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Faroese Villages & Turf Houses
Turf-roofed houses, tiny harbours and medieval ruins scattered between mountains and the North Atlantic
Turf-roofed houses, tiny harbours and medieval ruins scattered between mountains and the North Atlantic
A village on the north of Eysturoy named after its sea-filled gorge, which serves as a natural harbour. Hiking trails lead along the cliffs.
Photo: Lillestrøm SK, CC BY-SA 3.0
A small village at the head of a deep bay on northern Streymoy, with a black-sand beach and views of the Risin and Kellingin sea stacks.
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
The islands’ medieval religious centre, about 20 minutes from Tórshavn, with the ruins of the unfinished Magnus Cathedral, St Olav’s Church and an ancient farmhouse.
Photo: Vincent van Zeijst, CC BY-SA 3.0
Village cafés are few and often seasonal. Look out for heimablídni, home dining in local houses, a uniquely Faroese way to eat local food.
Try fresh fish, lamb and cakes with coffee.
A hire car is by far the easiest way to reach the villages. Buses and ferries connect most of them, but services are infrequent. Vágar Airport is about 45 minutes from Tórshavn.
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark but are outside the EU and the Schengen area. Citizens of the UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free; if you need a Schengen visa for Denmark, you need one specifically valid for the Faroes. The currency is the Faroese króna, on par with the Danish krone, which is also accepted. Check current rules before you travel.
The Faroes are expensive; self-catering and car-sharing cut costs.
A driving route.
Explore Tórshavn’s old quarter, Tinganes, then drive to Kirkjubøur.
Drive to Funningur and Gjógv, and climb Slæðaratindur, the islands’ highest peak, if the weather is clear.
Visit Saksun and Tjørnuvík, then Gásadalur and its waterfall.
Much of the land is private farmland, and some popular trails charge a landowner fee or must be walked with a guide; check before you go.
The weather changes fast; carry waterproofs and warm layers, and avoid cliff paths in fog or strong wind.
Some sub-sea tunnels charge a toll, usually billed via your hire car.
Don’t walk into gardens or fly drones over houses without permission.
Quick answers for planning time in Faroese Villages.
Popular choices include Gjógv, Tjørnuvík, Saksun, Gásadalur, Kirkjubøur and Funningur.
It is the easiest way to explore; buses and ferries exist but are infrequent.
Home dining, where local families serve traditional meals in their homes.
Turf roofs are a traditional building method that insulates against wind and rain.
May to September, for longer days and milder weather.
Google Maps works well; download offline maps, as signal is patchy in remote valleys.
Free
Faroese is the language; almost everyone speaks English and Danish.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Faroe Islands travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.