5 reasons to visit the Faroe Islands

It’s made up of 18 islands tucked somewhere between Scotland, Iceland and Norway. Lying in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean is the Faroe Islands- a place I’ve often heard of but actually know nothing about. A little digging and researching later, here’re five reasons why you should visit the islands that let you return to nature.

Nature and scenery


Word has it that Faroe Islands enters an extraordinary shade of green during summertime. The fresh air that lingers from Spring, the sparkling blue ocean and the sweeping sight of lush mountains with dramatic plunging valleys merge into a picturesque picture you’d want etched in your mind forever. Besides admiring the nature’s wonders here, you can also partake in activities related to nature. Horse trekking, mountain hikes and boat trips are some of the more popular activities, and they allows you to enjoy the vivid green landscape.

Did you know: sometimes in summer, fogs descend onto the islands, forming a mystical landscape that it strongly resembles a scene right out of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

The Viking Touch

Viking settlers arrived in the Faroe Islands in the 9^th century and left their marks till today. The town center is well preserved and walking around the town square is like stepping into a historic movie set. There are colliding lanes with narrow cobbled street passages between lines of aged black-tarred houses with green turfed roofs, left over from the Middle Ages. A visit here allows you to experience how the early Viking settlers make their livelihood in the Faroe Islands.

Did you know: The original longhouse still standing in the Faroes lasted longer than any other place in Scandinavia.

Sailing paradise

Lying in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean naturally means sailing is a common activity on the Faroe Islands. In recent years, sailing trips to the stunning bird cliffs at Vestmanna, a town in the Faroes, has risen in popularity for visitors to the Islands. Once a ferry port, the boat service in Vestmanna are run by veterans with generations of experience sailing into grottoes and gorges and through narrow channels cutting through cliffs, and act as tour guides regaling stories of the islands.

Angling in the Faroes

Fishing in the Faroe Islands is an experience you can’t find anywhere else. Maybe because of the sheer isolation of the islands, it’s like you’re all alone with your fishing rod, just waiting for the fish to bite. Species found in the area include brown trout, lake trout, sea trout and salmon, among others. Fishing along the rivers and streams are only allowed from 1 May to 31 August, and you’ll need to get a permit at the nearest local tourist center. Don’t forget to grab a copy of Sports fishing brochure here too.

Tip: You’re only allowed to bring home any fish that’s longer than 30cm if you fish in the streams and lakes. The best places for trout fishing are on the Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar and Sandoy islands.

Bird Watcher’s Paradise

You’ll have to bring along a pair of binoculars to enjoy this one. Summertime is where the countless cliffs on the northern and western coasts of the islands offer a resting spot for the huge flocks of migratory birds. Faroes offers a rich food environment for these nesting birds, thanks to the cold artic currents that merge with the warm Gulf Stream just off the coast of the Faroes. There are around 300 identified species in the Faroes, out of which 40 species are common breeds while another 40 are rare ones. The first sign of bird season is when you see the Guillemot (a seabird) land on the cliffs during end May, and they’ll stay until end of July. If you’re an avid bird lover, you can arrange for boat trips to view the different seabird colonies along the towering cliffs. Just query at the tourist offices for all the details.

Have you been to the Faroe Islands? What were you favorite things there?