Where Exactly Are the Faroe Islands?

The Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory of Denmark, sitting in the North Atlantic roughly midway between Norway and Iceland. There are 18 islands in total, 17 of which are inhabited, connected by tunnels, bridges, and ferry routes. The total population is small — around 55,000 people — which means the landscape has been shaped far more by nature than by human hands.

Why Go?

For travellers who've grown tired of over-touristed destinations, the Faroes offer something increasingly rare: genuine remoteness and visual drama without the selfie queues. Expect:

  • Sea cliffs that plunge hundreds of metres into the North Atlantic
  • Waterfalls that fall directly into the ocean
  • Grass-roofed villages that look unchanged from centuries ago
  • Skies that shift from sun to mist to dramatic cloud in a matter of minutes
  • Birdlife, particularly puffins, in extraordinary numbers

Highlights Not to Miss

Sørvágsvatn Lake

Perhaps the most photographed spot in the Faroes: a lake that appears — from the right vantage point — to float impossibly above the sea. The walk to the official viewpoint takes about an hour each way from the village of Trælanípa. It's dramatic, and the optical illusion is even more striking in person than in photographs.

Gásadalur

A tiny village of fewer than a dozen residents, Gásadalur was only connected by road in 2004 — before that, the only access was a steep mountain pass. The village sits near a waterfall (Múlafossur) that tumbles directly off the cliff edge into the sea below. It is as beautiful as it sounds.

Kirkjubøur

The ancient capital of the Faroe Islands, Kirkjubøur holds the ruins of a 13th-century cathedral (never completed), the St. Olav's Church (one of the oldest functioning churches in the world), and a farm that has been inhabited by the same family for over five centuries.

Getting There

Atlantic Airways operates direct flights to Vágar Airport from several European hubs, including Copenhagen, Edinburgh, and Reykjavík. From the airport, a combination of buses, car hire, and ferries gets you around the islands. Car hire is the most flexible option given the Faroes' spread-out nature.

When to Visit

Summer (June–August) brings long daylight hours and the best conditions for hiking and coastal walks. The Faroes are known for unpredictable weather year-round — layers and waterproofs are essential regardless of season. Autumn and early spring offer moody, dramatic skies that photographers tend to love.

A Note on Responsible Tourism

The Faroese have introduced visitor registration at some of the more fragile sites to protect the landscape. Follow the designated paths, respect closed areas, and leave no trace. The islands' appeal depends entirely on their unspoiled character — it's worth protecting.