Faroe Islands Holidays: Hiking, Puffins & Dramatic Cliffs from the UK

A By Anna · Updated 21 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Vágar Airport (FAE), about 45 minutes by road from Tórshavn

Flight time

about 1h15 from Edinburgh (seasonal); around 4-5h from London via Copenhagen

Best time to go

May-August for long days, puffins and open hiking trails

Currency

Faroese króna (DKK-pegged); Danish kroner accepted

The Faroe Islands are a cluster of 18 steep, treeless islands in the North Atlantic, roughly halfway between Scotland and Iceland. Sheer sea cliffs, green slopes grazed by sheep, waterfalls tumbling straight into the ocean and villages of black-tarred houses with grass roofs make it one of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe. Around 55,000 people live here, and there are more sheep than humans.

The islands are a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, with their own language, parliament and flag, and they are not part of the EU. Tourism has grown fast, but it remains small-scale, and the islands are serious about protecting their landscape and the farmers who own much of it. For more of the North Atlantic, see our guides to Norway and Greenland.

Things to do

1. Gásadalur and Múlafossur – the waterfall dropping off a cliff into the sea below a tiny village is the islands' most famous view, a short drive from the airport on Vágar.
2. Sørvágsvatn (Leitisvatn) – a lake that appears to hang above the ocean when seen from the cliffs of Trælanípa. The walk is about 3 kilometres each way across private land, and a fee is charged.
3. Mykines – the westernmost island, reached by a small ferry or helicopter, is home to tens of thousands of puffins in summer. Access to the bird colony is managed, so book transport and the hike in advance.
4. Tórshavn – one of the world's smallest capitals, with the turf-roofed government buildings of Tinganes on the harbour, cafés, the National Gallery and a surprisingly good food scene, including the island's renowned fine-dining restaurants.
5. Saksun and Tjørnuvík – Saksun's turf-roofed church overlooks a tidal lagoon, while Tjørnuvík is a black-sand surf beach facing the sea stacks of Risin and Kellingin.
6. Gjógv and Slættaratindur – Gjógv is a pretty village with a natural harbour in a gorge; nearby, the hike to the summit of Slættaratindur, the highest peak at around 880 metres, gives views over much of the archipelago on clear days.
7. Kirkjubøur – the medieval heart of the Faroes, with a ruined cathedral and a centuries-old farmhouse still lived in by the same family.
8. Boat trips – trips to the bird cliffs of Vestmanna and the islands of the north reveal sea caves and cliffs from the water.

Where to stay

• Tórshavn – the widest choice of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, and a central base for exploring by car.
• Vágar – handy for the airport, Gásadalur, Sørvágsvatn and the Mykines ferry.
• Eysturoy – villages such as Gjógv and Eiði offer guesthouses with views, close to the northern hikes.
• Cottages and holiday homes – self-catering cabins across the islands are popular, especially for families.

Getting there

Atlantic Airways usually flies from Edinburgh to Vágar in the summer season, a flight of around 1 hour 15 minutes. Year-round, the easiest route from London, Manchester and other UK airports is via Copenhagen, with Atlantic Airways and SAS flying on to the Faroes in about 2 hours; there are also seasonal links from other European cities. Smyril Line runs a car ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark, and some routes have called at Iceland.

British citizens can visit visa-free. The Faroes are not part of the EU, so GHIC cover does not apply as it would within the EU; take comprehensive travel insurance. Hire a car to get around: subsea and mountain tunnels link most islands, and some tunnels charge a toll. Buses and ferries operated by Strandfaraskip Landsins serve other islands.

Best time to visit

May to August brings the longest days, with nearly 20 hours of daylight around midsummer, flowering meadows and the puffins on Mykines. Temperatures rarely rise much above 10 to 15 °C, and weather changes quickly, with fog, wind and rain possible on any day. Winters are mild but dark and stormy, with dramatic seas and fewer visitors. Ólavsøka, the national festival in late July, brings rowing races and traditional chain dancing to Tórshavn.

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