Things To Do In The Faroe Islands: Amazing and Mysterious

Yes, I have a thing for remote little islands — the Azores, the Galapagos, Capri, Japan, Fiji, Islay, New Zealand, Iceland, and, my latest addition — the Faroe Islands. Several people told me they had no idea the Faroe Islands even existed (“What do you even do there?”), let alone where they were. But there are lots of things to do in the Faroe Islands. And I’ll save you the suspense by just telling you that they’re located in the North Atlantic Ocean smack dab in the middle of Iceland, Norway, and the UK.

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Best Things To Do In the Faroe Islands

The islands (18 major islands, 779 total islands) are an autonomous country of Denmark; the people speak Faroese and Danish, and their currency is the Faroese krona. That’s the Faroe Islands in a nutshell, folks. And, while everyone and their little dog, too, are flocking to Iceland right now, the #AdventurePartnerForLife and I recently opted for its little-known neighbor, the Faroe Islands.

Okay, sure, we’ve already been to Iceland, and it was insanely awesome (go!), but… the Faroes are pretty awesome as well and off the beaten path… for the moment.

Iceland admittedly has more diverse natural landscapes, but the Faroe Islands are environmentally similar in many ways and equally stunning. So what to do in the Faroe Islands, a place you’d never heard of until now, have to offer an insatiable wanderluster? Or just a curious traveler?

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Sheep

I’m just going to go ahead and put this out there now. Just be upfront about it: they offer sheep. A lot of f*ckin sheep.

It may not seem like a highlight, but it quickly becomes one. I was immediately surprised and delighted, all in one fun little package. They’re kind of hippie, free-range sheep. (Not like those trimmed, perfectly coiffed Scottish sheep.) And they’re everywhere.

If you go in May when we did, you have the added excitement of seeing the spring lambs. In fact, here’s a whole Faroese sheep collage for you:

This image features a group of shaggy sheep standing in an open, rugged landscape of brown, grassy terrain under a cloudy sky. The sheep, with their long, thick wool, stand out against the earthy tones of the hills and mountains in the background. The scene captures the essence of rural life in a remote, windswept environment. Faroe Islands sheep by Annie Spratt.

This image showcases a close-up of a sheep with a thick, curly coat of black and white wool, gazing softly at the camera. A piece of straw is caught in its fleece, adding a natural, rustic touch to the composition. The blurred background emphasizes the sheep’s expressive face and textured fur, capturing a moment of quiet charm in its pastoral environment. Faroe Islands sheep by Annie Spratt.

This image features a close-up portrait of a sheep with a thick, unkempt coat of brown wool, slightly highlighted by hints of purple markings on its head. Its expressive eyes and textured fur give it a characterful appearance, while the blurred background draws attention to the sheep's face. The natural tones and detail create a warm, rustic feel, capturing the essence of farm life. Faroe Islands sheep by Annie Spratt.

And here’s an action-packed Faroese sheep video:

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, just stay with me…

Saksun – One of the Best Places to Visit in the Faroe Islands

See. Featured. Photo. Saksun may have been my favorite place in the Faroe Islands. Honestly, there were so many jaw-dropping sights to choose from in the Faroes, but there was a lot of time to be spent here. I could’ve stayed longer and explored more, for sure.

The village of Saksun has fewer than thirty people, and the “bustling epicenter,” as it were, really consists of a small museum (seen below) and a quaint stone church (featured). What’s particularly impressive about this little nook in the universe is the tiered waterfall that serves as the village backdrop and the Pollurin tidal lagoon that drops dramatically in front of the church. At low tide, it’s possible to hike down to the lagoon and walk out to the open sea.

This image showcases a cluster of traditional turf-roofed houses set on a rolling green hillside in Saksun, with a clear stream winding through the foreground. The mountainous backdrop, partially covered with snow and illuminated by sunlight under a blue sky, adds a sense of scale and rugged beauty. The scene exudes a peaceful, pastoral charm, emphasizing the harmony between nature and architecture.

Tjørnuvík with One of the Most Impressive Cliff Faces in the Faroe Islands

The stretch to Tjørnuvík was one of the last portions of roadway to be completed in the Faroe Islands, and when you make the drive out there, you can easily see why. Imagine narrow switchbacks with 1,500-foot cliffs straight down to the ocean.

Yep. It’s pretty impressive and not for the faint of heart. When you arrive, however, it’s a sight to be seen—a tiny little settlement situated in what Bradt calls a botnur, “a glacial circular valley formed during the ice age.”

In typical Faroe fashion, there are, of course, waterfalls. (Much like Iceland, the country indeed has a seemingly never-ending supply of waterfalls.) The village also has the added benefit of spectacular views of sea stacks not too far off the island’s edge. Yes, when you reach Tjørnuvík, you feel like you’ve arrived at the edge of the earth.

Tjornuvik, Faroe IslandsThis image depicts a small village nestled at the edge of a calm bay, surrounded by steep, green mountains with cascading waterfalls. The vibrant landscape is illuminated under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, creating a serene and picturesque setting. The contrast between the water, rugged terrain, and quaint houses highlights the remote beauty of this location.

Gásadalur: More Things to Do than You Can Shake a Stick at

Gásadalur is probably one of the more recognizable Faroe Islands sights, as far as recognizable Faroe Islands sights go—a slender but plentiful waterfall nestled in a craggy cliff that drops right into the sea. The funny story about this sight is the #AdventurePartnerForLife, and I almost left because we couldn’t find it! Can you believe it? I have a lot of regrets in life, but this one would’ve really sucked.

How could this happen, you ask? Well, I’m sure you’d be surprised to learn there’s not exactly a bevy of travel guides on the Faroe Islands. Our Bradt book was touted to be the best for our destination, but alas, it lacked the informational photos our usual DK Eyewitness Travel Guides provide. So, we just had a black and white copy in front of us and this random town on our list, with no reference to why we were going and, from an American point of view, these Scandinavian names all start to sound the same.

The town is incredibly remote and was actually almost on the verge of “extinction” at one point; it had twelve residents and no vehicle access. But times, they are a changin’, and Gásadalur now has a whopping eighteen residents and a road! Anyhow, we got to this tiny village where there was supposed to be some non-descript waterfall—of which we’d seen a hundred at this point, as a matter of fact—and you couldn’t see it off the road or up in the mountains. We had no idea why we were there. As we were leaving, I saw this little road sign. And, there you have it—Gásadalur.

Gasadalur, Faroe IslandsThis image features a dramatic coastal scene with a waterfall plunging off a cliff into the ocean below. The misty atmosphere softens the distant view of a grassy plateau, dotted with a small cluster of houses, and a towering hill shrouded in fog. The dark cliffs and turquoise waters contrast beautifully with the lush green landscape, creating a serene yet rugged ambiance.

Múli for Seekers of the Mysterious and Unique

Borðoy is one of the northernmost islands in the Faroes and, I’ve read, much less frequented than other regions. But, if you ask me, this is precisely what gives it its mystique. Some random things are happening up there. For example, a tiny little forest is meant to be a reforestation effort since people cut down what few trees were there long, long ago. Also, though—Múli.

Múli is the abandoned remnants of a once-productive Faroese settlement. It used to have thirty or so residents, but by 2002, it had only four. Now, none. It’s three little houses out in the middle of nowhere, flanked by—you guessed it—a waterfall! For a long while, the village was only accessible by boat, and it wasn’t until the ’70s that it even received electricity. If you’re like me and love a good abandoned site, this one will fill your “eerie quota.”

Bordoy, Faroe IslandsThis image showcases a cascading waterfall flowing down a mossy, rocky hillside in a remote and rugged landscape. The misty atmosphere and overcast sky add a dramatic and mysterious touch to the scene. The surrounding terrain, dotted with earthy greens and browns, emphasizes the natural beauty and isolation of this location.

Tórshavn & Nearby to Experience the City – Faroe Islands-Style

Tórshavn is the Faroes’ quaint little capital city with a population of about 13,000. You can enjoy a stroll through the harbor town’s winding streets lined with colorful, grass-topped homes. In addition, you can try out one of the many abounding cafes, restaurants, or shops. P.S. The sun never sets in May… ever. Exhibit A, photo on the left.

No more than a half-hour outside the city, you can visit Kirkjubour, a settlement dating back to 1100. There, you can see the oldest inhabited wooden farmhouse in Europe, Roykstovan, as well as the Magnus Cathedral. Olavskirkjan church (photo, top right) is the oldest church still in use in the Faroe Islands. All three buildings were constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries.

This image showcases Tórshavn at sunset, featuring colorful houses, a church with a clock tower, and a backdrop of rolling hills. The golden hour light bathes the scene in a warm glow, highlighting the blend of traditional and modern architecture. A marina filled with boats is visible in the distance, adding a coastal charm to the town's atmosphere.

Kirkjubour outside TorshavnThis image features a small, whitewashed church with a simple steeple, situated by the rocky shore of a calm sea. The backdrop includes green, sloping hills under a moody, overcast sky, adding a sense of tranquility and isolation. The rugged landscape and traditional architecture highlight the charm of this coastal setting.

Torshavn grass-roofed homeThis image highlights a traditional red wooden building with a grass-covered roof, a common architectural feature in the Faroe Islands. A small white-framed window and a red chimney stand out against the earthy tones of the grass and wood. The sunlight accentuates the texture of the grass roof, adding a warm and rustic feel to the scene.

More Things To Do In The Faroe Islands

I’d mentioned Gásadalur as a commonly photographed Faroe sight, but Sørvágsvatn and Mykines are probably the other two beauties you’ll come across if you’ve ever done a little Faroese research.

Jeff and I stopped off at Sørvágsvatn, or “Hanging Lake,” but it was much too stormy outside to make the trek to witness its actual magnificence. What’s the big deal? And why is it called “Hanging Lake?” In order to understand, just take a look (below, on the left). A wondrous optical illusion. We were lucky in that we got to view it from above on take-off!

Not to be missed—the Faroes have puffins, too, dontcha know. And everyone loves a good puffin. (You do, too; I just know it!) Unfortunately, the swells were too intense to keep the ferry running to Mykines when the hubs and I were visiting, but Mykines is Puffin Central for the Faroe Islands. Ornithology aside, you don’t want to miss seeing the island. (The middle and right photos below.)

I confess that I can’t claim credit for these three particular photos or the sheep photos, but the rest are indeed “mine own.” (The video is mine!) Sorry to let you down; “I just couldn’t make it on time.” (Bonus points for anyone who knows where that gem’s from.)

This image shows the dramatic cliffs of Sørvágsvatn, a lake on the Faroe Islands that appears to float above the ocean due to a unique optical illusion. The steep rock formations, vibrant green grass, and the contrasting blue waters below create a stunning natural landscape. Cloudy skies add a moody and atmospheric touch to the scene.

This image captures a white lighthouse with a red roof perched on a grassy cliff overlooking a vast blue ocean. The rugged coastline and distant cliffs under a partly cloudy sky add depth and drama to the composition. Visitors are seen near the lighthouse, emphasizing its role as a scenic and serene destination. Mykines by Philipp Waldhauer, Unsplash.com

This close-up image features two puffins in soft focus, with one puffin prominently in the foreground and the other slightly blurred in the background. The puffins' distinctive black and white plumage, bright orange beaks, and soulful expressions stand out against a hazy, neutral backdrop. The surrounding grass adds a natural, intimate touch to this wildlife scene. Puffins by William Faucher, Unsplash.com

I’m Sold. How Do I Get There?

Update: as of October 2024, four airlines fly to the Faroes—Atlantic, Scandinavian, Icelandair, and Widerøe AS—and they fly out of Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Edinburgh, Paris, and Bergen. Some have flights almost daily, while others might only fly twice a week, so be sure to see what fits your schedule.

Flight times are short, only 1–2 hours, except for Paris departures, which are closer to 3 hours. And it’s not too expensive; we paid ~$250 each roundtrip. So… go to Iceland and then fly to the Faroes. How about that?

For More Information…

Tracking down a car rental shop with available automatics was a little tricky, but the Visit Faroe Islands site was my North Star for this itinerary; that’s ultimately where I found one (as well as a ton of other information).

Also, get an in-depth glimpse into our Faroe Islands trip by reading my travel journal entries. Enjoy!

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