Departures from Copenhagen and Edinburgh. Experience the Faroe Islands - a nation of 18 small islands in the middle of the North Atlantic, driving around in a rental car at your own pace. This is a modern nation with roots in a proud and ancient culture, surrounded by steep cliffs, blue fjords and fertile valleys

The Faroe Islands is a firm favourite with National Geographic Traveler Magazine. This gem of a destination has been voted the ‘Best Trip 2015’ destination by the magazine’s readers – and only a few years ago the same readers rated the Faroe Islands as the No. 1 destination in the world among 111 island communities.

Midway between Norway and Iceland the Faroe Islands rise out of the Atlantic Ocean like a hardy little flower. The islands offer thrilling experiences and a rugged environment: Steep cliffs rising from the open sea, narrow straits between the islands, natural harbours surrounded by small villages and a countless number of birds. A nation of 18 small islands of which 17 are inhabited by less than 50.000 people and more than 3 million sea birds – a dream for the ornithologists and all nature lovers.

Ancient Norse culture still alive today

The Faroese are a proud people who, due to the geographical location, have been able to preserve their own culture and their own language which has its roots in the Old Norse language from the Viking Age. History is still an integral part of the daily life – it is one of the few places in the world where you can still experience the old medieval ballads and chain dance, which people in Europe practiced more than 800 years ago.

Amazing scenery and easy to drive around

The scenery at the Faroe Islands is spectacular.

You can experience all four seasons in one day, which is rather unique - from brilliant sunshine to misty hill fog, to short rain showers. Average temperature in the summer is 11C and in the winter 3C.

Driving on the Faroe Islands is easy; the infrastructure is of very good quality and the distances short. You can see a lot in only a few days. It is generally not necessary to use GPS as the roads are clearly marked and given the small size of the islands it is virtually impossible to get lost.

Itinerary

Arrival from Copenhagen or Reykjavik. Pick up your car from the car rental office in the airport. Drive the short distance to Hotel Vagar. Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure in Vagar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive around Vagar Island. Visit Bøur and Gasadalur. From Vagar it is also possible to go by scheduled ferry to the island of Mykines or we can recommend driving to Vestmanna from where you can join a boat excursion to the bird cliffs of Vestmanna. Ask the hotel reception for details.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Gjogv, famous for the long canal. En route you can visit the beautiful small villages of Saksun and Tjornuvik. Continue north with visits to the small settlements of Eysturoy, before arriving in Gjogv.

It is a tiny village with dramatic views of the North Atlantic. Guesthouse Gjaargardur is a cosy retreat where we hope you will feel at home.

If you are staying at Guesthouse Gjaargardur on w Wednesday night between June and August, you will be invited to their Cultural Evening which includes a dinner platter of local specialties.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Klaksvik in the north, the second biggest town of the Faroes. En route we recommend a stop in Leirvík to see the old Viking ruins. We also recommend visits to all the northern islands and small villages on Vidoy, Kunoy and Bordoy.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive towards Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. Explore the southern part of Eysturoy on the way. If you drive over the mountains you will get a splendid view of the islands.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We recommend a visit to the old cultural center of Kirkjubøur, where you can visit the 900-year old wooden house Roykstovan, considered to be the oldest of its kind in the world. Ruins of the old cathedral are one of the biggest cultural attractions on the Faroes.

We would also recommend going by ferry to the little island of Nolsey in front of Torshavn. Here you can go for a stroll around the little village where time seemingly has been standing still for years.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Vagar Airport to drop off your car and catch your flight back to Copenhagen or Reykjavik.

Notes