Cars magically island hop in the Land of Maybes.
There was something in the route . It prove no sign of moving as I slow down to a stop and upon further review , “ it ” was a “ they , ” and they were two sheep nonchalantly napping in the middle of the main road . Traffic jam do n’t always happen in theFaroe Islands , but when they do , there ’s typically sheep involved .
The far - flung collection of 18 islands sits dramatically remote in the North Atlantic Ocean , somewhere between Iceland and Norway , and has more sheep than people . This explains the need to check out for napping floofs on the roadways . nickname ‘ The Land of Maybes ’ by locals , a road trip-up here kind of force the adoption of the Faroese laid - back mentality where plans can , and will , change on a dime … because the weather says so .
Cinematic scenery bristle ; imagine tremendously steep cliffs , waterfalls spilling into the sea , postcard - worthy lighthouses , untasted nature , and storybook villages with turf - adorned roof . It ’s a billet brim over with some of the most jaw - dropping scenery in the world , rendering it a ego - driving paradise with the freedom to go at your own stride . And with submarine tunnels , include the only underwater rotary in the earth , your car can seamlessly island hops to all the different share of nation .
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This road is tailored to arrive at up some of the more off - the - shell - path spot as well as the iconic one , all while blowing your nous . It ’ll cover seven island over the span of five days and scorch scenes into your mental capacity that ’ll fuel your daydreams for years to come in . Pack your hiking the boot and a photographic camera , it ’s time to fudge some sheep .
When to visit the Faroe Islands
Every season is the ‘ impractical season ’ in the Faroes . There ’s a reason local families have to anchor down their backyard trampoline . apart from that fun fact , each actual time of year has its own allure in the Faroes , but the best timeframe to visit for optimal weather condition is between May and September . Because of the goal ’s post in the far compass north , this season also brings longer daytime hours , with sunsets past 10 autopsy and more time for adventuring . Even so , there ’s always a risk that weather will cancel flight of steps or island - to - island ferries , but that ’s life in the ‘ Land of Maybes . ’ These are also the months with the highest chance of viewing puffins .
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How to rent a car and drive in Faroe Islands
tug in the Faroe Islands is its own kind of beast . That ’s mostly because focusing on the road is difficult when all you want to do is stare at the ridiculous lulu that ’s literally everywhere . If you ’re anything like me , you ’ll find yourself laughing like a maniac because you ca n’t believe that a place like this exists .
But a trip like this is not for the faint of heart and soul , as you ’ll encounter scarey steep drop - offs , blind box , ever - changing visibleness , and individual - caterpillar tread tunnels and roads . Newly - make tunnels now connect most of the archipelago , include the freshly construct 6.9 - mile - long tube with an submarine roundabout , the first of its kind in the world . Driving through them is n’t complimentary ; a toll ( typically between 10 - 13 euros for the longest tunnels ) will register through a toll chip and get charged to your quotation card once you return the rental auto . Or you could prefer to pay a two-dimensional - pace fee upfront , which will cover limitless tolls .
lease a caris potential from the few companies at the airport , though automatonlike fomite are a little unvoiced to arrive by and are typically more expensive to book . Driving is on the veracious side of the road , same as the US , and travelers should expect windy , narrow , cliffside roadstead . speak of narrow , some roads and tunnels are only wide enough for one car at a clock time , but there ’s a organisation for conduct with this . Street signboard have you know who has the right hand of way ( indicated by the disastrous arrow ) , and there are small pull - offs on the give side .
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Since some tunnel are lengthy , you will likely find another fomite that has the right hand of direction coming directly at you . Do n’t panic , just use the next airless pull - off , which are located every 100 meters . Once the cars authorize , you may proceed , but be mindful that you may have to draw off several clock time in one tunnel crossing if you do n’t have the right of way . When exiting the tunnels , utilise the mirror to see if anyone is approaching . This is one of the most formidable aspects of drive in the Faroe Islands , though you do get used to it — and hence the slower upper limits .
Most rental cars take diesel engine , which entail you’re able to get a lot more milage out of them before you need to refuel . That being said , ensure to be after your gun place finish based on your distances during the head trip , as they are n’t everywhere . Your lighting must be on at all clock time , and when the thick Faroese fog shows up like an unexpected visitant ( and it will ) , you ’ll empathise why . One last note : although almost every road in the Faroe Islands is scenic , there are particular ‘ Buttercup Routes ’ bespeak by the signs with a yellow flower . This means it ’s theextrascenic route .
Since nothing in the Faroe Islands is too frightfully far , it ’s possible to employ the urban center of Torshavn as your root . Your days can be spend road tripping these routes and your evenings dining and drinking in the metropolis .
Vágar to Torshavn
Your arrival to the Faroes will be on the island of Vágar , which has much to volunteer past the airdrome . Hit the route running direct out of the rental railcar logic gate by driving northward about 15 second to the small village that made these islands famous . Gasadalur can be accessed through the tunnel progress in 2004 or on foot via the oldPostman Route , a three - land mile jolly unmanageable hike from the town of Bøur .
However you choose to reach this once - isolate village , you ’ll be pay back with views of Múlafossur , the iconic oceanside waterfall that became the symbolic image of the Faroes . On a particularly windy day , you ’ll even get to see the shower blow upwards ; a fairly regular occurrent . Pay attention to the cliffs surrounding the falls — this is one of your chances to pick out puffins .
Hop in the car and mind towards the capital letter of Torshavn on the neighboring island of Streymoy , though be prepared to take out over several times , since the 37 - mile path is chock full of more views than your brain can handle .
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If you ’re jonesing for another rise , the 45 - minute , well-heeled walk toSørvágsvatnor ‘ Hanging Lake ’ is a popular one . The lake is perched above the ocean and look like an eternity pool . It makes for fantastic photo opportunity , though there is a fee of 200 Danish krone to be paid at the gate .
If you ’ve work up an appetite , finish in the next village of Sandavágar and head toFiskastykkið , a informal waterside cafe with amazing fish soup .
skip back on Route 11 and pass along through your first submarine tunnel to terminate up on the island of Streymoy , the largest and most populated of the Faroe Islands . Here , check out the lesser - experience village of Leynar , a quaint seaboard spot popular with vacation locals andideal for walking on the beachto lookup for sea glass treasure .
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Drive half an hour on Route 10 and you ’ll land in Torshavn , where you could settle into theHavgrím Seaside Hotel , a boutique persist with an awesome breakfast that ’s within walk distance to the metropolis center .
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Torshavn to Gjógv
Prepare to underwrite a smorgasbord of Faroese terrain . This leg can either be done as an 88 - geographical mile loop that brings you back to Torshavn or a 58 - naut mi drive if you select to slumber in Gjógv . Meander up Streymoy ’s east side along Route 10 , where you ’ll fall out dateless coastal cliffs , ocean vistas , beach villages with rustic boathouses , and many more sheep .
After about 48 miles , you ’ll pass the first roadside stop , a giant falls dubbed ‘ Fossa . ’ relish a shower spritz before going another 10 minutes to the seaside Greenwich Village of Tjørnuvík , sitting in a pretty cove with a broad expanse of beach . Here , you could see the “ Giant and the Witch ” sea stacks in the distance . The village is amongst the oldest in the Faroe Islands and is a favorite for surfboarder and Viking - earned run average enthusiasts ( we know you ’re out there ) .
catch one last coup d’oeil of a roar Fossa as you repeat back down Route 10 in parliamentary law to cross over to the island of Eysturoy via burrow . Head to Funningsfjørður , where you ’ll ring the bound of the fiord before accomplish the hamlet of Funningur and sweeping scene .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Grip that steering wheel a little cockeyed as you make your agency up the mickle switchbacks on a single - track route ; the views only get more impressive towards the top . Here , you’re able to choose to hike theGongutúrur / Hvithamar track , a 0.9 - mile loop with a stunning vista .
Gjógv is just three miles further , where a dead on target storybook village with an iconic sea gorge awaits . The Ithiel Town is built around a lifelike split in the state that ’s used as a narrow haven ( when the sea is calm enough , that is ) , where the ocean spills in with each undulation . The view is best absorbed from the trail behind the coffee bar , where you could climb up just a little ways and take the famous photograph angle of the scene below . Keep an eye out for puffins hanging out in the drop-off of this area as well .
Make certain to stop atJoe Pizzain Hvalvík for lunch or on your elbow room back to Torshavn ; they make yummy pizza and are one of the only place spread deep .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
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Torshavn to Viðareiði
Perch yourself at the boundary of the world when you reach the northernmost village in the Faroe Islands . But first , you have to ram there . This leg involve traversing a couple of the old tunnels with the single - track lane and pull - offs for those who do not have the right of way . This stretchability stimulate a majuscule opportunity to explore Torshavn ( one of the world ’s lowly capitals ) in the morning and then spend your good afternoon and eventide route tripping up to Vidareidi .
Stroll Tinganes , the flyspeck honest-to-god town pack with sward houses , some of which are now restaurants . One such eating place isBarbara Fish House , a fine - dining repast not to be missed — be sure to make a dinner arriere pensee for at least one of your evening in Torshavn . Purchase a topically craft Faroese sweater , stroll the seaport , bolt down into a cafe , or visit theNordic House , a cultural center with events , showing , and food .
This island of Kunoy and Greenwich Village of the same name is access by an hour ’s drive Union , via one of those single - track burrow . Once there , the small fairy story town practically begs to be snap .
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It ’s only 16 miles from Kunoy to Vidareidi on the island of Viðoy , but getting here also requires an even recollective individual - running burrow . Luckily , this one has a stop light that assist drivers ; however , it should be noted that the brightness level only melt down during the 24-hour interval , otherwise you need to rely on the former - school method .
Backed by Villingardalsfjall , the third high mountain in the Faroes , and a pretty - as - can - be cove looking out to the unresolved sea , Viðoy is well one of the most picturesque locations of this Nordic destination . An unbelievable view spread as you exit the tunnel , with a trifecta of mountains , drop-off , and the sea . If you ’re expect to stretch your legs and take on a challengingthree - mile out - and - back track , the cone cell - shaped resident mountain is ready for you . There is a fee to hike up here of 200 Danish krone , but the bird’s-eye horizon is invaluable . Hikingwith aguideis always a good idea in the Faroes , as many of the trails are n’t that well pronounced and weather condition can alter quick .
maneuver down to the beach , where a gorgeous seaside Christian church and stunning cove await for the evening show , courtesy of Mother Nature . ascertain a sunset in Vidareidi will be a memorable highlight , so long as the weather cooperates .
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Torshavn to Suðuroy
Now that you ’ve ticked off the north part of the Faroe Islands , it ’s clip to head south . Suduroy is the southernmost island in the Faroes archipelago and is approachable by a two - hour drive on thecar ferry(Torshavn to Tvøroyri route ) . This lesser - visited island is a visual and cultural treat .
beat back 10 minutes to Hvalba , a Greenwich Village with pirate chronicle , and hold in into your dwelling base for your hitch in Suduroy . Heima í Stovuis a bottom and breakfast and a living museum bunk by two cousins who spent their childhood summers adventuring the area palisade their grandparent ’s house . The possessor will pack you a picnic lunch , take you on an epic guided wage increase , and cook a fabulous dinner party to savor amongst newfangled friends . Hvalba has a beautiful beach , well-disposed residents , and a view of the bantam and uninhabited island in all of the Faroes , Litla Dimun .
Stay close to Hvalba with a visit to the postcard staring hamlet of Sandvik , or absorb the coastal scene from Hvalbiareidi seaport , with its haggard boathouses and striking cliffs . Or venture further with a 23 - stat mi drive to Sumba , the southernmost village in the Faroe Islands , complete with a gorgeous cliffside pharos called Akraberg . Marvel at the seaside Eggjarnar Cliffs , where you could also see oddment of a WWII station on your agency back to Tvøroyri to catch the ferry back to Torshavn .
After completing your first route trip in the Faroe Islands you ’ll plausibly involve a arcminute to wrap your head around all that you ’ve seen . drop one more night in Torshavn to soak it all in , relishing in the experience and the gossamer number of sheep you ’ve encountered . It ’s easy to drop more than five sidereal day in the Faroe Islands , with the allure of so much more natural beauty and veritable finish to strike — but that ’s also what return trips are for , right ?
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Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
Photo by Lauren Breedlove
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Photo by Lauren Breedlove
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