Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands, you have never seen anything like it

The Faroe Islands, the green, warm volcanic islands

The Faroe Islands is in the best possible way a very different travel destination. Here follows an intro to the Faroe Islands as a travel destination with amazing nature and charm. The Faroe Islands are known for their raw nature, amazing mountains, surrounded by the wild North Sea, yet mild climate. It creates a beautiful setting for the exciting culture that also defines the islands.

The Faroe Islands

The green, warm volcanic islands

The Faroe Islands adventure already starts on the journey to the Faroe Islands. Most visitors choose to fly up there, some are more adventurous and sail from Denmark. If you fly, and you probably will do that, you will experience the landing at the small Vagar airport. The descent through the clouds and the navigation between the high mountains is known as a great experience in itself. In a little while, the travel adventure begins. It is also possible to sail from Hirtshals in Northern Denmark and north with Smyrilline, past Norway, and on towards the Faroe Islands. The ships are equipped with good restaurants, spas, football fields, cinemas,s and much more so that the 33 hours on board quickly disappear in every imaginable activity, and before you realize it, you stand on the deck and enjoy the view of charming Thorshavn.

Torshavn, Faroe islands, capital

Lots of Viking history in the Faroe Islands

The islands balance between the old traditions from the Vikings and the modern development, which has been admirably adapted, without losing the original culture. Around the islands, ancient churches and farmhouses can be found, which you can visit to glimpse the exciting history of the country. Around the villages, you will also find a remnant of the past: the pebbles, where travelers used to add a stone to the pile, to help the next passengers navigate. Today they are not needed in the same way, as the well-developed infrastructure ensures that nature is easily accessible via good roads and long tunnels that pave their way through the mountains. Just remember to look out for the sheep, who like to roam the quiet roads.

Saksun, a village in the Faroe Islands

Out in the true, wild Faroe Islands nature

The Faroe Islands are perfect for those who want to experience wild nature, whether on horseback or foot, and places like Gásadalur (Gåsedal) and Gjógv are places that, with their extreme nature, can take the breath away from most nature lovers. Gásadalur with its 18 inhabitants in 2012 presents an extremely unspoiled nature area, where huge mountains meet the sea in a waterfall that completes the experience (the front page picture for this article). Gjógv, located in the northern part of Eysturoy, is a similarly small village setting for beautiful scenery as the sea roars over the rocks and into the gorge where the dark blue sea transforms into a white, foamy mass. Here you can also spot a few of the sea parrots for which the Faroe Islands are known.

Færøerne og de smukke Søpapegøjer

Hike on isolated Faroese bird-rich islands like Mykiness

If you are looking for sea parrots, however, there is no way around Mykiness (Mosquito Nose). The island is accessible by boat (May-August) or helicopter, but departures depend on the changeable weather. At Mykiness there is a hiking trail that leads along the mountains to the tip of the island which houses a lighthouse. You will see the seagulls diving off to the sea to return with their beak full of fish. It is a unique hike in the varying landscape and with the sea, on both sides of it, nothing breaks the beautiful scenes. You can conveniently enjoy the rare opportunity to be in a place where you can not only drive home but where you have all the time in the world, to enjoy the surroundings. And if it gets too much there is a delicious little cafe that serves delicious cake and a little drink.

Faroe islands, sheep making a road control. Please be aware of sheep always

In the Faroe Islands, the national days are called Olavsøkan / Olaifest

Every year, the Faroe Islands’ national days are celebrated Ólavsøka (Olaifest), where the whole of Thorshavn (capital meaning Habour of the Nordic god Thor) is on the other end, and people flock to attend the festivities of the day. The locals wear their beautiful traditional clothes, which makes the atmosphere quite adventurous. One meets for hijacking in the harbor, which is one of the great events of the year, and the festivities culminate in chain dancing and singing in the center of Thorshavn. Here it is all about taking one’s hand in hand and then taking part in the simple steps that make up the dance that everyone present participates in. It is a festive day with a beautiful atmosphere and the cultural culmination of the goods the country offers.