Hopefully my previous posts about Exploring the Faroe Islands have inspired you to visit this wondrous place! If so, this post should give you everything you’ll need to plan your own trip. If planning isn’t your thing, simply scroll to the end of this post for suggested tour operators who will gladly take care of you.
Lodging in the Faroe Islands
The capital city of Tórshavn is where you will find most of the lodging, but there are cottages and boat houses scattered throughout the archipelago. My top three site suggestions are:
AirBnB: Most of the lodging for our trip were AirBnBs. It’s easy to search, provides hassle-free booking, offers truly unique lodging (such as boathouses and traditional homes), and is generally cheaper than hotels.
Booking.com: We always prefer using Booking because most of the listings offer free cancellation. You’ll find apartments, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and vacation homes here.
Visit Faroe Islands: A lot of these will show up in AirBnB or Booking, but if you want camping, hostels or bed & breakfasts you’ll want to check out this site.
We spent two weeks on the islands, so price and a kitchen were our top priorities. If luxury is your aim, take a look at Hotel Føroyar or Hotel Hafnia. If staying in your comfort zone is important, stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Tunnel from Bøur to Gásadalur
Transportation in the Faroe Islands
Whether you arrive by air or boat, you will need a car to really experience these remote islands. It IS possible to stay in Tórshavn the entire time and use paid excursions to get around, but it will cost a lot in time and money and you’ll be limited to tourist destinations only. If driving is not an option, check out this blog post by Megan Starr or consider hitchhiking (which is pretty darn popular here).
Most will opt to rent a car, as we did, and Visit Faroe Islands will provide all the options you need as well as their Getting Around instructions for driving — a MUST read! Here are some additional tips:
Most of the rental offices are located next door to the airport, but some are not so make sure you ask before you arrive.
Pick up a map at the airport — they’re easy to spot near the exit.
Make sure your rental car has a dial on the front windshield — this is your parking timer which you will need in Klaksvík, Tórshavn, and Runavík. Parking is free but restricted to specific time allotments.
Ask whether or not tunnel fees are included in your rental.
There is little traffic and not many roads, so driving is extremely easy here. Just watch out for sheep — they really do have a death wish.
They prefer traffic circles to lights or stop signs; otherwise, traffic signals and rules are similar to the US.
Gas stations are a little different than what we’re used to in the States. You pump your gas first, then move your car and pay inside. Be prepared to tell them what pump you were at and to pay with a credit card. If they accept cash, we never saw it — everyone pays by card which makes it quick and efficient.
Keep your headlights on all the time and don’t fear the tunnels — they’re very easy as long as you follow recommended guidelines.
Eating in the Faroe Islands
With the exception of Tórshavn, most towns have limited dining options, so if restaurant variety is important to you, stay near Tórshavn. If one good pizza place or cafe is all you need, then you’ll be fine in most of the other towns. Our restaurant recommendations are:
Klaksvík: Fríða Kaffihús, Amarant (good brunch) & Angus Steakhouse (both open on Sunday!), Fiskurin (fish & chips food truck)
To save money, stay somewhere with a kitchen and cook some of your own meals. Google makes it easy to handle metric conversions and translate anything, so no worries there. Grocery stores charge for bags, so bring your own bag. Just keep in mind, most restaurants and grocery stores are closed on Sunday so plan ahead. Our favorite towns with close proximity to grocery stores were: Tórshavn, Sandavágur, Fuglafjørður, Runavik, and Klaksvík.
Hiking in the Faroe Islands
If you’ve read my previous posts about our trip to the Faroes, then you already know that hiking here has some challenges.
Finding a trail and staying on the trail can be tricky (markers are often hard to see or non-existent). Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Some of the most popular trails are now charging a fee, and this can change between the time you book your trip to the time you arrive. Always check Visit Faroe Islands shortly before your trip for any updates.
Weather is truly unpredictable and food options are scarce, so always be prepared with waterproof clothing, food and water.
Nothing is flat — be prepared for most of your walking to be on an incline. If you have weak ankles or you’re prone to shin splints, you will want supportive boots and to STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!
All that being said, the Faroe Islands are a hiker’s paradise and if you go prepared it is so worth it! Whether you want challenging hikes or simple jaunts, every island has multiple options for you. For the major hikes, download the Hiking in the Faroe Islands guidebook. These will be the easiest to find and navigate. If you want to explore off the beaten track, you can also use Google Maps to look for trails or ask the tourist offices for suggestions. Here are some nice walking paths you won’t find mentioned in the guidebook:
Bring a deck of cards with you to cafes and restaurants. Food service is generally quick, but there is an expectation that you will stay awhile even after you’ve finished eating. Some places provide games for you, but they’ll be impressed if you bring your own.
Be mindful when walking in fields — this is the hay that feeds the farmers’ sheep, so don’t trample all over it
Participate in a heimablídni (dining with locals) — one of our favorite experiences was dining at Hanusarstova
Participate in a music event. The Faroese love music and at any given time you can usually find some place to listen, whether it’s an outdoor music festival, sacred music in a church, or musical gathering in someone’s home. Check HERE for events.
KimKim: US based company providing customized trips designed by local experts. Prices are higher due to the customization, but if you want a truly unique experience specifically tailored for you, this is a great option.
InnTravel: This is one of my favorite UK based walking holiday companies, and they have a Faroe Island trip.
