If you want a North Atlantic trip that feels remote, dramatic, peaceful, cultural, and wild, the Faroe Islands are hard to match. This small archipelago has 18 rugged islands, steep cliffs, narrow fjords, turf-roof villages, and roads that let you move from city streets to empty coastal viewpoints.
To make the most of your journey, it is best to rent a car in the Faroe Islands, as it gives you the freedom to explore remote villages, scenic coastal routes, and hidden viewpoints, especially where public transport may be limited. Our guide lists the best things to do in the Faroe Islands so you can plan your trip easily and make the most of every moment.
Planning your first visit can feel exciting when you see how much the islands have to offer. With so many things to do in the Faroe Islands, the key is to choose experiences that let you enjoy both the landscapes and the local way of life.
Most road trips start from Vágar, passing through the tunnel to reach Gásadalur, then continue towards Streymoy for Saksun via a valley road, and end in Eysturoy with the coastal approach to Gjógv. These linked routes are one of the best scenic drives in the Faroe Islands. You can cover several major stops in one continuous trip.
Travel distances between these locations are short, often under one to two hours. Subsea tunnels reduce travel time between islands, so routes that once required long detours can now be completed in a single day.
To follow these routes without delay, it is best to rent a car in the Faroe Islands with Final Rentals and arrange pick-up at Vágar Airport. You can easily reach routes in Vágar and travel straight to Streymoy and Eysturoy, which are important for most scenic drives.
You should give at least half a day to the capital because it brings together harbour, history, cafés, design, and culture. Start with Tinganes, one of the world’s oldest parliamentary sites, then walk into á Reyni for turf-roof houses and narrow lanes that still feel intimate and traditional.
After that, spend some time in Vágsbotnur, where the marina, cafés, restaurants, and small shops are for a coffee break, a late lunch, or a quick look at local design and knitwear. The city also boasts the country’s broadest food scenes, from cosy bakeries to more refined Faroese dining rooms.
Múlafossur Waterfall is one of the classic postcard views of the islands, as the water drops straight down to the sea beside the village. The main lookout is only a short walk from the parking area. For the cleanest photographs, go when the light is softer and the wind is calmer, as mist and sea spray can quickly reduce visibility.
The famous “floating lake” effect appears at Trælanípa, where the viewing angle makes the lake seem to sit high above the ocean, even though it is purely an optical trick. The route to Lake Sørvágsvatn is usually manageable for many first-time hikers. However, you must use the marked path, pass through the main gate, and check in at the landowners’ reception because access is regulated. Keep a safe distance from the edge as well, because the cliff viewpoint is steep and exposed.
If you want a sea-based excursion, choose Cliffs of Vestmanna for caves and seabirds. Boat trips from the harbour area pass narrow grottoes and towering rock walls that rise to around 700 metres, It is one of the best places in the Faroe Islands for watching seabirds in season.
The outing works so well for first-time visitors because it shows you the Faroes from sea level. Here, the scale of the cliffs feels far bigger than it does from the road. It also serves as a good counterpoint to the hiking stops in this guide. Still, check for weather changes, as marine departures depend on conditions.
Saksun Village sits in a natural amphitheatre above a tidal lagoon, so the setting feels enclosed, calm, and almost cinematic. The grass-roof buildings give you one of the clearest looks at traditional Faroese architecture. This is not a place to rush through for one quick photo. Walk slowly, notice how the mountains close around the settlement, and treat the area as a living village rather than an outdoor museum.
Gjógv takes its name from the 200-metre sea-filled gorge that reaches from the village to the ocean. That natural channel is what makes the stop so memorable for first-time visitors. Once you have seen the harbour, keep going on foot for a little longer, because the surrounding slopes, colourful houses, and open sea views are part of the experience too.
Undersea tunnels are where engineering, roundabouts, art, infrastructure, and tolls become part of your sightseeing. Eysturoyartunnilin is more than a transport link because it includes the world’s first undersea roundabout, with an illuminated art installation at its centre. It has cut some former road journeys from more than an hour to around 15 minutes.
Sandoyartunnilin has made the southern island much easier to reach, while the older tunnel to the airport island remains one of the most useful links on a first trip. In simple terms, these tunnels are why you can combine remote-looking landscapes with realistic day-trip planning.
Food in the islands is shaped by fermentation, lamb, seafood, hospitality, and seasonality. Traditional cooking grew out of isolation, climate, and preservation, which is why air-dried or fermented flavours still matter.
For a first trip, try at least one traditional plate that includes fermented lamb or fish, rye bread, or stewed rhubarb. A heimablídni meal is a must-try because you eat in a local home, hear stories about the area, and get practical travel tips from your hosts.
Drangarnir is one of the most photographed coastal formations in the country, but the main hike is controlled and can only be done with a guide. The walk is also more than a final viewpoint. You get changing angles across the sea, cliffs, and offshore rock formations on the approach. So, you should plan enough time for the full outing rather than only the last photo stop. If you prefer less walking, boat-based views are also available.
Ólavsøka, held every year on 28 and 29 July, is the national celebration and the biggest event of the year in the capital, while annual summer events bring concerts, extended opening hours, street life, and a stronger sense of local rhythm. Even if your dates do not match a major festival, it is worth checking the events calendar, because Faroese culture is often easiest to understand when you see it in motion rather than only in museums or historic sites.
Kirkjubøur was the cultural and episcopal centre of the islands in medieval times. Today, you can still see the cathedral ruins, the parish church from 1111, and the old farmhouse called Roykstovan, which is thought to be one of the oldest wooden houses still in use.
When exploring the things to do in the Faroe Islands, the real value comes from slowing down and letting the landscape guide your journey. Plans will shift, and the weather will change. So, keep your route flexible, stay curious, and spend time in between stops, because they often become the most memorable parts of your trip.
Rent a car in the Faroe Islands with Final Rentals to easily follow scenic routes, reach remote villages, and enjoy the best scenic drives. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
The warmer months from May to September offer the best balance of daylight, hiking access, and cultural events. During this period, you can enjoy longer days, more reliable transport schedules, and better chances for boat trips, although weather conditions can still change quickly, so flexible planning remains important.
In most cases, hiring a car provides greater flexibility, especially when travelling between villages, viewpoints, and remote areas. Public transport is available, but it can limit your schedule. Renting a car in the Faroe Islands lets you adapt to changing weather and reach more locations more efficiently. It is also important to understand how tunnel toll systems work before starting your journey.
For a first visit, a stay of 4 to 6 days is often ideal. While it is possible to see major highlights in about 3 days, having extra time allows for weather changes, guided tours, and spontaneous scenic stops.
