Grass roofed houses on Sandoy Island

Húsavík Travel Guide

By Verified Expert

Húsavík is a tidy settlement on Sandoy Island in the windswept Faroe Islands. The name of the place, Húsavík translates to ‘Bay with Houses‘.

The settlement has a beautiful white beach as well as several well preserved old stone houses with the iconic grass-roof look. Húsavík lies in a bay from where you will see no other islands or villages. The only sight from here is the nearby mountains and the North Atlantic Ocean.

It takes around 40 minutes to reach the cluster of houses in Húsavík from Tórshavn, the archipelago’s capital. Thanks to a 10.8 km (6.7 mi) underwater tunnel connecting Streymoy Island to Sandoy Island, getting to this place is easy.

The Faroe Islands are known for its well maintained roads and great options for island hopping and more. This is due to a wide array of tunnels linking islands and settlements together. Beside the sub-sea tunnel to Sandoy Island, the isle has a single mountain tunnel. The tunnel makes for an easy and safe drive from Húsavík to Dalur located in a hidden valley.

You will drive just above the houses in the settlement and into the tunnel’s mouth. Drive for two minutes and you will find yourself in nearby Dalur. This mountain tunnel is 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from one end to the other.

Services in Húsavík

Húsavík beach
The beach in the settlement Húsavík on Sandoy Island.

This place has a very small population and this also reflects the services available when visiting. The locals head to the village hub Sandur 9 km (5.6 mi) away for essential goods.

  • Grocery store: No
  • Café: No
  • Public toilet: No
  • Parking lot: Yes

Húsavík is always worth a visit. Head down towards the white sandy beach. As with several churches in the Faroe Islands, this one comes with a roof covered with grass. The sod-roofed church in the settlement comes with parking options next to it.

Høgni Reistrup

Høgni Reistrup is the CEO and Co-founder of Guide to Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Høgni has deep roots in the archipelago. He co-founded the marketplace Guide to Faroe Islands in 2018 as a way for travellers to plan and explore the best of the island group.

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