8 Unforgettable Places to Visit in the Faroe Islands

After almost one year since our visit, memories of the raw wilderness and untouched beauty still remind us that there are some amazing places to visit in the Faroe Islands.

Being such a small speck of land, and tucked away in a distant corner of the vast Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands are often overlooked in favour of the fire-breathing volcano known as Iceland.

Perhaps this is why the Faroe Islands have kept their mysterious charm that lures just a few visitors to its shores every year. But what makes this small cluster of islands so unforgettable?

To help answer this question, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the most breath-taking places to discover in these incredible islands. In no particular order, they are all too good to compare.

This spot has it all; herds of sheep, swooping gulls, and an optical illusion that will leave you scratching your head for the rest of your day. The iconic view of Sørvágsvatn was one of the first photos we saw of the Faroe Islands; but no matter how many photos you see from this spot, nothing compares to experiencing it in real life.

Luckily our mums weren’t nearby because they would definitely have pooped themselves seeing us walking up to the edge and dangling our legs off the cliffs.

The hike is relatively simple, as the cliff edge is visible from the road and the terrain isn’t very challenging. We found a small parking bay along the road from the airport towards Sandavágur, and followed the rough path for about an hour and a half, untill we made it to the iconic spot.

Extra Tip: If you continue walking down as if you're going to walk around the lake, there is another breathtaking view just around the corner.

This is possibly one of the most photographed and yet unique places to visit in the Faroe Islands. But getting here can be hard work…

Kallur Lighthouse is in the tiny village of Trøllanes, which is situated at the most northerly point of Kalsoy. There are occasional ferries to get there, then pitch black one way tunnels and rarely anyone to ask for directions.

When you do finally arrive, you'll be greeted with a humbling view. We felt completely in awe of our surroundings. There's a sense of appreciation that comes with the realisation of how distant you are from, well, everything. Except for this tiny little lighthouse. The whole day was an unforgettable experience.

When imagining a capital city you’d expect bustling streets and crowds of tourists around every corner but Tórshavn is unlike any capital we’ve ever visited.

The quiet streets lead into quaint alleyways lined with small fisherman’s houses. Five minutes in one direction takes you towards the port, where large fishing boats prepare their nets for the day, and five minutes in the other leads you out towards the mountains.

But don’t let the quiet streets put you off. There are plenty of things to see whilst driving through. Not to mention the restaurants, which offer a wide range of dining options including a Michelin Star Restaurant and Etika, a Japanese restaurant with some of the best Sushi outside of Japan! (and we can vouch for that)

The drive to Fossa alone is breath-taking, but the moment you turn the corner and you realise that you’re underneath the biggest waterfall in the Faroe Islands, it is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

We visited this place twice in a row because we simply had to go back for a second look. The first time we didn't even realise we would drive past it. It's just towering up next to the road like a daily occurrence. That's the thing with the Faroe Islands, everywhere you look there's something ready to blow you away. The first time we walked to the base of the waterfall and stood in the spray, taking in the raw power of the water as it thundered down beside us.

But the second time we visited, we followed the path leading up towards the second tier of the waterfall. After some clambering over rocks, followed by 20 minutes of walking and trying not to slip in the wet grass we reached the top! A short hike up but no less impressive than the other longer ones.

This tiny little village has such an incredible history that it wouldn’t be out of place in a fairy-tale.

The village of Gasadalur was one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the Faroe Islands, until the government decided that building a tunnel through the mountain that blocked them off from the rest of the world maybe wasn't such a terrible idea

Before the tunnel was built however, the postmen and locals would have to hike over the mountain to reach this small group of houses. But it wasn’t just the locals who made the climb.

Visitors started to hike over the mountain when word got out that one of the most amazing waterfalls in the Atlantic Ocean was right underneath the village, and now, it's become one of the most photographed spots in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands has so many small coves and villages that they might all seem quite similar, but each one has it's own beauty and character.

Tjørnuvík is the northernmost village on the island of Streymoy. The stunning drive there takes you along the east coast, past Fossá waterfall (number 5) and then onwards to this tiny little town, nestled between the mountains. Tjørnuvík has a population of 71 people, which actually isn't that small compared to some other towns, but it definitely is a must see when it comes to places to visit in the Faroe Islands.

Its history dates back to the Viking ages, and over the past few decades several Viking tombs have been discovered as well as some Celtic artefacts.

The town sits on the edge of a black sand beach and on a clear day you might be lucky enough to get a clear view of the two sea stacks; Risin Og Kellingin. But do you dare to go for a dip in the ocean?

If you thought that Tjørnuvík was small then, by comparison, Saksun is miniature. With only 8 permanent residents, this small village used to be in a sea cove but after a big storm a few hundred years ago it is now only accessible by the road from Streymnes.

Although boats can no longer access Saksun, it is possible to walk out to the ocean during low tide, which is a beautiful walk and you'll be able to spot the famous little house.

Make sure to go at low tide to walk out of the cove and onto the beach. Be careful of weather changes and the tide coming back in.

I know I know, how can there be more? Well the best has of course been saved untill last.

Without a doubt, the hike to Drangarnir was one of the most intense experiences of our lives, but the reward is worth every step of the 6-hour walk. There is no feeling that compares to standing face to face with this incredible natural sculpture. Forged by the sea, this arched sea stack is unlike anything we've ever seen, and its one of the most memorable places to visit in the Faroe Islands.

There are no signs or directions for this hike, so we’ve written a post about how to hike to this incredible spot which you can read here.