Iceland Travel’s Ultimate Guide to The Faroe Islands

Somewhere between Iceland and Norway, midst in the Atlantic Ocean sits one of Europe’s best kept secrets. You may have heard about the Faroe Islands but I bet you don’t know much about them. That’s where we come in!

We’re here to tell you all about this hot (well not that hot temperature-wise, this is the North Atlantic after all, hot as in cool. Oh you know what I mean!) new destination and what you can see and do while visiting these charming islands. The close proximity to Iceland makes a trip to The Faroe Islands the perfect add-on to your Iceland vacation.

The Faroe Islands are a self governing country within Denmark and the national language is Faroes, though Danish is taught in schools and is often used by the government in official capacity. Faroese is most similar to Icelandic of the Nordic languages and often leads to funny misunderstandings between the two cousin nations since the same word can mean two completely different things in each language (somehow the Icelandic meaning always seems a bit naughty, which tells you something about the Icelanders).

But the Faroese are a very welcoming bunch and there’s a lot of culture and history there for visitors to explore. The music scene is burgeoning and the three day G! Festival is becoming a must for any music lover worth their salt.  The National Museum in the capital Tórshavn will give you a comprehensive feel for the history and culture of the Faroese people while the art gallery Listasavn Føroya showcases the best of Faroese art, both classic and modern. There are several other museums and historical exhibits throughout the islands, like the Magnus Cathedral in the village of Kirkjubøur, the ruins of the oldest medieval building in the Faroe Islands.

But of course one of the main reasons for visiting the Faroe Islands is the breathtaking nature. Imposing windswept cliffs tower over the crashing waves on the volcanic black-sand beaches and stunning waterfalls and lakes make for instagram worthy shots around every bend. Check out the famous Sørvágsvatn, the biggest lake in the islands that looks like it’s floating on top of the cliffside.

The rugged terrain is supported by the Gulf Stream which makes the climate surprisingly temperate and mild. The island group consist of 18 major islands and due to recent improvements in the infrastructure, sub-sea tunnels and paved roads through mountains make it supremely easy to road trip through the islands.

An 8-Day Road Trip will take you to all the must-see spots on the biggest islands and you will discover the magic of the islands’ history and culture in your own time. If you’re short on time the 3-Day Escorted Tour will take you smoothly around all the highlights of the Faroe Islands on a comfortable, easy trip with an experienced and knowledgeable guide.

If you want to spend more time exploring the charming capital Tórshavn the 4-Day City Package is ideal. Torshavn is home to around 20,000 residents and most of the attractions are within walking distance of your hotel. Torshavn means ‘Thor’s Harbor’, named after the god of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology. Founded in the 10th century, it is considered to be one of the oldest capitals in northern Europe. Enjoy strolling through the quaint old town or visit the harbour with its many shops and quality restaurants. Get to know the locals and discover the laid-back ease of island life. It’s a unique vacation unlike any other!