Drangarnir in the Faroe Islands

Drangarnir Sea Arch

By Verified Expert

Drangarnir is Faroe Islands’ most famous rock formation. Located between Vágar Island and the visually dramatic Tindholmur Islet, this is a popular attraction to explore in the archipelago. The impressive 70 metres / 230 feet tall sea arch rises straight out of the North Atlantic Ocean.

This spectacular sea arch with an iconic hole in it is a key feature of the Faroe Islands. There are two sea stacks that together form Drangarnir. The most visually striking of these two rock formations is the sea arch.

Drangarnir translates directly to “The sea stacks”. The most-known and bigger rock formation is called Stóri Drangur or “Large sea stack”. The smaller one is called Lítli Drangur or “Small sea stack”.

The sea arch is surrounded merely by the pristine North Atlantic Ocean. The rugged basalt rock face is home to sea birds during the summer months from May to September.

Getting to Drangarnir

Sea arch in Faroe Islands
Boats will let you experience this truly amazing attraction. Photo by Romana Vondruskova.

Join a Drangarnir Tour and get close to the jaw-dropping attraction. Alternatively, you can experience Drangarnir at a distance from the coastal village Bøur.

​Travellers start out in the village Sørvágur next to the airport when heading to the attraction. On most days small boats can sail through the awe-inspiring arch itself.

The Drangarnir Hike

Drangarnir
Drangarnir sea arch off the coast of Vágar Island.

There is no public path to this attraction. The nearest road is 5 kilometres / 3.1 miles away from Drangarnir. Hence, your Drangarnir hike starts with a boat tour from the small marina in the village Sørvágur. Local crew will sail you on the Sørvágsfjørður Fjord for 10 minutes or so.

Then the boat crew will help you disembark the boat along the basalt coastline. Now you are only minutes of hiking away from the striking sea arch. You will find your self in the grassy terrain ready to take in views that will last a lifetime. Book the Drangarnir hike here which includes a comfortable boat tour.

Must-Do Activity

Drangarnir Boat crew
Crew ready to take travellers from Sørvágur to the mesmerising sea arch.

The sea arch itself has grass on top of it which adds to the awesomeness of the place. As you sail towards the attraction, you will see the incredible Tindhólmur islet in the background known for its spiky shape.

Drangarnir is one of the most popular attractions in the island group for good reasons. The rock formation’s iconic shape makes it appealing for wanderers and it does for sure look good on photos.

Travellers on a boat tour.
Sailing next to Drangarnir sea stacks. Photo by Chris Poplawski known as @chrisroams on Instagram.

All tours to Drangarnir depart from the village Sørvágur on Vágar Island. Weather permitting, travellers are able to sail through the sea arch and even touch the basalt surface.

The boat tour to this unreal nature attraction is great for adults and children alike. Many travellers to the Faroe Islands say that these stones of Faroe are a must-do activity.

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

Can you hike to Drangarnir Sea Arch without a guide?

No. Drangarnir Sea Arch lies 5 km/3.1 mi from the nearest village, Sørvágur. The land is private and there is no public path to the sea arch. All travellers wanting to get close to the attraction on land will need to book the Official Drangarnir Sea Arch Tour.

Can boats go through the Drangarnir Sea Arch?

Yes, boats can sail through the sea arch itself, weather permitting.

When is the best time to experience Drangarnir Sea Arch?

You can explore the Drangarnir Sea Arch all year round. Departures are most frequent from April to October, with fewer tours in winter, from November to March.

Can I visit Drangarnir Sea Arch in the winter?

Yes, boats sail to the Drangarnir Sea Arch in winter, though tours run less often than in summer. Winter tours are possible because Sørvágsfjørður Fjord shelters the arch from most wind directions.

How long is the hike to Drangarnir Sea Arch?

Drangarnir Sea Arch is located 5 km/3.1 mi from the nearest publicly accessible spot, Sørvágur. Travellers are not permitted to hike independently to Drangarnir Sea Arch.

How do I get to Drangarnir Sea Arch from Tórshavn?

Tórshavn is a 48 km/30 mi drive from Sørvágur. Once in Sørvágur, take one of the Drangarnir tours. You will sail from Sørvágur to Drangarnir Sea Arch. The boat ride from Sørvágur marina to Drangarnir is 5 km/3.1 mi.

Where is the best spot to photograph Drangarnir Sea Arch?

You get the best photos of Drangarnir Sea Arch from the cliff on Vágar Island in front of the sea arch. From this land area, you are standing 120 m/394 ft away from Drangarnir Sea Arch.

What does Drangarnir mean?

Drangarnir means "the sea stacks." The name is plural because there are two: the famous sea arch, Stóri Drangur, and a smaller rock pillar beside it, Lítli Drangur. You will see the smaller sea stack on the boat tour to Drangarnir.