Faroe Islands
Travel Guide > Europe > Faroe Islands
In this Article
- Introduction
- Brief History
- Geography
- Regions
- Cities
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Red Tape
- Money
- Work
- Study
- Language
- Eat
- Sleep
- Drink
- Health
- Safety
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Found midway between Norway and Iceland, this Danish territory encompasses 18 islands as picturesque as they come. Countless waterfalls, fjords and lush, snow-covered mountains are set against the stormy weather, making the Faroe Islands a place to be enjoyed by the stout-hearted. Their rewards are many, however. Because of their remoteness, the Faroe Islands have had very little to do with major wars, ensuring that historical sites can be found all over the islands. Remnants of churches, cathedrals, monasteries and farmhouses dating back centuries highlight the long past of the Faroes. An unbelievably huge bird population make the islands a popular place for nature lovers, who will also be attracted to the various species of whales and dolphins patrolling the islands' waters.
Brief History
The Færoes were associated with Norway and remained so even after the more southerly Shetlands and Orkneys were firmly established as part of Scotland. When Norway fell under Denmark, the Færoes did as well. During the Napoleonic wars, Great Britain occupied Denmark to keep out the French. Denmark entered the war on Napoleon’s side and their Nordic rival, Sweden, then joined the anti-French coalition. Losers do lose and Denmark had to cede Norway to Sweden. The Færoes were left behind with Denmark, as were Greenland and Iceland.
In the second world war the UK occupied the Færoes the day after the Germans invaded Denmark and held them until the end of the war. They were then returned to Denmark but by this time there was a major movement for independence. After one election they declared independence but the Danish king dissolved the Færoes Parliament and the new one revoked the declaration. So the Færoes remain subject to Denmark but they enjoy a high degree of self-government, they are an associate member of the Nordic Council, with their own representatives and they are seeking full membership. With Greenland and Iceland they form the West Nordic Council and they have a very wide-ranging free trade agreement with Iceland. Unlike Denmark, the Færoes are not part of the EU; entry would be pretty dodgy for a fish dependent economy.
Geography
Sights and Activities
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
The Vestmanna Bird Cliffs is one thing you shouldn't miss when visiting the Faroe Islands. There are fantastic boat tours to the these wild bird cliffs which are located in the northwest of Streymoy. If there is only one thing you can see, make it this place. You should keep your fingers crossed for good weather, because like most of the islands it all depends on whether you have miserable rainy weather or clear days, but it still makes for a great trip anyhow. When the weather is fine though you will sail from Vestmanna along the west coast of Streymoy to towering cliffs teeming with fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and you might even see puffins, but not year round.
Eysturoy
Eysturoy is located north of the main island Streymoy (where Torshavn is) and is the second largest island. It also has has the highest mountain of the Faroe Island and a great mountain road can be taken between Eidi, in the north-west of the island and Gjovk, a village with a sheltered harbour. Other fantastic roads include roads in the north-east leading to Elduvik and Oyndarfjordur. The villages are picture perfect as well, with it's dramatic backdrops. The south of the island is less dramatic but has a lake near Nes great for birdwatching.
Føroya Fornminissavn
The Faroe Islands, aside from nature, have some culture to offer as well and the excellent Føroya Fornminnissavn (Historical Museum) is probably the highlight regarding culture and history. The museum is actually split between two sites in the Hoyvík suburb, north of Tórshavn. There are displays of Faroese artefacts from the Viking Age to the 19th century and the illustrations with photos and text are in English. Downstairs is a treasure room.
A second site contains a well preserved 1920's farmstead complete with bell telephone and a full set of turf-roofed outhouses. The setting is marvelous as well.
Other sights and activities
- Kirkjubøur - cultural site on Streymoy, close to Torshavn
- Mjørkadalur
- Tinganes
- Island hopping - by helicopter, actually an affordable way of getting around
- Fuglafjørdur - cultural site on Eysturoy
Events and Festivals
- The Summar Festivalur is an annual event, usually held in August. It is a music festival in Klaksvík.
Weather
The Faroe Islands isn't the first place that comes to mind for its nice weather. Actually, you should consider yourself very lucky if you don't have any rain, even if you just visit for a few days. Even the somewhat drier months of June to August still have 20 to 22 rainy days a month! From October to March it rains on all but a few days a month. Temperatures are never hot but it rarely gets really cold as well. Winter (December to March) night time temperatures average around 2 °C while average summer (July-August) temperatures hoover around a chilly 12 °C
Getting There
By Plane
Atlantic Airways is the national airline of the Faroe Islands with its base at Vágar Airport. It has connections to major European cities, such as Aberdeen, London, Copenhagen, Oslo, Reykjavik and Narsarsuaq in Greenland. Air Iceland flies to Reykjavik as well.
By Car
Although obviously you can't drive to the Faroe Islands directly, the ferry described below offers you to bring your own car. This gives you maximum freedom on the islands and you don't need to rent a car.
By Boat
By boat your options are limited, time consuming and it's not a good deal at all unless you really want to bring your own car to visit the Faroe Islands. Smyril Line ferries leave from Denmark, Norway and Scotland to Iceland, stopping en-route at the Faroe Islands.
The Icelandic cargo ship Eimskip has two vessels, the Dettifoss and Goðafoss which travel the route Rotterdam-Hamburg-Göteborg-Århus-Fredrikstad-Tórshavn-Reykjavík. It takes 8 days in total and the return trip goes via eastern Iceland and Tórshavn only. The vessel can take a maximum of 3 passengers but only between mid-April and mid-October.
Getting Around
For such a small place, there are numerous ways to get around. To get started, check this website, which has information on travelling by bus, ferry, helicopter, taxi and bicycle.
By Plane
Getting around the islands can be done by air, but you main transport will be helicopters, not planes. It actually makes for an affordable and enjoyable way of getting around and is great way to finally travel by helicopter. Flights are by Atlantic Airways, the national airline and you can find the schedule and more information at theirwebsite.
By Car
Travelling around by car is a very pleasant way and gives you all the freedom to visit even the more remote corners of the islands. But it is only economical when you are with 2 or 3 people at least, as rental prices start at around €45 a day. Most of the international agencies like Hertz have offices at the airport or in Torshavn.
By Bus
Buses go to most places on many of the islands and the Bygdaleiðir long-distance bus service is a great way to get around. Most buses can be combined with ferries and there are 4 or 7 day bus passes with can be great value if you want to cover a lot of the islands.
By Boat
There are numerous ferries to and from the different islands of the Faroe Archipelago and you can take your car on most of them or just take the bus. Here is a complete list of all the ferries, including schedules.
Tunnels on the Faroes
Only the undersea tunnels are subject to toll. Currently there are only two as yet. One links the island of Vágar, where the island airport is situated to the largest island of Streymoy, where the capital, Tórshavn, is located; the other links Eysturoy with Borðoy. The toll is payable at any petrol station on the islands up to three days after the journey, when the records from the petrol stations are compared with computerised records of cars photographed using the tunnel. Furthermore the toll is only payable in one direction.
In most cases of underland tunnels there was no previous land passage, except by walking. There is one each on Streymoy and Eysturoy but they are most important in the Norðoyar, where there are two on Bordoy, one on Kulsoy and two on Kalsoy. Most recently there is one on Vágar.
The ones on Streymoy and Eysturoy allow vehicles to meet anywhere. The others give right of way to vehicles going in one direction. There are frequent passing places marked with a large M, large enough to accommodate a bus if necessary. As you would expect, the local inhabitants are expert at estimating meeting times and distances between Ms.
As more are planned, this could become dated and it would be a good idea to check.
Red Tape
The same requirements as for Denmark apply, though technically they are not part of the EU, so a Schengen Visa is not valid.
Money
See also: Money Matters
The official currency is the Faroese króna. Issued by the Danish National Bank, it is a version of the Danish Krone, and is pegged to the it at par. One króna is divided into 100 oyrur (singular oyra). Banknotes come in denominations of 50 kr, 100 kr, 200 kr, 500 kr and 1000 kr. The same Danish coins are used and they come in denominations of 25 øre, 50 øre, 1 kr, 2 kr, 5 kr, 10 kr and 20 kr.
Work
Study
Language
The Faroese language is descended from old Norse and, apparently, is akin to Icelandic more than the other Scandinavian languages.
English is spoken in shops, restaurants and travel operators all over the islands but it helps to know just a bit to read the road signs and attempt place names - (probably unsatisfactorily!) The letter eth (capital Ð, lower-case ð) is not noticeably sounded at all. Try pronouncing Viðareiði!
Eat
Sleep
Drink
References
- 1 March 2008 Estimate. Source: Statistics Faroe Islands
This is version 40. Last edited at 15:40 on Oct 5, 09 by Utrecht (+20). 23 articles link to this page.
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