FAROE ISLANDS

The Faroe Islands, also known as the "Sheep Islands", is an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located roughly halfway between Iceland and Norway or the United Kingdom. They are an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

The archipelago consists of 18 islands with a population of more than 50 000. Almost half of them are settled in the capital Tórshavn.

Unlike Denmark, the Faroe Islands do not belong to the European Union. They have their own parliament and flag.

LAKE SØRVÁGSVATN

Lake Sørvágsvatn is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. It is located close to Vágar International Airport. It is of particular interest to tourists because of its position above the ocean level. It rises to a height of 32 m just above the cliff dropping into the Atlantic Ocean.

There is an easy 3 km trail along the lake, which starts at a car park near the town of Miðvágur. Unfortunately, there is a fee to enter the lake and it is not a cheap affair at all. The ticket price for one person is 200 DKK (30 EUR). There is an information centre near the car park with an entrance gate where you pay the entrance fee.

At the end of the route there is a viewpoint which is the best place to take a photo. It perfectly portrays the difference in height between the lake and the ocean level. Near the viewpoint, you will find the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, through which water flows out of the lake into the ocean.

KLAKSVÍK

The second largest city in the Faroe Islands is considered one of the most beautiful. It is located on the island of Borðoy between two bays lying back to back.

In the centre of Klaksvík stands the Christianskirkjan Church, consecrated in 1963. Materials such as Faroese gravel, wood and slate were used in the construction. It differs from the others by not having a typical church tower.

The best view of the town and the other islands in the area can be enjoyed from the top of Klakkur Mountain, which rises above Klaksvík to an altitude of 413 m. Below the peak there is a free car park, which can be reached by car on a gravel road with several potholes. From here, a moderate path leads to the summit.

MYKINES

This isolated village is located on the island of the same name in the western part of the Faroe Islands. The first settlers settled here around 625 A.D. The village had its largest population in 1925, with 179 inhabitants. Today, only 10 people live here all year round. Most Faorians come here only for the summer.

Mykines is not connected to the central electricity grid . The only source of power is a diesel generator at the end of the village. Most of the roofs of the houses are covered with soil and grass, which acts as a great insulation for the heat. These typical houses can be seen all over the Faroe Islands.

To the island of Mykines by ferry or helicopter

During the summer months, Puffins nest on Mykines Island and migrate here in search of food. The colony of these black birds with large orange bills numbers up to 200,000. For protection reasons, there is a fee to enter Mykines Island and you are only allowed to follow the trails outside the village if accompanied by a local guide. Entrance is DKK 505 (75 EUR). If you book online, you get a 100 DKK discount, so you pay "only" 405 DKK (60 EUR). For more information, visit the website https://hiking.fo/products/305/mykines?_ProductId=305&_l=en?lang=en&_l=en.

How to get to Mykines?

Ferry

The most commonly used means of transport is the ferry from Sørvágur, located in the immediate vicinity of Vágar airport. It departs daily at 9:15, 13:15 and 17:15. The times follow the start of the guided tours at 10:00 and 14:00. A one-way ticket costs DKK 120 (18 EUR) and must be purchased in advance online at https://booking.ssl.fo/Booking/.

Helicopter

A less common means of transport is the helicopter, which at first glance might seem like a very expensive proposition. However, the opposite is true. As this is a perfectly normal transport in the Faroe Islands, a ticket from Vágar airport costs only DKK 435 (65 EUR).

The helicopter is used by locals for transport between islands, including Mykines. The helicopter has a capacity of 12 seats and must be booked in advance online at the Atlantic Airways website https://www.atlanticairways.com/en/helicopter.

However, it does not fly daily and you can only take a round trip flight. This means that you must book the ferry at the same time for one trip. Flights operate every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

FOSSÁ WATERFALL

Fossá Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Faroe Islands. It falls in two levels from a height of 140 m. It is located in the northern part of the island of Stremoy. It can be reached via road 594, but the best view is across the bay from road 62.

SAKSUN

In the village there is a church and a museum. The church was originally built in Tjørnuvík, but was dismantled in 1858, transported over the mountains and reassembled in Saksun. The museum is housed in a 17th century farmhouse called Dúvugarður. The house belongs to the Dúvugarður farm, which is still an active sheep farm.

It is still possible to walk along the route that the local church was taken. The route is less than 7 km long and can be done in 3 hours. In case you don't have transport from Tjørnuvík, you have to return the same way.

GJÓGV

This village is located in the northern part of the island of Eysturoy. The first mention dates back to 1584. It was named after a 200 m long gorge that has served as a natural harbour since ancient times. There is also a church dating from 1929.

Above the village there is a hiking trail along the cliffs, which is about 5 km long.

TÓRSHAVN

Tórshavn is the capital and largest city of the Faroe Islands. It is located on the east coast of Streymoy. Almost half of the population lives here.

The Faroese Parliament is one of the oldest parliaments in the world

Tórshavn literally means "Thor's harbour". It is named after the Norse god of thunder and lightning. Tórshavn was founded in the 10th century and is considered one of the oldest capitals in Northern Europe.

You can visit a centuries-old fortress with cannons or perhaps weapons from World War II. The Faroese Parliament, one of the oldest parliaments in the world. The National Gallery or the National Museum.