The Faroe Islands is a small archipelago that is located in between Iceland and Norway, although it is still under the reign of the Danish Kingdom, the same status that Greenland has as well. Although the population on the archipelago is only about 50,000, there is still much to do for tourists. There is also great public transportation with buses and ferries that run around each island and from island to island all at a really affordable rate. The Faroe Islands are well known for their incredible natural landscape that can be enjoyed in so many different ways, but there is also some surprising facts about this tucked away nation that might surprise you.
The Capital
Tórshavn is the capital of the islands and has the most activities to do than the other cities. There are some special times of the year where things happen in the capital, like the Tórshavn Jazz Festival which usually occurs sometime in August. This music festival is a week long and is visited by people from all around the world.
If you want to experience some sporting events in the capital, there is actually a thriving scene! In the capital there are many football teams, but following behind that is handball. You can experience both of these sports as well as occasional tournaments.
Nature
The Faroe Islands are a haven for nature and outdoor activities. There are some out-of-this-world places that you won’t find anywhere else, such as Lake Sørvágsvatn, also called Lake Leitisvatn, but is colloquially called “the lake over the ocean”. This is because from certain angles it actually looks like the lake is floating over the ocean. It is located on the island of Vagar, and is also the largest lake on the islands.
Slættaratindur is the tallest mountain on the islands and is located on the island of Eysturoy. This mountain has a lot of significance to the residents as they climb it to celebrate the summer solstice, but is beautiful to enjoy all year round. There are two trails to get to the summit, one that is 4 hours and the other that is one, so it’s really doable for hikers of all skills.
On every island there are diving tours available, and there is quite a lot to check out. The Faroe Islands are said to have some of the cleanest water in the world, so it makes it an ideal place for divers. Although the water is chilly, if you are a diver, you can’t miss out on this activity.
Food
KOKS Restaurant is not your typical Faroese place. They are a fine dining, multi-course restaurant that gets their products from the locals and the natural surroundings, even going to neighbors for ingredients. They also have a Michelin star, the first ever on the Faroe Islands.
In the capital there are many steakhouses and regular restaurants, but also a unique sushi restaurant that only uses local seafood! Everything is super fresh and has a great Faroese twist, so check it out!
