In a nutshell
- A vacation in the Faroe Islands is absolutely worth it! You’ll find incredible nature and almost zero crowds — perfect for unwinding and exploring at your own pace.
- In this article, we share our 16 best places to visit in the Faroe Islands — the ones you simply can’t miss on your trip.
- Our 5 absolute highlights: the Múlafossur Waterfall, the hike to the James Bond gravestone, the puffins on Mykines, the village of Saksun, and the mystical Seal Woman of Mikladalur.
- If you want just one base, the capital Tórshavn is the best starting point for exploring the islands. Our top pick for where to stay: the Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948.
Are the Faroe Islands Worth It?
Absolutely! The Faroe Islands are truly stunning. For us, they’re even among the most beautiful islands in Europe. If we had to describe them in three words, they’d be: idyllic, green, and sheep. The latter apparently outnumber people there by a proven margin.
For us, the Faroe Islands are still a under-the-radar gem as a travel destination in Europe. You’ll find an incredible amount of nature here, and there’s no hustle and bustle in the towns.
Even in summer, the best time to visit the Faroe Islands, you’ll sometimes go hours without seeing anyone. Perfect if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
Our Top 16 Faroe Islands Attractions on a Map
The Faroe Islands consist of 18 islands in total. The main island is Streymoy, which is also the largest. After that come Eysturoy, Vágar, and then the rest.
Our attractions are spread across 6 of the 18 islands. That might sound like a little at first, but you should know that 12 of the islands can only be reached by ferry.
So you know where everything is, we’ve plotted our 16 best places to visit for your vacation on the Faroe Islands on a map.
The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the Faroe Islands
Múlafossur Waterfall near Gásadalur
What do you need to know? The Múlafossur Waterfall is an impressive waterfall that flows directly into the sea. Really cool! It’s located right next to the small village of Gásadalur and is probably the most iconic postcard image of the Faroe Islands. Don’t miss this one.
Best base for overnight stays: Bøur. Our hotel tip: The View Vacation Home
Boat tour with the Múlafossur Waterfall
Bøsdalafossur Waterfall and the Cliffs of Trælanípa
What do you need to know? The Bøsdalafossur Waterfall also flows directly into the sea. But what makes this spot so special are the cliffs on which Lake Sørvágsvatn sits — it looks as if the lake is floating above the ocean. You’ll need to hike about 45 minutes to get here, and it’s absolutely worth every step.
Best base for overnight stays: Sørvágur. Our hotel tip: Cottages by the Sea Apartment
Fossá Waterfall
What do you need to know? The Fossá Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in the Faroe Islands — it’s split into two tiers, and at the first tier you can get really close. Since a road runs right in front of it, you don’t even have to walk far. Great for a quick stop on a road trip.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
Highlights tour of the Faroe Islands
Beautiful Towns and Villages in the Faroe Islands
Tórshavn
What do you need to know? Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands and one of the smallest capitals in the world. You can stroll through it at a leisurely pace in an afternoon. The highlights are the harbor and Tinganes — the oldest part of the city and the seat of the Faroese parliament. It’s a genuinely charming place.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
A guided walk through Tórshavn
Bøur
What do you need to know? Bøur is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Faroe Islands. The small wooden houses have grass-covered roofs, and the view of the sea from the little beach is seriously breathtaking. Time seems to stand still here — in the best possible way.
Best base for overnight stays: Bøur. Our hotel tip: The View Vacation Home
Tjørnuvík
What do you need to know? Tjørnuvík is a popular surfing spot tucked into a small bay. If you’re lucky, you can watch surfers riding the waves — when we visited, the sea was calm, but it’s still a really lovely spot for a short walk. Worth the detour either way.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
Private tour to Tjørnuvík and other highlights
Saksun
What do you need to know? The genuinely idyllic village of Saksun has become a well-known Instagram hotspot, partly thanks to its cool grass-roofed houses. This is where we encountered by far the most tourists — but don’t worry. Compared to Copenhagen and similar places, it was still pretty quiet.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
Private tour to Saksun and other highlights
Viðareiði
What do you need to know? Viðareiði is the northernmost village in the Faroe Islands, and from here you get a unique panoramic vista over the sea and the surrounding cliffs. The white church standing here looks really beautiful and fits perfectly into the scenery — a great photo opportunity.
Best base for overnight stays: Klaksvík. Our hotel tip: The Hans Apartment
Guided tour to the northern islands of the Faroe Islands
Hikes in the Faroe Islands
Hike between Bøur and Gásadalur
What do you need to know? There’s a ton of hiking to be done in the Faroe Islands. On a whim, we decided to hike up to the summit of Gásadalsbrekkan — until 2004, this was the only route to Gásadalur. The view from the top over the Múlafossur Waterfall and the surrounding islands is absolutely breathtaking. One of our favorite things to do in the Faroe Islands.
Best base for overnight stays: Bøur. Our hotel tip: The View Vacation Home
Our tip: Pick up the free brochure with information on various hiking trails at the airport. The rack is located next to the restrooms at the airport exit.
Guided hike between Bøur and the Múlafossur Waterfall
Hike to the Kallur Lighthouse and James Bond Gravestone
What do you need to know? Did you know that James Bond has already been to the Faroe Islands? The final scene with Daniel Craig in “No Time to Die” was filmed on the island of Kalsoy, and a gravestone now marks the very last place James Bond was seen (so far). The Kallur Lighthouse is also up there, and the views are seriously stunning. A must for any film fan.
Best base for overnight stays: Klaksvík. Our hotel tip: The Hans Apartment
Guided hike to the Kallur Lighthouse and James Bond Gravestone
Puffins in the Faroe Islands
Puffins and Hike to the Lighthouse on Mykines
What do you need to know? The island of Mykines is best known for one thing: the many puffins that live there. Honestly, they’re the cutest animals we’ve ever seen. On a hike to the lighthouse, you can observe and photograph the little birds up close — it’s a truly special experience.
Best base for overnight stays: Sørvágur. Our hotel tip: Cottages by the Sea Apartment
Gjógv
What do you need to know? We also spotted puffins on the cliffs in the village of Gjógv — so adorable! We’re not sure whether they’re always there, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for you. A detour to Gjógv is always worthwhile though, because the short hike up to the cliffs is really cool.
Best base for overnight stays: Gjógv. Our hotel tip: Gjaargardur Guesthouse
Our Hidden Gems in the Faroe Islands
Seal Woman of Mikladalur
What do you need to know? On the island of Kalsoy, we made a stop in Mikladalur — a really charming little village. Down by the water, we discovered the Seal Woman of Mikladalur. The place felt somehow magical to us, a total surprise we didn’t see coming. Make sure you stop here.
Best base for overnight stays: Klaksvík. Our hotel tip: The Hans Apartment
Combined tour on Kalsoy with Kallur Lighthouse and Seal Woman of Mikladalur
Whale Watching in the Kaldbaksfjørður Fjord
What do you need to know? We weren’t actually looking for whales at all — but as we were driving to Tórshavn, we passed by the Kaldbaksfjørður fjord and suddenly three small whales appeared. Really cool! We can’t say whether they’re always around, but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out as you drive past.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
Highlights for Soccer Fans in the Faroe Islands
Soccer Field That's Now a Campground in Eiði
What do you need to know? You can also explore the Faroe Islands by campervan — and in Eiði, there’s a very special campground right on a soccer field. But even if you’re not traveling by campervan, a quick detour is worth it just to see the place.
Best base for overnight stays: Gjógv. Our hotel tip: Gjaargardur Guesthouse
Watch a Soccer Game
What do you need to know? Soccer means an incredible amount to the people of the Faroe Islands, and watching a game is a great way to experience the local fan culture firsthand. The club from Klaksvík is particularly strong. We were lucky enough to catch a Champions League qualifying match — an experience we won’t forget.
Best base for overnight stays: Tórshavn. Our hotel tip: Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
