One Week Itinerary in the Faroe Islands
What is there to experience in the Faroe Islands when staying for a week? Which places should I definitely visit during the stay? This is your short 7 days guide to the beautiful, beautiful Faroe Islands added with good to know travel information.
- Get to know What Season to Visit Faroe Islands
- Find your Faroe Islands Vacation Package
- See also: The Best Hotels in The Faroe Islands
- Read about What to pack for your Faroe Islands vacation
The Faroe Islands is one of the most remote parts of Europe. When staying in this Nordic archipelago for one week, you will get the chance to see many of the great attractions in one of the most remarkable travel destinations in the world. There are in total 18 unspoiled islands. This comprehensive itinerary will let you explore seven of these islands.
- Vagar
- Streymoy
- Eysturoy
- Borðoy
- Viðoy
- Kunoy
- Mykines (Nólsoy during low season)
When you are planning your journey to the Faroe Islands and the perfect itinerary, you will learn that there is plenty more to see than you had assumed.
The Faroe Islands might seem small on a map. But when you are here, you will understand that you need at least 7 days and lots of time outdoors to just see a small bite of all the amazing sights.
After a week in the archipelago, you will still want to come back for more. Here is a short list of the popular sights that you will explore in this seven days itinerary in the Faroe Islands.
Faroe Islands transport
The roads are good and the islands are well connected by undersea tunnels, bridges and ferries. There are basically three different ways to move across the many attractions in the Faroe Islands. All transport options are safe, good and will vary in price. You can get around the islands either by:
When going for a car rental, expect to get a new car. All cars are in excellent condition. You can add a GPS at an extra cost but you will do perfectly without this extra gear. There are only some 600 km (373 mi) of roads in the Faroe Islands so do not expect to get lost! All roads are well maintained.
If you want to take public transport, go for the public Travel Card which comes in two variation 4-day or 7-day. The price for a 4-day Travel Card is 77 USD and the 7-day card costs 109 USD. Read more about how to get from the airport to Tórshavn and your transport options in the Faroe Islands.
If you want everything to be served for you, then book guided tours including transport to the top attractions. The duration of these day tours range from 3 hours to 10 hours depending on where you are going. There are guided day tours to literally all attractions in the Faroe Islands provided by several tour operators.
Day 1 – Arrival | Gásadalur, Bøur, Norðradalsskarð
Start your Faroe Islands holiday and itinerary by visiting the small settlement Bøur. This cute hamlet is situated only a short drive from the airport where all flights to Faroe Islands land. In Bøur you will have a great view towards the Tindhólmur islet and the Drangarnir sea-stacks. Enjoy walking in between old turf-roofed houses and narrow paths.
Tindhólmur is the quaintest and most strikingly beautiful islet in the Faroes. Its shape proclaims the monstrous destructiveness of ocean storms. On the near side this half-mountain sweeps steeply downwards to low flat shelves of pasture land reaching to the rocky shore. You will have the best view of Tindhólmur from the village Bøur.
From there, head further down the road and pass the tunnel to the isolated village Gásadalur. This is the village where you will find the famous Múlafossur Waterfall.
Feel the immense power of nature when standing at the edge and looking at the water cascading into the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure to take a stroll through the small village of Gásadalur where you will get a true sense of how rural life is still lived in the Faroe Islands.
- See also Tours on Vágar Island
If you want some extra excitement then book a boat tour to Drangarnir. The tour will get you to the famous sea arch and also includes a visit to Múlafossur waterfall seen from the impressive seaside.
The Capital Island Streymoy
Now, head over to the main Streymoy Island. Most visitors stay in capital Tórshavn on the Streymoy island. Before you get to Tórshavn, make sure to stop by Norðradalur.
In order to see Norðradalur, you will take the mountain road from Kollfjarðardalur. Turn right when you see the gas station EFFO. From here you will start a 20 minutes journey through mountain terrain.
The roads in the Faroe Islands are really good and make it easy to complete your itinerary. The mountain road or Oyggjarvegurin to Tórshavn is fine, though it is not in as good condition as the roads in general.
After a 15 minutes drive turn right again when you see a sign “Norðradalur”. From the top of the hillside Norðradalsskarð, you will see gorgeous landscapes. Fill your eyes with fantastic views of the Norðradalur valley with the tiny village next to the coast.
Also, you will see the Koltur from the Norðradalsskarð. The population on the Koltur islands is: 1 person. Yes, only one person!
Oyggjarvegurin comes with awe-inspiring window views. With several mountain peaks along the route, make sure to pull off on one of the lay-bys found throughout the tour.
Get one of the best views as you drive above the Kaldbaksfjørður fjord. On rainy days, enjoy the Týggjará Waterfall finding its way down the mountain side halfway on the fjord.
Day 2 – Saksun, Fossá Waterfall, Tjørnuvík
Start your first full day here by exploring Streymoy Island. This is the largest of the Faroe Islands and has a lot of incredible nature to offer travellers. From quaint villages to captivating mountainscapes.
Head out in the morning and take the route to the stunning Saksun. This picturesque village attracts visitors from around the world due to its beautiful surroundings.
You will get a real taste of the great outdoors when walking around the old houses in Saksun. When you are standing on the plateau above a tidal lagoon, expect the most amazing views.
Saksun comes with a picturesque white church with grass roof. Here you will get the best views that you can imagine.
Very few people call Saksun their home. There are actually more waterfalls in Saksun than people. You are going to love the streams that find their way down the mountainsides.
Check out Saksun Tours for a guided tour to this beautiful and yet uncrowded settlement. Tours to Saksun are made all year round.
Two Section Fossá Waterfall
Next, head to Tjørnuvík the northernmost settlement on Streymoy island. Here you will see the rugged nature and the fantastic village that lies by the end of a steep valley. Here the weather is ever changing as the Faroe Islands weather does in general. One minute there is blue sky the next minute rain and clouds.
Before you reach Tjørnuvík, you will pass Fossá Waterfall that drops beautiful in two different plateaus. You will enjoy this waterfall the most during a rainy day or just after heavy rain.
Day 3 – Mykines
Spend your third day exploring the most sought-after Mykines Island. Tours to Mykines are only available in the summer season from May 1st until late August.
If you are in the Faroe Islands in low season, you can visit Nólsoy Island just outside of Tórshavn. In order to get to Nólsoy, you will take the public ferry from the harbour in Tórshavn. There are several departures each day.
When you are in the Faroe Islands during the summer months, make sure to include a Mykines tour in your itinerary. Read everything about this puffin island in our Guide to Mykines Island.
If you want to explore the stunning sight on Mykineshólmur islet where there is a lighthouse at the very tip, a tour guide is recommended. The views you get are out-of-this-world.
Day 4 – Viðareiði, Klaksvík, Múli, Kunoy
Embark on a journey to the Northern islands. Head to the northernmost village Viðareiði. This settlement is located on Viðoy Island home to great mountains such as Mount Villingadalsfjall (844 m), which comes to an end at Cape Enniberg (754 m), Europe’s highest sea cliff. Another epic mountain here is Malinsfjall (751 m).
In Klaksvík you can go for a short hike up to Klakkur. This is an easy hike with a rewarding panoramic view of the town Klaksvík. Moreover, you will enjoy views of Kalsoy Island and Kalsoy Island. There are also wonderful mountains to admire on Eysturoy Island from this vantage point. During summer you will get amazing photos even at midnight, which is just crazy.
Close to Klaksvík is an causeway connecting Borðoy Island with Kunoy Island. Cross the short closing and head to the village Kunoy on the island bearing the same name. There are high cliff walls along the northern part of this village. You will also have a beautiful view of the neighbouring island Kalsoy.
If you want to experience an uninhabited village, then take the bumpy road to Múli. This is one of the most exotic locations. There are some ruins of houses and also a nice view of the fjord and surrounding mountains. Múli plays a important role in the TV-series TROM, which was filmed in Múli and elsewhere on the islands.
Day 5 – Tórshavn, Vestmanna, Kvívík, Skælingur
Today you will start the day by exploring the capital, Tórshavn. There is a charming old part of town named á Reyni on the peninsula Tinganes where you will find the Prime Minister’s office as well as other government administration buildings. All buildings here are red.
All houses in the á Reyni district are turf roofed adding to the lovely charm in this oldest part of the capital. People live in these small houses so remember to respect their privacy when going on a stroll between the small houses on the many narrow paths.
On a nice day, it is quite enjoyable to also stroll around the harbour’s western cove, which, with its crooked paths, densely packed tarred and painted timber houses, and old warehouses, presents a particularly vivid picture of the town’s 19th-century life. You will also find harbour-side art galleries and cafés, where you can sit and enjoy watching the colourful fishing boats or people passing by. There is also a splendid view of Nólsoy island across the bay.
When you have explored the best part of Tórshavn, it is time to head north on the Streymoy island to the small town Vestmanna with some 1200 inhabitants. There are some great opportunities for travellers in this town.
You can experience the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs on a 1.5 hours boat ride along the coastline. You will see lots of birds and basalt walls.
Vestmanna Sea Cliffs Boat Tour
Weather permitting, you will also sail through impressive dark grottoes. Book the classic Vestmanna Sea Cliffs boat tour here. It is a rewarding experience when putting together your itinerary for the Faroe Islands.
Alternatively, you can do four hours of fishing with a local tour operator departing from the harbour twice a day. There is a catch guarantee on this very popular deep sea angling tour.
- Book a Half-Day Fishing Tour here
- Book a Full-Day Fishing Tour here
If you like mountain terrain, drive up the narrow mountain path in Vestmanna to the Heygadalur valley. Here you will see the two mountains Egilsfjall and Loysingarfjall. These mountains are separated by a long, steep-sided rift which sears the moor from east to west, and ultimately forms the natural haven on the coast where the pleasant, tidy town Vestmanna lies.
When heading back to Tórshavn, stop by the Viking village Kvívík and if you still have some time drive to the small village Skælingur. In order to get to Skælingur you will drive through the village Leynar. From the narrow road to Skælingur, you will experience beautiful waterfalls.
Day 6 – Gjógv, Hvíthamar, Æðuvík
Most people come to the Faroe Islands for the nature, landscape, and seascape. On this tour to the island Eysturoy, you will experience all of this.
First, head to the village Gjógv where houses are scattered on the hill. You will have the unique opportunity to see the gorge that spans 200 metres (656 feet) almost into the village. You can walk to the end of the ravine on both sides and even take the route down into this impressive natural gorge which has given the village its name.
Now, stop at the mountain pass a five minutes drive from Gjógv. At the highest point of Gjáarskarð pass, there is a fence that will lead you all the way to Hvíthamar. From this spot above the village Funningur, you will have a breathtaking view of water, mountains and stunning nature. This is a really easy hike for only about ten minutes.
Finally, make sure to visit Æðuvík. You will drive for about 40 minutes from Gjáarskarð to explore the village Æðuvík. Enjoy the silence in this peaceful village. There is a lovely lake near Æðuvík called Lake Toftavatn. If you want to, take a circle walk around the lake or go for just a part of it. The lake is known for its tranquil surroundings and birdlife.
Day 7 – Departure | Múlafossur waterfall one last time
This is your final day in the Faroe Islands. When you have packed your stuff and you are ready to get to Vágar airport, you can do one last sightseeing before departure.
Turn your eyes one last time to the tiny settlement, Gásadalur, which sits above a cliff. Enjoy the tight cluster of coloured houses at the mouth of the deep valley, its position in the ring of hills impressing forcefully upon you the solitude and remoteness of Faeroe villages.
The shining fields gloss the feet of Árnafjall, the highest mountain on Vágar islands. Nearly a mile away from the houses you will find the breathtaking Múlafossur Waterfall where you will also see the cliff leading down to the landing place.
Not far away a stream pours out of the valley in a white cascade, and, by a strange optical illusion caused by the distant view, all movements seems to have been arrested, so that it hangs over the dark cliff like a long, narrow scarf of lace.
Additional Experience for Afternoon Departure
If you have late flight then go for a hike to Trælanípa and the nearby Bøsdalafossur Waterfall. The amazing lake above the ocean is one of the must-see places to experience in the Faroe Islands. Bear in mind, though, that you will hike for three hours when exploring the cliff Trælanípa.
From Trælanípa, you will see the lake hovering over the ocean. Another 10 minutes of walking will get you to Bøsdalafossur where the water from the lake cascades into the cold ocean. You can also walk a short extra distance to see the sea-stack Geituskorardrangur which is definitely also worth a visit.
Book Tours & Activities
This one week Faroe Islands itinerary will take you to top locations in the archipelago. Expect to explore the islands from early morning to late evening.
The Faroe Islands are for those looking for a not overly touristy destination. It is for those searching for a memorable vacation in unspoiled surroundings. Now, take a look at the best tours and activities in the Faroe Islands.
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8 Places to see Turf-roofed Houses
The 11 Best Attractions in the Faroe Islands
