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Boats, walks and waterfalls of the Faroes – 7 night self-drive
You are here: Home > The Faroe Islands > Boats, walks and waterfalls of the Faroes – 7 night self-drive
Highlights
- Vestmanna Sea Cliffs
- Visit the puffin colony and hike on Mykines
- Visit Kalsoy to see the Kallur lighthouse (and James Bond’s tombstone!)
- See the instagramable Múlafossur waterfall
- Walk up the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands
- Stay in historic Tórshavn close to the harbour and the old parliament building of Tignes as well as Gjógv in the north of Eysturoy, and Vágar near the iconic Lake Above the Ocean
Based in three locations, this 7-night self-drive itinerary allows you to explore the best of this archipelago under your own steam. We include three days of guided activity: visiting the puffin colony on Mykines, taking a boat tour along the sea cliffs from Vestmanna and a visit to the island of Kalsoy.
The guide price is based on yself-guided walking but we can arrange a guide if preferred. Footpaths tend to be narrow and can be a little indistinct during times of low cloud but they are waymarked with strategically placed cairns and wooden posts. We will send you the walking routes plotted on the ‘footpathsapp’ – though not as detailed as an ordinance survey map, they are a good 3D visual guide.
Day 1.
Pick up your hire car and make your way to your accommodation nearby.
Accommodation: Vágar Hotel.
Day 2.
Drive to Sørvágur (5 mins) where you’ll board the boat to be taken to the island of Mykines, famous for its puffin colonies, where you will have a walk around the island.
Day 3.
You drive north to visit the photogenic Múlafossur waterfall before heading south to the Lake Above the Ocean and then stopping of at Café Fiskastykkið before heading to Gjógv and your accommodation for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Gjaargardur Guesthouse.
Day 4.
Today you could drive to the foot of the short but steep walk up to the summit of Slættaratindur, the highest point in the Faroe Islands.
Day 5.
Today you’ll drive to Vestmanna for a boat tour along the sea cliffs and grottos. After lunch you’ll visit the Saga Museum which tells the story of the islands’ dramatic history through 17 wax figures. At the end of the day you’ll head to Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, for the remainder of your holiday.
Accommodation: Hotel Brandan
Day 6.
Free day. You could get the ferry to Nolsoy where you can walk almost the length of the island to the lighthouse before retracing your steps.
Day 7.
Today you’ll be collected from your accommodation to visit the island of Kalsoy, home to the Kallurin lighthouse, the Seal Wife statue, and James Bond’s tomb. You’ll also travel through the world’s first underwater roundabout.
Day 8.
After a morning to do some tax-free shopping you’ll drive back to the airport for your return flight.
Puffins of Mykines
The westernmost island of the Faroes is an important breeding ground for several species of seabird including northern fulmars, European storm petrels, and most famously 125,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins. You can take a daytrip to this island to see the puffins up close.
Food of the Faroes
For a small archipelago with a population a little over 50,000 you may be surprised to learn that they a 2-star Michelin restaurant, as well as a two more restaurants that make the Michelin guide. Whilst traditionally Faroease food as revolved around fermented meat and fish it is becoming much easier to find vegetarian and vegan food as well.
Boat Tours
On the Faroe Islands you’re never more than 5 km from the ocean, and, as such, it’s a great place to explore by boat. There are various options, but one of the most impressive is a tour along the dramatic cliffs from Vestmanna where you will pop in and out of the grottos hidden along the cliff face.
Hiking
The Faroe Islands have an abundance of walking routes with breath-taking views and an abundance of wildlife, mainly birds such as curlew, snipe, plovers, and, petrels. Footpaths tend to be narrow and can be a little indistinct but are waymarked with strategically placed cairns and wooden posts. For less experience walkers, we can organise a local guide. For those that are happy to walk independently, we send you routes plotted on the ‘footpathsapp’ and, whilst these are not as detailed as an ordinance survey map, they are a good 3D visual guide.
Sample Craft Beer at Mikeller
Though the interior of the bar here is modest and understated, the staff are really friendly and you can sample a great selection of local ales. This is a great place to go before dinner.
Lithographic Workshop
Steinprent is the Faroese term for stone lithography. The old lithographic factory runs a workshop where you can learn all about the history and process of this fascinating tradition. Despite this being such an old art form, the gallery here displays a surprisingly modern selection of prints, from landscape to pre-raphaelite-style paintings and pop art to contemporary works. All prints of the prints are numbered and signed by the artist and the stone print gets sanded back, so that print can never be produced again.
Government Buildings on Tinganes
The name 'Tinganes' means parliament point, an apt description because these old government buildings sit on a rocky isthmus, jutting out into the port of Torshavn. This is one of the oldest known parliamentary meeting places in the world, first established by Norwegian colonists during Viking times. Today, you can walk past the grass roofed government buildings and enjoy the view out into the harbour.
Skansin 16th Century Fortress
This fortress was originally built in the 1630’s to protect against pirate raids, and was later used by the British as a military base during the second world war. You can walk around the fortress and peer inside the old buildings, but the main appeal for many is that the fort offers great views over the port of Torshavn.
National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
A modern gallery displaying art through the ages, from the 1830’s through to the contemporary modern pieces of today. This is a great way to gain a range of artistic perspectives of this wild and beautiful archipelago. There are sculptures and paintings, as well as an immersive glass and mirror installation, where you can see 700m up and down. The gallery is just a few minute’s walk from Torshavn and there's a really nice park nearby, which you can take a walk through.
Active Adventures
If you want to do something a bit more adventurous you can try coasteering, sea kayaking mountain biking, abseiling.
Faroe Islands - Exclusive Access and Luxury Travel
Steve, has teamed up with a fantastic agent in the Faroe Islands, who we are really excited about. They are offering high-end packages with privately chartered helicopters and boats, so you get to choose which locations you want to visit, and you'll have an expert guide to accompany you. But this is so much more than luxury travel because this is centred around the locals, connecting you with the people of the Faroes. You get to dine with local farmers, join fishermen on their boats and stay in houses that belong to individuals who live on the island. All of this comes with a healthy price tag but this is, without a doubt, the best experience that you could possibly have on the island.
Highlights
- Vestmanna Sea Cliffs
- Visit the puffin colony and hike on Mykines
- Visit Kalsoy to see the Kallur lighthouse (and James Bond’s tombstone!)
- See the instagramable Múlafossur waterfall
- Walk up the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands
- Stay in historic Tórshavn close to the harbour and the old parliament building of Tignes as well as Gjógv in the north of Eysturoy, and Vágar near the iconic Lake Above the Ocean
Based in three locations, this 7-night self-drive itinerary allows you to explore the best of this archipelago under your own steam. We include three days of guided activity: visiting the puffin colony on Mykines, taking a boat tour along the sea cliffs from Vestmanna and a visit to the island of Kalsoy.
The guide price is based on yself-guided walking but we can arrange a guide if preferred. Footpaths tend to be narrow and can be a little indistinct during times of low cloud but they are waymarked with strategically placed cairns and wooden posts. We will send you the walking routes plotted on the ‘footpathsapp’ – though not as detailed as an ordinance survey map, they are a good 3D visual guide.
Day 1.
Pick up your hire car and make your way to your accommodation nearby.
Accommodation: Vágar Hotel.
Day 2.
Drive to Sørvágur (5 mins) where you’ll board the boat to be taken to the island of Mykines, famous for its puffin colonies, where you will have a walk around the island.
Day 3.
You drive north to visit the photogenic Múlafossur waterfall before heading south to the Lake Above the Ocean and then stopping of at Café Fiskastykkið before heading to Gjógv and your accommodation for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Gjaargardur Guesthouse.
Day 4.
Today you could drive to the foot of the short but steep walk up to the summit of Slættaratindur, the highest point in the Faroe Islands.
Day 5.
Today you’ll drive to Vestmanna for a boat tour along the sea cliffs and grottos. After lunch you’ll visit the Saga Museum which tells the story of the islands’ dramatic history through 17 wax figures. At the end of the day you’ll head to Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, for the remainder of your holiday.
Accommodation: Hotel Brandan
Day 6.
Free day. You could get the ferry to Nolsoy where you can walk almost the length of the island to the lighthouse before retracing your steps.
Day 7.
Today you’ll be collected from your accommodation to visit the island of Kalsoy, home to the Kallurin lighthouse, the Seal Wife statue, and James Bond’s tomb. You’ll also travel through the world’s first underwater roundabout.
Day 8.
After a morning to do some tax-free shopping you’ll drive back to the airport for your return flight.
Puffins of Mykines
The westernmost island of the Faroes is an important breeding ground for several species of seabird including northern fulmars, European storm petrels, and most famously 125,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins. You can take a daytrip to this island to see the puffins up close.
Food of the Faroes
For a small archipelago with a population a little over 50,000 you may be surprised to learn that they a 2-star Michelin restaurant, as well as a two more restaurants that make the Michelin guide. Whilst traditionally Faroease food as revolved around fermented meat and fish it is becoming much easier to find vegetarian and vegan food as well.
Boat Tours
On the Faroe Islands you’re never more than 5 km from the ocean, and, as such, it’s a great place to explore by boat. There are various options, but one of the most impressive is a tour along the dramatic cliffs from Vestmanna where you will pop in and out of the grottos hidden along the cliff face.
Hiking
The Faroe Islands have an abundance of walking routes with breath-taking views and an abundance of wildlife, mainly birds such as curlew, snipe, plovers, and, petrels. Footpaths tend to be narrow and can be a little indistinct but are waymarked with strategically placed cairns and wooden posts. For less experience walkers, we can organise a local guide. For those that are happy to walk independently, we send you routes plotted on the ‘footpathsapp’ and, whilst these are not as detailed as an ordinance survey map, they are a good 3D visual guide.
Sample Craft Beer at Mikeller
Though the interior of the bar here is modest and understated, the staff are really friendly and you can sample a great selection of local ales. This is a great place to go before dinner.
Lithographic Workshop
Steinprent is the Faroese term for stone lithography. The old lithographic factory runs a workshop where you can learn all about the history and process of this fascinating tradition. Despite this being such an old art form, the gallery here displays a surprisingly modern selection of prints, from landscape to pre-raphaelite-style paintings and pop art to contemporary works. All prints of the prints are numbered and signed by the artist and the stone print gets sanded back, so that print can never be produced again.
Government Buildings on Tinganes
The name 'Tinganes' means parliament point, an apt description because these old government buildings sit on a rocky isthmus, jutting out into the port of Torshavn. This is one of the oldest known parliamentary meeting places in the world, first established by Norwegian colonists during Viking times. Today, you can walk past the grass roofed government buildings and enjoy the view out into the harbour.
Skansin 16th Century Fortress
This fortress was originally built in the 1630’s to protect against pirate raids, and was later used by the British as a military base during the second world war. You can walk around the fortress and peer inside the old buildings, but the main appeal for many is that the fort offers great views over the port of Torshavn.
National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
A modern gallery displaying art through the ages, from the 1830’s through to the contemporary modern pieces of today. This is a great way to gain a range of artistic perspectives of this wild and beautiful archipelago. There are sculptures and paintings, as well as an immersive glass and mirror installation, where you can see 700m up and down. The gallery is just a few minute’s walk from Torshavn and there's a really nice park nearby, which you can take a walk through.
Active Adventures
If you want to do something a bit more adventurous you can try coasteering, sea kayaking mountain biking, abseiling.
Faroe Islands - Exclusive Access and Luxury Travel
Steve, has teamed up with a fantastic agent in the Faroe Islands, who we are really excited about. They are offering high-end packages with privately chartered helicopters and boats, so you get to choose which locations you want to visit, and you'll have an expert guide to accompany you. But this is so much more than luxury travel because this is centred around the locals, connecting you with the people of the Faroes. You get to dine with local farmers, join fishermen on their boats and stay in houses that belong to individuals who live on the island. All of this comes with a healthy price tag but this is, without a doubt, the best experience that you could possibly have on the island.
