11 of the best things to do in the Faroe Islands

An archipelago of just 55,000 residents and 70,000 sheep, you’d be forgiven for not yet having the Faroe Islands on your travel bucket list.

But, as European holiday hotspots start to sweat with crowds, this group of 18 islands, a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, could be a quietly cool alternative to discover this summer.

The Faroe Islands may lack the tourist pull of their Nordic neighbours, but with fjords to kayak, waves to surf and sheep to greet, they’ve plenty of activities to entertain the intrepid traveller.

In May 2024, Atlantic Airways launched a direct route connecting London Gatwick to Vágar in just over two hours for an easier exploration of all things Faroese.

With a capital of clapboard huts, seabird safaris and waterfalls, here’s what awaits in the Faroe Islands.

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Tour the capital Tórshavn

The wonderfully walkable Faroese capital, Tórshavn, sits on Streymoy island with colourful clapboard houses, native knitwear and a national art gallery, Listasavn Foroya. For the fresh catch of the day, stop for dinner at Barbara Fish House, visit Paname Cafe to fulfil your caffeine fix or simply stroll between some of the world’s oldest inhabited wooden houses.

Watch Mulafossur Waterfall

Mulafossur waterfall cascades into the Atlantic near Gásadalur on the west side of Vágar island. The dramatic landscape of blues and greens is one of the island's most memorable natural attractions, easily reached using a grassy path and a great place to picnic in the company of puffins.

Book a puffin safari to Mykines Island

Combine boats and bird watching with a puffin safari from Sørvágur harbour to the secluded Mykines Island. The westernmost of the 18 Faro Islands, Mykines is a haven for swooping seabirds including the orange-beaked puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes.

See the The Seal Woman Kópakonan statue

To embrace Faroe Islands folklore, the bronze Seal Woman Kópakonan statue has stood on the coastline of Mikladalur, Kalsoy island, since 2014. The legend tells the story of a woman who was once a seal, but was tricked into becoming a human by a local farmer, and the statue promises some serious scenery on a hike to the Kalsoy Lighthouse.

Kayak to hidden sea caves

For an adventure close to the cliffs, hidden sea caves and famous Faroese fjords, a kayak might be the best form of transport. Several operators offer guided kayaking tours year-round, enabling you to paddle past sea stacks or take to the lakes for a more gentle glide in Faroe Islands waters.

Chase the northern lights

Sat between Scotland, Iceland and Norway, during the winter months, the Faroe Islands are a great place to catch the luminescent dance of the elusive northern lights. With an isolated location, minimal light pollution and long, dark nights, stargazing spectacles and wisps of green aurora are especially likely on Suðuroy, the southernmost island.

Meet the woolly locals

It would be impossible not to catch a glimpse of the population of 70,000 sheep during a Faroe Islands holiday. With wool at the forefront of island style, the four-legged locals were also put to work in 2017 to document more remote areas in the archipelago using “Google Sheep View”.

Hike to Lake Sørvágsvatn

Lake Sørvágsvatn on the island of Vágar, an optical illusion where land meets sea, is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. Also known as Leitisvatn, from some angles the lake appears to float high above the ocean and can be reached by an easy hike for 200dkk (£23) per person.

Take a pony ride through the countryside

To ride the indigenous Faroese ponies, Fjallaross on Streymoy island offers bareback horse rides through their natural habitat with a mission to save a breed. Two-hour trails around the mountain of Lambafelli are available from April to August for 1100dkk (£124) per person.

Visit the white church in remote Saksun

This white Lutheran church, built in 1858, stands alone in Saksun, sandwiched by mountains and waterfalls. The remote village offers ample hiking opportunities, and Dúvugarðar, an active sheep farm, which opens as a small village museum in summer. The village is located on the northwest coast of Streymoy and is home to just 11 residents.

Surf in Tjørnuvík

With rugged cliffs and crystal waters, surfing might surprise you in the Faroe Islands. Take to the waves in Tjørnuvík to make the most of the North Atlantic swells, with surf lessons and gear rentals available from the Faroe Islands Surf Guide between late summer and early autumn.

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