3 Day Itinerary in the Faroe Islands
Looking for a 3 day itinerary in the Faroe Islands? Where should you go, if you have 3 days to spend in the nature-filled island group? What should you definitely prioritise Here are the best places to visit when you have 3 days to spend in the Faroe Islands. Using this itinerary will make your dream trip a reality!
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Hidden in the wild swells of the North Atlantic Ocean lies the the Faroe Islands. This rugged archipelago is a must-visit destination at least once in your lifetime.
You can easily spend a week in the Faroe Islands and more. Nevertheless, thanks to a brilliant road tunnel network, exploring the Faroe Islands for three days will let you see quite a lot of unbelievable sights.
Attractions Included in the 3 Day Itinerary in Faroe Islands
This 3 day itinerary will make sure that you visit these attractions in the Faroe Islands. All attractions mentioned here can be reached by car within one hour from the capital.
- Tórshavn
- The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
- Vestmanna
- Lake Leitisvatn (the floating lake)
- Múlafossur Waterfall
- Drangarnir Sea Arch
- Oyggjarvegur mountain road
- Saksun
- Fossá Waterfall
- Tjørnuvík
- Gjógv
All attractions here will set your wanderlust free. And there is another great thing about these jaw-dropping spots. You will never elbow your way through hordes of tourists as there are very few travellers around.
This itinerary is for those who want to tick boxes when visiting the Faroe Islands for 3 days. You want different scenery, from sea stacks, waterfalls to impressive mountains: check! You want a taste of North Atlantic city life in the capital: check! And you want to sail beneath sheer basalt cliffs in a comfortable boat: check!
Stay in Tórshavn
Tórshavn is a great place to relax. As the capital in the Faroe Islands this is where most visitors stay during their visit in the Faroe Islands. For your 3 days itinerary in the Faroe Islands, we recommend you to check in at one of the hotels in Tórshavn.
Everything in the Faroe Islands is easy to reach. Find yourself a good hotel and enjoy your stay in this remote country with a base in Tórshavn.
It takes 40 minutes to get from the only airport in the Faroe Islands to Tórshavn. You can either rent a car at the airport, take the public bus from there, or you can go for a taxi transfer from Vagar Airport to Tórshavn.
Day 1: Tórshavn and Vestmanna
Discover the vibrant city of Tórshavn. Go for a stroll along the charming and still-inhabited turf-roofed homes nestled along winding, narrow pathways in the old Á Reyni district.
This part of Tórshavn takes you hundreds of years back in time. Tórshavn has a great number of living reminders of the past that bring a unique energy to the city. You can feel the historical flash backs in the city centre where new and old stories are nestled side by side. Take a look at this Tórshavn Walking Tour for a guided experience in the capital.
You will stand on stones that Vikings used to walk on a thousand years ago. While you are in Tórshavn go visit the old bookstore at Vaglið, where you will find the best souvenirs and you can enjoy a fresh roasted coffee in Panamé in the same building as the bookstore.
- Read the Ultimate Guide to Tórshavn
Besides serving great coffee in cosy surroundings, you will also find a selection of locally brewed beers in Panamé. From inside the café you will have a good view of Tingið which is the Parliament in the Faroe Islands.
Shopping in Tórshavn
And remember to drop by the legendary clothing brand Guðrun & Guðrun in Niels Finsens gøta where you can find your very own hand knitted jumper. Guðrun & Guðrun is a popular brand among people in the Faroe Islands.
The clothing brand was established by two women named Guðrun. Both founders still run the business which flagship store lies in Tórshavn. Their aim is to use primarily woollen yarn in their products. This is that makes Guðrun & Guðrun such a quintessential part of Faroe Islands’ design.
The Faroe Islands are known for their organic sheep skin. The wool is unique and has been adapted to the harsh climate in the Faroe Islands.
You will fine some shops in the city centre selling sheep skin. These soft sheep skins come in many colours. From black to white, mixed colours, and more.
Visit The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
The National Gallery in the Faroe Islands is located centrally in the capita, Tórshavn. Visiting the gallery will let you see the Faroe Islands through the eyes of local artists. The Faroe Islands has a wide variety of visual artists. From the most important painter Mikines to sculptor, Hans Pauli Olsen, whose works you will see both outside and inside the museum.
Pre-book tickets to the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands now. The doors to the gallery are open all year round. Art in the Faroe Islands is deeply rooted in the archipelago’s dramatic landscapes – towering cliffs, windswept grasslands, and endless seascapes. All this has inspired local artists to capture their homeland’s raw, untamed beauty through painting, sculpture, textile work, and more.
Boat Tour in Vestmanna
Use the latter half of the day in Vestmanna a 30 minutes’ drive from Tórshavn. Here you can go for a boat trip to the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs with departure in the afternoon. The one and a half hour boat trip starts from the harbour in Vestmanna.
The sea cliffs lies along the coastline north of the village. Weather permitting, you will sail into caves and see the spectacular birdlife along the route. Boats to this amazing attraction run from April to end of October and is a great adventure to include in your 3 day Faroe Islands itinerary.
Day 2: Vágar Island
Vágar Island has loads of attractions. One of the must-do activities in the Faroe Islands is to hike to the famous floating lake. The view towards the lake from Trælanípa Cliff is an optical-illusion that can be difficult to believe exists before you see it with your own eyes.
The lake has two different names, Lake Leitisvatn and some locals locals call it Sørvágsvatn. This natural wonder is definitely worth a visit. The lake looks like it is elevated far above sea level. However, the lake is no more than 90 feet or 27 metre above the ocean.
The Floating Lake Leitisvatn
The word Trælanípa might seem like a bit of a mouthful for travellers. It is a traditional word in the Faroese language and means The Slaves Cliff.
It is said that the name originates from the Viking Age when slaves were pushed off the craggy cliff and straight into the cold North Atlantic waves. Those things belong to the past. Today, standing at Trælanípa will bring you stunning vistas in every direction.
Enjoy the majestic scenery of Trælanípa. The steep cliff in front of the lake together with the right camera angel makes the lake look as if it is sitting way above sea level.
When you are at Trælanípa, make sure to walk along the coastline in a northern direction. After only a short hike, you will get to Bøsdalafossur Waterfall.
Bøsdalafossur Waterfall
Bøsdalafossur empties directly into the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to soak in the raw nature. If you hike in waterproof boots and the river that becomes Bøsdalafossur Waterfall is not too large then walk even further to the Geituskorardrangur Rock Wall. It is a really short walk from the waterfall.
Head to the famous Múlafossur Waterfall in the charming village of Gásadalur. This is an iconic spot and a stunning place to visit and a must in any 3 day Faroe Islands itinerary.
Múlafossur Waterfall
When you drive through the tunnel leading to Gásadalur, a valley is waiting for you with the most spectacular view over the small village nestled between high mountains. The tunnel to Gásadalur is narrow but really good.
Another way to get to this amazing attraction is by hiking from the nearby village of Bøur to Gásadalur. In Bøur you will also see the stunning Tindhólmur. It is an absolutely beautiful three hour hiking trip which takes you through valleys, up mountain slopes and to incredible streams. The hike is demanding.
The visual impact is immense. The valley ends at a precipitous brink more than 100 m (300 ft) above the sea; in crossing this brink the river Dalsá becomes the magnificent Múlafossur Waterfall.
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When in Gásadalur, follow the tail to the spot where you will get an amazing view of Múlafossur. This unique waterfall looks great in all kinds of weather. If it is raining or the fog is thick, this is a must-see place in the Faroe Islands.
Drangarnir Sea Arch
Drangarnir is an impressive sea arch rising out of the sea. This much-admired attraction is located off the coast of Vágar Island after a comfortable boat tour from the airport village Sørvágur and out the Sørvágsfjørður fjord. Drive to Sørvágur and take the ride to the mesmerising sight of Drangarnir. Book the Drangarnir Boat Tour here.
Enjoy the views of the sea arch. Weather permitting, you will even be able to sail through the sea arch itself. You will find sheer rock cliffs near this attraction and also the spiky Tindhólmur Islet.
Day 3: North Streymoy Island and North Eysturoy Island
Streymoy Island is the largest of the Faroe Islands. Due to its central position it is also the principal island. As the channels separating Streymoy Island from Vágar Island and Eysturoy Island are narrow, these three islands often appear as a continuous land mass.
This is the mainland. With a bridge across the Sundini Strait and a sub-sea tunnel under the Tangafjørður Fjord connecting Streymoy Island to Eysturoy Island and one sub-sea tunnel under Vestmannasund linking Streymoy Island to Vágar Island and a third one connecting Streymoy Island to Sandoy Island, this is the main area in the Faroe Islands.
The Mountain Road Oyggjarvegur
There are good roads all over the island group. This includes a mountain road leading from Tórshavn to the villages up north. Take the picturesque route known as Oyggjarvegur as this is a beautiful passage to the spectacular sights found further north.
There can be dense fog during the summer and this can make driving difficult. So take care! Furthermore, during winter from late October to late March there can be some challenges with the Oyggjarvegur road being icy.
The Oyggjarvegur passes through Mjørkadalur – the foggy valley – with high mountainsides. A turfed roof large enough to provide grazing for a sheep family helps the only jail in the Faroe Islands blend with the scenery. For prisoners this is quite a satisfying place to be. The turf-roofed jail is a pleasing sight and shows how well the traditional style suits large buildings as well.
Head from Oyggjarvegur towards Hvalvík where a road branches off to the north-west through the long Saksunardalur. It is surrounded by high mountains with several waterfalls.
Secluded Hamlet Saksun
The small village of Saksun is a romantic place drawing people from everywhere. It is shut in by towering mountain peaks that give to Saksun a certain mystery, a feeling of untouched remoteness.
The entrance to Saksun is very narrow. Through the narrow inlet called Ósin you reach the round pool known as Pollur, which is so shallow that, when the tide is out, it is possible to walk dry-shoed across it in places.
Fossá Waterfall
From Saksun head back to Hvalvík and further north. You are now heading towards the largest waterfall in the Faroe Islands, the impressive Fossá Waterfall. It so happens that the waterfall is just beside the road to Tjørnuvík and you will literally cross the bridge over Fossá Waterfall.
There is a rank just beside the bridge. Stop for a moment and enjoy this extraordinary waterfall with its two levels. Fossá Waterfall is one of the biggest attractions in the Faroe Islands.
Fossá Waterfall is often included on guided day tours in the Faroe Islands. This attraction is highly recommended and will give you the rare opportunity to drive over a cascading waterfall on rainy days.
Remote Settlement Tjørnuvík
Now let the road take you to Tjørnuvík. This is one of the favourite places to visit. Enjoy the scenic view of Risin og Kellingin – the Giant and his Wife. Soak in the scenery and the chilled environment in this northernmost village on Streymoy Island.
Until the coming of the modern road, Tjørnuvík was a world apart. Surrounded by high mountains and facing the North Atlantic, the sound of the surf drown any other sound.
Continue your journey to Eysturoy Island. As soon as you get to the islands after crossing the short bridge from Streymoy Islands, turn left to Norðskáli.
Lunch on Eysturoy Island
This seaside settlement is home to a hidden food gem in the archipelago. Make sure to stop by Sjógæti tucked next to the ocean.
Sjógæti has a seafood shop with local fish products and more. If you arrive here around lunch time, go for the best Fish & Chips on the island. You will even find a fish burger on the menu!
The Faroe Islands are known for excellent seafood. Moreover, there are other delicacies worth trying from tasty lamb shoulder to traditional fermented food. The umami taste found in the fermentation will definitely challenge some travellers! Check out this Faroe Islands Food Guide for more details.
Most restaurants in the Faroe Islands are located in the capital Tórshavn. So stopping in the small place of Norðskáli for some local produce is a great way to enjoy a lunch in the backcountry.
Sea Gorge in Gjógv
Now, take the route further north to the village Eiði and from there to the jaw-dropping settlement Gjógv. A wide valley slopes down to the cluster of houses in Gjógv.
Here you can experience the famous gorge, which can be seen from both the hamlet and also from the higher location nearby after a short walk on a great path. A lovely stream runs through the valley which gives this place a unique charm.
Last Stop on the 3 Day Itinerary in the Faroe Islands
After you enjoyed Gjógv for a while, head to the scenic settlement Funningur. This place is home to a traditional black painted church roofed with sod.
Now, take the fjord road along Funningsfjørður. Continue in a southern direction, take the underwater tunnel Eysturoyartunnilin and only minutes later, you are back in the capital Tórshavn.
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