Sandoy lies just south of Streymoy and is now easily reached via the Sandoyartunnilin, an undersea road tunnel that has transformed access to the island. Despite this improved connection, Sandoy retains a distinctly different feel from much of the Faroe Islands. Known for its gentler landscapes, the island has fewer dramatic cliffs and instead offers open countryside, sandy beaches and rolling dunes, creating a softer, more pastoral character. This makes Sandoy particularly well suited to relaxed walking and cycling, with a slower pace of life than many other islands.
The main settlement is Sandur, home to a distinctive wooden church dating from 1839. The church stands on a site that has hosted successive places of worship for around a thousand years, reflecting the island’s long spiritual history. Sandur is also home to the Sandur Art Museum, which houses an engaging collection of Faroese art and provides cultural insight into the island’s heritage.
One of Sandoy’s prettiest villages is Húsavík, where traditional brightly coloured houses line the shoreline. Nearby are the remains of Heimi á Gardi, the legendary home of the Lady of Húsavík, who, according to local folklore, became the richest woman in the Faroe Islands after discovering a golden horn buried in the earth. Such stories have earned Sandoy the nickname “the Saga Island”. From Húsavík, a scenic coastal road leads around the Kinnartangi headland to Dalur, while the narrow, winding route to Skarvanes rewards visitors with some of the island’s finest views.