Tórshavn

Tórshavn is the capital in the Faroe Islands and the most populous city. This is the hub from where most people go out and explore the untouched nature on the 18 islands.

The city is the political, cultural, and financial centre of the Faroe Islands and has a reputation of being the safest capital in the world.

Just a blink away from Tórshavn lies all the nature attractions that have made the Faroe Islands a bucket-list destination. It is so convenient and easy to reach the highlights from the capital that staying there is highly recommended. You will be in the middle of the archipelago with restaurants and shops while still only minutes away from the untouched nature.

In the Heart of the Archipelago

Take a look at a map of the Faroe Islands and you will immediately see that the capital is located in the southern part of Streymoy Island, right in the middle of the archipelago.

Thanks to a brilliant network of underwater tunnels and ferries, many of the 18 islands are connected to Tórshavn. This makes it super easy to reach all the must-see attractions of the Faroe Islands from the capital.

Here are a handful of the top attractions in the Faroe Islands and how close they are from Tórshavn. Head form the town’s city centre and you will be at these outstanding places within an hour.

• Fossá Waterfall (40-minute drive)
• Líraberg Cliff (25-minute drive)
• Drangarnir Sea Arch (40-minute drive)
• Hvíthamar Vantage Point (45-minute drive)
• Klakkur Mountain Rigde (40-minute drive)

These five attractions are all located on different islands, so you can see how central the capital is to everything.

From Vágar Airport to Tórshavn

The capital is situated a 40-minute drive away from the only airport in the Faroe Islands, Vagar Airtport (FAE). The airport is located on Vágar Island, which is connected to Streymoy Island by a sub-sea tunnel.

You can reach Tórshavn from the airport by public bus or take the hassle out of getting from the airport to Tórshavn by booking an airport transfer. If you are renting a car, you can find the car rental companies at the airport. They all offer you to pick up and drop off your car at the airport.

Where to Stay and Eat in Tórshavn

You will find most of the hotels in the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn including several luxury 4-star hotels. All hotels are within walking distance to shops, cafés and restaurants in the city centre.

There are some 23,000 people living in the greater Tórshavn area. Even though the population is microscopic, the capital is vibrant with amazing restaurants serving the best of Nordic gastronomy and local food from the Faroe Islands.

What to See and Do in Tórshavn

Historic sights

There is a vast array of interesting sights to explore in Tórshavn. In the oldest part of town, you will find the iconic red buildings of Tinganes, one of the oldest parliaments in the world, as well as the historic neighbourhood of Reyn with its cluster of turf-roofed cottages. Next to Reyn stands Tórshavn Cathedral, the second-oldest church in the Faroe Islands. Close by these intriguing sights lies Vaglið, the main square of the city, as well as Niels Finsens Gøta, the main shopping street.

Another fascinating sight to see in Tórshavn is Skansin Fortress from the 16th century. And if you miss trees after exploring the barren wilderness of the Faroe Islands, you can take a walk in Viðarlundin, the largest plantation in the archipelago, located in the heart of Tórshavn.

Learn about the rich history of Tórshavn from a local guide by booking the Tórshavn Walking Tour.

Cultural sights

The national football stadium, Tórsvøllur, is situated in the capital. The stadium is the Faroe Islands national football team’s pitch for all international matches.

Next to the sports area, you will find the National Gallery, which is always worth a visit. Here, you will find a beautiful collection of the rich art scene of the Faroe Islands, including works by the most famous painter in the archipelago, Mikines.

Svartifossur Waterfall

Svartifossur Waterfall is a hidden nature pearl in Tórshavn. Very few people know about this location, which is only a few minutes on foot away from the athletic stadium Tórsbreyt and the Nordic House institution for arts and culture.

This attraction is all about nature within the city. Go for a walk here in the evenings or put on your running shoes and jog through the network of footpaths found in the area. This is especially a great option for a morning or evening activity if you are staying at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands, which is located very close to the waterfall.

Transportation from Tórshavn

Most people in the Faroe Islands travel by car. Visitors to the islands are also happy to rent a car if not selecting fully guided day tours to join.

Almost all day tours to the different sights in the Faroe Islands start from Tórshavn. Most tours come with pickup at both hotels and other accommodation options in the capital. Pick up for all day tours is typically made between 8 and 9 in the morning.

For those travelling by public transport, there are two bus systems on the islands. Red buses drive only within the City of Tórshavn and are free of charge. Blue buses connect other islands and villages to Tórshavn. All blue buses depart from the Tórshavn Bus Terminal by the harbour. Generally, it is quite difficult to use the bus system for travel in the Faroe Islands as the timetable is limited, and getting from one village to another can take hours.

The public ferries to Suðuroy Island and Nólsoy Island depart from the harbour in Tórshavn, next to the bus terminal. It takes two hours to sail to Suðuroy and only 20 minutes to sail to Nólsoy.

Check out the ultimate guide to Tórshavn for more insider tips on what to see and do in the capital of the Faroe Islands. With its rich cultural life, there is no need to get bored in the capital after a day out in the breathtaking Faroese nature!