Faroe Islands – The Itinerary

This would be my first significant trip abroad since the pandemic so I wanted it to be special, a ‘tick something off my bucket list” kind of trip. The Faroe Islands had been at the top of my bucket list for a while but I could never afford to go. I had explored applying for the volunteer scheme but the timing was never right. While I loathed to dig into my pandemic savings, it had to be done. It was the perfect gift to myself for getting through two very difficult years.

Planning for the Faroe Islands proved overwhelming. This was a once in a lifetime trip so I wanted to make the most of my time there. The planner in me wanted to come up with the perfect itinerary. While it was doable, it quickly apparent that life would easier if I could drive. Faroese public transport is great but miss one bus and you could be stranded in the middle of nowhere. There were also places I wanted to visit which could only be reached by car. I wanted this trip to be stress free and without a care in the world. Constantly worrying about missing buses and the fear of missing out, wasn’t that.

There was one website that I kept on going back to for inspiration, Guide to Faroe Islands. Especially their ‘8 Day Summer Package‘ tour. Why not just book it? That would solve all my planning problems, right? And it did!

Hogni, the owner of Guide to Faroe Islands, is an absolutely amazing superstar. Before booking, I contacted Hogni with the dates I would be in the Faroes, asking if they would work with the summer package. He took my 10 days and masterfully planned an itinerary which ensured I got the full experience, including adding an extra 2 nights hotel stay to my package. Any problems that I did face were resolved very quickly, allowing me to enjoy my time in the Faroes.

How Did I Get There?

There are three ways to get to the Faroe Islands from the UK

1. Fly via Copenhagen, which is 6 hours. Which is ideal if you want to plan a few nights in Copenhagen.
2. Fly direct from London Gatwick. Atlantic Airways have reinstated their direct service from London, Tuesdays and Saturdays only. Available only from June to August. Approx 2 hours.
3. Or you can do what I did and get a direct flight from Edinburgh, Mondays and Thursdays only. Available from March to December. Approx 1 hour.

Even with the London route reinstated, I would from fly Edinburgh again without hesitation. During my 11 years in Glasgow, I never took the opportunity to explore Edinburgh as a tourist. I was only there for 24 hours, but I had the most amazing time.

My Itinerary

The 8 day summer package may differ from the itinerary I did in 2023. It is very dependant on any changes to Faroese legislation impacting tourism. Also Mother Nature has a big say in where you can go and what you can do!

Day 0 Edinburgh to Torshavn

A beautiful city, full of history and wonders.

Edinburgh was the perfect start to my journey to the Faroe Islands. With only 24 hours there I made the most of my time, cramming in everything that I possibly could.

Highlights

• Getting a bit squiffy at The Scotch Whisky Experience. There’s nothing like a late morning whisky tasting session
• Avoiding the ghouls at the gloriously spooky Greyfriars Kirkyard.

🧳Find out more about my time in Edinburgh

Torshavn (Days 1, 6, and 9)

Dotted around my adventures were three free days to do as I pleased. Torshavn may be one of the smallest capital cities in the world but there is certainly a lot to do in and around the city.

Highlights

• Exploring the city with my taste buds. Torshavn is a foodie’s paradise with a wide choice of restaurants serving an equally wide range of food, from traditional Faroese fermented food to ramen.
• Losing myself in the streets of Torshavn. The best way to explore a place is to walk and walk I did. With no route planned, I walked down streets and turned corners, in anticipation of the unexpected they brought.

🧳Find out more about my time in Tórshavn.

Day 2: Mykines

Puffins, puffins, puffins!

My first adventure was to the marvellous Mykines aka Puffin Island. My small tour group of three were whisked away via a ferry not only to visit the puffins but also to hike and explore the beautiful Mykines landscape.

Highlights

• Living my puffin fangirl dream. I love puffins but have never seen one in real life!
• Relaxing and contemplating the beauty and peacefulness of the Mykines and the Faroe Islands.

🧳Find out more about my time with the puffins

Day 3: Suðuroy Island

The most dramatic of all the islands!

If dramatic scenery is your thing, then head to the Faroe’s southernmost island Suðuroy! The weather was storm-like when I visited Suðuroy so most of my time there was taking in the scenery from the front seat of a Tesla. I was so awestruck by Suðuroy’s ever changing landscape, I forgot to take photos (plus I was scared my phone would be blown out of my hands).

Highlights

• Being chauffeured around the island in a Tesla, taking in the dramatic scenery of Vágseiði, Norðbergseiði, and Ásmundarstakkur.

🧳Find out more about my time on Suðuroy

Day 4: Kalsoy and a hike up to Kallur Lighthouse

A windy day of hiking and folklore.

Another blustery day, hiking up to a lighthouse, which quickly turned into the perfect spring day once we hiked back down the hill. The hike to Kallur Lighthouse was an unmissable experience but the heavy rains that fell the night before made the path slippery. And the blustery winds had everyone sheltering by the lighthouse, while the brave ones clambered up the Eastern Point or up to James Bond’s headstone.

Highlights

• Hiking to the Kallur Lighthouse with The Goat! Our guide clambered up the hill skilfully and placing her feet where there was nowhere to place your feet. Our tour group affectionally nicknamed her The Goat.
• Visiting the seal woman and learning her story in the pretty town of Mikladalur.

🧳Find out more about my time on Kalsoy

Day 5: Vestmanna Sea Cliffs

Turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.

Day 5 and it was back in the Tesla heading off to Vestmanna to join a boat tour of what has to be my absolute highlight, Vestmanna Sea Cliffs. The contrast between the turquoise ocean and the grey looming cliffs was simply stunning. I left the boat feeling energised and ready for my next adventure

Highlights

• Sailing by the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs, while puffins and oystercatchers flew by.

🧳Find out more about my time visiting the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs

Day 7 – Vágar Island

Floating lakes and wind swept waterfalls.

This was my favourite hike of the tour with my favourite guide. We started our day with a nice pleasant hike to the Trælanípa to view the floating lake, Lake Leitisvatn. Our guide allowed us to take our time to enjoy our surroundings and made sure everyone had a great time. After we finished our hike we were taken on a tour of Vagar, stopping off to see the famous Múlafossur Waterfall.

Highlights

• Taking a wee hiking in torrential rain up to the cliff Trælanípa and discovering my waterproofs weren’t made for Faroese weather. But look, a floating lake! Lake Leitisvatn is somewhere in that mist.
• Watching Múlafossur Waterfall battle with the wind and lose.

🧳Find out more about my time on Vagar

Day 8 – Streymoy Island & Eysturoy Island

A day of nature and sunshine.

The final day was spent with my favourite guide and a group of special ladies. Two retired sisters from Thailand who were spending their retirement having blast travelling around the world, and a fellow solo traveller from America. The weather finally delivered and we were able to ditch the winter coats and waterproofs for jumpers and jeans.

Highlights

• Finding peace in picture perfect Gjógv. I fell in love with this small town, the natural sea gorge was simply beautiful.
• Admiring the beauty and serenity of Saksun. Here, I walked away from the tourist crowds in the village and towards the lagoon. Then when the crowds saw what I was doing and followed, I headed up to the village. Skills!

🧳Find out more about my time on Streymoy and Eysturoy

So there you have it! Next, a first class journey and experience in Edinburgh.

Happy & safe travels

L x👣

Next: Edinburgh – A City Full of Wonders and History