Faroe Islands: Wild Beauty Without the Crowds
Imagine Iceland, but smaller, greener and without tourists. 18 volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, 700 miles of coastline between them, and waterfalls that crash directly into the sea. Welcome to the Faroe Islands.
50,000 inhabitants, twice as many sheep. Until five years ago a true hidden gem. Even today one of Europe’s least touristy destinations.
What makes the Faroes really special?
Three things distinguish the Faroes from Iceland and other Nordic destinations.
The density. On 540 square miles (about Mallorca-sized) you have 18 islands, all reachable by tunnel, bridge or ferry. Landscape changes every 30 minutes.
The tunnels. The tunnel network is legendary. Subsea tunnels with roundabouts under the seabed. Sounds absurd, but it’s daily life. The Eysturoy Tunnel has the world’s first underwater roundabout.
The weather drama. A single day on the Faroes often has all four seasons. Sun, storm, rain, fog, sometimes within an hour. What sounds like a downside is exactly the drama that makes the islands so special.
Which islands should you visit?
Six stops covering the best of the Faroes.
Tórshavn (Streymoy). The capital. World’s smallest capital with 22,000 residents. Colorful wooden houses, old harbor, cozy cafés. Ideal as base for 5-7 nights.
Vágar. Island with the airport. Two of the most famous Faroe spots are here: the Múlafossur waterfall plunging directly into the sea, and Sørvágsvatn lake that appears to float above the ocean (optical illusion).
Streymoy. Main island with Tórshavn. Saksun is a village in a lagoon, one of Europe’s most-photographed spots. Tjørnuvík has a black sand beach with views of two sea stacks.
Eysturoy. Connected to Streymoy by bridge and tunnel. Gjógv is a village in a natural harbor cleft, as of 2026 still free of tourists. Slættaratindur is the highest mountain at 2,894 feet.
Kalsoy. Narrow island in the north. The Kallur lighthouse hike has one of the world’s most spectacular views. Caution: 4-mile hike, no guardrails, dangerous in wind.
Mykines. Westernmost island, only reachable by ferry or helicopter. Tens of thousands of puffins nest here. To see them, come between May and August.
The official Visit Faroe Islands tourism office has all updates on ferries, weather and hiking permits.
When is the best time to visit?
May to August is high season. Long days (in June daylight until 10pm), puffins on Mykines, all ferries running, comparatively mild weather (50-60°F).
September is the hidden gem. Fewer tourists, often still good weather, aurora season begins. With luck you see Northern Lights plus waterfalls.
Winter (October to April) is harsh. High storm probability, many hikes closed, ferries unreliable. But: cheapest prices and absolute silence. Only for experienced travelers.
How much does a trip really cost?
The Faroes aren’t cheap, but cheaper than Iceland.
Flight. Atlantic Airways flies direct from Copenhagen, Hamburg, Edinburgh and Reykjavík. Round-trip: $280-500 depending on season.
Rental car. Mandatory for mobility. About $70-90 per day. Book months ahead in high season. See our rental car checklist. On the Faroes you need full insurance with no deductible.
Lodging. Hotels in Tórshavn: $110-220 per night. Guesthouses $65-110. Airbnb available but limited.
Food. Restaurants similar to Scandinavia: main course $28-45. Supermarkets pricier than the US. A week in the Faroes costs about $1,700-2,500 per person including flight.
If similar island destinations interest you, see our Iceland travel guide. Plus: if you want sun instead, you might prefer the Albania Riviera.
If you’re planning the Faroes, Zercy helps compare Atlantic Airways routes with connections via Copenhagen or Hamburg. Plus weather forecasts, because your trip plan there literally depends on the daily weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in the Faroe Islands cost?
With rental car, mid-range hotels and good food: $1,700 to $2,500 per person including flight. About like Norway or Scotland, significantly cheaper than Iceland.
When can you see puffins?
Between May and mid-August. Best island: Mykines, reachable as day trip by ferry. Caution: ferries get cancelled in bad weather, build in a backup plan.
Which islands are the highlights?
Vágar (Múlafossur waterfall, Sørvágsvatn lake), Streymoy (Saksun, capital Tórshavn), Kalsoy (lighthouse hike), Mykines (puffins). Plan minimum 5-7 days.
How do you get to the Faroe Islands?
Direct flight with Atlantic Airways from Copenhagen, Hamburg, Edinburgh, Reykjavík or Paris. In summer also seasonal connections from Milan and Barcelona. Ferry from Denmark takes 36 hours.
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