Gjógv settlement

Eysturoy Island Travel Guide

By Verified Expert

Being the second largest island in the majestic Faroe Islands, Eysturoy Island has a lot to offer travellers. The island holds many popular sights among them the incredible sea gorge settlement Gjógv. Nearby you have picturesque winding roads and two other secluded settlements Funningur and Eiði.

You can get from the capital Tórshavn to Eysturoy Island either by crossing the bridge in Sundini or by taking a shortcut under the seabed through the Eysturoy Tunnel sub-sea network. When choosing the latter option, you will enter the largest fjord in the Faroe Islands, Skálafjørðurin, when driving out of the tunnel’s mouth.

Hvíthamar Vantage Point

You will find Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands, on this island elevating 880 metres (2887 feet) above ocean level. The top is reachable by foot from early April to late October.

Another popular sight on Eysturoy Island is the scenic spot Hvíthamar on the mountain ridge above the village Funningur. This vantage point is easy to reach. Walk from the Gjáarskarð mountain pass for 10 minutes or so and you will get to wide-open panoramic views with fjords and surrounding mountains.

Family watching a fjord
The stunning fjord view from the vantage point Hvíthamar on Eysturoy Island.

As you stand here in the middle of nature, breath in the pure air and embrace the elements. The weather in the Faroe Islands changes a lot. So take your time and while enjoying the views from Hvíthamar, the skies might very well open up and cover the fjord with mist within only minutes.

The sub-sea tunnel Norðoyartunnilin is the port between Eysturoy Island and Borðoy Island. You will get to the tunnel just after passing the village Leirvík.

Salmon Farming on Eysturoy Island

Eysturoy Island is home to the salmon farming company Bakkafrost. The company is by far the largest enterprise in the Faroe Islands. The headquarter is situated in Runavík along the Skálafjørður fjord.

You can spot ocean farming pens several places near Eysturoy Island run by local fish farming company Bakkafrost. You will see salmon farming pens when standing at Hvíthamar.

Torfinnur Jákupsson

Torfinnur Jákupsson is a renowned filmmaker and screenwriter from the Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Jákupsson has contributed to bring the culture and landscapes of this North Atlantic archipelago to a broader audience. His most notable work is Trom, a Faroese crime drama series that premiered in 2022. Trom was the first major TV series filmed entirely in the Faroe Islands. Based on local crime novels, the series follows a journalist as he investigates a murder and uncovers environmental and political tensions within the community. Jákupsson's compelling storytelling, combined with the stark beauty of the Faroese landscape, earned Trom international acclaim. The series has been broadcasted on BBC in the UK and SBS in Australia among others. Jákupsson explore themes of isolation, identity, and the interaction between traditional and modern Faroese life, resonating with both local and global audiences. He holds a master's degree from University of Westminster in Audio Production.

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