Argir suburb to Tórshavn

Argir

By Verified Expert

Argir is a hillside suburb in Tórshavn, the capital of the windswept Faroe Islands. This place comes with great views of the North Atlantic Ocean.

This place is located on Streymoy Island, home to almost half of the population in the archipelago. Argir comes with picturesque setting dominated mostly by privately owned houses owned and inhabited by the locals.

Argir suburb
The suburb Argir as seen from the seaside. Photo by Eileen Sandá.

The hilly district is connected to Tórshavn with two short bridges over the Sandá River that runs through the Havnadalur valley. Public city busses operates in the area during the day hours and until the evenings.

There are no shops in this suburb other than a gas station. Open all days of the week, this is the nearest place to buy essentials for those staying in one of the many short-term accommodation rental options frequently used by travellers who want to stay a bit outside of the capital’s city centre.

Argir Boat Marina

Faroe Islanders are have strong ties to nature. This capital suburb is no exception. Hence, you will find a lot of small fishing boats docked in the boat marina. Go for a walk to the marina and you might very well see locals preparing a boat for deep-sea fishing or returning to the harbour with a catch.

Hike to the Kongavarði cairns

A short and popular hike by the locals is starts in Argir and aims for the three cairns Kongavarði found on the maintain behind the suburb. You will get stunning views of Tórshavn and nearby Nólsoy Island from the vantage point where the cairns are located.

You will see the surrounding fjords and mountains. Start the hike from Argir and up the hill to the cairns.

Cairn in Faroe Islands
Cairns are found between all foot paths between villages in the Faroe Islands. Photo by Ólavur Frederiksen.

Please note that there is no path to the top. Nevertheless, there are cairns along the route to the three cairns found on top of the mountain.

The terrain is rocky but definitely manageable for most people. The views from the top are so much worth the hiking effort. The cairn in the middle was built by the locals as a tribute to a King’s visit in early 20th Century. Return back to the trailhead following the same route.

Person talking

Beata Leifsdóttir Skaalum

Beata Leifsdóttir Skaalum is born and raised in Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands. She now lives in Sandavágur on Vágar Island located near the only airport in the archipelago. Before becoming the manager at the enchanting Fiskastykkið restaurant in Sandavágur, she did her internship with Guide to Faroe Islands in Tórshavn. Beata holds a degree in Marketing Management from Glasir Tórshavn Collage.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Argir from central Tórshavn?

You can take the red municipality bus to Argir from downtown Tórshavn or you can drive for 8 minutes or walk which will take you around 25 minutes. The exact timing depends on what your final destination on Argir is located. 

Is Argir a good place to stay when visiting the Faroe Islands?

Argir is a great place to stay if you want to stay in a private home rented out. There are no hotels in Argir but a variety of other short-term accommodation rental options. Argir is located so close to Tórshavn which is a good reason for staying in Argir.

What is there to do in Argir?

Argir has an Oceanarium worth a visit. The only golf course in the Faroe Islands is also located in Argir.

Can I hike from Argir to Kirkjubøur?

Yes, there is a public path from the Havnardalur Valley in Argir to the historic settlement Kirkjubøur. It will take you less than 2 hours to hike the route.

Where is the best spot in Argir to watch the sunset?

Since Argir is located behind a mountain to the west, you will not the the sun set from Argir. There are amazing sunrises to see from Argir, especially if you visit the Faroe Islands in September.

What traces of the old village of Argir can you still see today?

The oldest part of Argir is located at the Argjaboða area along the coast. If you go to the harbour in Argir, you will see a basalt stone commemorating the first settler in the first half of the 19th Century.

When is the best time to see local life at Argir harbour?

You can see local life taking place at the harbour in Argir all year round. Some local fishermen will seek the fishing grounds around the Faroe Islands starting from Argir in the early morning hours and returning in the late afternoon.