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.

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

In the Heart of the Archipelago

Take a look at a map of the Faroe Islands. You will immediately see that the capital in the island group is located in the middle of the archipelago.

Thanks to a brilliant network of underwater tunnels, nearby islands are connected to Tórshavn. This makes it super easy to reach all corners 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 stand in the middle of these outstanding places within an hour.

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

These attraction are all located on different islands. With a total of 18 islands in the Faroe Islands, you see how central the capital is to everything.

From Vágar Airport to Tórshavn

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

You can reach Tórshavn from the airport by public bus or take the guesswork out of getting from the airport to Tórshavn by booking an airport transfer. Most car rental companies have offices at the airport and they all offer you to pick up and drop off your car at the airport.

You will find most hotels in the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn including the only 4-star hotels. All hotels are in a walking distance from cafés and restaurants in the city centre.

There are some 23,000 people living in the greater Tórshavn area. Even if the population is microscopic, the capital is vibrant with amazing restaurants serving the best of Nordic gastronomy and food from the Faroe Islands. Tórshavn is also the political, cultural, and financial centre of the Faroe Islands and has a reputation of being the safest capital in the world.

Things to Do in Tórshavn

​The city offers easy access to the many attractions around the archipelago. Take a look at this Tórshavn Walking Tour for a guided walk in the city centre.

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.

The national football stadium Tórsvøllur is also 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.

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

Svartafossur Waterfall

Svartafossur Waterfall is a hidden nature pearl in Tórshavn. Very few people know about the location only some minutes on foot from the athletic stadium Tórsbreyt located near 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 runners and go jogging in the network of footpaths found in the area. This is actually a great option for an early morning activity if you are staying at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands located fairly near the waterfall and its footpaths.

Transportation

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

There are two bus systems on the islands. Red busses drive only within the City of Tórshavn. These busses are free of charge. Then there are blue busses connecting villages to Tórshavn. It is in general quite difficult to use the bus system for travel. Getting from one village to another can take hours. All blue busses depart from the Tórshavn Bus Terminal by the harbour.

The public ferry SMYRIL to Suðuroy Island departs from the harbour in Tórshavn as well as the ferry to Nólsoy. It takes only 20 minutes to sail from the harbour in Tórshavn to Nólsoy Island. The departure location Farstøðin is located at the harbour near Tinganes, which is the oldest district in Tórshavn. Tinganes is where you will find the Prime Minister’s Office as well as several government ministries.

Check out the ultimate guide to Tórshavn for more insider tips on what to do and see 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 outstanding nature.