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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 .

Harrison Pierce

María Casbas

CNT Editors

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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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 Itinerary Suggestions for 3-9 Days (+Map & Practical Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

The Faroe Islands is a place of rugged landscapes, harsh weather, and unspoiled natural beauty. Europe’s best-kept secret, little known and unexplored, waiting to be discovered by those who know how to appreciate it.

We learned that the literal translation of the Faroe Islands actually means the Sheep Islands . This alone was enough to convince us to visit these remote islands with countless shades of green, millions of birds, and indeed, more sheep than people….

Do you also want to visit the Faroe Islands, but are not sure where to start? In this post, I’m sharing our complete Faroe Islands self-drive itinerary for 9 days . It covers all the most beautiful places that you shouldn’t miss in the Faroe Islands, as well as some less-visited locations and incredible hidden gems.

In addition, I’m also sharing the best Faroe Island itinerary suggestions for 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 days . You can find those at the bottom of the article.

If you love the outdoors, adventure, and quiet places where time seems to have stood still, then you probably know how increasingly difficult and challenging it is to still find a travel destination that ticks all these boxes. Faroe Islands is such a place, and it’s closer and easier to visit than I always thought it was.

How much time do you need for the Faroe Islands?

While you can see the main highlights of the Faroe Islands in 4-7 days, staying a few days longer makes for a more relaxing trip and gives you an opportunity to visit remote islands and also do some hiking. As a minimum, I suggest you spend 4-5 full days in the Faroe Islands.

Many people travel to the Faroe Islands for just a few days, but we wanted to explore the main islands to the fullest, and so we spent 9 full days in the Faroe Islands 11 including travel days.

TIP: If you are visiting the Faroe Islands for the first time and are not sure where to start, you can also opt for organized tour packages . They include daily tours to the best places in the Faroe Islands and you can just stay in Torshavn during the whole trip.

The most popular option is this 6-day tour package that covers all the main highlights of the Faroe Islands. All you have to do is book your Torshavn accommodation and a tour package, and they’ll pick you up for a different tour every morning.

Another great option is this new all-in 8-day package that, in addition to all tours, also includes Torshavn accommodation, airport transfers, and more.

How to use this Faroe Islands itinerary

You can use our Faroe Islands travel itinerary for inspiration and make sure to also check our suggestions for any trip. But keep in mind that you’ll have to make your own trip itinerary as a lot depends on available accommodations and also on the ferry timetables .

To help you plan your trip, we included a handy MAP for searching all available hotels and Airbnbs for your travel dates . You can find it at the bottom of this article.

For more practical information , please check our first-timer’s guide to visiting the Faroe Islands .

I also created a map indicating all the places mentioned in this post. It should help you get a better idea of where everything is and plan your own Faroe Islands travel itinerary. See below.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

TIP: The Faroe Islands are a paradise for hikers and some of the most beautiful places can only be reached on foot, so pack your hiking gear and explore. Here you can read more about 5 spectacular hikes that you shouldn’t miss in the Faroe Islands .

If you click on the hike icons indicated in the map above, you’ll see a number by each hike. Those numbers correspond to the numbering used in the ‘Hiking in the Faroe Islands’ brochure issued by Visit Faroe Islands. You’ll be able to find this hiking brochure at all tourism information points and some hotels on the Faroe Islands.

Day 1: Streymoy Island: Saksun, Tjornuvik, Vestmanna

Streymoy Island is the largest of the 18 Faroe Islands, home to the capital city of Torshavn and to almost half the population of the Faroe Islands. But don’t worry, even here it’s quite easy to escape the people and get a good feel of what the Faroe Islands are all about.

Oyggjarvegur Scenic Road

The scenic road Oyggjarvegur , over the mountains above Torshavn, is a road you must drive at least once. Green mountains, spectacular vistas, fjord valleys under your feet, countless waterfalls… The scenery here is truly beautiful and you can call yourself lucky if you can experience it without mist.

It’s very likely that you’ll run into some sheep, but also wild geese. Faroese geese are extraordinary birds – they live here the whole year round and are extremely well adapted to the harsh environment.

We saw so many geese that, at first, we thought they belonged to someone. But no, these birds are wild and roam freely all over the islands. Since they have no natural predators, they aren’t very shy, so you are bound to run into some geese during your trip.

The tiny village of Saksun is considered one of the nicest places in the Faroe Islands, and a must in any Faroe Islands itinerary. Saksun is situated at the end of the valley overlooking a magnificent bay that is surrounded by steep mountains. It looks like a natural shelter from the ocean, yet the wind is very strong here and it’s the coldest place we have been to in the Faroe Islands. Even in summer, don’t forget your gloves and a hat!

Saksun is best known for its little church overlooking the bay and picture-perfect turf houses of a 200-year-old farm Duvugardar, which is now a museum. It’s such a peaceful sleepy little village and the time seems to have stood still here.

TIP: If you want to have this place all to yourselves, best come here first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. The museum opens around 2 PM and that is also the time when the tour buses arrive.

One of the popular hikes of the Faroe Islands, Saksun – Tjornuvik hike starts by the waterfall just behind the turf houses. However, it’s a long hike that involves a serious climb and will take at least 2-3 hours one way, so if you are planning to do it, start early and count the whole day for just this area.

Alternatively, make a shorter walk along the Western side of the river (you can read all about this hike in our Faroe hiking guide – hike no. 5 ) and drive to Tjornuvik by car.

Practical information: Saksun has some minimal facilities – a bathroom, a cafe that is open for a few hours in the afternoon, and a kiosk selling some small snacks (it’s located at the first parking area, not by the church where all the tourists come – go figure).

Fossa Waterfall

On the way to Tjornuvik, just before Haldarsvik, you will pass the highest waterfall of the Faroe Islands, Fossa . The 140m waterfall tumbles down over two levels and looks very impressive in the pictures.

However, in reality, it’s so close to the road that you can’t truly appreciate its beauty unless you own a drone. Anyway, it’s just a short stop that doesn’t require any effort, so don’t miss it.

The waterfall is even more impressive if you come here when it rains. Actually, it’s amazing to see how much and how quickly the waterfalls change when it starts to rain in the Faroe Islands.

Tjørnuvík

The road to Tjornuvik is extremely narrow, but it’s really scenic, so you don’t want to drive fast here anyway.

The moment you turn the last corner, the picturesque little village appears in front of you – it’s a sight to behold!

There are many places in the Faroe Islands where you feel like you’ve reached the end of the world, Tjornuvik is one of them.

Tjornuvik is a somewhat bigger village than Saksun, and we were glad to see that there were more locals here than tourists (according to Wikipedia, there were 64 people living here 15 years ago, no idea how many people live there today).

The village has a beautiful beach that is supposedly a paradise for surfers. We didn’t see any surfers here but loved the peaceful beach overlooking two beautiful rocks along the coast of the nearby Eysturoy island.

The rocks are known as Risin and Kellingin , a giant and a witch. According to a local legend, they tried to drag the Faroe Islands to their home in Iceland, but the job appeared more demanding than they anticipated. While these night creatures were working hard, the sun came up and turned them to stone.

Practical information: Tjornuvik village itself is quaint and picturesque, but there is no tourist infrastructure here at all. The only restaurant in town has been permanently closed a week before our visit. Looking for a place to hide from the rain, we followed a sign for coffee and waffles and ended up in front of yet another closed door. The neighbors told us that the owner’s granddaughter was getting married that day.

The reason I mention this is so that you know what to expect when traveling around in the Faroe Islands. Adjust your expectations, travel well prepared, and you’ll have a wonderful time.

But if you forget to pack a picnic thinking that you’ll find something in these quaint little villages, keep in mind that the nearest cafe might be an hour’s drive away.

Vestmanna Bird Cliffs

Vestmanna bird cliffs is the most popular day trip on the Faroe Islands and takes you to the steep rocky coastline where thousands of birds nest in season. If the sea is calm, this is a great tour, and a possibility to see puffins.

Vestmanna boat trip only runs in high season, April to September, and usually just 2 or 3 times a day. In summer months, the boats are usually full, but even in the shoulder season, this is one of the most popular excursions that quickly sells out. So if you want to see the bird cliffs of Vestmanna, you have to book the boat in advance .

For the rest, there isn’t that much to do in Vestmanna, unless visit the Saga Museum, buy some souvenirs at the visitors center, or meet some of the cutest sheep of the Faroes…

Accommodation: Stay in Torshavn for the first 4 nights of this itinerary. We stayed at Hotel Føroyar , one of the best hotels on the Faroe Islands at the moment. Here you can find our complete updated guide to the Faroe Islands hotels .

Day 2: Streymoy Island: RIB62 Tour to Hestur Island, Kirkjubøur, Torshavn

Our second day on the Faroe islands was the proof that you shouldn’t let the weather influence your travel plans. It was pouring the whole morning and we were reluctant to even leave our hotel.

While it kept raining pretty much the whole time in Torshavn, the weather was very different in other places. One moment we were driving in complete mist, and then just a mile further down the road we would find open blue skies and sunshine…

We’ve been to many places where the weather is known to be unpredictable, but we have never experienced such instant fluctuations as in the Faroe Islands.

Before the trip, I often asked myself what to do in the Faroe Islands when it rains . My best advice to you is to pack a good rain jacket and just do what you have planned. Alternatively, just drive till you find better weather; it can be surprisingly close by. Or visit the city – you’ll have it all to yourself.

RIB62 Tour to Hestur Island

One of the absolute highlights of our time in the Faroe Islands was a RIB62 speedboat tour to see the bird cliffs of Hestur island . I can’t compare the Vestmanna boat trip to the RIB62 speedboat tour, because we only did one. But at least at first view, the two tours seem to be quite similar in terms of what you get to see (even though the location is different).

There are several reasons why we chose the RIB62 tour. First, our kids love speedboat tours and none of us ever got seasick on them (as opposed to bigger boats). Second, a speedboat is small and can access areas inaccessible to bigger boats. And third, we just prefer the less touristy options and more off-the-beaten-path alternatives that are just as good or maybe even better than the most popular options chosen by big groups.

The tour lasts just 1,5 hours, so don’t miss it, even if you don’t have that much time in the Faroes. It’s a unique opportunity to visit the spectacular cliffs along the Hestur coastline, see puffins (in season), and admire some of the most unique landscapes you’ll ever see.

Kirkjubøur

Kirkjubøur , just a short drive or a 2-hr hike from Torshavn, is one of the oldest settlements of the Faroe Islands, dating from the Middle Ages. Kirkjubøur was the bishop’s residence for centuries and you can still see the ruins of the old cathedral, Muren, which was one of the finest churches of the Nordic countries back in the 14th-15th centuries.

What still stands is St Olav’s Church, built in 1111, and the King’s farmhouse (the oldest inhabited house in Europe); both can be visited. The church is actually still in use and has services on the first Sunday of the month.

Apart from admiring picturesque Faroes turf houses, you can also make a short walk along the coastline. Even in the rain, it’s a very enjoyable short visit.

Tórshavn

End your day in Torshavn , the capital city of the Faroe Islands. Not to be missed is the oldest part of town called Reyn with narrow passages and a few turf houses. Don’t expect much of it though – it’s really just a few houses. The main landmark of Torshavn is the historic Tinganes area – one of the world’s oldest courts dating from the 9th century.

The Torshavn city center is rather small and compact, so you don’t need a lot of time to see it all. Other places of interest include the Skansin area by the harbor and the Torshavn Cathedral . It might not look like much from the outside, but you really have to see its wooden interior!

One of the liveliest locations in town is the little Vagsbotnur harbor with quaint colorful buildings and several cafes, pubs, and restaurants. This is probably the best place in the whole of the Faroe Islands for food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. A great way to end your day.

Day 3: Nolsoy Island

Nolsoy Island , just off the coast from Streymoy Island, can be reached by ferry from Torshavn. The ferry ride takes just 20 minutes, but ferries run just a few times a day, so keep that in mind when planning your itinerary.

The island has just one tiny village, so you don’t need a car to visit Nolsoy. Leave the car at the hotel, or, if it’s too far to walk to the ferry, at the free car parking lot behind the ferry and bus terminals. The other car parking areas near the harbor have strict time limits, which you’ll probably not be able to adhere to when visiting Nolsoy.

If the weather is extraordinarily beautiful, you can hike all the way to Nolsoy Lighthouse. It’s a 5-6 hour walk (13-14 km total), so keep the ferry schedule in mind if you decide to go all the way to the end. Alternatively, do just the first part of the hike – the climb is steep, but the views are really nice.

Nolsoy village itself is really picturesque, but apart from a short stroll between the colorful houses, there is not that much to do here for day visitors.

There is a tiny visitor center on Nolsoy Island. They can arrange a guided tour of the village, or some coffee and waffles. For guided tours, it’s best to call them in advance.

TIP: If you take an early ferry back to Torshavn, you could opt to do a horse riding tour close to town . You have to book it in advance, as people in the Faroe Islands don’t seem to like last-minute bookings, even if the tours aren’t full.

Day 4: Viðoy and Borðoy Islands

Time to explore the Northern islands of the Faroes! The furthest island that you can easily reach by car is Vidoy, about 1,5 hrs drive from Torshavn.

You could do it as a day trip, but I recommend staying in Klaksvik for one night and visiting Kalsoy Island the next day as well.

Viðoy Island – Villingardalsfjall/ Enniberg Hike

Villingardalsfjall hike on Viðoy island is probably the most spectacular hike of the Faroe Islands. From the trail, you have phenomenal views over all the Northern islands such as Fugloy, Svinoy, Bordoy, Kunoy, and Kalsoy. Not to be missed!

Practical information: This hike will take you a good part of the day (more information in our Faroe hiking guide – hike no.1 ), so make sure to pack a picnic.

Borðoy Island – Muli and Klaksvik

There is just one road going through Bordoy island and if you drive all the way to the end of it, you reach a tiny village called Muli. The road is really scenic, so it’s a nice little detour.

Muli village itself is not more than a few houses dating from the early 19th century. The sign at the village says that it has been abandoned in 1992, so I guess the people that we met there were using them as vacation houses.

You can make a few very short walks here. One of them leads to the gorge, the other one to a sheepfold along the coast, where you have a nice view over the coastline.

Klaksvik, the fishing capital of the Faroes, is the biggest town of the Northern islands. In addition to its famous brewery, it also has all the facilities that you may need, including shops, restaurants, and also a few accommodations. It’s the best place to stay for exploring the Northern Islands.

Accommodation: Stay in Klaksvik for 1 night. Accommodation here is very limited. We stayed at Eysturland Lodge .

Day 5: Kalsoy Island

Kalsoy Island is not connected to the other islands and the best way to get there is by taking a car ferry from Klaksvik. Keep in mind that the ferry is tiny (it can squeeze 17 small cars at best). Furthermore, it only runs a few times a day.

In high season you really have to arrive at least an hour in advance (that’s why it’s best to stay in Klaksvik and not drive from Torshavn). We arrived about 50 minutes in advance and were the 16th car in the queue and so you can imagine our relief when we could board. The next ferry was 6 hours later…

Update: Recently, I saw that it was possible to prebook a spot on the ferry in advance. So be sure to check the official website of Faroe Islands ferries and if it’s possible, definitely book in advance!

Kallur Lighthouse

The main reason to come to Kalsoy Island is the spectacular scenery on the island’s most northerly point, Kallurin.

It requires some hiking to get to Kallur Lighthouse , but apart from the fact that it’s muddy and slippery, it’s not a very demanding hike (more info in our best hikes of the Faroe guide – hike no.2 ). The views here are rewarding and well worth all the effort that it takes to get here.

Good to know: There is now a fee that you’ll have to pay in order to hike to the lighthouse. More and more landowners in the Faroe Islands are now charging tourists for hiking through their land.

Mikladalur – Kópakonan

One more highlight you shouldn’t miss on Kalsoy island is the statue of a Seal Woman (Kópakonan) in Mikladalur village. The coastline here is stunning too.

My advice is not to linger on the island longer than necessary and get back to the harbor well in time for the ferry. It was so busy on the day we visited that despite arriving more than an hour before the ferry, we ended up waiting for the next one. Hours wasted sitting in the car… Luckily, we had some snacks and our e-readers.

TIP: Probably a better way to visit Kalsoy would be to leave your car in Klaksvik, take a ferry as a foot passenger, and then a small local bus that seems to follow the schedule of the boat. From what I understand, this bus drives all the way to Trollanes where the hike to Kallur Lighthouse starts. I’m not sure what happens if there are no places on this minivan, and I don’t know if it makes any other stops, like Mikladalur. But it’s definitely worth inquiring about this option at the visitor’s center.

Depending on how much time you have on this day, you might be able to drive some of the scenic roads described in the itinerary on the next day. We spent so much time waiting for the ferry that we ran out of time and therefore drove straight to our accommodation in Gjogv.

Accommodation: You could either stay in Klaksvik one more night or drive to your next destination. We stayed in Gjaargardur Guesthouse in Gjogv – one of my favorite accommodations of this trip.

Day 6: Eysturoy Island: Gjogv, Slættaratindur, Oyndarfjørður, Elduvik

Gjogv is one of the places you shouldn’t miss in the Faroe Islands. It’s such a quaint little village in a beautiful setting.

There are hiking trails available here. As a minimum take a very short walk to and a bit around the gorge, it’s such wonderful scenery. In season, you’ll see puffins here, but they are usually quite far away.

TIP: If you’re in Gjogv around lunchtime, try some pancakes at the Gjaargaardur Guesthouse.

If you drive to Eiði from Gjogv, you’ll pass some of the highest roads of the Faroes. No wonder that this area is often covered in clouds, and it was also the case when we visited. If the weather is nice, you can hike to the top of Slættaratindur , the highest mountain of the Faroe Islands.

Eiði village itself isn’t really that interesting from a tourist point of view. We thought we might be able to see the beautiful rock formations Risin and Kellingin that are just off the coast near Eidi, but you can’t really get close to them or even see them from the village. They are best visible from Tjornuvik on Streymoy Island.

The nicest places on Eysturoy island, we found, are the roads leading to Gjogv, Elduvik, and Oyndarfjordur , so I suggest you drive them all. These scenic drives are not about the destination, but rather about the roads themselves. One exception – Elduvik village is actually quite scenic and worth a short visit.

In the afternoon we drove back to Torshavn where we took a ferry to Suduroy island (see the schedule here ). It’s a big car ferry and we were told that it’s never full. But just in case… we arrived well in advance, parked the car in line at the ferry terminal, and went for a short walk in the city.

Accommodation: We stayed 2 nights on Suduroy island . The accommodation we stayed at is not available at the moment and other options are extremely limited. So you’d have to see if there’s anything available on the private rental market if you plan to visit this island…

Day 7: Suðuroy Island

One of the best things to do on Suduroy Island is Hvannhagi hike near Tvøroyri. It’s a rather long hike, but one that gives you a true feeling of remoteness. The landscape around Hvannhagi is so special!

Don’t miss Akraberg Lighthouse , the southernmost point of the Faroe Islands. Just be careful here – the whole area is surrounded by steep cliffs with a sheer drop to the ocean deep below.

The area around Hvalba and also around Sandvik is really nice to see too.

One of the hidden gems of the Faroe Islands can be found near Sandvík. It’s a tiny nameless wooden bridge over a nameless gorge with incredible views. It’s not easy to find, but if you do – it’s definitely worth it!

Drive the bumpy road Heiðavegur in Sandvik all the way to the end. There is a fence on this road, but the locals told us that it’s ok to drive through it (don’t forget to close it, otherwise the sheep might run away). At the very end of the road, you can leave the car and climb the hill following white poles with a rope, then turn right where the poles end. Continue towards the ocean for 10-15min and you’ll find the little bridge.

TIP: The western coastline near Sandvik is the best place to be at sunset. Follow the Heiðavegur road as described above, but instead of driving all the way to the end, stop where the road is closest to the ocean. From there you can walk just a few steps for the most amazing views.

Alternative suggestion: Visit Sandvik and this beautiful sunset spot the evening when you arrive in Suduroy (day 6 of this itinerary). Stay just one night on Suduroy and head back to Torshavn in the evening. Don’t forget to check the ferry timetable. This will give you more time to explore Vagar island the next day.

Day 8: Vagar Island: Trælanípa Hike, Gasadalur, Mulafossur, Trøllkonufingur, The Nix

In the morning we took a ferry back to Torshavn and drove straight to Vagar island . We left this island for the very end of our trip, because it’s close to the airport. Also, there is a toll for driving the tunnel between Vagar and Streymoy, so it’s best not to drive through it too many times if not necessary.

Trælanípa Hike

The hike from Miðvágur to Bøsdalafossur waterfall and Trælanípa mountain is one of the most beautiful and by far the most popular hike in the Faroe Islands. You can read all about it in our Faroe hiking guide, hike no.3 .

TIP: It’s best to come here late in the afternoon if you can – the light for photography is best at sunset and there will be fewer people.

Good to know: There is now a 200 DKK hiking fee that you have to pay (cash) in order to access this area.

Trøllkonufingur

Trøllkonufingur – the Troll woman’s finger – is a big rock along the coast of Vagar island near Sandavágur. There is a sign to a viewpoint, so you can’t really miss it. It’s also well visible from the road at the trailhead of Trælanípa hike.

Gásadalur and Múlafossur

Gasadalur is a tiny village, just like many others on the Faroe Islands, stuck between the mountains on one side and steep cliffs and the ocean on the other. In the past you could only get there by boat, on foot, or by helicopter; now there is a tunnel connecting Gasadalur to the rest of Vagar island.

The main reason to visit is to see the beautiful waterfall Mulafossur , probably the most photographed waterfall of the Faroe Islands. Don’t miss it – the coastline here will take your breath away!

The Nix in Sørvágsvatn or Leitisvatn

On the way to the airport, you’ll notice an interesting piece of art – a horse in the middle of the lake Sørvágsvatn/ Leitisvatn. It’s called Nix and is a mythical water creature that wants to lure people into its underwater world.

There are several stories and legends surrounding Nix and locals could tell you more about it. But the statue is just next to the main road and worth a short stop anyway.

Accommodation: We stayed on Vagar island for the last two nights. It’s close to the airport and also the best location for a day trip to Mykines . There is just one hotel on this island and a few private accommodations. See the accommodation map here .

Day 9: Mykines Island

We left the very best for last. Mykines island is one of the most beautiful places of the Faroe Islands and it really should be included in any Faroe Islands itinerary.

We had really bad luck with the weather and visited Mykines in the pouring rain. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most unique and beautiful places I have ever been to. I can’t even imagine what it would look like on a sunny day with blue skies… I’d go all the way back to the Faroe Islands just to explore Mykines in good weather.

As if green hills, charming turf houses, and spectacular scenery are not enough, there is one more reason to visit Mykines Island. Puffins . Mykines is home to thousands and thousands of puffins that come to nest on the island every summer. It must be the best place to see puffins in the world!

One of the nicest things to do is hike Mykinesholmur all the way to Mykines lighthouse. This hike brings you past the puffin colony and has incredible views all the way. Unfortunately, a big part of the hike was closed when we visited (due to the weather and dangerous conditions), but even then it was worth it.

Keep in mind that Mykines is an extremely popular place to visit in the Faroe Islands, and Mykines ferry is also the only one of all official ferries that you can (and have to) book in advance. Nowadays, there is also a shuttle boat to Mykines , which makes it so much easier to visit!

TIP: The easiest way to get to Mykines without having to worry about practicalities is by booking a guided tour to Mykines . Most tours include the ferry, hiking fee, a local guide, and a packed lunch. Just note that some tours start from Sørvágur harbor, but some tours include transportation from Torshavn as well.

There aren’t many accommodations on the island, but it is possible to stay there if you really want to. In that case, inquire at Visit Faroe Islands for more information.

Most people come to Mykines for the day. The ferry schedule is such that it gives you about 5 hours on the island, which is enough if the weather is nice and much too long if it rains.

TIP: You can find more practical information for your visit to Mykines in our Faroe hiking guide – hike no.4 .

Faroe Islands Itinerary Suggestions

Below you can find some suggested Faroe Islands itineraries for shorter trips, from 3 days up to a week. Read on!

3 Days in the Faroe Islands

• Day 1: Torshavn, Kirkjubour, Saksun, and Tjornuvik.
• Day 2: Boat tour to Vestmanna or Hestur island and Trælanípa hike on Vagar island OR Kalsoy island and Gjogv.
• Day 3: Mykines island. Visit Mulafossur waterfall in the evening.

4 Days in the Faroe Islands

• Day 1: Torshavn, Kirkjubour, Saksun and Tjornuvik.
• Day 2: Kalsoy Island and Gjogv.
• Day 3: Boat tour to Vestmanna or Hestur island and Trælanípa hike on Vagar island.
• Day 4: Mykines island. Visit Mulafossur waterfall in the evening.

Faroe Islands 5 Days Itinerary

• Day 2: Northern islands. Villingardalsfjall hike on Vidoy. Klaksvik.
• Day 3: Kalsoy island and scenic roads on Eysturoy island.
• Day 4: Gjogv, boat tour to Vestmanna or Hestur island and Trælanípa hike on Vagar island.
• Day 5: Mykines island. Visit Mulafossur waterfall in the evening.

TIP: If you have 4-7 days in the Faroe Islands and don’t want to worry about planning the best itinerary, driving, or ferry schedules, consider a multi-day tours package . All you have to do is book a hotel in Torshavn and the local guides will pick you up every morning and drop you off back at your hotel every evening. It’s the most relaxing way to see the best of the Faroe Islands for those who rather take it easy and let someone else do the planning.

6 Days in the Faroe Islands

• Day 2: Nolsoy Island. Maybe horse riding in Torshavn.
• Day 3: Northern islands. Villingardalsfjall hike on Vidoy. Klaksvik.
• Day 4: Kalsoy Island and scenic roads on Eysturoy Island.
• Day 5: Gjogv, boat tour to Vestmanna or Hestur island and Trælanípa hike on Vagar island.
• Day 6: Mykines island. Visit Mulafossur Waterfall in the evening.

TIP: If you have at least 6 days in the Faroe Islands and don’t want to worry about planning the best itinerary for your trip, consider this 6-day small group Faroe Islands tour package . They pick you up from your hotel in Torshavn every day and take you to a different part of the Faroe Islands each day. It’s a great way to see the best of the Faroe Islands without planning or worries.

One Week in the Faroe Islands

• Day 3: Day trip to one of the other islands, e.g. Suduroy if the ferry schedule allows it.
• Day 4: Northern islands. Villingardalsfjall hike on Vidoy. Klaksvik.
• Day 5: Kalsoy Island and scenic roads on Eysturoy Island.
• Day 6: Gjogv, boat tour to Vestmanna or Hestur island, and Trælanípa hike on Vagar island.
• Day 7: Mykines island. Visit Mulafossur Waterfall in the evening.

Compare Hotels & Short-Term Rentals in the Faroe Islands

Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in the Faroe Islands . You can zoom in and out for various islands.

Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. Check it out!

So, this is our Faroe Islands itinerary and suggestions for a shorter vacation. I realize that planning a self-drive trip to the Faroe Islands can look really overwhelming at first, so if you have any questions, please also check our practical guide to the Faroe Islands .

If you still don’t find an answer, don’t hesitate to leave a reply below and I’ll try to help.

READ ALSO: Faroe Islands Hotels & Tips for Where to Stay

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Saturday 20th of May 2023

Hi there! Just passing through to thank you for all the content! Just finished my trip to the Faroe and your posts helped a lot :)

Monday 22nd of May 2023

Glad to hear that, Leticia. Happy travels!

Thursday 29th of September 2022

Thanks for the detailed info! From what you wrote, Sundory Island seems to have more scenic landscape and beautiful view than Nolsoy Island. But on your 6 day itinerary it doesn't have Sundory Island but Nolsoy Island. I am a little confused. We are more into wild landscape than colorful house. Would you please advise? Thanks.

Second, those ferries would run even in raining days and bad weather?

Saturday 1st of October 2022

Hi Camille, Suðuroy island is indeed very beautiful. However, if you look at the map, you'll quickly realize that it's much trickier to get there than e.g. to Nolsoy island which is just next to Torshavn. Depending on the boat schedule, you may need to plan 2 days for Suðuroy and also spend a night there. If you can get a very early ferry there and a late one to get back, it could be done in a day too - it all depends on the ferries and on what you want to see/do. Also, there is not that much accommodation available and if you don't bring your car with you, it's tricky to get around and actually see much. So it requires more planning and more time. And that's the main reason why I wouldn't recommend it if you have less than a week in the Faroe Islands. As for the ferries, it depends on the ferry and on the weather. The biggest ferries usually have no problem unless it's some exceptionally bad storm, whereas smaller ones (like the one to Mykines) could get canceled if the seas are very rough. But definitely not just because of some rain. Hope this helps.

Monday 25th of April 2022

Hi Jurga, your blog on Faroe islands is so detailed and comprehenisve with all the site maps of various places of interest. I don't think I need to read any other Faroe islands guides after seeing your blog. Every thing I need to know can be found right here. By the way, I'll be making the trip with the wife this August, the same time you were there I think. We are a retired couple in our sixties (me 67 and the wife 62) so we don't plan on doing too many hikes. Right now, I don't have any question for you just yet as I'm still going through the blog and will re-read some more time. We plan to spend 5-6 days at Faroe islands but could extend if necessary. Our intenerary will be based on your writing. Thank you very much for the information.

Tuesday 26th of April 2022

Thanks for your kind feedback, Kittiwat. Good luck with the planning and have a great time in the Faroe Islands!

Joanna Mendoza

Thursday 24th of March 2022

Hi!I'm so glad to have come across your blog! I wanted to ask how we go from Torshavn to Nolsoy?This is our itinerary for June and would like to know if this is okay. 1- arrival, Kirkjubour 2- Mykines Day trip 3- Nolsoy Day trip 4- Saksun, Tjornuvik, Gjogv

Thank you. Joanna

Hi Joanna, yes, sure, your itinerary looks good. For Nolsoy, you just take a ferry from Torshavn harbor. It's very simple to get to Nolsoy - you get the ticket on the spot, and it takes just about 30min. Just keep an eye on the ferry schedule so that you don't have to wait too long. You don't need a car on that island; lots of walking. Have a great trip!

MOHAMED AL RASBI

Sunday 7th of November 2021

What a wonderful information you've given us about the island. My wife & I are arranging a 3 nights trip to the island in May.

Is it necessary for us to hire a local guide to visit Mykines island? or we can do it by ourselves? book the ferry and go to Mykines? Where did you get your automobile rented? is a sedan accessible on the island, or do I need to hire a 4x4 car?

I'm so happy that I found your blog :)

Monday 8th of November 2021

Hi Mohamed, yes, you can visit Mykines Island on your own - but you HAVE to book the boat in advance. May might be just a bit too early for Mykines - it really depends on when exactly you go and how the weather is. For the car, check this website that usually has the best deals (we always book our cars through them, but for the Faroe Islands, they don't always have a lot available (depends on the season when you travel too)). You may also find some more info on this website. In the past, they showed all the available suppliers, but I don't see it anymore - no idea why. If both these sites don't show any rental cars, just google it and see what comes up. A lot has changed in the last years, so maybe some smaller companies went out of business - no idea. And no, you don't need a 4x4, a regular car is ok, and ideally not too big because many roads are really narrow. Hope this helps.

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The Perfect Faroe Islands Itinerary For 3, 7 or 10 Days

10 April 2019.

Rugged cliff lines, sweeping fjords, tiny gingerbread villages, spectacular coastal drives and pristine wilderness that unfolds beyond your window makes the Faroe Islands a perfect place for a road trip.

After two trips to the Faroe Islands, one in late summer when the landscapes were washed in brilliant greens and again in spring when the saffron-coloured grasslands were offset by thick snow, I’ve driven across much of the archipelago, explored on foot, returned to some places over and over again and only managing to squint at others through a thick layer of fog.

Whether you’ve got just 3 days to spare or 10, this is how I’d suggest planning your Faroe Islands itinerary to make the most of your time.

Before diving in though, it’s important to know that it pays to be a little flexible when exploring this remote cluster of islands. Frequently wild weather means plans have a habit of getting thrown out the window, ferries cancelled, hikes shelved for another day and epic viewpoints obliterated before your eyes. So, while I’d recommend using these itineraries as a guide, try to make use of good weather for the adventures that really need it and know when to throw in the towel and save an activity for another time rather than push on senselessly.

* This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. *

Visiting for a long weekend or perhaps enjoying a stopover on the Smyril Lines cruise ship? With 3 days in the Faroe Islands you’ll get a fantastic introduction to the archipelago and be able to tick off some of its most famous sites that will undoubtedly whet your appetite for a longer return journey.

Day 1   |    Vágar

Hit the ground running with the Faroe Island’s most iconic sight – the majestic waterfall of Múlafossur tumbling from a vivid green cliff into the churning sea. Backed by towering cliff walls and the enchanting grass-roofed village of Gasadalur, it’s impossible to imagine a more magical sight or one more quintessentially Faroese to kick off your adventure.

Gasadalur sits less than half an hour from the airport along a stunning coastal drive that hugs the cliffs extending beyond Sørvágur and Bøur before disappearing into the eerie mountain tunnel that funnels you toward the once isolated village. If you’re arriving in the Faroes by ferry, you may wish to drop your luggage at your hotel in Tórshavn before setting off for the hour long drive.

The incredible waterfall scene is best experienced from the viewing platform opposite, but be sure to take the time to wander around the village itself and climb a short way up the hill beyond the falls.

Slowly make your way back toward Sørvágsvatn, or Leitisvatn as it’s also known, drinking in the views across the bay of the jagged spires of Tindhólmur, the perfect arch of Drangarnir and, on a clear day, the silhouette of Mykines twisting into the distance.

A short way beyond the airport, pull into the parking area to begin the hike along Sørvágsvatn to the soaring sea cliffs of Trælanípan.

Nestled in a lush basin, this lake was made famous by the optical illusion created when viewed from the cliffs that surround it where it appears to float precariously above the crashing sea. From here you can peer down the vertigo-inducing rockface that drops straight into the churning water, watch Bøsdalafossur spill into the ocean and clamber up the sweeping and rather steep hillsides to enjoy the views from every angle.

From the parking lot, it’s just 3 kilometres to the farthest point, an easy 1 hour each way, but you’ll most likely be persuaded to spend a whole lot more time here. This area is notoriously foggy and, though it should go without saying, remember to always be exceptionally careful when wandering about near the cliffs.

** UPDATE: As of April 2019 the trail along Sørvágsvatn to Trælanípan is restricted and visitors are required to pay a hiking fee and be accompanied by a guide. The cost is 450 DKK (€60) for adults, 150 DKK (€20) for children aged 7 to 14, and free for kids 6 and under. Guided hiking groups depart at 9 a.m., 12 and 3 p.m. daily. Book your tour here or visit  this website  for more information.

Sørvágsvatn is one of the most visited areas in the Faroe Islands and these measures have been put in place to help preserve the fragile natural environment and curb the strain from increasing foot traffic.

If this hike is slightly out of your budget, I’d highly recommend the nearby Fjallavatn as a stunning alternative. For the full guide, read this post or scroll down to Day 7 of this itinerary.

** UPDATE: Thankfully, it is now also possible to complete the hike without a guide, but you must pay the hiking fee of 200DKK (€27) at the entrance gate.

From here, avid birdwatchers and those unable to visit Mykines should head straight to Vestmanna to catch the final departure of the day for the famous bird cliff boat tour. On this two-hour trip, you’ll weave between the towering sea stacks and along the dramatic cliff line to bring you up close to the many species of seabirds that nest and forage in this rugged untouched setting.

Vestmanna Bird Cliff Tours run from May to September and cost 295 DKK per adult (€39.50) with just five daily departures during peak season. These trips are operated by the Vestmanna Tourist Centre and can sell out months in advance during busy periods so be sure to book your trip well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Check availability of the Vestmanna Bird Cliff Tours here and here .

Not much of a twitcher or saving yourself for Mykines? You might prefer to skip Vestmanna altogether and push onto Torshavn instead.

As you peel away from Sorvagsvatn, keep an eye out for the vibrant red-roofed church of Sandavágur and if you still feel the need to stretch your legs, follow the small road out the back of the village to begin the short walk to the gnarled spike of Trøllkonufingur, the Witch’s Finger, a key player in one of the Faroe’s most told legends.

Day 2   |   Mykines or Kalsoy

Mykines is an essential stop on any Faroe Islands itinerary, but getting there isn’t always so easy.

This remote western isle is home to some of the archipelago’s most striking landscapes, but without a doubt its biggest draw are the thousands of puffins that nest here during the summer months.

From May through August, there are two daily ferries departing from Sørvágur at 10:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m, returning from Mykines at 11:05 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. Tickets are 60 DKK (€8) each way and should be purchased in advance as crossings regularly fill up. You can buy your tickets here .

The alternative is to arrive by helicopter which makes the trip just four days a week, however, as this is used as a form of public transport for locals, tourists are only able to book tickets one way meaning you will still need to either arrive or depart by ferry and this often requires you to stay overnight on the island.

As a protected wetland area, all visitors to Mykines intending to explore beyond the village are required to pay a hiking fee of 100 DKK (€13) that contributes to the maintenance of the island. Though not essential, it is also recommended that visitors be accompanied by a guide. The hiking fee must be paid here , or you can book a guided tour here .

Note that many of the organised tours to Mykines include the ferry ticket and/or hiking fee so be sure to check what is covered before booking.

Now, while all this might sound rather straightforward, trips to Mykines are frequently cancelled at short notice due to wild weather, while persistently poor conditions may force hiking through sensitive areas (such as the puffin colonies) to be temporarily suspended.

For this reason, whether you’re visiting the Faroe Islands for 3 days or 10, I’d highly recommend trying to visit Mykines as soon as possible so that if your trip is cancelled you’ve still got enough time to reschedule.

If you’re visiting during summer and the weather behaves, a trip to Mykines is an absolute must! But if you’re not or it’s not, then I’d suggest heading to the northern isle of Kalsoy instead (skip ahead to Day 4 of this Faroe Islands itinerary for details).

Difficulties aside, those lucky enough to actually get to Mykines can expect an incredible day beginning with a journey past rocky archways fending off bursts of ocean spray and the impressive ridgeline of Tindhólmur before sticking close by the towering cliffs of the island.

The ferry trip is only around an hour but seas can be choppy so those prone to seasickness might consider taking something to avoid feeling queasy for the rest of the day.

Arriving on the final days of August, I’d been apprehensive that the puffins may have already begun to move south, but I really needn’t have worried. I was greeted by a mind-boggling display of the clumsy birds circling overhead en masse and it only got better from there.

Don’t miss the hike to the distant islet of Mykineshólmur and the lighthouse that marks the Faroe Island’s westernmost point. From the harbour, it’s about a 3-hour return hike up steep hills, across open meadows and tiny bridges and, best of all, between the frenetic hillsides where you’ll find the puffin’s burrows.

This area is a fascinating hum of activity with birds constantly coming and going, flouncing through the air and returning with beaks full of glassy-eyed fish for their pufflings hidden safely within their nests.

It’s easy to lose hours here, sitting, watching and photographing these beautiful creatures, but please, please be sure to stay on the path and do not disturb the birds or their burrows. Lingering too long or too close to their nests will also make them more reluctant to return so try to be mindful of your surroundings at all times and don’t be a nuisance for the sake of a photo.

As you make your way back to Torshavn, take a detour along Oyggjarvegur, a scenic mountain pass, and venture up the hair-raising Mjørkadalur road for sunset, or stop in at the viewpoint above Norðradalur.

These high points along the pass are blasted with incredibly strong winds and are often the first to recieve snow and the last to lose it so be extra careful when driving along these narrow roads and opening your car doors.

Day 3  |  Streymoy and Eysturoy

After two fairly active days in the Faroe Islands, it’s time to spend some time behind the wheel meandering from one beautiful village to the next.

Leaving Torshavn, take the coastal road through the fjords, gazing up at the verdant green walls that cast a perfect watery reflection on a calm day, before turning onto the narrow buttercup road toward the ridiculously picturesque village of Saksun.

On my first Faroe Islands trip, this was a place I returned to over and over again, to wander across the hillsides, to watch the ethereal bay fill with water and to wait for the entire valley to be bathed in soft golden light. It’s also possible to walk around the bay to the beach beyond at low tide, just be sure to keep an eye on the tides.

Next up, head to the northernmost village of Streymoy, Tjørnuvík. Caught between a patchwork of iridescent green and a horseshoe bay of black shores and turquoise water, it’s an impossibly pretty setting and if you’re lucky, you may even be greeted by the comforting scent of freshly toasted waffles in the centre of town.

If you’re in need of some adventure and have some extra time on your hands, there’s a steep trail which leads over the mountains all the way back to Saksun, but it’s also possible to just hike to the ridgeline which affords spectacular views over the village and the dramatic folds of the peninsula. It’s a challenging hike, especially in the knee-deep snow that I encountered, and takes about 2 hours to the top following a combination of post markers and rocky cairns.

Also keep an eye out for Risin and Kellingin , two jagged sea stacks perched off the coast of Eysturoy.

Continue onwards to Gjogv, taking it slow along the spectacular mountain pass that swings around Slættaratindur and stopping at the viewpoints to explore a little further on foot.

At the village, it’s time to don those hiking boots again and hopefully catch another glimpse of some puffins. Though they’re nowhere near as abundant here as you’ll find on Mykines, if your trip to the western isle is cancelled or the ferries have finished running for the year, Gjogv is the next best option to view these wonderfully clumsy, pot-bellied birds.

Stop in at the pretty marina to marvel at the impressive rippled mounds of the northern isles before clambering up the grassy path toward the cliffs above the village.

Gjogv is also a rare place in the Faroe Islands outside of Torshavn where you’ll find a cafe so if you’re in need of some warmth before or after your walk, stop in at Gjaargardur Guesthouse . Reservations are now essential so be sure to book ahead (thanks to a kind reader for passing along this update!)

Since my first visit to the Faroe Islands when tourists were few and far between and the tiny village parking lots were virtually always empty, the situation these days is quite different. Many of these villages have very small populations, some numbering in the single digits, and the presence of even a few dozen tourists can certainly be felt and has been a source of tension for some locals.

I’ll admit that on this first visit I did a fair bit of aimless wandering across the landscapes, unsure of where the properties began and wilderness ended. But with the increasing number of visitors, it’s important to be respectful of the property boundaries that exist (i.e. don’t deliberately climb over fences) and particularly considerate of the residents’ privacy in these tiny villages.

This also goes for driving along the narrow single-track roads that lead in and out of these villages. Don’t just stop in the middle of the road for the sake of a photo, use the stopping bays appropriately and try not to drive at a snail’s pace to enjoy the view while some poor local sits patiently behind you attempting to make it home in a timely manner.

By this point in the day, time is probably seriously getting away from you. The long Arctic summer days can make it all too easy to forget the clock and try to use up every moment of daylight, especially when the weather is good. If the skies are clear don’t hesitate to drive a little longer as the evening light that gets cast across these islands is nothing short of spectacular.

If this is the final day of your Faroe Islands holiday, take your time making your way back to Torshavn via the rather exciting zigzag roads down to Funningur and Oyndarfjørður before cutting back across the island.

On a longer Faroe Islands trip, you’ll have time to explore the stunning northern isles and dedicate a day or two to setting out on foot. If you’ve followed the 3-day itinerary, I’d also recommend relocating to a new base in the north of the archipelago for a few days to cut down on driving time. Head there directly from Gjogv rather than returning to Torshavn.

Day 4   |   Kalsoy

Kalsoy, the long thin island shaped like a witch’s bony finger, is perhaps the most famous of the northern isles and is home to the iconic Kallur Lighthouse that sits perched on the very tip of the peninsula offset by a wildly impressive backdrop.

Catch one of the morning ferries across from Klaksvik to Syðradalur to begin the drive to the northern village of Trøllanes. Prepare for plenty of spooky tunnels that cut through the island’s peaks and epic views as you zoom along the narrow fjord.

In the village, set off through the little red gate and follow the rambling sheep trails north into the countryside for the 45-minute walk to the lighthouse. This area is known for its violent winds and torrents of mist that roll across the escarpment so be sure to bring warm clothing and keep a close eye on the trails if the fog descends. Trust me, it’s far too easy to get funnelled off on the wrong tiny trail.

After your hike, backtrack to Mikladalur and stroll down to the wave-soaked rock platform to visit Kópakonan, the selkie woman who pays homage to perhaps my favourite Faroese folktale and the curse that she put upon the island. You can read all about it here .

Day 5   |   Kunoy + Viðareiði

Make your way north to Kunoy, a tranquil tangle of tiny laneways, white-washed homes and rolling countryside that is best explored on foot.

After wandering about the town and taking in the views across the chiselled face of Kalsoy, follow the dirt track uphill to discover a rare feature of the archipelago, the forest of Kunoy. A well-laid path snakes through the lush grove leading to the wilderness beyond.

Next, cross over to Bordoy where you’ll find the tiny village of Muli located on the far northern tip of the island. It’s supposedly abandoned, though was certainly in use when I visited, and you’ll find a small cascade, a number of old stone ruins and plenty of birdlife on the grassy path that extends out past the village. The desolate potholed drive to get here is also beautiful. 

On both visits to the Faroe Islands I found myself in the late afternoon winding my way to the beautifully situated village of Viðareiði in the hopes of climbing the enormous Villingardalsfjall. But after mornings filling with lazy strolls, soaking up the views and stopping every few minutes by the roadside for yet another photo, on both occasions I arrived far too late in the day to actually attempt the hike.

This tiny community has one of the most dramatic settings in the archipelago with a striking white church perched on the cliff’s edge backed by a craggy pyramid of rock. The best views, however, are found from above, gazing down on the scene.

The 4-hour hike up Villingardalsfjall is steep and requires a good deal of rocky scrambling, but if you’re short on time like I was, even an hour’s climb up the uneven slope will offer up a spectacular vantage point.

Day 6  |  Torshavn and …

By this point in your trip, chances are that things haven’t quite gone according to plan. Perhaps a spell of wild weather stole away the views, a cancelled ferry put an end to your day trip or the epic hike you wanted to take was shelved for another day. So, I’d suggest reserving this penultimate day in your Faroe Islands itinerary as a contingency day.

Slowly make your way back to Torshavn, returning to the places you may have missed along the way, the villages you just need to take a second glance at or the hikes you were forced to put on hold.

Spend the afternoon exploring the charming Faroese capital. Stroll around the harbour where colourful boats bob two and fro and fishermen sell their catch of the day, get lost in the tiny knot of the old town where grass-roofed homes and white window frames are in full supply and take refuge in the galleries and cosy cafes hidden between the city streets.

If you’ve somehow been lucky enough to experience a rare week of good Faroese weather and have no need or desire to slowly amble your way back to the city, consider taking a day trip to Nolsoy instead. Set just 20-minutes from Torshavn, this brightly coloured village provides a warm welcome and that ‘country’ feeling without actually having to go all that far.

The 6-hour return hike to the lighthouse on the island’s southern tip is a beautiful way to spend a sunny day, though bear in mind that thick fog has a habit of sweeping across the peninsula at a moment’s notice. Check the ferry timetable for Nolsoy here .

Day 7   |   Hike Fjallavatn and the Seastacks

With the famous hike along Sørvágsvatn already behind you, you may be surprised to learn that just a few short kilometres away lies the far less visited Fjallavatn, another Faroese lake that is perhaps even more impressive.

Rolling meadows, a hidden black sand beach, a thunderous waterfall and the quintessential Faroese cliff line rising from the ocean set the scene for an epic day of hiking.

The 13 km return hike to Fjallavatn begins beyond Vatnsoyrar and hugs the shore of the lake before emerging at an impressive panorama of angular peaks, wild ocean and a relentless stream of waves crashing against the black beach below. It’s rugged and remote and certainly one of the most beautiful views in the Faroe Islands. For the full guide to hiking Fjallavatn, see here .

Next, travel the short distance to the outskirts of Sørvágur to begin the hike to the sea stacks along the south coast of Vagar. It’s a relatively short walk, just 2 km each way, but as it passes through private property it’s best done with a guide. I did the hike with Jóhannus from Reika Adventures who is a wealth of information about the islands and their many hilarious quirks.

With three extra days carved out in your Faroe Islands itinerary, you’ll have time to explore the often overlooked but incredibly beautiful southern isles of Suðuroy and Sandoy.

Day 8 + 9   |  Suðuroy

The Faroe’s southernmost isle gets far fewer visitors than its much more famous northern neighbours but I’m here to let you in on a little secret, it’s absolutely spectacular and the perfect place to wrap up your Faroe Islands trip.

Truth be told, I was greeted by some truly awful weather down here. The perpetually gloomy skies and hideous combination of wild winds, sleet and heavy snow meant that hiking was all but out of the question and many of the most scenic drives simply became impassable.

In the brief moments of calm sunshine though, the landscapes dressed in glistening white and bound by the jet-black cliffs was something quite special.

Catch the morning ferry across from Torshavn which should get you to Suduroy around midday.

Over the next two days, if the weather is on your side, hit the trails with a hike to Hvannhagi , a protected lake cradled beneath an impressive wall of rock that is rumoured to be one of the islands’ most impressive natural features, and follow the road north for a glimpse of Hvalba and Sandvik from where you can set off on foot to explore the rugged sea cliffs of the west coast.

If you’re more confined to your car, take the scenic coastal drive down the east coast to Vágur and wind your way up the pass that climbs high over the hills between Sumba and Lopra toward the weather station and the base of the near vertical incline of Beinisvørð. Wander along the cliffs here for some excellent bird watching opportunities – the winged creatures put on quite a show swooping and sailing between the rocky cracks – and, if you dare, attempt the ridiculously steep climb to the island’s highest point which offers up unparalleled views over the majestic folds of Suduroy.

Push onwards to Akraberg Lighthouse, the isolated southernmost point of the Faroe Islands that gazes across the windswept ocean, before backtracking through the charming village of Sumba and onwards to Tvøroyri to catch the ferry.

Don’t miss this more in-depth guide of things to do in Suduroy to help plan your visit.

Day 10   |   Sandoy

Set a short ferry ride from Streymoy, Sandoy’s compact size, charming villages and sprawling beaches make it a wonderfully easy day trip from Torshavn, and because it seems to be left off so many people’s itineraries, it’s also an excellent place to explore without the crowds.

Get an early start on one of the first ferries of the day from Gamlarætt to Skopun. Weaving out of the tiny village you’re immediately thrust into the rolling countryside peppered by glassy lakes and before long you’ll be yearning to pull over to take a few snaps. Wind your way to the beautifully situated Dalur on Sandoy’s southern tip before slowly making your way back to catch the ferry, stopping at each village and pretty view as you go.

If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, it’s also worthwhile setting off to explore on foot. The trails climbing above Dalur and beyond Skopun offer up excellent views.

For more details on how to spend your time on Sandoy, check out this guide .

Back on Streymoy, Kirkjubøur is just a 5-minute drive from the ferry terminal and home to a traditional Faroese village of red window frames and grass-roofed houses as well as a collection of historical sights – the ruins of Magnus Cathedral, St Olaf’s Church and Kirkjubøargarður, one of the oldest inhabited wooden houses in the world.

You’ll find plenty more information about how to get around the Faroe Islands in this post , but for this itinerary, it’s definitely best to rent a car. If you’re not a driver, you could also theoretically use a combination of public transport and day tours. See this roundup of the best Faroe Island tours .

Vehicles can be picked up from the Vagar Airport or Torshavn. As always, be sure to read the insurance policy carefully before setting off as it might be a little different than what you’re used to.

Generally in the Faroe Islands, there’s no option for zero excess and each piece of damage is charged individually, whether it’s a tiny ding or a more serious collision. Third-party insurance is a good idea, just in case.

Compare car rental prices here.

Unsurprisingly, this remote collection of islands wedged in the North Atlantic is not the most budget-friendly destination, but there you will find a range of accommodation options to suit most budgets.

For a 3-day visit, I’d recommend staying in Torshavn where you’ll have access to plenty of restaurants and won’t have to bother with packing up and moving every day. For longer stays, I’d suggest picking a handful of bases from which to explore – Vagar, Torshavn and somewhere in the northern isles make the most sense depending on your chosen itinerary.

For those on a tight budget, hostels and Airbnbs present the best value, especially those with guest kitchens, while hotels offer up modern facilities often paired with stunning views of the Faroese landscapes.

These are all places I’ve used during my visits.

Torshavn  |  Hotel Føroyar  |  An excellent mid-range choice boasting spectacular views from its perch above town. The sumptuous buffet breakfast is exceptional and rooms are modern and spacious. Check rates and availability here.

Torshavn  |  Kerjalon Hostel   |  A clean spacious hostel with comfy beds and a fully equipped kitchen. Run by Hotel Føroyar and located just next door. Last I heard this was under renovation but should be up and running soon.

Vagar  |   Giljanes Hostel   |  Facilities are fairly basic here, but it’s one of the few budget-friendly options on the islands where you’ll find a large guest kitchen and lounge area along with a beautiful view across the bay. Check rates and availability here.

Nolsoy  |  Airbnb   |  This beautiful, bright house provides a wonderful refuge on Nolsoy and though it isn’t strictly locally run, the friendly owners can give you plenty of interesting insights into life on the islands.

Norðragøta  |  Airbnb   |  This big house with a fully equipped kitchen and comfy lounge area was a perfect base to explore the northern isles. Hosts are friendly and full of stories about their homeland.

Suðuroy   |  Hotel Bakkin   |  Located in Vágur, this simple but comfortable hotel includes breakfast. Check the latest reviews on TripAdvisor , or for rates and availability enquire  here . Suduroy also has plenty of great options listed on Airbnb .

Considering visitors don’t get a great deal of opportunity to interact with locals on the islands, using Airbnbs actually provides a rare chance to get a local perspective on life on the islands, on tourism, on amusing cultural quirks and advice on how to actually pronounce the places you’re visiting because, trust me, between the accents and intonations you’re probably not saying anything right.

They often tend to be far more economical and offer up the chance to stay somewhere truly atmospheric, like a charming countryside cabin or grass-roofed home in the wilderness.

New to Airbnb? Sign up here  and receive up to $30 off when you make your first booking.

Visiting The Faroe Islands Without A Car | The Best Day Tours For Your Visit

A Visitors’ Guide To Suduroy | The Faroes Spectacular Southern Isle

A Short Guide To Sandoy | The Faroes Quaint And Beautiful Southern Isle

Hiking To Fjallavatn, The Faroe Islands Other Lake

A Complete Beginner’s Guide To Travelling the Faroe Islands

23 Amazing Things To Do In The Faroe Islands

10 Things to Know Before Visiting the Faroe Islands

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Unleash Your Inner Explorer: A Guide to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

S ituated midway between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands beckon to adventure-seekers looking for a less populated place to explore. Comprised of 18 islands connected with a series of sea tunnels, bridges and ferries, this far-flung archipelago filled with Nordic history reveals awe-inspiring vistas at every turn.

Although the Faroe Islands are under the Kingdom of Denmark, the country remains quite independent. Located on the islands of Streymoy, the capital city of Tórshavn  is the cultural heart of the Faroe Islands . Tórshavn is home to approximately 20,000 of the country’s 54,000 residents, making it one of the world’s smallest capital cities.

Free-roaming sheep cover the Faroe Islands landscape and you’ll even find some of these wooly residents in Tórshavn. In addition to the loveable sheep, here are some of the must-see sites in the capital city.

Walk through the History of Tórshavn in Tinganes

Despite being one of the world’s smallest capital cities, Tórshavn – which is Danish for Thor’s Harbor – has functioned as a government seat since 850 AD when the Norse established their government there. In the heart of old town Tórshavn, the Tinganes peninsula was chosen as the location for the Old Norse parliament. Tinganes developed into a major trade center and as Tórshavn grew up around it, the city became the parliament for all of the Faroe Islands.

Today, the charming old town displays the charms of yesteryear with narrow winding streets flanked by small red-painted wooden houses with turf roofs and traditional stone bases. Tinganes still serves in a government capacity as home to the office of the prime minister of the Faroe Islands.

A stroll through Tinganes is a walk through time surrounded by those uber-charming grass roofs. Several of these historic homes now serve as guest houses so it is possible to base yourself in history when visiting Tórshavn!

Visit the Tórshavn Cathedral

The second oldest existing church of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn Cathedral sits at the edge of Tinganes. Painted white with a slate roof, this picturesque church dates back to 1788. Since 1990 it has served as the seat of the bishop of the Faroes earning it the title of cathedral. An interesting feature, the church’s bell originated from the ship ‘Norske Löve’ (Norwegian Lion), which went down in Lambavík on New Year’s Eve, 1707. The bell tower features a golden spire.

Explore Thor’s Harbor and Fort Skansin

A highlight of Tórshavn’s city centre, the harbor teams with activity. From charming sailboats to cargo ships and fishing boats to car ferries delivering tourists and residents to other Faroese islands including Nólsoy and Sandvoy, there’s always something happening here. Day tours to other islands depart from here as well.

Overlooking the harbor, the Skansin Lighthouse stands within historic Fort Skansin . Built in the 16th Century, the fortress now serves as a monument and recreational area. A short walk up the grassy hill to the Skansin Lighthouse is worth the effort for the stunning views of the surrounding waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and nearby Nólsoy Island.

Experience Faroese Art at Listasavn Føroya

The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands  –   Listasavn Føroya in Faroese – is a must-see while visiting Tórshavn. Housed in a striking building with a multi-gabled roof and surrounded by landscaped gardens and lovely city park, the gallery exhibits a sizable collection of modern art along with expressionism and abstract pieces.

Celebrate Centuries of Nordic Culture at The Nordic House

The Nordic House  exudes the history and folklore of Scandinavia even in its architecture. Boasting an award-winning design, the Nordic House features a 21,000-square-foot turf roof and includes a rolling serpentine form evoking ancient stories of fairies and elves known for making their homes in hillside caves beneath the earth.

Exhibits within the Nordic House bring to life the culture and history of the Faroe Islands and the Nordic people with a focus on how the two are connected.

Take a Deep Dive into Faroese History at the National Museum of the Faroe Islands

As far-flung as the Faroe Islands seem, it’s hard to imagine arriving there long before they were discovered. The hearty souls who experienced this first hand. The exhibits at the National Museum of the Faroe Islands  take you back to prerecorded history and the roots of the Faroese, into the Viking era and continuing through the formation of the Faroe Islands through the Middle Ages. Additional exhibits delve into the importance of the fishing industry, Faroese customs and into the modern era.

Getting to Tórshavn

Located on Vágar Island, Vágar Airport serves as the Faroe Islands’ only commercial airport. Atlantic Airways and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) fly into Vágar Airport from Paris (France), Reykjavik (Iceland), Edinburgh (Scotland), Oslo (Norway), and Bergen (Norway). Atlantic Airways recently added a direct flight from Stewart International Airport in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Vágar Airport is well connected by taxis and bus service into Tórshavn. Route 300 on the public bus picks up passengers at the airport and drops them off at the Tórshavn harbor near the city centre. A taxi can be booked at a fixed rate of $35 USD. If you plan to explore beyond Tórshavn during your stay in the Faroe Islands, a rental car provides more flexibility. There are several companies to choose from. We chose a local company, RentYourCar.fo  and were very pleased with the rate and customer service. However you choose to get to Tórshavn, enjoy the ride because you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping vistas along the way.

It’s also possible to take a ferry to the Faroe Islands. Smyril Line’s ferry, M/S Norröna, sails to the Faroe Islands from Hirtshals in the north of Denmark and from Seyðisfjørður in Iceland. Frequency of departures varies according to season.

Read More: When’s the Best Time of Year to Visit the Faroe Islands?

Where to Stay

Depending on your travel style, Tórshavn offers several lodging options. For those who prefer to stay in a full-service hotel, Hotel Føroyar  presents the true essence of the Faroe Islands. Tucked into a valley overlooking Tórshavn, the panoramic views from this 4-star property captivate guests. An easy walk into the city center via a secret path down the hill adds to the authenticity of the experience.

Hotel Føroyar features 200 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a spa under its grass roof that blends into the serenity of the surrounding countryside. Guests of the hotel benefit from day trip packages to top attractions including a guided tour to Mykines to see the adorable puffins.

For our visit, we chose to book a guesthouse through AirBnB to have a full kitchen and access to a laundry room. On the ground floor of a residence, our guesthouse is known as The Green Pearl and sits in a lovely neighborhood within easy walking distance of the city centre and the harbor. As a bonus, sheep graze in the park just outside of the residence and a mama sheep and her baby came to visit through our bedroom window every morning. Absolutely magical!

The post Unleash Your Inner Explorer: A Guide to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands appeared first on She Buys Travel .

The islands of Louisville: How to visit and what to know about these Ohio River spots

The Ohio River is a relentless force, shaping and reshaping the landscape in its path.

Despite billions of gallons flowing by each day, persistent dredging and engineering of the waterway and the steady wake of recreational and commercial traffic, several riverine islands have stuck around near Louisville.

The islands on the Ohio River hold significant natural heritage and local history. And some are publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities for boaters, paddlers and anglers.

Here’s what to know about the riverine islands closest to Louisville, starting upstream:

18 Mile Island

This island sits just downstream from Westport, carved out of the Kentucky bank of the Ohio in Oldham County. It's named for being roughly 18 miles upstream of Louisville, similar to 12 Mile Island and Six Mile Island.

Unlike most of the islands closer to Louisville, it's privately owned by Wood Island Inc., a business registered to Laura Lee Brown, according to state filings. Brown also co-owns nearby Woodland Farm and Hermitage Farm .

“Only disembark with permission from the farm manager,” says the Ohio River Way’s digital guide of the waterway .

18 Mile Island has a sandy beach facing Indiana, and a narrow channel separates it from the Kentucky shore. When it went up for sale along with the 900-acre Clifton Farm in the 1990s, a Courier Journal column described its allure to potential buyers:

“Marlon Brando owns an island in Tahiti. You could own an island, too, right here in the Ohio River.”

12 Mile Island

This island, also known as Embry Island, is split in the middle by the Jefferson-Oldham border and is publicly owned by Louisville Metro and Oldham County governments.

Camping is allowed on the island, according to the Ohio River Way guide, and “it gets crowded on weekend summer nights.”

It’s been a popular swimming, fishing and boating spot for decades, and there are wooden steps on the side of the island facing the Kentucky shoreline for access. The commercial marine highway runs on the Indiana side.

In 1992, The Courier Journal described ongoing local efforts to combat soil erosion on the island — and “the fear that the river will someday carry off their islands to Paducah” — including intentionally sinking barges on either end of the island to shield its banks, and planting trees and vegetation.

The island was also the setting of a Civil War clash in 1863 resulting in the capture of 20 Confederate soldiers, according to a recounting by Oldham County historian Nancy Stearns Theiss.

Six Mile Island

Six Mile Island is publicly owned and was established as a Kentucky nature preserve in 1979. It's open to the public during daylight hours, but overnight camping is prohibited.

It’s “noted for its variety of waterbirds,” according to the state , and “was protected so that it would be allowed to return to its original natural state.”

The island sits in a popular stretch of the river, downstream from Party Cove on the Indiana side and the mouth of Harrods Creek on the Kentucky side.

It was owned and farmed by the Ash family for about a century before it was purchased by Kentucky in the late 1900s. Goose Island once sat between Six Mile Island and the Kentucky shoreline, but vanished in the 1920s when the construction of the locks and dam downstream raised the river level.

Six Mile Island also marks the halfway point in the Great Steamboat Race, a long-standing annual tradition and part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. This year's race is May 1.

Recently, a proposed shipyard near Six Mile Island on the Indiana side of the river drew criticism from waterway and conservation advocates , who said the industrial development would endanger sensitive protected habitat on the island.

Some residents also provided public comment opposing the proposal, pointing to the island’s local recreational, cultural and environmental value.

Shippingport Island

Before the McAlpine Locks and Dam were built, the Falls of the Ohio marked the most treacherous stretch of the entire 981-mile river. The falls were a “series of rapids, waterfalls, and chutes,” dropping 26 feet over about 3 miles.

“When there was enough water, boats could attempt to run one of three chutes, or passages through the Falls,” according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , “but this required expertise and boats often wrecked during the attempt.”

The Corps’ infrastructure at the falls now carries vessels through smoothly, from barges to kayaks, under the authority of the lockmaster. And the nearby hydroelectric dam, built nearly a century ago, helps generate more than 100 megawatts of power from the falls, according to LG&E and KU .

Shippingport Island acts as the fulcrum of the Corps’ civil works in the area. At one time, people lived on the island — The Courier Journal previously described “a bustling mix of wharfs, brick houses, taverns, an old mill (and) small farms.”

In the 19th century, "Big Jim Porter," an ostensibly 7-foot-8-inch-tall horse-drawn cab driver, "presided over several taverns in the wharf areas of Portland and Shippingport," according to a history of Portland published by The Courier Journal.

Flood risk eventually drove residents off Shippingport Island. Now, it’s a mix of industrial uses supporting the locks and dam and forested land, with a narrow head forming the entrance to the locks through the Louisville and Portland Canal.

The Corps restricts access to much of the island, but allows fishing along a beach on the western bank. It's accessible from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, across the bridge to the island and through a security gate.

Other Louisville islands

Past Shippingport Island and the locks, 5-acre Lewis and Clark Island was named to commemorate the start of the explorers’ expedition, which began at the Falls of the Ohio in 1803, according to the Louisville Historical League .

It neighbors Sand Island, a larger strip of land to the west also managed by the Corps. Both are popular fishing spots and are open to the public during daylight hours, accessible by boat.

High water and weather conditions, as well as discharges from the nearby locks and hydropower station, warrant caution for boaters. According to a Corps spokesperson, local fire departments and dive teams use the area for swift water rescue training.

And the nearby Falls of the Ohio State Park boasts 390-million-year-old Devonian fossil beds, among the largest of their kind in the world, and offers close access to the river without a boat. Nearly 300 species of birds have been observed near the falls and surrounding islands, which are designated as a national wildlife conservation area, and John James Audubon "studied and painted numerous birds at this spot," according to the Corps.

There's also Towhead Island just upstream of downtown Louisville, between Waterfront Park and Beargrass Creek. It's a thin strip of land typically lined with barges and owned by a company associated with nearby Nugent Sand Co.

And in the mouth of Beargrass Creek is a small dot of land, less than 200 feet from end to end. It’s nameless, but you can change that — the U.S. Geological Survey accepts name proposals for unnamed natural features .

Preserving the islands of the Ohio

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge more than 30 years ago to protect islands all along the Ohio, but most of the preserved land is along the West Virginia stretch of the river.

David Wicks, a local waterway advocate and educator, said the initiative ran out of steam, and no islands downstream of Maysville have joined the refuge. He hopes to see it renewed, to bring protections to more Ohio River islands.

“Louisville has some of the most concentrated area of islands” starting with 18 Mile Island, Wicks said on a paddle trip from Westport to Louisville last year. “The dream is to get U.S. Fish and Wildlife to get this, 12 Mile, Six Mile, Towhead, Shippingport, Sand Island, Lewis and Clark Island, all part of our wildlife management area for these migratory birds.”

Waterway advocates have also called for a National Water Trail designation for the Ohio River between Portsmouth, Ohio, and West Point, Kentucky — hoping to redefine the river as a recreational asset, not just a barge highway.

With more recreational value attached to the river, some local groups hope to bring economic momentum to river towns and protect the natural resources of the waterway in the process.

Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. The program funds up to half of corps members’ salaries, but requires a portion also be raised through local community fundraising. To support local environmental reporting in Kentucky, tax-deductible donations can be made at courier-journal.com/RFA .

Learn more about RFA at reportforamerica.org . Reach Connor directly at [email protected] or on X @byconnorgiffin .

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Things to know before visiting the Gili Islands

Apr 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Whichever island you're on, head to the west coast for the best sunset views © Marcos Welsh / Getty Images

As far as tiny, picturesque islands go, the Gili Islands have it all and then some. Glassy waters full of colorful marine life, local tradition and culture, a rowdy nightlife scene, and also plenty of places to completely relax under the sun – it's the real deal. 

These three islands – Gili Trawangan , Meno and Air – are generally safe and fairly easy to navigate. As a first-time visitor though, you'll want a quick travel guide on a few specifics regarding trip planning, respectful etiquette, and safety before you arrive.

Take note of these 11 tips for a smooth journey around the Gili Islands.

1. Pack light, or at least skip the giant suitcase

We've been there and witnessed it: giant suitcases piled into the back of the Gili boats, later being lugged around on dusty laneways by sweaty, regretful travelers under the hot sun. Trust us on this one: packing light is the way to go for the Gili Islands. Either leave your suitcase at accommodations in Bali or use a service such as Bali Store Luggage to take care of it while you're island hopping. Between the logistics of getting on and off the Gili boats, plus the fact that the Gili Islands don't have any motorized vehicles – you're much better off bringing only what's comfortable to carry on your back.

2. Decide how to split your time between the three islands (or just wing it)

Whether you enjoy a quick weekend getaway or slowly move through all three islands over the course of a week, deciding how to split your time in advance is advantageous. Each island brings a different personality, with Gili Trawangan being notorious for parties and nightlife. Gili Meno, in the middle, draws a more laidback crowd – those seeking tranquility (and a decent number of honeymooners). To the east, Gili Air falls somewhere in the middle of the chill scale, where it's easy to bliss out in silence or get social at one of the island's many cheerful beach bars.

Even though the islands are small, you can have a completely different experience depending on where you go and what you do. Plan accordingly. 

3. Team up with other travelers to share boats between islands

It's possible to take public boats between all three Gili Islands, but they don't run very frequently – usually just a couple times per day – and plans are subject to change. If you're looking to travel on the fly, or completely on your own schedule, the best way to move between the Gili Islands is to team up with other travelers and share a private boat transfer. Walk down to the port and chat up some of the friendly boatmen waiting for your business, preferably with a friend or two to split the cost. Expect to pay around 300,000Rp for the entire boat for a one-way, depending on your negotiation abilities.

4. Dress and behave respectfully 

While you explore the Gili Islands, you might encounter a few signs that say "no swimwear in the village" – or simply a picture of a bikini with a big red no symbol on top of it. Most residents of the Gili Islands are Muslim, and dressing modestly is important for traveling respectfully. There's no issue rocking swim trunks or a bikini when you're actually at the beach – but cover up when you're heading inland, especially when passing through residential areas. Keep a big t-shirt and sarong in your bag, and you'll be good to go.

5. Check the calendar for any holidays

There are two holidays to be aware of, both bring different experiences in the Gili Islands: Ramadan, a Muslim holiday, and Nyepi, a Balinese holiday. Ramadan is usually around March or April where people fast from sunrise to sunset each day for a month. You can still travel to the Gili Islands, but be advised that some businesses will close earlier and parties are limited during this time. During Nyepi, Bali's day of silence which typically falls the first or second week of March, the entire island shuts down – leading many travelers to head to the Gili Islands where businesses remain open. This can make things pretty busy for two or three days over Nyepi.

6. Lock up your bicycle when you're not using it

You won't find any motorized vehicles on the Gili Islands, where the best method of transportation is either via foot or bicycle. Petty theft isn't all that common – but locking your bike whenever you're not using it is a best practice just in case. Insurance for bike theft isn't really a thing here, so if someone were to roam off with it, you'd be on the hook for covering the cost. Most folks simply put the lock around their tire rather than fastening it to a stationary object.

7. Always drink purified water 

Tap water is not safe for consumption across Indonesia so always only drink water you’ve either purified yourself; you have purchased in a sealed bottle; or have refilled your reusable from a clean water source to stay hydrated. A lot of people brush their teeth with the tap water without experiencing any issues, but if you're really concerned, use bottled water for that too.

8. Watch out for mosquitos

Catching dengue fever is the biggest risk from mosquito bites here – not to mention uncomfortable itchiness. Mosquitos are a year-round experience in the Gili Islands, slightly less so during the dry season from roughly June until October. The best way to prevent bites or mosquito-induced illness is by preparing yourself with bug spray, especially around dusk.

9. Drugs are illegal in Indonesia

You might've heard stories of magic mushrooms in the Gilis from other travelers – and it's true, several beachside cafes openly advertise the sale of magic mushrooms despite the fact that Indonesia has strong anti-drug laws. It's not uncommon to get offers for "magic shakes" or mushrooms while walking on the street, either. Do beware: Indonesia has extremely strict laws against illicit substances, including mushrooms.

Intoxication or possession is punishable by lengthy imprisonment (or worse!). According to Indonesia's tourism board , "Possession is punishable by 4 to 12 years of imprisonment. There is also IDR 800 million to 8 billion (US$89,600 to US$896,000) worth of fines."

10. Stick to beer and wine if you want to drink

Throughout the years, there have been countless reports of travelers in Indonesia becoming ill due to methanol poisoning from alcoholic spirits. The consumption of this illegal tainted alcohol – which has occurred even in fancy, upscale resorts – can cause severe illness, blindness, or even death. Methanol-tainted alcohol is typically the result of cost cutting, oftentimes far earlier in the supply chain before bars and restaurants have any say in the matter. The safest way to get a buzz is by drinking beer or wine, so load up on the Bintang beers or get champagne tipsy all day long.

11. Head west for sunset 

When the fiery sun begins to descend closer to the horizon, make your way west. Regardless of whether you're on Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, or Gili Air – the best sunset views are on the west coast, accompanied by views of Bali's towering Gunung Agung volcano off in the distance. It's the best way to slip into the evening, typically accompanied by sherbet-colored hues in the sky and good vibes.

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