I’ve been to the Faroe Islands in October twice now — once for 10 days and the second time for three weeks. So at this point, I’ve spent over a month there during October.
If you’re trying to decide whether visiting the Faroe Islands in October is worth it, I can tell you exactly what you’re trading and what you’re getting.
If you’re planning your first trip, you can also check out my Best Things to Do in the Faroe Islands and 5 Day Faroe Islands Itinerary.
The short version: cheaper, quieter, moodier, darker — and much less predictable.
Why I Like Visiting the Faroe Islands in October
The biggest reason I love October is how quiet it is.
There were times when we had some of the most beautiful places in the Faroe Islands almost completely to ourselves. That’s a pretty big deal in a destination where some of the more popular hikes and viewpoints can get busy during summer.
Rental cars and accommodations can also be significantly cheaper.
On one of my October trips, we found a manual rental car for around $25 a day. On our first trip, we stayed in an Airbnb in Tórshavn for around $60 a night, and on our second trip we stayed in a much nicer home for around $100 a night.
The tradeoff is that you’re visiting outside the main tourist season. Some boat tours and excursions are seasonal, so if there’s something specific you want to do, check that it’s still running before booking an October trip.
What Is the Weather Actually Like in October?
October can be WILD.
My first trip was FREEZING. We had rain, hail, fog, crazy wind, and it actually even snowed.
My second October trip was completely different. It was noticeably warmer, and I think a huge part of that was because it wasn’t nearly as windy.
That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve learned from visiting twice in the same month: October weather can vary A LOT.
But surprisingly, the rain, hail, and even snow weren’t the biggest problem for me on that first trip.
It was the wind.
I have NEVER experienced wind like I have in the Faroe Islands. Norðadalsskarð was probably the craziest — the wind there was unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else.
I’ve been in gusts so strong that you literally can’t even stand up. I’ve had to crouch down or sit in the mud and wait for the gust to pass because it was the only way I could keep myself steady.
And those gusts can come out of nowhere.
There are also plenty of hikes and viewpoints where there isn’t a railing or barrier between you and a massive drop, so this isn’t somewhere I’d mess around with the weather. If the wind feels unsafe, change your plans.
This is also why I’d leave some flexibility in your itinerary. I wouldn’t plan your entire trip around doing one specific hike on one specific day.
Check the conditions that morning and be willing to go somewhere else.
One of the nice things about the Faroe Islands is that the weather can be terrible in one area and completely different somewhere else.
Having a rental car makes it much easier to change plans and head somewhere with better weather. If you’re wondering what driving here is actually like, I have a whole guide to Driving in the Faroe Islands.
October Is Incredible for Photography
As a photographer, I actually love the stormy weather.
The scenery can change drastically from one day to the next. A mountain that was completely covered in clouds the day before can look totally different the next time you drive past it.
And after it rains, it feels like the waterfalls multiply all over the islands. You’ll suddenly see water pouring down mountainsides where you didn’t even notice a waterfall before.
Places like Fossá Waterfall become massive after all that rain.
That’s one of my favorite things about photographing the Faroe Islands in October. You’re not necessarily going to get perfect blue skies — but that’s not really what I want here anyway. The clouds, fog, rain, and constantly changing light are part of what makes the landscape so interesting to photograph.
The downside is that those same conditions can completely ruin your photography plans, especially if you’re bringing a drone.
On my first October trip, the wind made flying difficult on a lot of days. My second trip was completely different. We had multiple days with almost no wind, which made both hiking and flying my drone SO much easier.
So bring the camera.
Just don’t assume you’re going to get your drone in the air every day.
The Biggest October Downside for Me: Daylight
This is the one I think people underestimate.
There is a HUGE difference between visiting the Faroe Islands at the beginning of October and visiting at the end.
At the beginning of October, sunrise is around 7:35 AM and sunset is around 6:57 PM, giving you a little over 11 hours of daylight.
By the end of October, you’re looking at sunrise around 7:57 AM and sunset around 4:24 PM — only about 8.5 hours of daylight.
Part of that sudden change happens when the clocks move back one hour at the end of October, but the days are also getting shorter really quickly that time of year.
And you feel it too.
It’s crazy how much shorter each day starts to feel than the one before it.
Now, this might not be as big of a deal for everyone. If you’re someone who can wake up at 7 AM and immediately start exploring, you’ll obviously have more time to work with.
I am not that person.
I have POTS, and mornings are really difficult for me. I typically don’t leave our Airbnb until around noon, so daylight is a HUGE deal when I’m planning a trip.
At the beginning of October, I still have almost seven hours to explore once I finally get out the door.
By the end of October, I’d have closer to four.
That’s a massive difference, especially somewhere like the Faroe Islands where I want to spend as much time outside as possible.
Early October vs. Late October
This one is easy for me.
Go in early October.
You still get what I love about visiting in autumn — fewer tourists, cheaper prices, and that moody Faroe Islands weather — but you have significantly more daylight.
The further you get into October, the more noticeable the shorter days become.
And then the clocks move back during the last part of the month and suddenly sunset gets REALLY early.
For someone like me who tends to get a late start, those extra hours are huge.
If I were planning another October trip, I’d try to go as close to the beginning of the month as possible.
What to Pack for the Faroe Islands in October
This is a BIG one. What you pack can seriously make or break your trip.
Just ask my husband, who showed up on our first trip with tennis shoes and jeans. He’ll happily tell you how miserable he was.
October isn’t the time to mess around with “water-resistant” clothing. You want gear that can handle actual rain, mud, and especially wind.
I wouldn’t go without a legitimately waterproof AND windproof jacket. A waterproof shell works great too — just make sure you have plenty of warm layers underneath.
And make sure your hiking boots are actually waterproof.
I learned this the hard way on my first trip. After hiking all day in the pouring rain, my non-waterproof boots were completely soaked — and nothing dries in the Faroes. The next morning they were still wet, so I tried blow-drying them and ended up burning a hole right through one of my boots.
So yeah, waterproof boots are now pretty high on my packing list.
These are the waterproof hiking boots I wear now. They’re definitely expensive, but I’ve tried other pairs and nothing has worked as well for me.
For clothes, layers are everything. I usually start with my favorite base layer, add a fleece or sweater, then a winter coat. If it’s raining, I’ll throw my waterproof shell over everything.
For bottoms, I usually wear Lululemon leggings with my Icebreaker merino wool leggings layered on top when it’s really cold. I also always bring gloves, a neck gaiter, and a warm beanie. I love this one from North Face and this Arc’teryx one.
Some days will be MUCH colder than others, which is why I recommend bringing layers you can add or take off throughout the day. I usually throw all the crap I might need — extra layers included — into this travel bag and leave it in the car. It weighs basically nothing and takes up almost no space in my luggage, so it’s perfect for this.
The goal isn’t to pack a giant winter wardrobe. It’s to have enough layers with you that you can adjust throughout the day and, most importantly, stay warm and dry.
The Downside of Visiting in October
The biggest downside is that the weather can decide what you can and can’t do.
The wind especially can completely change your plans. There were hikes I didn’t feel comfortable doing because they involved walking along big cliffs, and there was absolutely no way I was getting anywhere near the edge in those winds.
This is especially important for exposed hikes like Kallur Lighthouse or Lake Sørvágsvatn, where you’re eventually walking near some massive cliffs.
It can also make flying a drone basically impossible. On my first trip, there were very few days when I felt comfortable putting mine in the air.
And then there are the seasonal closures.
Some boat tours and other excursions have reduced schedules or stop operating altogether once the main tourist season ends. So before booking an October trip, I’d make a list of anything you absolutely want to do and check whether it will still be running.
For me, none of this was a dealbreaker. A huge part of why I love the Faroe Islands is hiking, photography, driving around, finding random viewpoints, and exploring villages.
You just have to be willing to change your plans.
October is definitely not the month to show up with a rigid itinerary.
Is October a Good Time to Visit the Faroe Islands?
I’ve done it twice, so obviously I’m not going to tell you October is a terrible time to go.
I loved it.
But you have to be okay with what you’re giving up.
You’re getting fewer tourists, potentially much cheaper rental cars and accommodations, moody landscapes, and sometimes entire viewpoints practically to yourself.
In exchange, you’re getting unpredictable weather, serious wind, shorter days, and fewer seasonal tours.
For me, that trade has been worth it.
But there’s one thing I’d do differently:
Go early in the month.
After watching how quickly the daylight disappears throughout October, those extra hours at the beginning of the month are too valuable to give up.
If you’re planning your own trip, start with my 5 Day Faroe Islands Itinerary or my guide to the 11 Best Things to Do in the Faroe Islands. I also have individual guides to a lot of my favorite places, including Saksun, Tjørnuvík, Gjógv, Leynar, and Lake Sørvágsvatn.