Faroe Islands (Tórshavn)

Eighteen volcanic islands in the North Atlantic linked by undersea tunnels to cliffs, waterfalls and turf-roofed villages; Múlafossur waterfall, the "floating" lake and Kallur Lighthouse are photographers' meccas, and the capital Tórshavn is small and charming.

The Faroe Islands lie in the North Atlantic between Norway, Iceland and Scotland. The archipelago of 18 volcanic islands is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with a population of about 55,000. The capital, Tórshavn, on the southeast coast of Streymoy, the largest island, is the archipelago's transport and cultural hub and makes an ideal base for exploring all the islands from one place. Warmed by the North Atlantic Current, the islands have mild winters and cool summers, with wind and rain year-round and weather that changes in an instant. May–August brings long days, lush green meadows and returning puffins, making it the best time to travel; Tórshavn is liveliest during Ólavsøka in late July; winters bring short days and rough seas, and some trails and ferries shut down. The main islands are connected by undersea tunnels and bridges. From Tórshavn, the western route takes you to Vágar, with Múlafossur waterfall, the "floating" lake and Drangarnir, plus ferries to Mykines for puffins; the northern route on Streymoy covers Saksun, Tjørnuvík and the Vestmanna bird cliffs; the northeastern route on Eysturoy has Gjógv, the Risin and Kellingin sea stacks and the highest peak; farther north, an undersea tunnel leads to Klaksvík, where you can take a ferry onward to Kallur Lighthouse. Vágar Airport is about 45 minutes' drive from Tórshavn, with flights to Copenhagen, Reykjavík and elsewhere. Renting a car is strongly recommended, as buses are infrequent. Many popular trails cross private land and require tickets booked online in advance; cliff edges generally have no railings, so always keep an eye on the weather. Plan on 4–6 days.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries