
I stayed over at a guesthouse with a local though and unfortunately, itās not really a place you can book ā but I wish it was because the house was in the traditional style and it was so cozy with a great view of the sea and a river!
Like a natural amphitheatre, Saksun is a splendid remote hillside village that is known for its serene atmosphere. The place where it lies now used to be a deep inlet in the sea (fjord) and during low tide, you can walk along the lagoonās sandy shore which is found at the foot of the village.
Whilst here, make sure you check out the villageās church and DĆŗvugarĆ°ar, a farm that houses 300 ewes ā which also functions as a museum.
This is the largest waterfall in the Faroe Islands at a hight of 140 meters. Located near the village ofĀ HaldarsvĆk, this waterfall has two cascades that falls down to the sea. If I may share a tip, itās best to come here after some heavy rainfall because thatās when it becomes even more spectacular!
TRIVIA: FossĆ” in Faroese means āriver with waterfallsā
As the night falls, you can choose from an array of restaurants that speckle the city ofĀ TĆ³rshavn; but if I may suggest,Ā go and dine at Barbara Fish House! It has a great menu that consists of Faroese seafood dishes; plus, the place itself is quite charming given that it is built into the rocks.
Rev up your car, Ā wear good shoes, pack up some food and sail to the nearby island of Kalsoy! You can spend a whole day here to explore its various sights.Ā If you still have time by the end of the day, you can drop by the charming village ofĀ GjĆ³gv.
Kalsoy is like a flute-shaped island due to its thin shape. You can reach it by ferry along with your car by driving fromĀ TĆ³rshavn to the port ofĀ KlaksvĆk (this is a 1-hour drive). Itās best to catch the first or earliest ferry to Kalsoyās SyĆ°radalur port so that youāll have enough time to explore the island. To check the timetables, seeĀ this pageĀ (take note of the departure times as well so you can time when you will have to drive back to port). Take note: itās not possible to book in advance so you have to pay on the spot (DKK 160 for one vehicle), and if youāre coming with your car, make sure you arrive there 15 minutes before departure.
Once on the island, thereās no need for maps because there is but just one highway with lots of tunnels ā make sure that you watch out for sheep because they can come up anywhere and block the road, seemingly seeking for some sort of showdown.
First, I recommend that you go straight to the north to TrĆøllanes not only to see the surroundings of the village but to also hike up the mountains to see Kallur lighthouse because the view here is superb. I actually had a hard time finding the trail that leads to this place because there are no signs that lead me to it. Thankfully, my companion and I saw a tour group by the road who were headed to the lighthouse and they gladly invited us to join them.
Basically, somewhere on the road before the village, you will find a small red gate along the fence. This is closed but you can open it ā most of the gates in the island are closed not for people, but for sheep. Once inside, you just have to climb up the hill toward the north direction until you see the white Kallur lighthouse. With this in mind:Ā make sure to wear good and comfortable hiking shoes!Ā Rest assured, the climb up isnāt that hard but it can get a bit steep.
On the way back, make sure that you stop by the village ofĀ MikladalurĀ to visitĀ KĆ³pakonan, or the āSeal Womanā, which embodies one of the popular folktales in the islands. Made of bronze and stainless steel, it stands above a rock near a waterfall with a great backdrop of the mountains and the sea. The legend that surrounds this is quite sad and dark though and you can read all about it here.
TIP: Pack your own lunch and snacks because I personally had a hard time looking for a restaurant in Kalsoy. There was a canteen in Mikladalur but it only served snacks.
Just an hour away from TĆ³rshavn, this is the northernmost village in Eysturoy island. Nominated by the Nordic Council for the Nature & Environmental Award in 2014, this well-preserved town is nestled by mountains on all sides and filled with traditional houses that are made of timber and turf roofs. For those who are fond of hiking, there are also several trails for you to do here! Whatās one thing that you absolutely must NOT miss?Ā it would be the natural harbour that they have which is a picturesque gorge.
Once youāre back at the capital, have some more classical Faroese dishes āĀ but this time around, try some fine dining atĀ Aarstova!
The way I see it, the Faroe Islands is a hikerās dream paradise! In fact, almost all of the best landscapes can be seen via hiking.
But for those who donāt have the stamina for such things (like me), donāt fret because there are hiking trails that are at an easy level. ā¦Yet if you could push yourself ā by all means, do so! I have personally done a difficult hike up the mountain ofĀ Villingardalsfjall, and I was so glad that I pushed myself to do it even if my legs were about to give way because the view that I saw up high was one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes that Iāve ever seen in my life!
Ā» READ: Hiking Trails in the Faroe Islands
Anyhow, if you think you canāt really do any moderate to high level hikes, you can spend this day visiting the villages of Saksun orĀ GjĆ³gv if you havenāt managed to do so in the past days. You can even revisit the past spots Iāve mentioned if the weather became a lot more favorable for this day.
(Hiking difficulty: medium) Towering at 880 meters, SlƦttaratindur or āflat summitā is the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands so itās an absolute must-see!Ā According to Guinnes World Records, this is the worldās longest sight line because due to the light bending effects of the atmosphere, the largest glacier in Inceland called as Vatnajƶkull can be seen from here on a clear day (aside from the fact that you can have awesome views over the whole Faroese archipelago). For complete hiking instructions, goĀ to this page and scroll to page 22 to 23.
This is the hike that I was talking about ā as a non-hiker, this has been one of the most difficult hikes of my life but also one of the most rewarding (together with Norwayās Trolltunga)!Ā The whole hike to the top takes 3 to 4 hours with a distance of 6 kilometers yet at a steep height of 841 meters. I can talk on and on about this place, but I think itās best that you read my blog post below to read more about my experience as well as to see the other views you will witness from its summit:
Hiking Faroe Islandsā Stunning Mountain of Villingardalsfjall
Good news: this does NOT involve hiking.Ā The top of this mountain plateau near Hotel FĆøroyar can be reached by car and reaching its amazing viewpoint will only take you a 30-meter walk.
Mykines island is a favorite in the Faroe Islands! You need a whole day for this mostly because the transportation to the island usually only happens in the morning, and the ride back in the afternoon. Regrettably, when I visited here, the weather wasnāt good. In fact, once we arrived at the island, we were stranded in a small cafe together with other tourists as we waited for the heavy rain and strong winds to pass.
It still ended up as a great day though because we met a lot of interesting individuals ā one of which was a well-known harp player from Ireland who was on tour at that time and who gladly played songs for everyone. Still and the same, before leaving the island, my companion and I braved the rain so that we could at least glimpse at the cute puffins that live on the cliffs!
Anyhow, itās my wish that you get a good day so that you can see the great sight below.
There are 2 ways to reach Mykines: by boat or by helicopter. Remember how I said that helicopters are subsidized by the government of the Faroe Islands? With that in mind, I highly suggest that you take a one-way helicopter trip to this island by booking in advance! I say one way because Atlantic Airwaysā helicopters mainly service a round trip route to Mykines in the mornings only from Vagar Airport. To see the complete timetable, see this page.Ā For the boat or ferry, timetable can be found here.
Once on the island, you can hike from the old turf-roofed-filled village to the lighthouse which is at the western end of the islet of MykineshĆ³lmur. If itās summer time, make sure to visit some clifftops to see an endless sea of cute puffins nestled in the burrows. After all, this is called as the āparadise of birdsā so take advantage of this fact and do some birdwatching while youāre there!
As you wait for your ferry back to Torshavn, take your time exploring the small village.Ā One important thing to take note of though is that if you take a helicopter to the island from Vagar Airport, the ferry will land somewhere else and itās at the port ofĀ SĆørvĆ”gur ā so if you parked your car at the airport, you have to do a 20-minute walk back, or you can take the 300 bus. (Details here).
TIP: Much like Kalsoy, itās advisable to pack your own lunch and snacks. Thereās a small cafe in the middle of the village but it mostly serves light food.
NOTE:Ā Just recently, a new policy has been set that tourists have to pay DKK 100 to travel to theĀ MykineshĆ³lmur lighthouse for maintenance of the birdlife and nature on the island. This fee includes a certified guide to ensure that everyone sticks to the path and not disturb any of the local fauna. For more information, you can contact the Visit Mykines office.
Assuming that itās summer, by the time that you come back to the main island, it will still be light outside so if you could, make a stopover atĀ KirkjubĆøur. One notable attraction that you must see here is the huge black building at the center of the village that is calledĀ KirkjubĆøargarĆ°ur. Itās arguably the oldest inhabited wooden house in the world with over 17 generations of the same family thatās living there (there are sections that are turned into a museum). It even once housed the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands.
You could also visit the old churches that they have such as Magnus Cathedral and Saint Olav. And if you go by the shore, you will see two old stone houses.
Before capping the night, while youāre already in the areaā¦
I highly recommend this restaurant since I have dined here myself! Whatās special about KOKS? Well, it has been awarded as the best restaurant in the Nordic countries in 2015 by the Nordic Prize; plus, it is also the first and the only Michelin star restaurant in the islands. The restaurant which only uses local ingredients is housed in a private house that has been turned into a guest room, and it has an open kitchen where you can watch the chef and his assistants cook (but there is a bigger kitchen in the back).
Dining here is obviously not cheap, but if you have the money to spare, I urge you to give it a try. Iāve dined all over the world and this is one of the best places Iāve ate in. Besides, they surely know how to do pairings!
Basically, dinner here is a tasting menu and you can choose to pick your own drinks or choose their wine pairing or juice pairing set ā YES! You read that right, juice pairing!Ā This might sound boring to you but their juice pairings were simply phenomenal. I never though that fresh juices can be mixed in such ways that would perfectly complement a dish. Aaaahā¦ simply put: I hope you get to try it to experience a truly gastronomical feast!
Explore the rest ofĀ TĆ³rshavn
Weāre now on the last day and I think itās time to fully explore and enjoy the main capital of TĆ³rshavn. Let yourself get lost in the cityās small streets; if not, you can take your pick from the array of activities belowā¦
Tinganes is an area where you can see a beautiful clutter of red wooden houses. These are one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world that once functioned as a meeting place for Vikings. Today, it houses the office of the prime minister. You will rather find the Faroese parliament ā the LĆøgting (āLaw assemblyā) ā a few streets down. Whatās great about this area too is that there are enough signs and plaques to explain the history of the place.
Go over to the waterfront and you will this store thatās housed in an old factory building. They sell products made in the islands itself such as traditional clothes, wool sweaters, postcards, posters, and other design products. For sure, itās worth looking into!
You can experience a magnificent horseriding experience in and around TĆ³rshavn and you can do it with the tour provider, Berg Hestar, who uses Icelandic horses. The experiences vary in difficulty and price range but take note that itās only allowed for 7 years and older. To protect the horses, thereās also a weight limit of 95 kilos. To book your spot(s), check byĀ their website here.
This experience will grant you a unique perspective to the Faroe Islands as you sail by the most remote and breathtaking sights that the islands have to offer ā one of which is to circle around the nearby island of Hestur. RIB62 tailors tours upon request every day of the weak so feel free to contact them for inquiries. (Departure for this boat tour is from GamlarƦtt which is 15 minute away from TĆ³rshavn).
Wondering where to dine in the Faroe Islands or the local dishes that you must absolutely try?
Check out this blog post to find out: Top Faroe Islands Restaurants
.
.
.title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, .title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, h2{ border-color: }
Booking.com
(function(d, sc, u) {
var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];
s.type = 'text/javascript';
s.async = true;
s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());
p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);
})(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');
.title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, .title-bar:after, .title-bar:before, h2{ border-color: }
Itās clear to see that the Faroe Islands has an untouched beauty thatās worthy to be seen and explored! I guarantee you that it is the kind of place that will fit your fancy, NO matter the kind of traveler that you may be.
Besides, itās a destination that a lot of travelers have NOT heard of yet, so why not be one of the āforerunnersā (like me) who will sing its praises? Through that way, the Faroe Islands could soon be known by more people, thereby paving the way for its popularity ā which they so rightly deserve!
What do you think of the Faroe Islands?
Would you like to visit? Why or why not?
Or have you visited here before? How was it?
Did you like this article? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube and be notified about my newest posts and updates!
The post DIY Trip Faroe Islands Itinerary: 5 Days (More or Less) appeared first on I am Aileen.
