FaroeIslands
5
Day Itinerary •
Faroe Islands
Five days across the Faroe Islands gives you the full extraordinary depth of the most dramatic island archipelago in the North Atlantic, from the Viking-age Torshavn and the remarkable Vestmanna sea cliffs to the extraordinary Gasadalur waterfall, the finest floating lake illusion on earth, the remarkable Kallur Lighthouse cliff walk and the extraordinary Enniberg, the highest vertical sea cliff in the world, accessible only on Day 4. This extended route covers the complete Faroe Islands archipelago. Torshavn, Saksun and Vestmanna on Day 1, the extraordinary Gasadalur and Sorvagsvatn on Day 2, Kalsoy Kallur and Gjogv on Day 3, the remarkable Eidiskollur cliffs, extraordinary Enniberg and fine Kunoy on Day 4, and the extraordinary Suduroy southernmost island with the remarkable Akraberg lighthouse walk on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
June to August for hiking, puffins and longest days
Getting There
Fly into Vagar Airport (FAE), 45 minutes from Torshavn
Getting Around
Hired car and ferries. Tunnels connect the main islands.
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 4,000 DKK per person per day all-in
Difficulity
Moderate to challenging, Enniberg and Kallur hikes on exposed terrain
DAY 1
STREYMOY
MORNING
TORSHAVN OLD TOWN AND TINGANES
The extraordinary Tinganes peninsula, one of the oldest continuously used governmental sites in the world and the most remarkable part of Torshavn, where the fine turf-roofed red and black timber buildings of the Faroese government have stood since the Viking Age. The remarkable Faroese parliament, the Logting, has met here continuously since approximately 825 CE, making it the oldest parliament in the North Atlantic. The extraordinary narrow lanes and fine wooden buildings of Tinganes are unlike any urban landscape in northern Europe. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SAKSUN HIDDEN VILLAGE AND LAKE
The most extraordinary hidden village in the Faroe Islands, the remarkable Saksun on the western Streymoy coast, where a remarkable tidal lagoon almost entirely closed by a dramatic gorge creates an extraordinary enclosed sea lake that becomes a fine meadow at low tide. The outstanding turf-roofed farmhouses and the remarkable church above the extraordinary lake are the finest Viking-age village setting in the Faroe Islands. The fine walk from the village to the lagoon is extraordinary. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
VESTMANNA SEA CLIFFS BOAT TOUR
The most extraordinary boat tour in the Faroe Islands, navigating the remarkable sea caves and extraordinary vertical sea cliffs of the Vestmanna gorge on the northwest coast of Streymoy, where the fine basalt columns rise 400 metres directly from the North Atlantic and the remarkable puffin and guillemot colonies nest on the extraordinary cliff ledges. The fine boat passes through extraordinary narrow sea caves at the cliff base. Tours approx 450 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kirkjubour on the south coast of Streymoy, the medieval capital of the Faroe Islands, has the remarkable ruins of the 13th-century St Magnus Cathedral and the fine Roykstovan, an intact Viking-age farmhouse continuously inhabited since around 900 CE by the same family for 17 generations. The most extraordinary inhabited building in the North Atlantic. Entry to the farmhouse approx 100 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aarstova, Torshavn Outstanding breakfast at the fine Torshavn restaurant before Tinganes. | Lunch: Saksun farmhouse cafe Simple excellent local lamb sandwich and fine Faroese coffee at the extraordinary Saksun farmhouse cafe. | Dinner: Restaurant KOKS or Aarstova KOKS is the finest restaurant in the Faroe Islands, extraordinary New Nordic tasting menu. Book months ahead.
DAY 2
VAGAR
MORNING
GASADALUR VILLAGE AND MULAFOSSUR WATERFALL
The most extraordinary single image in the Faroe Islands, the remarkable Gasadalur village of 18 inhabitants on the cliff edge of Vagar Island where the extraordinary Mulafossur waterfall falls 40 metres directly off the cliff into the North Atlantic below, with the remarkable island of Tindhulmur and the extraordinary open ocean behind. Until 2004 the village was accessible only by a mountain pass on foot. The remarkable view is the finest in the Faroe Islands. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKE SORVAGSVATN, THE FLOATING LAKE ILLUSION
The extraordinary Sorvagsvatn lake on Vagar Island, famous for the remarkable optical illusion in which the lake appears to float 100 metres above the North Atlantic due to the extraordinary perspective of the cliff edge below. The fine 5km walk from the road to the remarkable cliff edge viewpoint reveals the extraordinary geological reality that the lake sits only 30 metres above the ocean. The outstanding puffin colonies along the cliff path are the finest near the lake in summer. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TRAELANIPA LAKE CLIFF AND BOSDALAFOSSUR WATERFALL
The extraordinary Traelanipa slave cliff above Lake Sorvagsvatn, a remarkable 140-metre cliff giving the finest elevated view of the floating lake illusion from above. The fine Bosdalafossur waterfall at the cliff edge tumbles directly into the North Atlantic, creating the most extraordinary waterfall and ocean composition in the Faroe Islands. The remarkable 2km hike to the cliff edge from the Sorvagsvatn dam is the finest short walk on Vagar Island.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Drangarnir sea stacks visible from the Sorvagsvatn cliff walk, two remarkable free-standing basalt pinnacles rising from the North Atlantic between Vagar and the island of Tindhulmur, are the finest sea stacks in the Faroe Islands. The extraordinary image of the Drangarnir stacks framed against the Atlantic with the islands behind is the finest single photograph in the Faroes.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before ferry Good breakfast before the ferry from Torshavn to Vagar or the drive via tunnel. | Lunch: Gasadalur village or packed lunch Simple food near the extraordinary Gasadalur village or packed lunch for the Sorvagsvatn walk. | Dinner: Glasir, Torshavn Outstanding modern Faroese restaurant in Torshavn. Extraordinary local lamb, fish and fine fermented produce.
DAY 3
NORTHERN ISLANDS
MORNING
TROLLANES AND KALSOY ISLAND
The extraordinary Kalsoy Island north of Klaksvik, known as the flute for its long narrow profile, accessible by a remarkable 20-minute ferry from Klaksvik to the fine island of four villages connected by a single road through remarkable mountain tunnels. The outstanding 3-hour return hike from Trollanes village to the extraordinary Kallur Lighthouse on the island's northern tip gives the finest single walk in the Faroe Islands, with dramatic views of the neighbouring islands from the remarkable cliff-top lighthouse position. 1 hour ferry and drive
MIDDAY
KLAKSVIK, THE NORTHERN CAPITAL
The extraordinary Klaksvik, the second largest town in the Faroe Islands and the capital of the northern islands, with the remarkable Christianskirkjan church containing the finest wooden interior in the Faroes and the extraordinary fish processing harbour that makes Klaksvik the most important fishing port in the archipelago. The fine brewery Foroya Bjor produces the most remarkable Faroese beers including the extraordinary Gull and fine Black Sheep. 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
GJOGV VILLAGE AND NORTHEAST GORGE
The extraordinary Gjogv, the finest village in the northern Faroe Islands, where a remarkable natural sea gorge cuts through the cliff to form the only natural harbour in the Faroe Islands. The fine turf-roofed houses, the remarkable waterfall above the village and the extraordinary views of the Enniberg cliff on Vidan across the water create the finest village setting in the archipelago. The remarkable gorge harbour at high tide is the finest sight in Gjogv.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Enniberg cliff on Vidan island visible from Gjogv, at 754 metres the highest vertical sea cliff in the world and the most remarkable coastal feature in the Faroe Islands, rises directly from the North Atlantic to a flat plateau top. The fine ferry to Vidan from Leirvik gives the most extraordinary close view of the cliff face from the sea. The Enniberg hike from Vidan village is 3 hours return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Klaksvik cafe Good breakfast in Klaksvik before the Kalsoy ferry. | Lunch: Packed lunch for Kallur hike The finest packed lunch in the extraordinary North Atlantic on the Kallur Lighthouse cliff. | Dinner: Torshavn farewell dinner Outstanding farewell dinner at Aarstova or Barbara Fish House in Torshavn.
DAY 4
VIDOY AND KUNOY
MORNING
EIDISKOLLUR CLIFFS AND VIDOY
The extraordinary Eidiskollur on the island of Vidoy, a remarkable promontory walk to the finest cliff viewpoint in the northern Faroe Islands, giving the most extraordinary view of the Enniberg cliff rising 754 metres from the North Atlantic and the remarkable inter-island panorama of Bordo, Kunoy and Svínoy in the North Atlantic beyond. The fine 3-hour return hike from the Vidoy road crosses extraordinary open moorland on the remarkable island of flat-topped mountains. 1 hour ferry
MIDDAY
ENNIBERG CLIFF AND VIDAN
The extraordinary Enniberg, the highest vertical sea cliff in the world at 754 metres on the remarkable island of Vidan, accessible by a fine 3-hour return walk from the village of Vidan. The extraordinary cliff face falls absolutely vertically from the flat moorland plateau to the North Atlantic 754 metres below. The remarkable ferry journey along the cliff face from Klaksvik gives the finest view of the extraordinary scale from the sea. Ferry approx 80 DKK. 45 min ferry
AFTERNOON
KUNOY AND HARALDSSUND
The extraordinary island of Kunoy connected to Bordoy by a remarkable causeway across the fine Haraldssund strait, where the dramatic ridgeline of Kunoy's remarkable mountain spine rises to 900 metres above the extraordinary narrow island. The fine Kunoy village is the most remarkable unchanged traditional village in the northern Faroe Islands, with outstanding turf-roofed houses and the fine church above the extraordinary bay.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Svinoy island in the far northeast of the Faroe Islands, accessible only by helicopter twice weekly, is the most remote and extraordinary inhabited island in the archipelago. The remarkable colony of storm petrels and the fine traditional Faroese fishing community have changed little in centuries. For those chartering a private boat, the finest hidden island in the Faroes.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Klaksvik hotel Good breakfast before the ferry to Vidoy. | Lunch: Packed lunch on Eidiskollur The finest packed lunch viewpoint in the Faroe Islands on the extraordinary Eidiskollur cliff edge. | Dinner: Klaksvik restaurant Outstanding traditional Faroese dinner. Extraordinary local salt lamb, fine fermented shearwater and remarkable local beer.
DAY 5
SUDUROY
MORNING
SUDUROY, THE SOUTHERNMOST ISLAND
The extraordinary Suduroy, the southernmost and most remote of the main Faroe Islands, accessible by the remarkable 2-hour ferry from Torshavn and unlike any other island in the archipelago with its fine coal seams in the sea cliffs, the remarkable Vagur fjord and the extraordinary Fjardarhorn headland. The fine village of Famjin on the west coast of Suduroy holds the remarkable original Faroese flag, first raised here in 1919, in the extraordinary local church. 2 hour ferry
MIDDAY
LOPRA AND THE LIGHTHOUSE WALK
The extraordinary Akraberg lighthouse at the southern tip of Suduroy, the most southerly point of the Faroe Islands, reached by a remarkable 4km coastal walk from Lopra village through the finest unspoiled Faroese coastal landscape. The extraordinary view south from the lighthouse into the empty North Atlantic with no land between here and Antarctica is the most remarkable geographical sensation in the Faroe Islands. The fine puffin colony on the Akraberg cliffs is the finest on Suduroy. 2 hour ferry back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO TORSHAVN AND FAREWELL
The extraordinary 2-hour return ferry from Suduroy to Torshavn giving the finest farewell view of the remarkable Faroese island silhouettes in the North Atlantic. The outstanding Torshavn evening with the remarkable Tinganes in the twilight and the fine traditional Faroese restaurants for a farewell dinner brings the most extraordinary island archipelago in northern Europe to a remarkable close.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Beinisvord cliff on Suduroy's west coast, a remarkable 469-metre basalt cliff accessible by a fine 2-hour return hike from Hvalba village, gives the most extraordinary view of the Suduroy west coast and the open North Atlantic. The remarkable combination of the cliff, the extraordinary sea stack below and the fine village in the valley is the finest scene on Suduroy.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Suduroy ferry cafe Breakfast on the extraordinary ferry from Torshavn. Fine coffee and Faroese pastries on the remarkable North Atlantic crossing. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Akraberg The finest lunch location in the Faroe Islands at the extraordinary southernmost point of the archipelago. | Dinner: KOKS or Barbara Fish House Outstanding farewell dinner in Torshavn. Extraordinary Faroese cuisine as the final remarkable meal.
Where To Stay
Torshavn, Nights 1 to 2 and 5 Hotel Foroyar or Hotel Hafnia. Approx 1,200 to 2,500 DKK per night. Klaksvik, Nights 3 to 4 Hotel Klaksvik or guesthouses. Approx 800 to 1,800 DKK per night. Budget Guesthouses and farmhouses throughout. Approx 600 to 1,200 DKK per night.
Top Tips
1. Faroese weather is extraordinary and changes every 20 minutes. Always carry full waterproofs and windproofs.
2. Never attempt cliff walks in high wind, fog or rain. The Faroese cliff terrain is exceptionally dangerous.
3. Book KOKS restaurant months ahead. One of the finest tasting menus in the North Atlantic.
4. Book the hired car well ahead for June, July and August. Cars sell out completely.
5. The Suduroy ferry runs twice daily in summer. Check the Strandfaraskip Landsins timetable carefully.
6. Puffins are present June to August on almost every cliff. The finest wildlife in the Faroe Islands.
Total Budget
1,500 to 4,900 DKK/day