In the waters of the Atlantic Ocean is this group of islands, just between Iceland and the Shetland Islands: The Islas Feroe, part of the kingdom of Denmark. There are 18 volcanic islands and today we tell you how to get to them and what to do to enjoy them 100%.
An atypical destination for our today's article.
Islas Feroe
The lambs islands, this is its translation, it is a island country, a constituent nation of the Kingdom of Denmark, to be more explicit.
The archipelago occupies an area of 1393 square kilometers y It is inhabited by less than 50 thousand people. Of them, about 20 thousand live the capital city, Tórshavn.
Son 18 islands of volcanic origin but only 17 are inhabited. Are very mountainous, there are no forests and there are meadows and cliffss. Its climate is cold although the Gulf Stream makes it not so harsh. The islands They live from fishing.
How to go to the Faroe Islands
You can get here by plane or boat. In this second case you must take the Smyri company ferryl, the MS Norröna that departs from Hirtshals in northern Denmark and also from Seyoisfjorour, in Iceland. The frequency depends on the season of the year.
The ferry is a pleasant ship and you can even go by car. AND The company even offers complete packages that include not only the transfer but also the rental of tourist houses or hotel accommodation. If you choose to take a plane, I will tell you that There are four airlines that make the journey: Atlantic Airways, Icelandair, Scandinavian Airlines, also called SAS, and Wideroe.
The first company, Atlantic Airways, offers direct flights to many destinations, Denmark, Scotland, Iceland, Norway, for example, are all flights that last no more than two hours. The main route starts from Conpenhagen from where there are at least two trips a day. Obviously, the frequency also depends on the time of year and sometimes there are flights to Barcelona or Mallorca.
Since May of this year, 2024, Islandair fly to the Faroe Islands so it's a destination that has become more accessible from North America. There are between five and six flights per week between May and October. For its part, SAS, flies directly from Copenhagen to the islands, every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you are in Norway you can choose Wideroe, are direct flights that connect many European destinations. The main route is from Bergen, at least twice a week, Monday and Friday.
Visit the Faroe Islands
Once you are there, How can you get around the islands? It must be said that the transport infrastructure here is great. Has a very good network of roads, tunnels and mountain routes.
You can rent a car, taxi or use the bus. There is also a ferry network that operates between the islands in an excellent way, with small or large ships. And you can also fly between them in a helicopter.
How long is it advisable to visit the Faroe Islands? One week For me it would be ideal, but I think that a three day trip It is an ideal time for a first visit that may well be the only one you make.
El Day 1. you start in the capital, Tórshavn, where the bulk of the islands' population lives. It is one of the smallest capitals in the world with its 21 thousand inhabitants. It's right on the water's edge and is where the cruise port is.
It's a small town, ideal to explore on foot, with its thatched roof houses and its charming historic center that stretches into the peninsula between small streets, alleys and wider streets, between contemporary and ancient.
You can visit restaurants, try local cuisine, enjoy a sauna. Also ride a bike, visit the National Museum of Art, see the small forest that has been specially planted, buy a traditional wool sweater...
El Day 2. you can take the ferry and go to visit Suduroy, the southern island, the southernmost of the group and the third in terms of size. Despite its size, it is not as visited by tourists, it may be because of the distance, but the truth is that it is worth exploring it and moving around. two hours which involves the ferry from the capital.
It is a mountainous island, with dizzyingly vertical sea cliffs. Gluggarnir Mountain is 610 meters high and is the highest point, a treasure for hikers. The first human settlements date back to the XNUMXth century and you will be able to see the picturesque villages.
The ferry leaves you at Tvoroyri port, the largest settlement on the island. If you walk a little you will find shops and cafes, the Mormor cafe, for example. You can then take a tour by car and Get to know the other villages.
Famjin It is small and beautiful and has an old church inside which the first flag of the Faroe Islands from 1919 is displayed. From there you continue the trip towards Hvalba to see the historic house from 1910, today converted into a hotel.
El Day 3.: After spending the day here you shower, get dressed and go out to dinner in the capital. The next day you can go to Sandoy Island, the sand island, south of the archipelago. It is an island of fertile soils and is the only island of all that has dunes.
It is studded with small villages, calm lakes and beautiful cliffs. Almost everyone lives in the sandur village, with only 523 inhabitants. If you like birds this is a paradise. You can jump off this island by car to the islands of Sandoy and Streymoy since the tunnel that connects them, just over 2023 kilometers long, has been operating since 10.
If you stay you can visit the village of Húsavík, where only 155 people live in old but well-preserved stone houses with thatched roofs, something very traditional in Faroese architecture.
Another island that you can visit from Sandoy is Eysturoy Island. You arrive crossing a phenomenal underwater tunnel, the longest in the country: 11.2 kilometers at a depth of 189 meters. And he is the owner of a treasure: the first underwater roundabout Known as the Medusa Rotunda, a circular underwater structure that is illuminated and has a steel sculpture depicting people holding hands.
The people of Eysturoy are very friendly and welcoming and you can stay for lunch or a snack in a B&B. The truth is In the Faroe Islands what prevails is nature and charming villages. You can go bird watching, bike riding, mountain climbing, diving, shopping, sailing, horseback riding in the middle of wonderful landscapes, surfing or visiting typical farms listening to ancient myths and legends.
Do you like the idea of going to less touristy destinations? If your answer is yes, then be sure to go to the Faroe Islands.