Faroe Islands On the Road Fly-Drive

Fly to Vágar and collect your hire car at the airport. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the western side of the island. Drive through Sørvágur and continue to Bøur, a traditional village of turf-roofed houses with views across the water towards Tindhólmur and Mykines.

Continue through the mountain tunnel to Gásadalur, once one of the Faroes’ most isolated settlements. Walk to the viewpoint overlooking Múlafossur waterfall, where the water drops directly from the cliffs towards the Atlantic. Return to Sørvágur for the evening.

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Today is free to explore more of Vágar or take a pre-booked excursion to Mykines, the westernmost of the Faroe Islands and one of the archipelago’s most important seabird habitats.

Travel by boat to the small settlement of Mykines and explore the island on foot with a local guide. During the summer months, puffins nest close to several of the walking routes, alongside fulmars, guillemots and other seabirds. Access and sailing schedules are weather dependent and visitor restrictions apply, so we strongly recommend arranging your Mykines visit in advance. Alternatively, spend the day discovering more of Vágar. (B)

Please note: the path to Mykineshólmur lighthouse is currently closed following a landslide. Mykines visitor arrangements and hiking access can change and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

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Leave Vágar and drive to Streymoy. At Vestmanna, perhaps join an optional boat trip beneath the towering Vestmanna sea cliffs, passing narrow sounds, caves and nesting seabirds when conditions permit.

Continue to Kvívík to see the remains of a Viking-age farm before travelling north towards Eysturoy. Stop at Eiði for views towards the offshore sea stacks Risin og Kellingin – the Giant and the Witch – before continuing beneath Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. Keen walkers may wish to tackle the route towards its summit before continuing to the colourful village of Gjógv and its distinctive natural harbour. (B)

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Spend today exploring northern Streymoy. Drive to Tjørnuvík, a small settlement surrounded by mountains at the head of a black-sand bay. From the shore there are views across to the sea stacks of Risin og Kellingin.

Continue to Saksun, where a handful of traditional turf-roofed buildings overlook a tidal lagoon enclosed by steep mountains. Visit the historic Dúvugarðar farmstead or, depending on conditions and local access arrangements, enjoy one of the walks in the surrounding valley. Return to Gjógv with time to explore the village and walk beside its natural sea gorge before dinner. (B)

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Leave Gjógv and travel towards the Northern Islands. Stop at Oyndarfjørður to see the Rinkusteinar, two large rocking stones just offshore which move with the swell. Continue through Leirvík, where archaeological remains reveal evidence of Viking-age settlement, before entering the Norðoyatunnilin sub-sea tunnel to Borðoy. At its lowest point, look out for the illuminated installation by Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson. Arrive in Klaksvík, the Faroes’ second-largest town and an important centre of the country’s fishing industry. Enjoy a walk around the harbour before settling in for the evening. (B)

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Spend a full day exploring the Northern Islands. Drive across Viðoy to Viðareiði, the northernmost village accessible by road, dramatically positioned between mountains and the sea. Visit its stone church and enjoy views towards neighbouring islands before continuing to Kunoy.

Alternatively, devote the day to Kalsoy, reached by ferry from Klaksvík. Explore its tiny settlements, including Mikladalur, home to the Kópakonan – Seal Woman – statue, and Trøllanes in the north. The island's limited car-ferry capacity makes advance planning essential; leaving the car in Klaksvík and using the local bus on Kalsoy can be a good alternative. (B)

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Drive south to Tórshavn and board the ferry for Suðuroy. The crossing takes around two hours and provides a different perspective on the archipelago as the ferry passes several of the southern islands.

On arrival at Tvøroyri, begin exploring an island with a noticeably different landscape and character from the northern Faroes. Drive south through Vágur and Sumba to Akraberg, where a lighthouse has stood at the southern tip of the Faroes since 1909. Return via the mountain road and stop near Beinisvørð, a 470-metre sea cliff and one of Suðuroy's defining landmarks. (B)

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With a full day on Suðuroy, explore the island at a leisurely pace. One of the best walks is Hvannhagi, a 6km route from above Tvøroyri leading to a secluded valley containing an Ice Age lake surrounded by steep mountains. Allow around two hours and check local conditions before setting out.

Alternatively, explore by car. Visit Fámjin, where the village church displays the original Faroese flag, discover the old coal-mining community of Hvalba, or visit the Ruth Smith Art Museum in Vágur. Suðuroy's excellent road network makes it particularly rewarding for independent exploration. (B)

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Take the ferry back to Tórshavn and spend the remainder of the day discovering the Faroese capital. Wander through the narrow lanes of á Reyni and around Tinganes, where turf-roofed buildings stand on the rocky peninsula beside the harbour. Visit Skansin fortress or explore the shops, cafés and restaurants around the centre.

Alternatively, drive to nearby Kirkjubøur, the historic ecclesiastical centre of the Faroe Islands, to see the ruins of medieval St Magnus Cathedral, St Olav's Church and the centuries-old Roykstovan farmhouse. A sailing aboard the traditional schooner Norðlýsið can also be arranged on selected dates. (B)

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Travel south through the Sandoyartunnilin, the sub-sea road tunnel linking Streymoy with Sandoy, for a full day exploring one of the quieter islands in the archipelago.

Discover Sandur, with its broad beach, church and local art museum, before continuing through the island's small settlements. Visit Húsavík, associated with the legend of the wealthy Lady of Húsavík, and follow the road south towards Dalur, a tiny village surrounded by steep hills. Sandoy's gentler landscapes, lakes and traditional communities provide an interesting contrast to the mountainous Northern Islands before returning to Tórshavn. (B)

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