Skálafjørður Fjord Travel Guide

By Sveinur Tróndarson Verified Expert

Skálafjørður fjord is the deepest of its kind in the Faroe Islands. You will find several small settlements and villages tucked along the fjord easily accessible from the capital, Tórshavn.

At the end of the fjord towards the neighbouring Streymoy Island, you will find the Eysturoyartunnilin tunnel, which is a 11,2 kilometres (7 miles) long undersea road network that connects Eysturoy Island to Streymoy island.

You can access the Eysturoyartunnilin tunnel from both Runavík on eastside of the Skálafjørður fjord and Strendur on the fjord’s west side, as there is an undersea roundabout in the tunnel. The tunnel cuts down travel from Skálafjørður to the capital Tórshavn with one hour.

The fjord’s water is bordered by verdant hills that rise majestically, with peaks often shrouded in clouds. There are some great hiking routes over the mountains here. Take a look at the best hikes in the Faroe Islands for some inspiration.

Main Settlements along Skálafjørður Fjord

Tunnel portal at Strendur — *The underwater tunnel portal along the fjord’s waterfront.*

These are some of the main settlements along the fjord. All settlements come with views of the ocean as more or less all places in the archipelago do.

Runavík
Skála
Strendur
Toftir

There is a road network along the fjord’s entire coastline. With lay-bys every now and then, you can pull off for photos and to simply enjoy the fjord and its surrounding mountains.

Home to Salmon Farming Headquarter

Bakkafrost headquarter — *The headquarter of salmon farming company Bakkafrost along the Skálafjørður fjord. Photo by Ólavur Frederiksen.*

Salmon is the cornerstone of the Faroe Islands’ economy, representing the most important export. The pristine North Atlantic waters surrounding the islands create ideal conditions for salmon farming, producing fish renowned for their exceptional quality and flavour.

Faroe Island salmon is highly sought after in global markets, with exports reaching destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America. The industry is a vital economic driver, supporting local communities and generating significant revenue. The main salmon farming company in the archipelago, Bakkafrost, has its origins on Skálafjørður fjord which is also home to their headquarter.