Our Top Spots in the Faroe Islands

Far away in the North Atlantic, between Norway and Iceland, lie the Faroe Islands. This once volcanic archipelago of 18 islands has been a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark since 1948. More recently, it’s become a popular destination for those seeking to explore remote landscapes and get in touch with nature. If you’re thinking of visiting this magnificent corner of the world, here at Civitatis we’ve compiled some of our top spots in the Faroe Islands!

The Waterfalls on Vágar Island

Our first stop will be on Vágar Island, which is the most westerly island in the archipelago. As you travel across the island, you’ll come across incomparably beautiful landscapes and two of the most photographed waterfalls in the archipelago. The Gasádalur Waterfall is located at the end of the road that connects two small villages and has a natural viewpoint that’ll leave you truly speechless.

Another spot you can visit is the Bøsdalafossur Waterfall. The water that cascades into the sea can only be seen once visitors have taken a walk along a breathtaking lake – definitely one of our favourite spots!

Tórshavn: the Capital and Thor’s Harbour

Let’s travel to the east coast of Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands, to visit another one of our favourite spots in the Faroe Islands. This would be Tórshavn, the political, economic, cultural and communication centre of the archipelago. About 40% of the Faroese live in and around the city, yet it’s still one of the smallest cities in Europe!

Did you know that its name means ”Thor’s harbour”? This name contrasts with the tranquillity of its streets, which have nothing to do with the god of thunder!

Fugloy, Also Known as “Bird Island”

Welcome to Fugloy Island! This island is the most easterly of the group and another one of our top spots in the Faroe Islands. Its name means “Bird Island”, as it’s an incredible spot to go birdwatching due to the amount of birds that nest on its cliffs. Fugloy is also home to only 39 residents, all of whom live in the villages of Kirkja and Hattarvík.

Kirkja is the administrative seat of Fugloy and played an important role in Viking history. Hattarvík is the perfect place to go on a hiking route to discover this part of the island – it’s been said that it looks like the edge of the world!

Tjørnuvík, Nestled between the Sea and Waterfalls

The next item on the list of our favourite places in the Faroe Islands is the small town of Tjørnuvík, located in the north of Streymoy Island.

This village has 70 residents and is nestled between a mountain with numerous waterfalls and a black sand beach that unfolds in front of the houses.

Vestmanna Seacliffs

Among the best places to visit in the Faroe Islands, we’ll also find the Vestmanna Seacliffs on Streymoy Island. Sailing through the North Atlantic between these beautiful narrow caves is an experience like no other!

With walls that tower between 2,000 and 2,300 feet (600 and 700 metres) high, they’re now home to thousands of seabirds. The nearby village of Leynar also has one of the Faroese’s favourite beaches. In addition, you can see an ancient Viking settlement in the nearby Kvívík.

The Picturesque Village of Saksun

Another place not to be missed is the village of Saksun, which is located at the end of what was once a narrow fjord surrounded by high mountains. This village also sits on the northwest coast of Streymoy and is one of the top spots in the Faroe Islands.

The village lies next to a winding waterway that rises and falls with the tide. Incredibly, it can only be reached by small boats at high tide. What stands out most about this place are its houses. Their beautiful grass-covered roofs that look like something out of a fairytale.

Slættaratindur, the Islands’ Highest Point

The next stop will take us to the island of Eysturoy. Here, we’ll find Slættaratindur – the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. This mountain boasts spectacular views and towers at an altitude of almost 2,900 feet (880 metres).

We recommend going on a hike to the top of this mountain, which takes around 4 hours to climb. If the skies are clear, you can admire views of the whole archipelago from the summit.

Kalsoy Island, Also Known as “The Recorder”

Another one of our top spots in the Faroe Islands would be Kalsoy Island, which is located in the most westerly part of the country’s northern side. Due to it’s unique shape, it’s been nicknamed “The Recorder”.

On the northern tip of Kalsoy lies the tiny village of Trøllanes, which has only 20 residents. Did you know that the name of this small fishing harbour refers to an old legend about trolls? If you follow a path from this village, you’ll come to one of the best spots to visit in the Faroe Islands. This would be the Kallur Lighthouse, which is a fantastic place to snap lots of photos.

Mykines and its Puffins

If you’d like to see lots of puffins when you visit the Faroe Islands, we’ve got it covered! The westerly island of Mykines is one of the places in the world with the highest concentration of these birds, along with Iceland. This species migrates every year and uses the cliffs of Mykines as a base to feed in the neighbouring waters.

What’s more, this island is one of the places whose folklore is most deeply rooted in the hearts of the Faroese themselves. Its authenticity and scenery make it one of our favourite places in the Faroe Islands!

Fossa, the Highest Waterfall in the Faroe Islands

Just a stone’s throw from Tjørnuvik, we’ll find one of the best places to visit in the Faroe Islands. This would be Fossa Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in the country!

If you don’t mind climbing over a few rocks and boulders, you can get to the base of the waterfall. From here, you’ll gaze up at incredible views of the double waterfall.