I’ve been lucky enough to travel to over 50 different countries, and there are so many places around the world I want to see that I rarely repeat a destination.
The Faroe Islands are the exception.
One 10-day trip wasn’t enough, so I went back again and spent another three weeks exploring the islands. After spending more than a month here between my two trips, I can honestly say the Faroe Islands are still my favorite destination I’ve ever visited.
What makes them so special?
For starters, the scenery is INSANE. The islands are extremely mountainous, with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, tiny villages, and the ocean basically always within view.
And because the islands are relatively small and well connected, you can see a surprising amount in just five days.
This is the 5-day Faroe Islands itinerary I’d recommend for a first trip, based on the places I’ve loved most after visiting twice.
5 Day Faroe Islands Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Vágar Airport + Múlafossur Waterfall + Tórshavn
Day 2: Saksun + Fossá Waterfall + Tjørnuvík
Day 3: Kalsoy + Kallur Lighthouse
Day 4: Lake Sørvágsvatn + Trælanípa + Bøsdalafossur
Day 5: Eiði + Risin og Kellingin + Gjógv + Hvíthamar
I definitely recommend renting a car and staying in Tórshavn for this itinerary. I have a full guide to driving in the Faroe Islands with everything I wish I’d known before my first trip.
Tórshavn is the biggest city in the Faroe Islands and makes a really convenient home base. You’ll have restaurants, grocery stores, and shops nearby, while most of the places on this itinerary are still within about an hour’s drive.
One Important Thing Before You Start
Don’t get too attached to the order of this itinerary.
The weather in the Faroe Islands can change ridiculously fast, and there are certain hikes I would NOT attempt in extreme wind.
I’ve experienced wind here so strong that I literally couldn’t stand up.
If Kalsoy is getting hammered with wind on Day 3, don’t hike Kallur just because that’s what your itinerary says. Swap it with another day.
The same goes for Trælanípa. You’re walking near enormous exposed cliffs, so I’d plan your biggest hikes around the weather rather than forcing yourself to stick to a specific schedule.
Both of my trips were during October, and I’ve experienced everything from sunshine and calm weather to rain, hail, snow, fog, and insane wind.
If you’re planning an autumn trip, I have a full guide to what it’s actually like visiting the Faroe Islands in October.
Stop 1: Múlafossur Waterfall
Drive from Vágar Airport: About 15 minutes
Before driving to Tórshavn, I’d make a quick detour to Gásadalur to see Múlafossur Waterfall.
It’s only about a 15-minute drive from Vágar Airport, which is why I think it makes so much sense to visit on your first day. You’re already on Vágar, so you can see one of the most famous waterfalls in the Faroe Islands before making the drive to Tórshavn.
Múlafossur drops from the cliffs toward the ocean, with the tiny village of Gásadalur and mountains behind it. And unlike a lot of the places you’ll visit over the next five days, there’s no major hike involved.
Once you park in Gásadalur, it’s just a short walk to the viewpoint, making this a really easy stop after a long travel day.
Depending on what time your flight arrives, you can spend a little time walking around Gásadalur before continuing to Tórshavn.
Stop 2: Drive to Tórshavn
Drive from Múlafossur Waterfall: About 50 minutes
After Múlafossur, head to Tórshavn, where I recommend staying for the rest of your trip.
I’ve stayed in Tórshavn on both of my trips, and I think it makes the most sense as a home base, especially if this is your first time visiting the Faroe Islands.
It’s the biggest city in the Faroes, so you’ll have plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and shops nearby, but you’re still within an easy drive of almost everything on this itinerary.
Both times I’ve stayed within walking distance of downtown, which I really liked. After spending all day driving and hiking, it was nice being able to leave the car at our Airbnb and walk into town for dinner.
If you still have some energy after traveling, spend a little time walking around Tórshavn. Tinganes, with its red wooden buildings and turf roofs, is especially worth seeing and is right in the center of town.
Otherwise, grab some groceries, get settled into your Airbnb, and call it a night.
Day 2 is going to be a lot busier.
Day 2: Saksun + Fossá Waterfall + Tjørnuvík
This is one of my favorite combinations of places because Saksun, Fossá, and Tjørnuvík all fit together really well in the same day.
You’ll be driving through some ridiculously beautiful parts of Streymoy, so don’t just think about getting from one stop to the next. Leave yourself time to pull over when you see something from the road—which will probably happen a lot.
I’d also try to get an earlier start today if you can, especially if you’re visiting during autumn when daylight disappears FAST.
Stop 1: Saksun
Drive from Tórshavn: About 50 minutes
Start the day in Saksun, one of the most famous villages in the Faroe Islands.
The village sits above a lagoon surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls, and a handful of turf-roofed buildings. It’s one of those places that really does look as good in person as it does in photos.
But one thing I would do differently from my first trip is don’t just stop at the viewpoint and leave.
Do the Saksun Lagoon Walk.
I actually skipped the Saksun Lagoon Walk on my first trip. Part of it was because I didn’t realize what I was missing, but I was also terrified of the tide coming in and getting stranded. The trail out toward the ocean fills with water during high tide, and for the life of me, I could not figure out when high tide was.
When I came back on my second trip, I finally asked a local about it. He told me that during October the tide tends to be higher anyway, so at that point I basically said screw it and went.
I’m SO glad I did. I couldn’t believe I’d skipped it the first time. The walk through the valley toward the black sand beach ended up being one of my favorite things I did on my second trip.
There is a fee to access the trail, which is something to know before you arrive. Personally, I didn’t mind paying it. You’re crossing privately owned land, and for me, this hike was absolutely worth it.
If you’re planning to do the lagoon walk, my Saksun guide goes into the tide, hiking fee, parking, and everything else I wish I’d known beforehand.
Stop 2: Fossá Waterfall
Drive from Saksun: About 25 minutes
From Saksun, head toward Fossá Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in the Faroe Islands.
You really can’t miss it. The waterfall is right off the road, and you can see it cascading down the mountainside as you’re driving toward Tjørnuvík.
Most people stop at the bottom, and honestly, the view from the road is already incredible. But if the weather is decent, I recommend climbing up to the second level of the waterfall.
It only takes about 15 minutes to get up there, and the view is completely different. You can get much closer to the falls and look back toward the ocean from above.
Just know that the trail can get really wet and slippery, especially after it rains. I’d definitely wear waterproof hiking boots here.
And rain isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re visiting Fossá.
As a photographer, I actually love the stormier weather in the Faroe Islands. The scenery changes drastically from day to day, and after a lot of rainfall, the waterfalls seem to multiply all over the islands. Fossá is especially impressive when there’s been a lot of rain.
If you want to climb up beside the waterfall, I explain exactly how to reach the second level in my Fossá Waterfall guide.
Stop 3: Tjørnuvík
Drive from Fossá Waterfall: About 10–15 minutes
From Fossá, keep following the road north until you reach Tjørnuvík.
Tjørnuvík is one of my favorite little villages in the Faroe Islands. It sits at the very end of the road, tucked into a valley surrounded by mountains, with a black sand beach right in front of town.
From the beach, you also get an amazing view of Risin and Kellingin, the two sea stacks sitting just offshore.
You’ll actually see them again later in this itinerary from the viewpoint near Eiði, but from Tjørnuvík you’re looking at them from the opposite side. It’s really cool seeing how different they look depending on where you are.
Take some time to walk along the beach and wander around the village. There’s also a small café where I’ve stopped for something warm after being outside in the cold.
If you still have some energy, walk up the hillside above Tjørnuvík.
You don’t have to go very far to get an incredible view looking back over the village, black sand beach, and surrounding mountains. I hiked about 15 minutes up before turning around, and even from there the view was SO good.
If you have more time, there are a few other things worth seeing around Tjørnuvík, including some of my favorite viewpoints above the village.
Day 3: Kalsoy + Kallur Lighthouse
Day 3 takes a little more planning because you’ll need to take the ferry to Kalsoy.
But if the weather cooperates, Kallur Lighthouse is absolutely worth the extra effort it takes to get there.
From Tórshavn, you’ll first drive to Klaksvík, where you’ll catch the ferry over to Kalsoy.
Drive from Tórshavn to Klaksvík: About 45 minutes
The drive itself is beautiful, and you’ll go through the Norðoyatunnilin underwater tunnel before reaching Klaksvík.
This is one day where I would check the weather AND the ferry schedule before leaving Tórshavn. You don’t want to drive all the way to Klaksvík only to realize you’ve missed the ferry, and I definitely wouldn’t attempt Kallur if the wind is crazy.
Taking the Ferry to Kalsoy
From Klaksvík, you’ll take the ferry to Syðradalur on Kalsoy.
I’d bring your rental car over if you can. Kalsoy is long and narrow, and having your own car makes getting from the ferry terminal to Trøllanes — where the Kallur Lighthouse hike starts — much easier.
Once you arrive on Kalsoy, drive north through the tunnels toward Trøllanes.
Drive from Syðradalur to Trøllanes: About 20 minutes
And make sure you know what time the last ferry back to Klaksvík leaves before you start your day. This is not somewhere you want to lose track of time.
The Kalsoy ferry schedule is available in English. I recommend checking it before your trip and again the day you’re planning to visit in case anything has changed.
When I visited, these were the ferry prices:
- Ferry cost for car + driver: Approximately 160 DKK ($23 USD) round trip.
- Passenger cost: About 40 DKK ($6 USD) per person, round trip.
I highly recommended you bring your car as Kalsoy is a long, narrow island, and the road to Kallur Lighthouse starts from the northern village of Trøllanes, which is difficult to access without a car.
Kallur Lighthouse Hike
The hike to Kallur Lighthouse is the only real reason you come to Kalsoy. It is very worth the extra effort it takes to get here.
Once you reach Trøllanes, park near the public restrooms and walk up toward the red gate where the trail begins.
The hike takes around 40–60 minutes each way, depending on your pace and how often you stop for pictures.
And trust me, you’re going to stop for pictures.
The scenery gets crazier the farther you go, with huge green cliffs dropping straight into the ocean.
Hiking fee: 200 DKK per person
But this is also one of the places where I take the Faroese weather very seriously.
If it’s extremely windy, I would skip this hike.
There are exposed cliffs, and I’ve experienced wind in the Faroe Islands strong enough that I literally couldn’t stand up. Kallur isn’t somewhere I’d mess around with that.
Tips:
- Arrive early for the ferry, especially in the summer months, as space for cars can fill up quickly.
- Again, make sure to check the ferry schedule for return trips as service is limited.
Day 4: Lake Sørvágsvatn + Trælanípa + Bøsdalafossur
Day 4 takes you back to Vágar for my favorite hike in the Faroe Islands.
I’ve actually been to Lake Sørvágsvatn four times now, so that probably tells you how much I love this place. If you only have time for one major hike during your trip, this is the one I’d choose.
Drive from Tórshavn: About 45 minutes
Lake Sørvágsvatn + Trælanípa
You’ve probably seen photos of Lake Sørvágsvatn before. It’s the famous lake that appears to be floating high above the ocean because of an optical illusion created by the surrounding cliffs.
The hike takes you along the lake toward Trælanípa, where you’ll get the famous optical illusion view.
The trail itself isn’t particularly difficult. It’s relatively flat for most of the way, although it gets steeper as you approach Trælanípa.
But once you reach the famous viewpoint, don’t turn around.
Keep Going to Bøsdalafossur
Continue along the trail toward Bøsdalafossur, where Lake Sørvágsvatn spills directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
I think this entire section of the hike is just as impressive as Trælanípa — if not more.
You have the huge cliffs, the lake behind you, the ocean below, and Bøsdalafossur dropping over the edge into the water.
Distance: About 7.2 km (4.5 miles) round trip
Hiking fee: 200 DKK per person
I can easily spend most of the day here because I’m constantly stopping to take photos and fly my drone, but if you’re not doing that, you probably won’t need nearly as long as I do.
And just like Kallur, pay attention to the wind. You’re walking around some enormous exposed cliffs, so this isn’t somewhere I’d push it if the weather is bad.
I’ve visited Sørvágsvatn four different times and had completely different conditions, which is another reason I wouldn’t be afraid to move this day around depending on the forecast.
My Lake Sørvágsvatn guide has the full hike, where to get the famous Trælanípa photo, fees, parking, and everything else you need to know before you go.
If You Have Extra Time
Since you’re already back on Vágar, you could also revisit Múlafossur Waterfall if you have extra time.
I know you already saw it on Day 1, but I actually love revisiting places in the Faroe Islands because the scenery can look COMPLETELY different depending on the weather.
A waterfall you saw under blue skies on your first day could be surrounded by fog and pouring rain four days later and look like an entirely different place.
But I wouldn’t cram another major attraction into this day just for the sake of adding more stops. Sørvágsvatn, Trælanípa, and Bøsdalafossur are worth taking your time with.
Day 5: Eiði + Risin og Kellingin + Gjógv + Hvíthamar
For your last day, head to Eysturoy. This is one of my favorite areas of the Faroe Islands to drive around because the scenery between the stops is just as good as the actual destinations.
Give yourself extra time today, especially if you’re into photography. You’re probably going to want to pull over constantly.
Stop 1: Eiði
Drive from Tórshavn: About 45 minutes
I actually discovered Eiði completely by accident while driving toward Gjógv on my first trip.
I’d never heard of it. I had no clue how to pronounce it. It wasn’t on my itinerary.
I just happened to drive past it on my way somewhere else and couldn’t stop taking pictures.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a ton of time here. Some of my favorite views of Eiði are actually from the surrounding roads, but if you have time, drive down into the village and walk around.
There’s a football field right beside the ocean, a little white church, colorful houses, and mountains surrounding everything.
Cost: Free
I’ve now visited Eiði on both of my trips, and you can find all of my favorite viewpoints and photo stops in my Eiði Faroe Islands guide.
Stop 2: Risin og Kellingin Viewpoint
Drive from Eiði: About 5 minutes
From Eiði, continue along the mountain road toward Gjógv and stop at the Risin og Kellingin viewpoint.
There are a few parking spaces and a wooden bench overlooking the sea stacks, so this is a really easy stop.
You’ll recognize Risin and Kellingin from Tjørnuvík on Day 2, but now you’re seeing them from the opposite side. I think it’s really cool to see both because the views are completely different.
Cost: Free
Stop 3: Gjógv
Drive from Risin og Kellingin viewpoint: About 15 minutes
Continue to Gjógv, one of the most picturesque villages I’ve visited in the Faroes — and actually the place I was heading when I first discovered Eiði.
Gjógv is best known for its natural harbor, a deep gorge that cuts into the cliffs, but I loved walking around the village itself just as much.
It’s colorful, surrounded by mountains, and ridiculously photogenic.
Walk down to the natural harbor, check out the church, and spend some time wandering around the village.
If the weather is good and you have more time, you can also hike part of the Ambadalur Trail above town.
There’s a lot more to see here than just the natural harbor, so my Gjógv Faroe Islands guide has the other stops and viewpoints I’d recommend while you’re there.
Cost to visit the village: Free
Stop 4: Hvíthamar
Drive from Gjógv: About 5 minutes
Finish the day at Hvíthamar, a viewpoint overlooking Funningur and the surrounding mountains.
This is one of my favorite short hikes in the Faroe Islands because you get an insane payoff without having to hike for hours.
The hike is only about 10–15 minutes to the viewpoint, but once you’re up there, you’re looking down over Funningur and the fjord with mountains surrounding you on both sides.
Hiking fee: 200 DKK per person
The trail starts from a small parking area along the road, and the beginning can be easy to miss. I show exactly where to park and where the trail starts in my Hvíthamar hike guide.
If you get decent weather, this is an incredible place to finish your five days in the Faroe Islands.
What I Absolutely Wouldn’t Miss
If you have to cut things from this itinerary because of weather or time, there are a couple of places I would really try to keep.
Do not skip the Trælanípa and Bøsdalafoss waterfall hike. It will take you to some of the most incredible views you have ever seen.
I’ve been here four times now, and I still haven’t gotten tired of it. If you only have time for one major hike in the Faroe Islands, this is the one I’d do.
I’d also make time for the Saksun Lagoon Walk. I skipped it on my first trip and almost skipped it again because I was so worried about the tide. I’m really glad I finally went because it ended up being one of my favorite things I did on my second trip.
Both hikes have entrance fees, but personally, I think they’re worth paying.
Hiking Fees in the Faroe Islands
One thing you’ll notice pretty quickly when planning a trip to the Faroe Islands is that some hikes aren’t free.
A number of the trails cross privately owned land, and landowners charge an entrance fee to access them.
I know people have mixed feelings about the hiking fees, but personally, they didn’t bother me. I was grateful to have the opportunity to hike on someone’s private land and experience these places.
The fees can add up, though, especially if you’re doing several hikes, so I would definitely factor them into your trip budget.
For this five-day itinerary, the main hiking fees to budget for are:
- Saksun Lagoon Walk: 100 DKK per person
- Kallur Lighthouse: 200 DKK per person
- Lake Sørvágsvatn/Trælanípa: 200 DKK per person
- Hvíthamar: 200 DKK per person
That comes to about 700 DKK per person if you do all four.
These are the prices from my trips, so I recommend checking current fees before you go.
What to Budget for Food in the Faroe Islands
I’m probably the wrong person to ask for restaurant recommendations because I’m not a foodie.
My husband and I usually try to travel relatively cheaply, so we bought groceries and made a lot of our own meals. We still ate out occasionally, but cooking definitely helped keep the cost of the trip down.
For five days, I’d budget around $100 per person for groceries and another $100 per person for eating out occasionally, depending on how much you cook.
This is another reason I like staying in Tórshavn. You have grocery stores and restaurants nearby, and if you book an Airbnb or somewhere with a kitchen, it’s really easy to make some of your own meals.
Boat Tours in the Faroe Islands
Both of my trips to the Faroe Islands were during October, so I haven’t personally done the boat tours that operate during the summer.
A lot of tours and excursions are seasonal, so if there’s a specific boat trip you really want to do, check whether it’s operating during your travel dates before you book your trip.
This is one of the tradeoffs of visiting outside peak season. I LOVE visiting the Faroe Islands in October, but you won’t necessarily have access to everything you would during summer.
If you’re considering going in the fall, I break down the good AND the bad in my Faroe Islands in October guide.
Is 5 Days Enough for the Faroe Islands?
I think five days is enough for a first trip, especially if that’s all the time you have.
You’ll be able to see a surprising amount because the islands are small and many of the major sights are relatively close together.
That said, I would absolutely stay longer if you can.
My first trip was 10 days, and apparently that still wasn’t enough for me because I came back and spent another three weeks here.
Even after spending more than a month in the Faroe Islands between my two trips, there are STILL places I haven’t seen and hikes I haven’t done.
That’s probably part of the reason I keep wanting to come back.