Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands completely blew me away! These islands are wild, remote, and jaw-droppingly beautiful. It felt like stepping into a dream, with landscapes that changed by the minute thanks to the moody, unpredictable weather (which only adds to the magic!).
I loved the purity of this island nation, but found myself also charmed by their slower way of life. If you’re planning a trip to these untouched North Atlantic gems, I hope they leave as indelible a mark on you as they did on me.
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Faroe Islands Itineraries & Travel Tips.
Faroe Islands Travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands?
May through September offers the best weather and longer daylight hours which are perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and ferry travel. July and August are the most popular months. I went late September and while there were less crowds, some options are seasonal and we experienced two storms during our week.
Do I need a visa to visit the Faroe Islands?
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. The Faroe Islands aren’t part of the EU or Schengen zone, but Denmark’s visa rules apply. Also note, the rules will be changing so be sure to check for the latest information.
Is it expensive? Can you do it on a budget?
Yes, it’s pricey—but you can travel smart! Book accommodations early and cook some of your own meals. It’s still pricey, but worth it, in my opinion.
Is it safe to travel the Faroe Islands solo?
Absolutely. It’s one of the safest places for solo travel and in general. People are kind, crime is nearly nonexistent, and the remote nature of the islands means you’ll often have trails and views to yourself. I traveled with a friend, but I met a girl on one of the boat tours who was traveling solo.
How do you get around the islands?
Renting a car is the best way to explore independently. Ferries and tunnels connect most islands, and there’s a solid bus system too—but it limits spontaneity. I recommend a car if your budget allows.
How’s the weather?
Unpredictable but beautiful. You can get sunshine, wind, mist, and rain—all in an hour. Dress in layers, be prepared for rain and embrace the drama. It’s part of the magic!
Planning Your Faroe Islands Trip: Everything You Need to Know
When to Visit the Faroe Islands
Timing your visit to the Faroe Islands can make a huge difference in both your experience and what you’re able to see. Of course, the weather can be unpredictable, so keep that in mind! Here’s a quick glance at the best time to visit.
Best time to visit: May through September. This stretch offers the best weather and the longest daylight hours, which matters a lot here since so much of the experience is hiking, sightseeing, and getting around by ferry. I visited in late September with the crowds being noticeably thinner. However, some tours and options were already winding down for the season, and we got caught in two storms during the week. If good weather odds matter more to you than solitude, aim earlier in that window.
Peak season: July and August. This is when the Faroe Islands see the most visitors, the most daylight, and the most reliable weather. Accommodations book up and you’ll have more company on trails and boat tours.
Shoulder season: May, June, and September. Fewer visitors, still workable weather, and a good middle ground if you want daylight without peak crowds. September is when I went, and the trade-off was clear: quieter trails, but also the start of unpredictable storms rolling in.
Off season: October through April. I haven’t traveled the islands during this stretch myself, so I can’t speak to it firsthand, but expect shorter days, rougher weather, and reduced ferry schedules based on what’s publicly documented.
Getting to the Faroe Islands
By Air: Flights arrive at Vágar Airport (FAE), the only airport in the Faroe Islands, mainly from Copenhagen, with seasonal connections from a handful of other European cities like Edinburgh and Reykjavik. If you’re flying from the United States, you’ll need to connect through one of these, most commonly Copenhagen. I spent 4 days in Copenhagen exploring the city before and after my week in the Faroe Islands.
By boat: Ferries run between Hirtshals, Denmark and the Faroe Islands if you’d rather bring a car over or skip flying. Cruise ships also stop in Tórshavn as part of larger North Atlantic itineraries, though you’ll only get a taste of the islands on a port day.
From the airport: Vágar Airport is on a different island from Tórshavn, the capital, so getting into town involves either a rental car or the airport bus, which times its departures around flight arrivals. Given how central having a car was to getting around once you were there, my friend and I picked up our rental at the airport upon landing.
Budget tip: Flights to the Faroe Islands aren’t typically cheap regardless of season, since Vágar has limited carriers and routes. Booking early and flying through Copenhagen tends to give you the most options.
Getting Around the Faroe Islands
The islands are connected by a mix of bridges, tunnels, and ferries, so getting beyond your home base takes some planning no matter how you do it.
Car rental: This is what my friend and I did, and I’d recommend it. Roads are well-maintained and felt spacious compared to other European destinations. The tunnels are usually multi-lane, but I did have a single tunnel drive to the furthest island accessible by car. Having a car meant we could chase the better weather and hit trailheads on our own schedule, which mattered a lot given how fast conditions changed. It’s also such a beautiful country to just drive around and explore!
Tours: An option if you’d rather not drive, but I really encourage a car rental for getting the most out of your visit!
Public buses/ferries: The Faroe Islands have a public transit system (buses and ferries run by the national operator) connecting the main towns and islands, but service is limited compared to the size of the islands and the spread-out attractions. I was supposed to use the ferry on two different occasions, but the winter storms (as they were called by the locals) caused ferry cancellations, so I never got to experience it.
Walking: Tórshavn itself is walkable, but nearly everything outside town, including most of the hikes and viewpoints, requires a car, tour, or the limited transit options above.
Where to Stay in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands really centers around the capital city of Tórshavn, which actually feels like a charming small town. However, I did split my week by staying in two places, so I’ll break it down a bit.
Tórshavn – The second half of my week in the Faroe Islands, my friend and I stayed in Tórshavn. It’s the largest city, but it isn’t large. However, it is the hub and I recommend staying here unless you want to experience another town during your trip.
Hotels – Most of the hotels are in Tórshavn. While this is the capital city, it’s not a large city, so you’ll still get the small town feel even here. My friend and I ate breakfast at two different places over several days and we saw a mother and son all three times!
Elsewhere – We stayed in Klaksvik in an Airbnb a few days during my week in the Faroe Islands. It’s a charming small town and the thought process was to explore this end of the Faroe Islands. Well, a winter storm rolled in one day, and the other days we chased the best weather. Ultimately, you don’t have to be strategic with where you stay as the weather may not cooperate anyway!
Guesthouses and local stays: The Faroe Islands don’t have a huge hotel scene, a lot of accommodation is guesthouses, farmhouses, or small local stays, which fits the slower pace of the islands.
Booking tip: Options are limited compared to a place like Iceland, so booking early matters more here than in a lot of other destinations, especially if you’re visiting during peak summer.
My Recommendation: Just stay where you want if you have a car rental. The weather played a big factor on my trip, so I ended up driving to the furthest island accessible by car from Tórshavn. Pick on or two places, depending on the length of your trip, and just enjoy it. You don’t have to overthink it like I did!
Top Things to Do in the Faroe Islands
Take a Boat Tour: Cliffs, sea caves, and sea stacks are best seen from the water, and this was one of the highlights of the trip. Enjoying these ruggedly beautiful islands is a must from a boat, so definitely book a boat tour in the Faroe Islands.
Hike the Islands: From easy coastal walks to more moderate trails with serious payoff views, hiking is the best way to actually experience the landscape here. I’ve rounded up my favorite Faroe Islands hikes that are easy to moderate and I can confirm the Lake Over Ocean hike should definitely be on your list!
See Múlafossur Waterfall: One of the most photographed spots in the islands, a waterfall dropping straight into the ocean near the village of Gásadalur. I saw this beautiful waterfall on a boat tour and by driving to the lookout. The walk from the parking area is easy, so definitely make a stop here!
Visit Saksun: A small, dramatic village built around a tidal lagoon, often cited as one of the most beautiful spots in the Faroe Islands. My friend and I visited to walk to the Black Sand Beach! It’s absolutely gorgeous, just be sure to visit during low tide so you can walk to the beach. We lucked out with timing, but I don’t recommend leaving it to chance.
Explore Tórshavn: The capital is small but walkable, with colorful harbor buildings and a compact old town worth a slow wander. We enjoyed a half day of walking around and exploring, but keep in mind that it’s small and not a huge city. We also enjoyed breakfast and dinners here!
Chase the Weather: Sounds strange as a “thing to do,” but the fast-changing conditions here really do shape the experience. We got two “winter storms” during our week in the Faroe Islands! The weather is wild, but it does add to the charm. On the non-stormy days, the weather could be rainy where we started but sunny and beautiful in another area, so don’t let it stop you from exploring.
Explore Islands by Ferry: This is something I had planned to do, but winter storms got in the way twice! However, should I return, this will be priority! The hike on Kalsoy is iconic and a very short ferry ride from Klaksvik. Or you can hop on a longer ferry to other islands.
Public Helicopter Transport: Faroe Islands have so many remote places that the government subsidizes the helicopters. However, if you’re a tourist, there are rules. You can only take a helicopter one way, so you’ll have to get transport back by car or ferry. I considered doing this, but in addition to the above rules, you can only book a week in advance.
Compare it to Iceland: If you’re weighing the two, I wrote a full breakdown of Faroe Islands vs Iceland to help you decide, or convince you to do both.
Essential Faroe Islands Travel Tips
Book accommodations early: Options are limited compared to bigger destinations, so popular spots, especially guesthouses, book up well ahead, especially in peak summer.
Travel insurance – I don’t always book it, but given how remote the islands are and how much of the trip depends on weather and ferries, it’s worth considering here more than in most places.
What to pack:
- Waterproof, windproof jacket
- Layers you can add or shed quickly (weather shifts fast)
- Comfortable, sturdy waterproof shoes or hiking boots
- Hat and gloves, even in summer
- Swimsuit if you’re up for a dip (some hot springs and pools around)
- Motion sickness meds if you’re doing a boat tour
Check out my full guide on what to pack for the Faroe Islands.
Rent your car early: Car rental is available but needs to be reserved especially during the busy tourist season.
Tipping: Tipping isn’t a common practice here since service charges are typically included in the bill, so don’t feel obligated. Rounding up for great service is a nice gesture but never expected.
Credit cards & cash: Credit cards are the standard for almost all transactions and I don’t think I ever used cash during my visit.
Language: Faroese is the national language, but English is widely spoken and understood. I never had an issue communicating.
Solo travel: The Faroe Islands are very safe and I did encounter a solo traveler from the USA on one of my boat tours. These islands are expensive even with a friend splitting costs, but I would feel safe visiting as a solo traveler.
WiFi: Available in most accommodations and cafés, but given how remote some hikes and villages are, downloading offline maps ahead of time is worth doing.
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