How to Train Your Dragon Filming Location in the Faroe Islands

The live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” brings the beloved animated story to stunning reality in one of Europe’s most dramatic and untouched landscapes: the Faroe Islands. Under director Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original animated trilogy, this fantasy epic showcases the archipelago’s raw natural beauty, creating a cinematic experience that transports viewers into an authentic Viking world.

A Perfect Match: Vikings and the North Atlantic

Filming in the Faroe Islands represents more than a practical choice—it’s an inspired decision. These 18 remote islands, scattered between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic, provide an authentic and existing Viking-era setting

No studio backlot can replicate the real-live drama as it unfolds in nature. The archipelago’s rugged cliffs, dramatic coastal landscapes, and raw natural beauty perfectly embody the fictional Isles of Berk world, where Vikings and dragons coexist in an ancient, mystical realm.

Tindhólmur Islet: The Crown Jewel and Inspiration for Berk

Among the most spectacular locations featured in the film is Tindhólmur Islet. It is a jagged islet off the coast of Vágar Island. The islet rises from the sea like something from Norse mythology itself.

This rocky outcrop has a distinctive spiky silhouette and towering rock formations. The Tindhólmur Islet serves as the direct inspiration for the fictional Isle of Berk.

Isle of Berk is the Viking stronghold where Hiccup and his fellow dragon riders call home. The islet’s natural cathedral-like formation seems purpose-built for dragon encounters, making it the perfect real-world foundation for the film’s mythical setting.

The strategic location of Tindhólmur Islet makes it particularly appealing to both filmmakers and visitors. Located just off the coast of Vágar Island—home to the Faroe Islands’ only airport—the islet provides both stunning visuals and convenient access. Director Dean DeBlois was captivated by the dramatic scenery found only minutes away from Vágar Airport.

The Magic of Vágar Island

Vágar Airport, nestled on the western edge of the island chain, serves as the gateway to Hollywood magic and natural wonder alike. The airport’s proximity to Tindhólmur Islet means that visitors can easily access views one of the most photogenic locations in the North Atlantic.

From the sod-roofed settlement Bøur on Vágar Island’s coast, Tindhólmur appears as a magnificent backdrop across Sørvágsfjørður Fjord. Here you have multiple peaks jutting skyward like the spine of some massive sea creature.

This dramatic vista provided the visual foundation for Isle of Berk’s imposing clifftop fortress. The islet’s towering rock formations serves as the template for the fictional island’s distinctive architecture and natural defenses.

The rugged terrain around the airport provides endless opportunities for exploration, with landscapes that require minimal imagination to transport visitors to the world of Vikings and dragons. The combination of accessibility and authentic Nordic atmosphere makes Vágar Island an ideal place to explore for a couple of days when in the Faroe Islands.

Experience Vágar Island Yourself

Today’s travellers can follow in the footsteps of the film crew and discover the same breathtaking locations that brought the dragon world to life. There are several activities that offer specialised experiences that showcase Vágar Island’s cinematic landscapes:

Photography Tours take visitors to the best vantage points for capturing the iconic islet that inspired the Isle of Berk, including the famous viewpoint from the settlement Bøur where the sea stacks and the islet create dramatic silhouettes against the Atlantic sky. These tours often combine professional photography guidance with local storytelling about the area’s Viking heritage and its connection to the film’s fictional world. Take a look a Photo Tours in the Faroe Islands.

Drangarnir Sea Arch Boat Tour provides the ultimate view of Tindhólmur Islet as you sail close to it and its surrounding coastline. This boating adventure offer perspectives that mirror the film’s most spectacular sequences, allowing visitors to soak in the same dramatic landscapes that captivated audiences worldwide. Check out this Drangarnir Sea Arch Boat Tour.

Hiking Adventure to Lake Leitisvatn combine visits to the famous optical illusion seen from Lake Leitisvatn with stops at Tindhólmur Islet viewpoints. These full-day excursions in the Faroe Islands showcase multiple filming locations while providing insight into the geological forces that created these otherworldly landscapes.

Bringing Ancient Legends to Cinema

The live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” features Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising his voice role as Stoick the Vast. The production team’s choice to film in these remote islands reflects a commitment to authenticity that extends beyond mere scenery. The Faroe Islands maintain their Nordic character after more than a millennium, with a culture and landscape that remains largely unchanged from the Viking era. This genuine connection to Norse heritage provides the film with an authenticity that computer-generated backgrounds simply cannot match.

A Cinematic Discovery

The choice of the Faroe Islands as a filming location highlights the growing appeal of these remote islands as a destination for both filmmakers and adventurous travellers. “How to Train Your Dragon” joins a growing list of international films that recognise the unique visual opportunities these islands provide, from their towering sea cliffs to their grass-covered mountains and isolated coastal hamlets.

Planning Your Faroese Adventure

Visitors inspired by the film’s stunning cinematography can explore Guide to Faroe Islands to discover a wide range of tours and experiences. The website offers everything from gentle village walks to challenging mountain hikes, ensuring that every visitor can find their own way to connect with the landscapes that made the dragon world feel so real.

Multi-day Vacation Packages cater to serious travellers wanting to capture the same dramatic scenes featured in the film and more. These packages combine sightseeing and hiking with access to remote locations, often including boat trips to explore Tindhólmur Islet from the sea and from its nearby coastline. Find a Faroe Islands Vacation Package.

Cultural Heritage Tours blend visits to filming locations with deep dives into authentic Faroese Viking history. These experiences help visitors understand the real cultural foundations that made the Faroe Islands such a perfect match for the dragon saga. Browse Cultural Activities in Faroe Islands.

Winter Tours (November to March) take advantage of the islands’ dark skies and dramatic landscapes to create magical and moody experiences. While the film showcases the islands’ lush green daytime beauty in summer from late April to September, these tours reveal an entirely different kind of magic that has inspired storytellers for generations. Take a look at Winter Package in Faroe Islands.

A Lasting Cinematic Legacy

“How to Train Your Dragon” demonstrates the power of choosing authentic locations over artificial sets. The marriage of cutting-edge filmmaking technology with the timeless beauty of places like Tindhólmur Islet and Vágar Island creates a visual spectacle that honours both the source material and the stunning landscape that brings it to life.

For audiences worldwide, the film serves as both entertainment and invitation—a chance to soar with dragons through some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth. Oh, and there is a way to discover the real-world magic that exists in the remote corners of the North Atlantic!

The legacy of “How to Train Your Dragon” has always been about the unexpected friendships that form between different worlds. In choosing the Faroe Islands as its backdrop, the live-action film creates its own unexpected friendship—between Hollywood storytelling and Nordic authenticity, between ancient landscapes and modern cinema, between the world of dragons and the very real magic of Tindhólmur Islet. Most remarkably, it transforms a real islet in the Faroe Islands into the fictional heart of the Viking world, making Tindhólmur Islet not just a filming location, but the actual birthplace of Isle of Berk itself.

Today, that magic remains accessible to anyone willing to make the journey. Whether you are drawn by the film’s stunning visuals, the authentic Viking heritage, or simply the call of one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, the Faroe Islands offer an adventure that no screen can fully capture—one that must be experienced firsthand to be truly believed. Want to know more? Check out how to get to Faroe Islands by plane and let the adventure begin.