The Faroe Islands is such a unique little corner of the world that still feels partly hidden. Unlike Iceland, it still has an aura of authenticity around it – and so small with limited tourism you can’t help but fall in love with it. The views and hiking is truly magnificent. Check out my itinerary and recommendations below for the trip of a lifetime.
Transportation
Ideally, the best way to travel around the Faroe Islands is via car. I rented my car from Rent Your Car Faroe and had a great experience. All the car rental agencies have offices right at the airport and make it an easy experience. Ensure you purchase the Tunnel Pass if you plan to rent a car. All the islands are connected via underground tunnels and you will be using the tunnels very frequently.
As there are not too many car rental options, they will sell out quickly! Ensure you book your car rental at least 3-4 months prior to your travels.
If you do not want to rent a car, there is public transportation. However you would have to coordinate your travels a lot more in depth and would not be able to reach all the unique places that aren’t accessible by bus. Nonetheless it’s still a pretty good Scandinavian public transportation system.
Accommodation
I would recommend spending 2 nights on one of the northern islands (Bordoy, Kunoy, Vidoy) and 2 nights in or near Tórshavn. I stayed at an Airbnb on Kunoy for 2 nights and then spent 2 nights at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tórshavn. Both were an excellent experience!
Weather
- Weather changes very quickly and dramatically. Always have a rain jacket on hand and good rainproof footwear!
- Do not underestimate VERY strong winds/gales, not always safe to hike especially on ridges
- Accept that storms are common and not every day you will be able to hike/be outdoors. Plan accordingly
- Highly recommend the National Gallery in Tórshavn for a rainy day!
Hiking
- Most hikes you have to pay as it is all on private land they almost all tap credit card don’t require cash. (100 to 200dkk each)
- Fill out the provided pamphlet from the car rental agency and leave on your dashboard when you go hiking. These are found in every car and indicate how long you expect to go for, your contact information and emergency contact information.
- A lot of hikes on the islands don’t have an exact path and can be hard to navigate. Ensure to pick up a map or have it downloaded on your phone ahead of time.
Excursions & General Tips
- Book the Kunoy ferry ahead of time if you plan to bring car over for Kallur Lighthouse hike. Would recommend just using public transportation though to get over as ferry is very small (think 12 cars)
- Book excursions through Guide to Faroe Islands (I did the 1hr Drangarnir tour)
- Beware most shops/restaurants/grocery stores are closed on Sundays!
- Don’t be afraid to pull over on side of road (safely) and take tons of photos! everywhere has a view
- I recommend exploring one island/area per day
- I found the E-SIM did not work well here AT ALL. Highly recommend picking up a SIM card when you arrive at the airport.
- Due to weather, flight delays can be common so be prepared for that when planning your trip.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Vagar
- After arriving mid-day, pick up your rental vehicle from the airport and drive straight to Gasadalur to see Múlafossur Waterfall
- Walk up the hill above Gasadalur village to get a better view of the cliffs and Mykines
- After exploring the waterfall, drive south and hike Lake Sørvágsvatn hike (2 hours, costs 200 dkk). This hike is unbelievably worth it.
- Drive to your accommodation for the evening, pick up some groceries and settle in for the evening!
Day 2 – Northern Islands
- Weather permitting, take the ferry to Kalsoy and hike Kallur Lighthouse. Alternatively you can hike Klakkur near Klaksvík for free. It is quite the drive up but the views are well worth it. It is about a 45 minute hike round trip.
- Explore Viðareiði on Vidoy and if you wanted a more difficult hike than the two above, try out Villingardalsfjall.
- Spend time in and around the town Klaksvík.
Day 3 – Eysturoy
- Visit the town of Gjógv and explore the natural harbour
- Drive along the scenic route past Slættaratindur – feel free to hike here if you are looking for a difficult one!
- Visit the town of Eiði
- Check out the Eiðiskollur hike (2 hours) if you’re looking for a shorter trail.
Day 4 – Streymoy
- Visit the village of Saksun. Check out the church and hike the black sand beach (45 min). If you want to walk to the end of the black sand beach, ensure you visit at low tide or it will be inaccessible.
- Stop by Fossá waterfall.
- Visit the town of Tjørnuvík, one of the oldest Faroese villages. There is a great little trail behind the village worth checking out. They also have surfing lessons here!
- Try an afternoon boat excursion. I did the 1hr Drangarnir tour, but the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs also has great reviews!
Day 5 – Tórshavn
- Walk around Tórshavn, enjoy the shops and food. Ensure you visit the town NOT on Sunday, as everything will be closed.
- Check out the National Gallery! This is a great activity to do on a cold and wet day. It is open on Sundays.
If weather doesn’t pan out – the absolutely musts to complete on the trip are Lake Sørvágsvatn and Múlafossur Waterfall.
