Faroe Islands

Landmarks

Landmarks in the Faroe Islands

Kirkjubøur

Visit one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses in the world – Roykstovan – which dates back till year 1050. The Patursson Family has been living in this farm since 1557, and the house has since before that been a part of the bishops domicile.

Kirkjubøur has a population of 84, and is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands, and had a dominant cultural status on the islands as well as in the Northatlantic.

The St. Magnus cathedral, which dates from around year 1300, does not have a tower, windows or a roof. The cathedral was never finished, and is still standing as a prominent ruin.

The Ólavschurch, which originally was named Virgin Mary’s church, has its name after Ólav the Holy, is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands, and was built around year 1200. The church is 21,8 meter long and 7,5 wide and the altarpiece was painted by Sámal Joensen-Mikines.

Tórshavn

Visit the old town of Tórshavn, Tinganes. As you step into the old town, you will experience a completely different part of Tórshavn, and will encounter numerous of small passages, stairs and small cliffs in between the old houses, with the famous grass roofs.

Tórshavn is one of Europe’s best-preserved old towns, from the year 1600, as the town has not been devastated by fires, as most other European cities.

Nólsoy

Nólsoy is an island located just outside of Tórshavn. By visiting Nólsoy you will step several decades back in time. Take this opportunity to experience the island with a local guide, and go to the southernmost point, where you can find the lighthouse, which has the biggest lens in the world.

On the island you will also find the largest colony of storm petrels, and this also leads to the opportunity to visit the ornithologist Jens Kjeld Jensen, and see his large collection of stuffed birds and other animals.

When you’re there, you should visit the basement of the tourist office, where you can find the boat Diana Victoria. Ove Joensen, who rowed single-handedly from Nólsoy to Copenhagen, Denmark, used this boat to make the trip, which is over 900 miles.

Sornfelli

Sornfelli is a 749 meter high mountain, and is located just 20km north of Tórshavn. The mountain is easy to climb, and there are roads almost all the way to the top.

On this mountain you will find the airbase Mjørkadalur, and the radar, which is the remnants of the Faroe Islands participation in the Cold War. The radar was part of NATO’s warning system and part of the British air domain.

The facility was put in place by NATO in 1963 to give warnings of potential bombers from the east.

On the platform just below the top, there is an absolutely stunning view of Streymoy and Vágoy.

Mykines

Mykines is the westernmost island, is truly a bird’s paradise, and attracts thousands of birds every year. On Mykines you can get close to the Puffins, which stands proud with its colorful beak filled with fish, and this gives you the chance to get the perfect picture nature in action.

Mykines also gives you the chance to hike, and it is recommended to walk out on Mykineshólm, the small islet west of Mykines. A small bridge takes you over the 35-meter deep gorge, and connects the islet with the “mainland”.
The cliffs surrounding the lighthouse is a sight to remember. The islet is also the home to a small colony of the northern gannet.

Saksun

A well hidden pearl in the northeasern part of Streymoy. The small village is the home for many grassroofed houses, and the church makes an excellent motive for your camera.
While you’re there, visit the large sandbeach to the north of the village, but keep in mind that it is only possible to walk on the beach 2 hours before and 2 hours after the current is at its lowest.

Sørvágsvatn

The deepest lake on the Faroe Islands – 60 meters wide, 6 km long and 60 meters deep. It’s located between Miðvág and Sørvág on the island of Vágar. Take a hike to the end of the late, wher you will find the waterfall Bøsdalafossur, which plunges 35 meters down into the Atlantic Ocean.
To the west of the waterfall you can get a good view of the edges of Vágar, as it stands proud against the harsh tides of the ocean.

Hvannhagi

One of the most beautiful and spectacular areas on Suðuroy. While hiking here you will get to the easern side of Suðuroy, and have a magnificent view over the two small islands Lítla Dímun and Stóra Dímun.
This trip can be demanding and you should not be afraid of heights.

The mailboat to Fugloy

Follow the mailroute to Fugloy, and experience the rich birdlife on the island. On the sailtrip to Fugloy you have a view of the open and endless ocean, as well as a view of the other islands, Viðoy and Svínoy.
It is also possible to see seals in the area.

Enniberg

Visit the highest promontory in the world, Enniberg, with its 750meter high cliffs. It stands proud in the ocean and houses thousands of birds. The trip to the top of Enniberg starts at the hotell in Viðareiði and can be challenging for some.
From the top of Enniberg you can observe the sea deep below you, or enjoy the view over to the islands of Svínoy and Fugloy.
During summer it is possible to sail to Enniberg.

Slættaratindur

After an easy to medium hard trip you’ll find yourself ontop of the highest mountain on the Faroe Islands – 882 meters tall. The view from the top is incredible and you can see the whole country, from Viðoy in the north to Suðuroy inthe south – and on a good day you can see Vatnajøkull on Iceland, over 550 km away, which is also the longest view in the world to be recorded by Guinness book of World Records.

Merkið (the Faroese flag)

The first flag of the Faroese, merkið, hangs inside the church of Fámjin. The flag was designed and created in Copenhagen by faroese students in 1919, but Merkið did not get approved as the flag of the Faroe islands till 1940.

Gjógv

Gjógv only has 20 inhabbitants, but is well known for its amazing nature and the spectacular nature made harbour, which is where the village gets its name from.
See the deep gorge and the nature around the village. Lunch or dinner should be had in the cozy guesthouse Gjáargarður.