Unspoiled,
unexplored,
unbelievable
Remotely clustered in the North Atlantic Ocean, a rugged archipelago of eighteen mountainous islands erupt out of the ocean in imposing basalt cliffs.
The Faroe Islands, sandwiched between Nordic neighbours Iceland and Norway, offer vast, untamed and spectacular landscapes that are immediately impressive and undeniably compelling.
Travellers are often made small by the grandiosity of the natural environment; the daunting sea cliffs, the unforgiving waves that ripple against the coastline, the lush green valleys surrounded by steep mountains.
Days are lived as nature intended: without strife, without fuss, and always subject to the weather. Left in relative solitude since the first settlers arrived in the fourth century, the Faroese today exhibit a vibrant culture distinctly their own.
To be Faroese is to be creative and diverse. Gifted chefs cook world-class cuisine. Artisans create masterpieces with wool and fabric. Architects build. Artists paint, and musicians sing – with amber voices that crack in all the right places, against jazz and heavy-metal infused folk music that merges the past and present, and over the invasive drum beats of electropop and indie rock.
The Faroese, a population of over just 50,000 people, are endearingly hospitable and gentle in their manner. Love for their homeland is deep and honest. They are quiet natured, peaceful, and exercise a strong sense of community. Hospitality is innate; their doors are always open.
The Faroe Islands, translated directly as “sheep islands”, is a self-governing nation under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Culture is the foundation of Faroese pride, with its independent language, flag and traditions. In a generation, with the help of the prosperous fishing trade that accounts for approximately 20 percent of GDP, the Faroese have come into a cradle of affluence, seen to some degree in the widespread use of technology and well-established infrastructure that connects the 18 islands by roads, bridges and subsea tunnels, making it effortless to travel around the country. This, along with first class telecommunications and highspeed internet, provides a superb base for maintaining the economic, social and cultural sustainability of communities all around the country.
Although the islands exude the sense of a mysterious land far away, they can be reached by air in only two hours from continental Europe.
Quick facts
The Faroe Islands (Føroyar)
In the middle of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62º00′N and 06º47′w, halfway between Scotland and Iceland.
1,933km2 (540 square miles)
18 volcanic islands seperated by narrow sounds and fjords arranged roughly in the form of an arrowhead. All but one is inhabited.
Highest peak 880m. Average height above sea level 300m.
Average 3º-11ºC, winter-summer.
50,142 (as of June ´17)
Faroese. Danish has equal status in al official affairs.
Evangelical Lutheran.
Parliamentary democracy.
Fishing and aquaculture, shipping and offshore services, tourism and prospects for petrolium in Faroese area.
Faroese króna (DKK)
Practical information
In case of emergency dial 112.
The Faroe Islands have a monopolized sale of alcohol, called Rusdrekkasøla Landsins. There are departments in all major areas in the country.
1.399 km2.
All passengers can bring 23 kilos of luggage as well as 8 kilos of carry-on luggage. The carry-on luggage must fit under the seat on the aircraft or in the overhead compartment. Please see the most resent regulation concerning luggage on www.atlantic.fo
Banks and ATMs can be found in all major towns.
There is bus connection for arrival and departure times at the airport by the local bus from the bus terminal in Torhavn and to the airport. The duration of the trip is apprx 45 minutes. Shuttle service is also available by pre-ordering. For reservations please contact info@greengate.fo
Names on tickets and other travel documents must be correct (name/s as in passport). Incorrect information concerning names will result in an additional fee after travel documents have been issued.
Your safety is our highest priority. We draw your attention to the risks associated with the unique characteristics of the Faroese environment. Consequently, should you venture into the Faroese environment, either alone, following inspiration from our website, or together with one of our tour guides, you do so entirely at your own risk. We accept no liability for any injury or loss that may occur as a result.
Most shops are open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5-5.30 pm, Friday to 6/7 pm, and Saturday to 12/2/4 pm. Opening hours can vary considerably from village to village.
Faroese stamps are collectibles because of their high quality.
Faroe Islands Tourist Guide
The Faroe Islands have 900 kilometers of good roads. Most have two lanes and are paved. 17 of the 18 islands are connected by bridges, land bridges, ferry and/or helicopter.
Oceanic climate. Although the Faroe Islands are located at 62 degrees N the climate in the Faroe Islands is surprisingly mild due to the Gulf Stream. The average temperature in the warmest months is 13°C resulting in mild summer days and during the winter the average temperature is 3°C.Visitors during the summer are taken aback by the characteristic long days and the light nights. In the middle of the summer the sun hardly sets and the longest day is 19½ hours long. This gives the visitors ample opportunities to enjoy the long and light evenings adding a special feel to the visit to the Faroe Islands.Another characteristic with the Faroese climate and which really facinates foreigners is the constantly changing wheather. One of the most common feedbacks from tourists is the uniqueness of experiencing all four seasons within the same day.
Over the course of a year.
All taxes and fees are included in the package price. However, we reserve the right to increase the price due to price changes such as oil prices.
Post offices are found in the larger towns and in some villages. Most villages with no post office have local stores where you can buy post cards and mail letters.
We recommended to bring rain and windproof clothing, good hiking shoes and to be dressed according to the weather / season - remember that the weather is changeable in the Faroe Islands.
Smoking is prohibited in all public places and all overnight accommodations.
All revelant credit cards are accepted by hotels, restaurants and shops.
Faroese is a Nordic language, related to the western dialect in Norway and Iceland. Most Faroese understand and speak Nordic.
In case of eHoliday travel inside of Europe is covered by the Danish health insurance. We recommend that you buy cancellation insurance as a supplement. Please contact your travel agency or insurance company.mergency dial 112.
When calling the Faroe Islands, dial +298 and the subscribers number.
The Faroe Islands are on Greenwich Mean Time and are therefore one hour behind continental Europe. 12 pm in Denmark is 11 am in the Faroe Islands.
Ferries/boats, buses and helicopters transport people from island to island
We do not take responsibility for delays which affect flights outside the flight connections provided by Atlantic Airways.
We refer to the general custom regulations set by TAKS. Please see www.taks.fo
There are sub sea tunnels in the Faroe Islands. The tunnel fee is not included in any of our prices and is paid directly to the car rental company. If you travel with your own personal car, pay at Tunnil.fo.
- Vágatunnilin between Vágar and Streymoy (4,9 km)
- Nordoyatunnilin between Eysturoy and Bordoy (6 km)
- Eysturoyartunnilin between Tórshavn and Strendur / Runavík (11,2 km)
- Sandoyartunnilin between Gamlarætt (Tórshavn) and Sandoy (10,7 km) - Expected to open in 2023
The Faroese currency is krona and oyra and are the same as Danish krona and oyra. The Faroe Islands carry their own notes, valued at 1000/500/200/100/50 krona. The coins are Danish. Danish notes can be used everywhere in the islands.
Getting to the Faroe Islands
Although the Faroe Islands is located in the middel of the North Atlantic, we have excellent connections to Denmark, Scandinavia and Europe. Fly with the local airline Atlantic Airways, SAS or sail with the local shipping company Smyril Line.
Copenhagen (Denmark) - up to 3 daily flights all year.
Billund (Denmark) - 3/5 weekly departures all year.
Paris (France) - 3 weekly departures in the summer.
Oslo (Norway) - 2 weekly departures all year.
Keflavík (Iceland) - 2/3 weekly departures all year.
Edinburgh (Scotland) - 2 weekly departures all year.
Aalborg (Denmark) - 2/3 weekly departure in the summer.
Barcelona (Spain) - 1 weekly departure in the summer.
Palma de Mallorca (Spain) - 1 weekly departure in the summer.
London Gatwick (UK) - 2 weekly departures in the summer.
New York (USA) - 1 weekly departure in the summer.
Copenhagen (Denmark) - 5/7 weekly departures throughout the year.
Keflavík (Iceland) - 6 weekly departures in the summer.
Bergen (Norway) – 3 weekly departures in summer.
With the ferry Norrøna you can sail from Hirtshals in Denmark to Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands twice weekly during the summer season, and once a week during the winter season. There is also a connection between the Faroe Islands and Iceland once a week during the summer season.
Denmark - Faroe Islands
- 2 weekly departures to the Faroe Islands during high season, Saturday and Tuesday.
- 1 weekly departure to the Faroe Islands during medium and low season, Saturday.
Faroe Islands - Denmark
- 2 weekly departures to Denmark during high season, Sunday and Friday.
- 1 weekly departure to Denmark during medium and low season, Thursday.
What to expect
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