Faroe Islands vs Iceland

I love island exploration! Though these destinations are not of the tropical variety, they were both bucket list trips for me. So let’s compare Faroe Islands vs Iceland!

As someone who was born in Barbados and grew up in Florida, both of these trips took me far from the landscape and weather I’m used to experiencing! Both offered untouched and mesmerizing views! Both have small population sizes with their own culture. And both offered outdoor experiences.

However, there are some differences as well. So let’s compare Faroe Islands vs Iceland to help you decide which is better for your next trip!

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Geographic Overview

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands were formed by volcanic activity, though there are no active volcanoes today. It’s an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean suspended between Norway and Iceland.

The Faroe Islands boast dramatic landscapes with towering cliffs, deep fjords, and steep, rolling hills. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with sparse vegetation and numerous waterfalls and cascades, creating a wild and untouched atmosphere.

Iceland

Iceland is also located in the North Atlantic Ocean and positioned just south of the Arctic Circle. The country is renowned for its geological diversity, with active volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields.

About 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers while it’s also geologically active, leading to frequent volcanic eruptions and geothermal activity due to the location atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Cost to Visit

Faroe Islands vs Iceland

Both destinations are pricey, but let’s break down each one.

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are not cheap, but are on par with various countries in Europe. So while this is not considered an affordable destination, there are ways you can save.

Flying to the Faroe Islands will require at least one stopover. Either Iceland, Denmark, or Scotland were the choices I had, but options have expanded. Here is the full list of cities at the time of writing this: Copenhagen, Paris, Reykjavik, London, Edinburgh, Oslo, and Bergen.

Copenhagen, Denmark was the cheapest flight for me from Orlando and I had already been to Iceland, so I was happy to explore a new city! From Copenhagen, I bought a round trip ticket to the Faroe Islands. Both round trip tickets cost me less than $800 total. One factor is that I traveled during the shoulder season.

Accommodations in the Faroe Islands will range in price, but you can find cute places to stay that are not too pricey. For my friend and I, we ended up using Airbnb. Three nights in Klaksvík cost $564.41 and four nights in Tórshavn cost $519.30. This was split between my friend and I, so not cheap but not terrible for a week.

The car rental was probably the most surprising. A vehicle will run between $500 and $900 for the week. Oh and if you want an automatic, you’ll definitely want to book in advance. Again, this was split between my friend and I, but a car is needed for exploring the Faroe Islands, in my opinion at least. Then on top of the rental car fee are tolls and gas.

Food and dining out also wasn’t cheap, but for farm to table in the States the prices are similar.

Lastly are tours and hikes, which again adds another expense. There are no free hikes in the Faroe Islands. While this can seem annoying, I also want to see their beautiful country preserved and with tourism picking up, this is one way to do it.

I also booked two boat tours. One, Drangarnir Sea Stacks Boat Tour, cost $92 and the Vestmanna Cliffs tour costing $55. There are plenty of other tours to choose as well, but we had the car, so opted to explore on our own. I loved both of the Faroe Islands boat tours I did!

It’s also worth noting that the weather got in the way of plans twice. Two winter storms happened on the Monday and Friday, which were days I planned to ferry to other islands.

Iceland

Offering prices I paid for Iceland will not be helpful, but I will go through pricing. The reason my trip cost won’t help is because the year I decided to go, the exchange rate was much softer against the US dollar than is typical. For budgets, timing can really help!

For my week in Iceland, I based the trip in Reykjavik, booked some tours, walked the city, and rented a car for a day. While the trip wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

Flying to Iceland can be very affordable depending on when you go. From Orlando there are deals, but I’ve also seen inflated prices! It’s an easier flight path regardless, as there are direct flights to Iceland from many US cities.

Accommodations will range in price, but you can find a decent place to stay for less than $1,000 a week for two people. I stayed on the edge of Reykjavik and had a bit of a walk to get to the main area, but it was doable.

If you rent a car for a week in Iceland, it’s a little cheaper than Faroe Islands. The price ranges from $400 to $900. I don’t recall any toll roads, but some roads are gravel and depending on where you want to go, you might have to reserve a 4-wheel drive.

If you don’t rent a car in Iceland, then tours will be a must. I pre-booked a couple tours and then some additional ones on arrival. South Coast and Glacier Lagoon with Boat Tour from Reykjavik is one tour I reserved because I really wanted to see the Glacier Lagoon. It costs $236.

Other common tours include the Golden Circle and we did a visit to Blue Lagoon on our own. However, there are tours like Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket and Kerid Volcanic Crater that combine those experiences. This tour costs $229.

While we booked some other tours as well, one tour we splurged on was a day trip to Greenland! Overall, Iceland is an expensive destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save.

Tourism

Faroe Islands vs Iceland

The tourism infrastructure in the Faroe Islands is not as hearty as in Iceland. This added to the charm of the Faroe Islands for me! They don’t offer as many tours overall, and tourism feels new.

In Iceland, it’s very organized and you can easily find tours or help overall. I remember walking into the tourist office in Iceland and booking a couple tours. In the Faroe Islands, I walked into a tourist office thinking I’d be able to do the same, but they just sent me to their website.

The Faroe Islands are seeing more and more tourists, and I think they are still working out how to handle it. With the islands being much smaller, I can imagine it’s a bittersweet situation with more tourist dollars, but also more crowds.

Winner?

While Iceland has more official tours to offer, I still loved the Faroe Islands! You can’t go wrong with visiting either destination. Just have your expectations set appropriately.

Activities and Attractions

Faroe Islands vs Iceland

Let’s compare activities and attractions that are similar to both destinations.

Hiking

Both destinations have great hikes! I went on several easy to moderate hikes in the Faroe Islands and they were amazing! The views were beautiful and none that I did were challenging. However, there are plenty of difficult hikes!

Iceland offers hikes in all types of landscapes! That’s why many seeking adventure, head to Iceland. For my visit, it wasn’t a desired activity in our travel group, so we really only walked to certain locations while on a tour. For instance, we walked to Seljalandsfoss, including behind the waterfall, but overall it was more of a walk than a hike, in my opinion.

However, Iceland offers shorts walks, day hikes, and multi-day treks! Similar to the Faroe Islands, you will not lack for opportunity or reason to be outside.

One major difference between the two destinations is you will be charged to hike in the Faroe Islands, while in Iceland it’s free. Also, some hikes on private land in the Faroe Islands will require a guide, so they will cost even more!

Boat Tours

Both destinations offer boat tours, and both have puffins!

In Iceland, you can do boat tours in the ocean, or a boat tour of Glacier Lagoon! The whale watching season is over the Summer months, so be sure to add that to your list!

South Coast and Glacier Lagoon with Boat Tour from Reykjavik

The Faroe Islands offer boat tours to take in the beauty of their sea stacks or cliffs, which I did while there. Or for a cultural experience you can do a fishing tour in a traditional boat.

I was supposed to experience the ferries, but the weather did not cooperate. Two good ferry excursions are to see the puffins on Mykines Island from May to August or the ferry to Kalsoy for the Kallur Lighthouse hike.

2-Hour Boat Trip in Faroe Island

Fishing Experience in Faroe Islands

Drangarnir Sea Stacks Boat Tour

Winner?

Iceland certainly has more boat tours to offer, but there is something charming about the Faroe Islands! However, I think Iceland has the edge on this one. The glacier lagoon is too good to ignore!

Puffins

Both destinations see puffins from May to August.

In the Faroe Islands, you can ferry to Mykines Island to see them! I was there in late September so the season was over and the ferry wasn’t even on offer. However, if you visit during the Summer, this should be on your list!

In Iceland the puffins can be found on Vestmannaeyjar. There is a boat tour to see them, but you can also take a ferry!

1-Hour Small Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Vestmannaeyjar

Winner?

It’s a tie! Both destinations are a ferry ride away from these adorable birds!

Northern Lights

When I arrived to the Faroe Islands, the employee of the rental car company showed us his amazing photos of the Northern Lights from the week BEFORE! I felt optimistic, but when looking and asking around, I realized there are no tours and I also don’t know enough to chase the lights!

Iceland also sees the Northern Lights and has plenty of tours available to help you see them!

Also, you need clear skies to the Northern Lights, and since Iceland is a bigger island, you have a greater chance of finding those clear skies.

Black Sand Beach

Since neither of these destinations have a single tropical drop to them, let’s focus on one type of beach, a black sand beach. Both have a beautiful black sand beach that is mesmerizing!

Reynisfjara, Iceland

In Iceland I visited Reynisfjara while on a tour of the South Coast of Iceland. We arrived to the parking lot and began our short walk to the beach. Out on the water are a couple of sea stacks and on the beach are these strange column like rock formations. Should I have grown up around here, I would absolutely have memories of climbing these rocks.

Reynisfjara in Iceland is famous. Been in movies, and not just the local news, kind of famous! Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and the movie Noah. While this doesn’t add to its beauty, there is something cool about seeing a place in person.

If you self drive, you might be able to visit this beach with no one around, but with Iceland’s tourism booming, that seems less and less likely these days. Regardless, this is a beautiful beach to see in person!

Saksun, Faroe Islands

In the Faroe Islands, the black sand beach is Saksun. Unlike in Iceland, the walk here is not as short or straightforward. Since I was driving the Faroe Islands myself, I didn’t come here with a tour and coupled with the time of year I was there, hardly anyone was around.

As we paid (all hikes cost money) and walked through the gate, we eventually passed a couple people on their way out. We soon passed a fisherman blending in way too well with the backdrop. Yet, after spotting him, he certainly helped to offer perspective on the grandeur of the setting.

Another thing required to see this beach, which thankfully just happened to work out for me, is you need to visit in low tide. I hadn’t quite known that but our timing was perfect! So we walked down the paved walkway until it ended and continued down and around until I made it to the Saksun Black Sand Beach!

This beach is absolutely beautiful, and being there solo (my friend decided not to make the walk all the way there), added to the experience. There was nothing man made in sight. Just cliffs and hills and ocean to view! It certainly has a similar vibe to Iceland, but is in the Faroe Islands and a treat I enjoyed all by myself.

As tourism increases in the Faroe Islands, this may be less and less likely, but your odds are certainly better than in Iceland to enjoy this beach alone.

Winner?

You can’t go wrong with either destination. However, I’m giving the edge to the Faroe Islands. Low tide needed, only me on the beach, and the stunning cliffs with water cascading down on either side all made the experience magical!

Island Hopping

Now you might think this one has Faroe Islands written all over it, but Iceland has some tricks up its sleeve!

Faroe Islands

In the Faroe Islands, island hopping is super easy because they have residents that need that ease! A whole group of islands are connected by underwater tunnels, which I drove with no issue. I visited every single island connected by roads during my time there. The roads in the Faroe Islands are in excellent condition and thankfully are more American sized than European sized.

The outer islands are accessible by ferry or a government subsidized helicopter. While I had planned to use the ferry twice on my week in the Faroe Islands, I quickly learned visiting in the shoulder months might have its disadvantages after all. “Winter storms” got in my way and ferries were cancelled, plus the weather was far too volatile for hiking (which is the main thing to do there).

The helicopters originally excited me when I first learned about them, but there are restrictions for tourists. To ensure locals have priority and can get where they need to get, tourists can only book up to a week in advance and only a one way ticket. That means you will have to organize a return via ferry.

Iceland

Iceland is one large island and unless you moving there to live for months, you won’t see everything in one trip, so island hopping isn’t necessary. However, are some easy islands nearby to explore!

First and probably the most visited option are the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) to see the puffins! You can book a tour to see the puffins, or a ferry to explore these islands on your own!

While I never visited the Westman Islands (certainly will if I’m ever able to return to Iceland), I did visit Greenland! The day trip from Iceland isn’t cheap, but considering you are getting on a small plane and it’s a full day tour, it’s not terrible. This tour only operates in the Summer, which Greenland in the Winter is another beast.

I loved this day trip! It wasn’t the scenery, rather it was the cultural insight, both sobering and interesting. Sobering because you can see the alcoholism struggle with the local people. I’m not sure all that plays a role, but the long and harsh winter can’t help.

However, it was also interesting to see how they prepare for the winter. There was one whale in the bay that they butchered and stored to survive on throughout the Winter. Sled dogs were positioned throughout the town, and their howling as it echoed was a memory I won’t forget.

As we were leaving, we were put on a boat to head back to the airport and passed a large, beautiful iceberg. When I visited, there was no sense of tourism, just locals and their way of life. We also had walked by a large pole the guide told us is there for directional purposes in the Winter. This very tall pole is apparently mostly under snow. A condition my brain can’t even process as a tropical girl.

Winner?

While the Faroe Islands is an archipelago, Iceland has its own archipelago in the Westman Islands. Add in day trip to the largest island in the world, and Iceland is certainly not at a disadvantage here. I’m calling this a tie, but island hopping in the Faroe Islands is necessary and in Iceland it’s simply an option.

Unique Experiences

Horseback Riding on the Icelandic Horse

Despite having a fear of animals close to me, I’ve gone horseback riding a few times. Perhaps this fear is why the memories are etched in my brain. Whether that was in Florida as a child, or riding in New Zealand, the memories have lasted!

In Iceland, we decided to book a horseback riding tour because the Icelandic horse is unique. Again, the memory is etched in my brain. We were given waterproof suits to wear, it happened to rain more that day than other day on our trip. And after the tour, we were given a meal. Unlike in New Zealand, the horse never went fast, but the rain and mist did impede the views.

Either way, if you love horses, or are just willing to invite a vivid travel memory into your life, riding the Icelandic Horse is worth doing.

Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik

Dine with the Locals

This is a cool offering in the Faroe Islands, but I visited too late to book in advance and it never quite worked out. However, it sounds like a wonderful experience and one I will definitely plan to participate in should I ever return. I mean they even have a word for it “heimablídni” which translates to home hospitality and would make a wonderful cultural experience.

Volcanic Related Experiences

Back to Iceland with experiences involving volcanic activity! Whether you visit hot springs, explore a lava cave, or book a helicopter tour to see the volcano or its effects, Iceland will certainly deliver! In reality, you can’t escape it!

Fishing in a Traditional Boat

I’m not into fishing per say, but I did consider this tour, because I do love the ocean! However, my nephew and brother love fishing, so I know this is a popular activity! In the Faroe Islands you can go fishing in a regular boat, or you can book a fishing tour in a traditional boat (with a modern day engine it looks like)! Whichever you choose, fishing is a huge part of the local culture making this a cultural excursion as well!

 Árnafjørður: Guided Boat Tour with Fishing

Hvannasund: Guided Boat Tour with Fishing

Fishing Experience in Faroe Islands

Glaciers

Iceland may be very green, but 11% is covered by glaciers! One of the destinations I prioritized seeing was the Glacier Lagoon called Jökulsárlón. You can do a boat tour of the lagoon, getting up close and personal with the glaciers.

You can self drive to this area and book a boat tour separately, or do what we did and book a tour that includes the South Coast.

South Coast and Glacier Lagoon with Boat Tour from Reykjavik

While in Iceland you can also hike a glacier! I didn’t do this in Iceland, but if my experience in New Zealand is similar, this is a very cool and exhausting excursion!

Lake Above the Ocean and Kallur Lighthouse

These are two hikes in the Faroe Islands worth mentioning! I did the hike to see the Lake Above the Ocean and the day couldn’t have been more perfect with beautiful clear skies! The hike wasn’t bad, passing sheep and creeks along the way. Overall, there is minimal climbing. The views though, are stunning!

The Kallur Lighthouse hike was supposed to happen and unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate! However, I am still bummed I missed this one! The views look sensational!

This area even made a movie appearance in James Bond.

One thing to note that I learned while talking to a local. Over fifteen people broke a bone on this hike and the main reason was improper footwear! Don’t forget your hiking boots when you visit the Faroe Islands! Of course, planning for the rain and slippery conditions is good in general if you’re wondering what to pack for the Faroe Islands.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is not likely to come to mind when considering Faroe Islands vs Iceland, but the latter delivers a very unique snorkeling experience!

In Iceland you will find the location between the North American and European tectonic plates called Silfra Fissure. While I did visit, I did not snorkel! This unique experience comes with a lot of praise! Over 2,500 reviewers give it 4.9 stars!

Winner?

When it comes to unique experiences, both destinations deliver, but in different ways! Iceland is a much larger destination, so naturally you will have more variety there. However, there was just something so peaceful and inspiring about the Faroe Islands! The slower pace of life was beautifully unavoidable during my visit!

There was just something so peaceful and inspiring about the Faroe Islands! The slower pace of life was beautifully unavoidable during my visit!

Accommodation

Faroe Islands vs Iceland

When it comes to accommodations for the Faroe Islands vs Iceland, the main difference are the amount of accommodations. Iceland is larger, tourism has been strong for a long time, and overall they have way more hotel options!

The Faroe Islands have plenty, but if you’re visiting during the high season of Summer, book in advance because they have been known to sell out. Of course, as their tourism increases, more hotels are popping up.

Capital City Base

Another similarity is both of their capital cities make a great base for exploring! During my Iceland trip, we only stayed in Reykjavik. It was very easy to explore the South and East Coast from there.

In the Faroe Islands, I split my time between Klaksvík and Tórshavn. However, due to having to adjust to the weather, we didn’t get to everything we wanted near Klaksvik, so I ended up driving to the furthest island while staying in Tórshavn. Basically, I think you can stay anywhere in the Faroe Islands that is accessible by car.

Even though Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands, it still feels like a small town. Nothing opens super early and we saw the same mother and son all three times we had breakfast in the city. I loved the small town vibes of this cozy yet rugged archipelago.

Airbnb and VRBO

While I find myself booking hotels more than an Airbnb in the States, it’s still worth checking out for Europe. I didn’t use Airbnb for Iceland, but I did use it for the Faroe Islands.

If you want to compare VRBO and hotels at the same time, use Expedia. Overall, I had great experiences with Airbnb in the Faroe Islands, though finding them on check-in day is always a bit of an adventure.

Luxury

If you are wanting a Luxury hotel, Iceland will be your better bet! The Faroe Islands does have some luxury 4 Star options, but overall Iceland more luxury options.

Safety

Faroe Islands vs Iceland

Both destinations are safe in terms of people! I would travel to either place as a solo female traveler. Just use common sense as with any destination.

In terms of weather volatility, both experience sudden weather changes, so it’s good to always be prepared. This is especially true when hiking!

In terms of volcanic eruptions, Iceland is certainly seeing some action! It’s a good idea to check on the volcanic activity in Iceland before purchasing your plane ticket and then again before actually boarding the plane. I’m not suggesting you don’t go, but be sure you know the risks.

How to Get to the Faroe Islands or Iceland

While there are cruises to both places, flights are more common and much faster!

From Orlando and other major US cities, there are direct flights to Iceland, which is great! It’s also a shorter flight than traveling to mainland Europe. From Orlando direct to Iceland will be just under 8 hours and from New York it will be under 6 hours!

To the Faroe Islands there are no direct flights from the US. Rather you will need to connect in Copenhagen, Paris, Reykjavik, London, Edinburgh, Oslo, and Bergen.

Entry Requirements

Things are changing a lot in 2025 for travel to Europe. Of course, you will need your passport, but you may also need a visa!

Denmark is part of the Schengen cooperation, but the Faroe Islands are not, even though they are technically part of Denmark! However, come mid 2025 you may need to apply for a visa for your connecting flight. Plus, spending a little time at your connecting destination is worth it, in my opinion.

Iceland is part of the Schengen cooperation, so you will eventually need to apply for a visa. Be sure to check the Schengen site or US Department of State for the latest.

Last thing to note, if you plan on connecting in the U.K., then you might need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Check their site for the latest information and to apply.

Faroe Islands vs Iceland | Which One Should You Choose?

Both destinations are absolutely beautiful and you cannot go wrong! Iceland has definitely had a tourism boom and the Faroe Islands is entering one also!

If you want a more solidified tourism industry or volcanic activity, choose Iceland. It’s also the better choice for adventure travel! Iceland felt very desolate in parts and beautiful in others. You will get more diversity in nature overall in Iceland.

I loved the beginner tourism experience I received in the Faroe Islands. The slower pace of life was really felt as well, which I loved! So for a more relaxed trip full of nature hikes, boat trips, and drives all to simply to admire the breathtaking scenery, then choose the Faroe Islands. I was left awestruck, for just about the entire trip!

So when it comes to Faroe Islands vs Iceland, you can’t go wrong! I loved both destinations and would gladly return to either!