Road Trip Through the Faroe Islands: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary

How Much Time Should You Plan for Your Faroe Islands Road Trip?

If you want enough time to see our 16 most beautiful Faroe Islands attractions, you should plan 7 days for your road trip.

If you have less time, that’s no problem either. In our experience, 5 days would also be enough to explore these beautiful European islands.

How Can You Get Around the Faroe Islands?

For your road trip around the Faroe Islands, we strongly recommend renting a car. It gives you more flexibility and lets you see every highlight, since not all places are served by buses.

Since the Faroe Islands are a pretty small country, a road trip here is a bit different and not necessarily comparable to something like a road trip through New Zealand.

You have several options for planning your trip:

#1 Day Trips with One Base Accommodation

The Faroe Islands are so small that you can easily use just one accommodation as a kind of home base. From there, you can take a day trip to the attractions every day.

We recommend choosing accommodation in the capital Tórshavn. Not only does it offer the widest selection, but it also has the most restaurants, cafés, and shopping options.

That’s exactly what we did on our trip to the Faroe Islands, and we found it really relaxed and enjoyable.

But we’d still like to tell you about the other two options as well.

#2 Road Trip with Accommodation Hopping

You can of course also do the classic road trip — driving from one place to stay to the next and exploring the sights nearby.

In our opinion, this is especially a good option if you have a bit more time on the Faroe Islands and want to make the most of your time on the various islands.

No matter which option you go with, in our hotel tips article we recommend 11 really beautiful apartments and hotels across the Faroe Islands.

#3 Road Trip by Camper

With the third option, you don’t need any accommodation at all. Because a road trip around the Faroe Islands works really well by camper.

There are great campsites spread throughout the country. If you’re traveling by camper van, you should definitely plan more than a week.

The ferry journey from Denmark alone takes about 1.5 days each way. Of course, you can also rent a camper on-site and fly in instead.

Our 7-Day Faroe Islands Road Trip Route with Map

We’ve put together a route that’s perfect for a 7-day Faroe Islands itinerary. At the top of the map, you can see where our route takes you and exactly where the places are.

Here’s an overview of your 7-day route:

• Day 0: Arrival
• Day 1: Hike to the Múlafossur Waterfall near Gásadalur and Bøur
• Day 2: Island of Mykines
• Day 3: Cliffs of Trælanípa and Tórshavn
• Day 4: Northern part of the island of Streymoy
• Day 5: Northern part of the island of Eysturoy
• Day 6: Island of Kalsoy and Viðareiði
• Day 7: Departure

Decided to stick with just one accommodation? No problem!

You can do the route just as easily as day trips. Just drive back in the evening and head out again in the morning.

Our tip: Before your trip, download an offline map of the Faroe Islands in Google Maps. You can enter the locations from our route and simply navigate your way there.

Day 0: Arrival

At the airport, your best bet is to pick up your rental car right away. Head outside the building and turn left — the rental car counters are about a 2-minute walk.

Depending on where you’re flying from, you may have had a fairly long journey with a layover. Take it easy for now.

If you’re doing a road trip, you’ll stay on the island of Vágar and head to your accommodation — that’s only about a 5 to 10-minute drive.

If you’re doing day trips, you’ll now drive to Tórshavn. The drive takes about 45 minutes.

Depending on when you arrive, you can explore either area a little. Especially in Tórshavn, you can also grab a nice dinner.

Our Accommodation Tips for the Island of Vágar:

Múlafossur Cottages in Gásadalur: Cozy cottages with modern Scandinavian decor.

Vacation Home The View in Bøur: Typical Faroese turf-roof houses with breathtaking views of the ocean and the island of Mykines.

Cottages by the Sea Apartment in Sørvágur: Small apartments right by the harbor and only 5 minutes from the airport.

Our Accommodation Tips for Tórshavn:

Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948: Family-run boutique hotel with modern design, right on the waterfront.

Hotel Hafnia: Beautiful hotel with a great artistic concept, right in the heart of the city.

Hotel Brandan: Hotel with great views over the city, elegant design, and a sauna.

Day 1: Hike to the Múlafossur Waterfall near Gásadalur and Bøur

On the first real day of your trip, you’ll dive right in on the island of Vágar. You’ll do the awesome hike between the village of Bøur and the Múlafossur Waterfall.

You start at a small parking lot (Google Maps link) at the foot of the mountain Gásadalsbrekkan. The hike isn’t the easiest, but it’s totally doable.

For the hike, just follow the well-worn path — you really can’t miss it. From the summit, you’ll have a breathtaking view.

On the descent on the other side, you need to be extra careful, as there’s a lot of loose rock and it’s fairly steep. Walk slowly and watch where you’re going.

At some point you’ll already see the Múlafossur Waterfall from above. Getting all the way down to the waterfall will take you about 2 to 3 hours.

At the bottom of the waterfall, you can rest and photograph this incredibly beautiful landscape. There’s also a small café in the village of Gásadalur.

When you’re ready, it’s time to head back to your car. You have two options for that.

You can wait for the bus (it departs in front of the free restrooms) and ask the driver to let you off at the parking lot.

Or you can ask other travelers if they’ll take you through the tunnel. We’ve heard that walking through the tunnel is not allowed.

The Small Village of Bøur

Back in your car, you can now drive to the small village of Bøur. There’s not a lot to do here, but it’s worth a wander through the village and a few photos.

After that, you’ll head back to your accommodation on the island of Vágar if you’re doing the road trip. Or if it’s a day trip, you’ll head back to Tórshavn.

If you’d rather not do the hike alone, you can also book a guide.

Our tip: Make sure to bring enough water and some food for the hike. We’re not sure whether the café is always open.

Hike between Bøur and the Múlafossur Waterfall

Day 2: Mykines

On day two, you could head to Mykines. The island is so popular with visitors because you can spot tons of puffins there. So cute!

The other big highlight used to be the hike to the Holmur Lighthouse — but the trail has been closed since a landslide.

So Mykines is most worthwhile if you really want to see puffins and love wildlife photography.

We didn’t make it to Mykines because the ferry was full. We got lucky and spotted puffins in Gjógv instead. But a guaranteed sighting is really only on Mykines.

The whole trip to Mykines also costs around 70 euros (we’ll explain exactly what you have to pay for in a moment).

So we totally understand if you decide to skip the island. In that case, just jump ahead to Day 3 of the road trip.

For your last day, we’ve listed some really cool alternative attractions under the General Tips section that you can add on at the end.

But if you’re excited about Mykines and the adorable puffins, just keep reading.

Important Tickets for Your Visit to Mykines

Before you go, you’ll need to buy two tickets in advance. One for the ferry and a hiking permit for the trail.

#1 The Ferry

You should book the ferry as early as possible. There are only 80 spots per crossing, and they sell out incredibly fast — especially in summer.

The ferry runs from May to August three times a day in each direction. We recommend taking the first ferry at 9:15 AM to Mykines and returning at 2:00 PM.

Be sure to check the ferry schedule in advance. Then you’ll need to book your ticket online. Round trip costs 16 euros.

If the ferry is already sold out, there’s also a private shuttle boat to Mykines. At 100 euros, it’s pretty pricey though.

#2 The Hike

To go hiking on Mykines, you’re required to pay for a mandatory guide and a hiking fee.

If you pay in advance online, it costs 54 euros. You can get your ticket on the official website.

On-site, it costs 67 euros. This fee only applies from May 1 to August 31.

Getting to Mykines by Ferry

It all starts with the ferry from Sørvágur. You can park for free at the harbor.

The crossing takes about an hour. You’ll have a great view of the ocean and even catch another glimpse of the Múlafossur Waterfall.

Note: In bad weather, the ferry crossing can be canceled. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that you get good weather!

Hiking and Puffins on Mykines

When you arrive on Mykines, you’ll quickly find your guide in the small village — all visitors here are only allowed to hike with a guide.

In a small group, you’ll hike along the edge of the cliffs and see an incredible number of puffins. Your guide will know exactly where the birds are hanging out.

Your guide will then bring you back to the village. If you have time to spare, you can pop into one of the small cafés.

If you’d rather not organize everything yourself, you can also book a complete tour from Sørvágur, which includes the ferry and something to eat.

Note: You can only visit Mykines from May to August. That’s the best time to visit the Faroe Islands — and when the puffins are there too.

Guided tour to Mykines

Day 3: Cliffs of Trælanípa and Tórshavn

Day 3 is your last day on the island of Vágar. Today you’ll see an absolute natural highlight: the cliffs of Trælanípa.

But it’s not just the cliffs that are truly impressive — the Bøsdalafossur Waterfall and Lake Sørvágsvatn are too. The lake looks like it’s floating above the ocean.

Getting to the Trælanípa Cliffs

The hike starts near the village of Miðvágur. You can park your car in a free parking lot right at the start of the trail.

Just enter Slave Cliff in your GPS and you should find the parking lot easily. We recommend arriving in the early morning.

From the parking lot, walk to the small building there. That’s where you’ll need to pay the hiking fee, which is 27 euros. You can pay in cash or by credit card.

Hiking to the Trælanípa Cliffs

You’ll need to hike out to the cliffs and the rest of the sights. The trail is mostly flat and pretty well-worn, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

Walking straight through, you’ll need about 45 minutes each way. You’ll pass the lake, stand on the cliffs, and of course see the waterfall that flows right into the ocean.

In the Afternoon: Sightseeing in Tórshavn

After your hike, you get back in the car. Now you’ll switch islands — and if you’re doing the road trip, your lodging too.

It’s time to head to the capital Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy. The drive takes about 40 minutes.

In Tórshavn, you can check into your place to stay first — you already know our hotel recommendations from the arrival day. Or you can jump straight into sightseeing.

Tórshavn is one of the smallest capitals in the world, so you can explore everything really easily on foot.

If you’re interested in the fascinating history of Tórshavn, we recommend booking a guide.

Guided walking tour of Tórshavn

A guide will also take you to nearly all the sights we’re about to show you.

#1 Tinganes

Tinganes is the oldest part of Tórshavn. It sits on a peninsula in the harbor. There are tons of red wooden houses with grass roofs — really cool!

Some of the buildings house the Faroese Parliament, completely unassuming. Just wander through the narrow alleyways and take it all in.

#2 Harbor

In Tórshavn, unlike in other cities, the harbor is where the action is — when there’s action, that is. In fact, on one day we were there, there was even a kind of local market.

Otherwise, you’ll find really cool colorful houses here, with a few charming cafés inside. The view from the cafés over all the boats is really lovely too.

#3 Skansin Fortress

The Skansin Fortress is more of a wall and a few buildings than an actual fortress. Still, it’s worth a visit.

Up here stands a really beautiful lighthouse, and from here you have an absolutely stunning panorama of the city and the harbor.

#4 Viðarlundin Park

Before our trip, we’d read several times that no trees grow on the Faroe Islands. We can now tell you: that’s simply not true.

In Tórshavn, on the way from the city center to the soccer stadium, you’ll find Viðarlundin Park, with a dense forest and plenty of trees. A little unexpected green oasis right in the middle of the Faroe Islands.

#5 Tórsvøllur Soccer Stadium

Even though the Faroe Islands are so small, the country has its own national team. And soccer in general is incredibly important to the Faroese.

If the timing works out, you should definitely catch a game here. It’s truly a cultural experience. Since everyone knows everyone, the whole town shows up — the players’ entire families and all their friends.

Day 4: Northern Part of the Island of Streymoy

On day four, you’ll head to the north of Streymoy. Three of our favorite sights are waiting for you there: Saksun, the Fossá Waterfall, and Tjørnuvík.

Before driving straight north from Tórshavn, you should make a quick stop at the Kaldbaksfjørður fjord, just past the outskirts of Tórshavn.

On our trip, we spotted whales here several times. We can’t say whether they’re always there, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for you.

The Small Village of Saksun

First up is Saksun. The village is one of the few points of interest located more or less inland. There’s just a small bay here.

But that’s exactly what makes the village so magical and popular with visitors — the views are simply breathtakingly beautiful. With its charming turf-roof houses, it’s the ultimate Instagram spot.

In Saksun especially, you notice that pretty much every piece of land on the Faroe Islands is privately owned. Nearly every patch of green is fenced off.

You really shouldn’t step onto those areas. That said, there’s still plenty to do in Saksun.

Our highlights in Saksun:

• The church. Fun fact: it used to stand in Tjørnuvík, was dismantled, carried over the hiking trail to Saksun, and rebuilt there.
• Short hike up the mountain: This is the trail that leads to Tjørnuvík. You can walk the beginning section. From up there, you’ll have an even more beautiful view of Saksun.
• The black sand beach. If you walk down toward the water on the other side of the village, you’ll reach a black sand beach after a few minutes. On the way, you’ll pass a gate where you’ll need to pay a fee of about 10 euros. But if you just want a quick look, it’s probably not worth it.

Fossá Waterfall

Next up is the Fossá Waterfall, the largest waterfall on the Faroe Islands. More precisely, it’s split across two tiers stacked on top of each other.

You don’t need to walk far here, since it’s basically right next to the road. That said, definitely pull into the parking lot and get out of the car.

From a small bridge, you get a really great view of the lower falls. If you walk up the small hillside a bit, you’ll get super close to the waterfall — really cool.

The Surfer Village of Tjørnuvík

Finally, you’ll drive to Tjørnuvík. Even on the way there, you’ll already have a really beautiful view of the village.

Tjørnuvík is best known as a cool surf spot. When we were there, though, there were no waves and nothing much was going on.

Even though we were there during peak surf season, which runs from August to May. Still, Tjørnuvík was totally worth the visit.

There was almost nobody around, and we really soaked up that quiet. You can take a leisurely walk through the village and along the cliffs.

In one of the houses, we came across an older woman selling hand-knitted items. If that’s your thing, make sure to bring cash.

You can also spend the whole day on a really cool guided tour.

Private tour with multiple highlights of the Faroe Islands

If you’re doing the road trip, you’ll drive on to the island of Eysturoy in the evening to spend the night.

Our Accommodation Tips on Eysturoy:

Gjaargardur Guesthouse in Gjógv: A small, charming guesthouse with cozy rooms and really fair prices.

visitHOMES Faroe Islands in Leirvík: A really lovely bed & breakfast with bright, elegantly furnished rooms.

Day 5: Northern Part of the Island of Eysturoy

On day 5, you can take it nice and easy — the schedule isn’t quite as packed. You’ll be heading to the north of the island of Eysturoy.

If you’re doing the road trip, you’ll already wake up on Eysturoy. If you’re still in Tórshavn, you’ll drive over in the morning — it takes about an hour.

Since you have plenty of time today, feel free to pull over and get out of the car, enjoy the scenery, and take lots of photos.

The Beautiful Village of Gjógv

The first stop is Gjógv. Here you can do a short hike up the mountain. Honestly, it’s no walk in the park and we were pretty out of breath. But it’s absolutely worth it.

The trail starts behind the small café. You should find it easily, since that’s where most of the visitors gather.

Up on the cliffs, we spotted quite a few puffins. We’re not sure if they’re always hanging out there, but we’re keeping our fingers firmly crossed for you.

A little further up, you’ll reach a fence where you need to pay a small hiking fee. You can pay in cash or by bank transfer.

From there, you can keep going and enjoy the incredibly beautiful views of the ocean and Gjógv.

Since the trail is a loop, you’ll come back down slightly to the right of the way you went up.

The short hike took us about an hour and a half. Though we did spend quite a while watching and photographing the puffins.

More highlights in Gjógv:

• The rock crevice with the small natural harbor.
• The small stream that flows through Gjógv. A really beautiful photo subject.

The Small Village of Eiði

After Gjógv, head on to Eiði. On the way, you can make a quick stop at the Risin and Kellingin viewpoint and gaze out at the ocean.

On a clear day, you’ll see two rocks rising out of the sea — Risin and Kellingin, which translates to the Giant and the Witch.

The rocks are very well known on the Faroe Islands. Honestly, they didn’t blow us away — we’d definitely seen more dramatic things on the Faroe Islands.

Next stop, Eiði. What’s special here isn’t the village itself, but the campsite. Wait, the campsite?

Yes, you read that right. The campsite is on an old soccer field — there’s even one of the goalposts still standing. But it gets even better.

The location of this site is one of a kind: a huge hillside on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Complete with the sound of crashing waves.

Behind the campsite, there’s also a path that’s perfect for a short walk. The vista of the cliffs and a waterfall that also flows directly into the ocean is well worth it.

The village of Eiði itself, we have to say, isn’t really that exciting.

After that, you’ll start making your way back. But on the drive, one more really cool photo opportunity is waiting for you.

A Great View of the Fossá Waterfall

No matter what your GPS says, make sure to take the road heading south and not the road you came from when driving from Gjógv.

After about 7 kilometers, on your right side you’ll get a really great overall view of the Fossá Waterfall. It’s worth pulling over for a moment.

If you’re doing the road trip, you won’t be sleeping on Eysturoy tonight — instead, you’ll stay in Klaksvík on the island of Borðoy.

Our Accommodation Tip in Klaksvík:

The Hans Apartment: Modern apartments with really stylish design and underfloor heating.

Day 6: Kalsoy and Viðareiði

On the last full day of your trip, one of our absolute standouts is on the agenda: a hike on the island of Kalsoy and the beautiful village of Viðareiði.

Getting to the Island of Kalsoy

Day 6 starts in the town of Klaksvík. If you’re doing the road trip, you’ll already be waking up there. If you’re coming from Tórshavn as a day trip, you’ll need about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

From Klaksvík, you’ll take the ferry to Kalsoy. It runs several times a day — be sure to check the ferry schedule in advance.

We recommend taking one of the earlier departures. We took the 10 AM ferry and found that timing to be just right.

Keep in mind that the 10 AM ferry doesn’t run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On those days, you should take the 8 AM ferry.

We brought our car over to Kalsoy, and we’d recommend you do the same. To do that, you should be at the harbor at least an hour before departure.

Make sure to line up in the very first row in front of the ferry — the cars there get loaded first. In total, only about 12 cars fit on board.

Once on Kalsoy, follow the only road there is all the way to Trøllanes.

Note: In the afternoon, you’ll need to take the ferry back. Ours was fairly full and we had to wait for the next one. But you should always be able to get on a ferry. If you’d rather not risk it, you can leave your car in Klaksvík and take the bus on Kalsoy. Be sure to check the bus schedule in advance.

Hike to the James Bond Gravestone

In Trøllanes, your hike begins. You’ll pass by a house where you need to pay the hiking fee of 27 euros. You can pay in cash or by credit card.

The first section of the trail is the hardest, especially when it’s wet like it was for us. You have to cross the hillside diagonally going up.

There is a well-worn path, but when we were there it was super muddy and we kept slipping. So we had to keep veering off to the left and right.

Once you’ve made it through that section, it gets easier. First, you’ll spot the Kallur Lighthouse. Behind it, there’s a small, narrow path.

At the end of the path, you have a one-of-a-kind view of the lighthouse and the cliffs. You should only go down that path if the weather is good and it’s not windy.

Back at the lighthouse, you can head toward the cliff. After a few meters, you’ll see the James Bond gravestone — really cool!

Then you can start making your way back. In total, the hike took us just over 2 hours.

Seal Woman of Mikladalur

Before heading back to the ferry, you should definitely make a stop in Mikladalur. The village alone is worth a stop — it’s really charming.

But the real highlight is down by the water. The Seal Woman of Mikladalur stands on a large rock, right in front of the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

Just the sight of it feels incredibly mystical. We spent about 30 minutes in Mikladalur altogether. There’s also a small café there where you can rest.

Return from Kalsoy to Klaksvík

Then it’s time to head back to the ferry. As mentioned, make sure to check the schedule in advance. Again, you should aim to be at the harbor at least an hour before your planned departure.

Don’t worry if you don’t make it onto the first ferry. You can leave your car in line and wander around for a bit.

Note: If you decide to go to Kalsoy without a car, keep in mind that the buses are timed to connect with the ferries. But if you want to make an extra stop in Mikladalur, you may have to wait 1–3 hours for the next bus, depending on the day of the week.

Our tip: Bring enough food and water for today too. Apart from the small café, there’s nothing to buy on Kalsoy. And we were pretty hungry after the hike.

For your day on Kalsoy, you can also book a guide — that way you don’t have to worry about a thing on the day itself.

Combo tour on Kalsoy with Kallur Lighthouse and Seal Woman of Mikladalur

Village of Viðareiði

We hope you still have energy for the last sight of the trip after the island of Kalsoy. On the late afternoon of day 6, you’ll head to Viðareiði.

This is the northernmost town in the Faroe Islands. Make sure to walk all the way down to the water — the view with the church and the rocks in the background is really beautiful.

Just enjoy your last evening on the Faroe Islands here. Then head back to your accommodation.

Day 7: Departure Day

You’ve reached the end of your trip, and day 7 means your flight home. If your flight is early, make sure to leave for the airport in plenty of time.

Remember that you’ll also need to return your rental car.

If you’re doing the road trip, you’ll be in Klaksvík in the morning. From there, it’s about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If you’ve had your accommodation in Tórshavn the whole time, it’s about a 45-minute drive.

General Tips for Your Faroe Islands Road Trip

To make sure your road trip or day trips go really smoothly, here are a few extra tips for you.

#1 Road Trip by Bus on the Faroe Islands

Especially if you only have a short time on the Faroe Islands, we don’t recommend doing a road trip by bus.

There are public buses and quite a few routes, but not every attraction is served. On top of that, buses don’t run very frequently — at most once an hour.

But the biggest downside for us is the unreliability.

We experienced firsthand that in the afternoon, at a stop in a smaller village, the bus that was listed on the schedule simply never showed up.

#2 What You Can Do If You Have Less Than 7 Days

If you have less time for the Faroe Islands, that’s no problem. But you should plan for at least 5 days.

In that case, we recommend skipping Mykines and adding an activity on your arrival or departure day.

Our 5-day route for your road trip or day trips on the Faroe Islands at a glance:

• Day 0: Arrival
• Day 1: Hike to the Múlafossur Waterfall near Gásadalur and Bøur
• Day 2: Bøsdalafossur Waterfall and Tórshavn
• Day 3: North of Streymoy
• Day 4: Island of Kalsoy and Viðareiði
• Day 5: North of Eysturoy and ideally an evening departure

#3 What You Can Do If You Have More Than 7 Days

Great news if you have more than 7 days on the Faroe Islands. You’ll get to discover even more of this truly beautiful country.

What else you can do on the Faroe Islands:

• Day trip to the island of Nólsoy. The car ferry departs from Tórshavn.
• Day trip to Tvøroyri on the island of Suðuroy. The car ferry also departs from Tórshavn.
• Kayaking or canoeing on the water.
• Hiking: Of course, you can also do tons of other hikes. Pick up the free brochure at the airport with info on various hiking trails. The rack is right next to the restrooms at the airport exit.

#4 Practical Tips for Driving on the Faroe Islands

Driving on the Faroe Islands is pretty intuitive for most visitors, but there are a few special things you should be prepared for.

Buttercup Routes

On your drives around the Faroe Islands, you’ll come across some road signs with yellow flowers on them. These signs mark the Buttercup Routes.

These routes are supposed to highlight roads with particularly scenic views. But in our opinion, every view on the Faroe Islands is absolutely stunning.

So you don’t necessarily have to follow the Buttercup Routes.

Tunnels and Tolls on the Faroe Islands

You’ll also drive through many tunnels on the Faroe Islands. There are two special types: toll tunnels and single-lane tunnels.

We’ve laid out in detail which tunnels have tolls and what to keep in mind for the single-lane tunnels in our Faroe Islands travel tips article.

There we also give you more info and practical advice for your vacation on the Faroe Islands — like how to get there, costs, and food.

#5 When Is the Best Time to Visit for a Road Trip?

The best time for a road trip is from May to September. But keep in mind that most ferries start running less frequently daily from September onward.

We especially recommend a trip in August — it’s the warmest month on the Faroe Islands.

Everything you need to know about the best time to visit the Faroe Islands is covered in a dedicated article.

#6 How Far Are the Distances on the Faroe Islands?

The distances on the Faroe Islands are relatively short for a country. From the west to the north, you’ll need at most 2 hours by car.

From Tórshavn, you’ll never drive more than an hour — at least as long as you use the tunnels. You’ll only need to factor in extra time when you’re taking ferries.