Tinganes Travel Guide

Tinganes is the oldest part of the capital in the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn. Among its grass roofed houses you will find the Prime Minister’s Office and other government buildings.

‘Ting’ translates to Parliament and the small peninsula has been the centre of power in the Faroe Islands since the Viking Age. This rocky ground made up the settings for the annual parliamentary assembly.

The first settlers gathered here each summer to discuss the state of the island group. They came from all the different islands in the archipelago to solve twists and assign different tasks.

These cobblestone streets are open to the public. Walk around the red houses and you will see signs such as ‘Ministry of Finance’ and ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ on the doors.

All the ministers in the government of the Faroe Islands have weekly meetings in Tinganes. Buildings here date back to the 17th and 18th century.

Walk to the tip of the bedrock and you will see the harbour area in Tórshavn. Turn towards the foremost building on the peninsula. This is the Prime Minister’s Office. A flagpole with the Faroese flag sits next to the building.

Prime Minister’s Office at Tinganes

Travellers find it fascinating that they might very well stumble upon the Prime Minister while walking the narrow cobblestone street on the peninsula. As the Faroe Islands is a very safe country, the Prime Minister has no security guards following in his footsteps at al times.

So when in Tinganes, do not be surprised if you meet the leading political figure in the Faroe Islands. With other ministries located next door, you might very well greet the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foraign Affairs or one of the other ministers in the archipelago.