Vacation In Faroe Islands
Vacation In Faroe Islands is a mod for SimCity 4 Deluxe. It was inspired by this trip to the Faroe Islands in May/June 2010. The developer, with his wife and two children, left from Aberdeen, UK and flew across the Atlantic to start their vacation in the arctic circle. They then flew on to Reykjavik, ICELAND before flying back home from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Vacation In Faroe Islands is the place to find all the information you need for planning a trip to Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands are an archipelago in the Norwegian Sea, approximately halfway between Norway and Iceland, roughly equidistant from Reykjavík and Bergen. They became a Danish amt (county) in 1274, remaining Danish until 1948. The islands are rugged and rocky with some low peaks; the coasts are mostly cliffs. The name appears to come from the Old Norse Faer-øerne, meaning “sheep islands” (see Faroese sheep).
There are many things you should know before you visit the Faroe Islands. After two trips to the Nordic islands, I understand and feel confident advising others on how to travel to the Faroe Islands successfully (and to take cute photos of sheep).
Vacation In Faroe Islands
Planning your trip to the Faroe Islands last minute?
Below are some of the top tours, hotels, etc to help plan your Faroe Islands trip!
Getting around the Faroe Islands:
- Cheapest car rental options (and with most availability!)
- Vagar airport to Torshavn (a quick transfer service!)
Top Experiences and Tours in the Faroes:
- Outstanding Faroe Islands ʻSee it allʻ tour (7-hour bestseller!)
- 1.5 hour Vestmanna sea cliffs boat trip (great value)
- Mykines 7-hour tour (with puffin guarantee!)
- Kalsoy and Kallur lighthouse 8-hour guided tour (my favorite place!)
- Classic 4-hour tour of Vagar
Top Lodging and Hotels in the Faroes:
- The View (Vagar island near the airport)
- Hotel Hafnia (Torshavn)
- Hotel Føroyar (Torshavn)
- Panorama Boathouse (Klaksvik – perfect for visiting Kalsoy)
- Hotel Nord (Viðareiði)
This is a guide of things to know before you go to the Faroe Islands.
I have included photos from both trips in this guide. If the grass is brown, it was taken in March. If it is green (and sunnyish), it was taken in August.
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Tips for Traveling to the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are one place that I just can’t stop raving about. It has been ten months since I traveled to these Northern Atlantic beauties, but I have so many untold stories, travel tips, and questions to answer about my travels there.
By the time I get everything posted about the Faroes, I will likely have made a return trip or two there (spoiler- I have now been twice).
Anyway, it is really difficult to know what to expect in the Faroes for someone who has not stepped foot on its lush, sheep-poo-filled soil. Once you’re there, everything is a bit easier to wrap your head around.
And once you leave, you will be longing to learn more about these secluded and wondrous islands.
These are 30 useful things to know before you travel to the Faroe Islands. Some of them are facts and some are just my observations and experiences about Faroe Islands tourism, in general.
Please feel free to leave comments with some of your tips and suggestions if you’ve traveled to the Faroe Islands!
Things to Know Before You Visit the Faroe Islands
The Inhabitants are Diverse
There are over 77 nationalities living in the Faroe Islands. When I was there, I met people from all over residing in the Faroes… from Ukraine to Thailand to France.
While a lot of the diversity comes from students, seasonal workers, and bar staff, there is also a demand for women there as the islands have a shortage.
When I was in Torshavn, I discovered that Mikkeller Beer was opening a bar there right after we left and they posted applications publicly so that they could attract applicants from all over the world.
I later returned to the Faroe Islands and didn’t have a chance to stop in Mikkeller but I assume I will make it a priority on my third trip to the Faroe Islands one of these days!
Getting to the Faroe Islands is Easier (and Cheaper) than Expected
Long gone are the days when the Faroe Islands were inaccessible. Now, you can fly directly from Edinburgh, Reykjavik, or Copenhagen on Atlantic Airways straight to Vagar Airport.
You can also fly directly from Copenhagen with SAS to Vagar Airport. There are talks of New York flights soon, as well.
These flights to the Faroe Islands are year-round and I think I paid a little over $100 for my round-trip ticket from Copenhagen to the Faroe Islands. I was so shocked at how affordable the prices were.
You Can Take a Ferry to the Faroe Islands from Denmark (and Iceland)
From Hirtshals, Denmark, you can take a ferry to the Faroe Islands from the European mainland. While this isn’t my cup of tea, it still is a nice alternative for those who are perhaps afraid of flying or want to try something a little different.
You can also take your car on the ferry, so it is a viable option for those who don’t want to rent a car in the Faroe Islands (FYI- rentals are cheaper than you’d expect there if you book ahead).
During the Faroe Island summer months, travelers will find two options a week and it decreases to one option a week during the winter months.
These will be on the Norröna ship and the journey takes about 37 hours.
This journey also continues on to Iceland. And you can also get it back from Iceland to the Faroe Islands. To find out more and see updated schedules, fares, and information, check out Smyril Line’s website.
Wild Camping in the Faroe Islands is Illegal
Scandinavia and the Nordics have a reputation for allowing wild camping or setting up to sleep wherever you please.
This is not the case in the Faroe Islands (and rightfully so, in my opinion, as the weather can be really harsh in certain places and you’re never more than 5 kilometers from the sea).
While there are various reasons for this rule, it must be mentioned that there are several designated places to go camping in the Faroe Islands.
It is also not permitted to sleep in a car or campervan randomly in parking lots, on land, or somewhere on the roads. This has been a bit of an issue for tourists who don’t do their research beforehand.
It is not fair to the locals and travelers should come prepared to follow the rules of the Islands as they have been put in place for a reason.
To see all updates, follow Camping.fo for additional information.
Also, do note that if you are camping during winter in the Faroe Islands, you must call and make arrangements ahead of time.
Not a fan of camping? Stay in a hotel in the Faroe Islands instead!
Mullafossur Waterfall in Gasadalur is Temperamental
When most people think of the Faroe Islands, they have the same three images in their mind: the Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy in Trøllanes, the optical illusion at Lake Sørvágsvatn on Vagar, and the Mullafossur Waterfall flowing beautifully and calmly into the Atlantic in Gasadalur.
That waterfall doesn’t really always look like the photos you see of it. Sometimes it blows into the sky. But, wait around for the wind to die out and you’ll get a good photo.